For the first time in the history of the program, the scholars will visit West Virginia.
The
West Virginia University
Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design and the U.S. Department
of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service will serve as hosts for
the July 9-16 tour.
The Nuffield Scholars program awards scholarships to approximately 50 young agriculturalists
from 12 countries each year. Designed to expand the capacity of participants through
transformative experiences, the program provides scholars with the opportunity
to make international connections and explore production agriculture, agribusiness,
agricultural policy and related topics in different parts of the world.
“West Virginia agriculture doesn’t often come to the top of mind for people when
they think about U.S. agriculture. As a land-grant institution, it’s important
for us to showcase the important research being conducted here and how it benefits
our state,” said
Matt Wilson, associate dean for research in the WVU Davis College. “As we move
forward with a strategic plan for agriculture in the state, engagement with international
thought leaders will benefit us just as much as it benefits them. It’s an opportunity
to learn from each other.”
The first leg of the trip will include a visit to the WVU Research Forest where scholars
will explore the outdoor educational and research laboratory, a tour of the WVU
Organic Research Farm which will highlight pasture management and bioenergy crops,
and a visit to the WVU Animal Science Farm to discuss poultry feed research being
conducted in a state-of-the-art feed mill.
“Given the make-up of West Virginia’s agriculture and forestry sectors, we can provide
real insight as to how agriculture can fit in challenging environments such as
large forest holdings and controlled environment agriculture,” Wilson said. “Our
goal is to provide the international scholars with information and ideas they can
explore implementing once they return home.”
Following visits to WVU facilities, the group of 11 scholars will travel to different
areas of the state with NRCS officials to meet with local farmers.
Stops will be made at farms in Harrison, Monongalia, Marshall and Brooke Counties
where scholars will learn about prescribed grazing, stockpiling forages to extend
the growing season, high tunnels, micro-irrigation, vegetable production and maple
syrup production.
The last leg of the trip will include a visit to the
Upper Decker’s Creek Watershed Dam rehabilitation project in Preston County.
The rehabilitated dam will provide approximately 100 million gallons of raw water
to the Public Service District.
“Hosting the Nuffield Scholars is a tremendous opportunity for us to meet with agricultural
professionals from across the world. The Nuffield Scholars are highly motivated
and successful leaders in their respective agricultural fields. We look forward
to meeting with them, sharing information, building international partnerships,
and exchanging agriculture related stories,” said Acting NRCS State Conservationist
Andy Deichert.
-WVU-
law/7/8/19
CONTACT: Lindsay Willey, Interim Director of Marketing and Communications, Davis
College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, 304-293-2381,
Lindsay.Willey@mail.wvu.edu