Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center

Welcome to the Southern Piedmont AREC - Rooted in Service Since 1974.

Located in Blackstone, Virginia, the center is dedicated to research and Extension programs for sustainable production of tobacco, forage crops, beef cattle, small fruits, and grains.

The Southern Piedmont AREC team is comprised of 6 resident faculty, 11 full-time staff, and additional seasonal employees. The resident faculty members conduct research and Extension programs on tobacco, forages, and small fruits crops, and collaborate with other faculty (from Virginia Tech and other institutions) to study alternative crops for Southside Virginia. Crops grown at the center include tobacco, forage species, corn, wheat, barley, soybeans, strawberries, and mung beans. Faculty expertise includes agronomy, plant pathology, forages, and entomology.

DISCIPLINES

Tobacco agronomy and curing technologies
Field crops and small fruit disease management
Field crops integrated pest management
Forage production and management
Specialty crop production
Applied agricultural economy

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Tobacco curing, monitoring, and automation
Spore trapping and predictive model development
Aerial imaging technology to assess crop development and pest detection

FACILITIES

1,180-acre farm with 130 acres of crop research plots (including 16 acres of certified organic), 120 acres of fenced grazing land, 40-acres of silvopasture, and >850 acres of woodland
Specialized tobacco curing facilities
Extensive greenhouse facilities and high tunnels
150-person auditorium
Multiple fully-equipped laboratory facilities, including the Cox Road Lab