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Faculty Recognized with Extension Excellence Awards

Keith Balderson and Mike Weaver are the recipients of the 2007 Virginia Tech Alumni Award for Extension Excellence. Each year, one agent and one specialist are recognized for their outstanding contributions to the land-grant mission of the university. Nominees are evaluated on their innovation, creativity, program results, and other impacts of the their efforts.

Balderson, agriculture and natural resources agent and unit coordinator in Essex County, was recognized for his work in on-farm research and demonstration plots with local farmers. Balderson was cited for his numerous publications on on-farm small grain test plot studies and his work in presenting field research and other agricultural topics to farmers since 1993. Balderson has received more than $68,000 in grant monies to support his efforts.

Weaver, professor of entomology and director of the Virginia Tech Pesticide Program, was recognized for his work in developing Extension’s pesticide safety education program. Weaver was cited for his innovative use of technology in developing the program, and, in particular, his use of video and web-based media for training. He has been the recipient of grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.