BSE Extension

1. BSE Extension • Strategic plans - extension • To meet the needs of the Commonwealth and Nation through conducting vital, dynamic extension education, technology transfer and applied research activities to promote an environmentally sustainable and profitable agricultural production and processing system • Demos • Stream restoration demonstration projects (Benham) • Bioenergy demonstration of on-going research (Arogo) • Biodiesel demonstration and small-scale community unit • Low impact development (LID) demonstration projects (Sample)

2. BSE Extension Programs • Bioresource Management & Utilization • Animal Waste Management • Air Quality • By-Product Utilization • Biomass inventory • BioEnergy Engineering Educational Program (BEEP) • Energy Conservation • Energy Series – Residential / Ag Production • Energy Audits • Plastic Recycling

3. BSE Extension Programs • Virginia Household Water Quality Program • Watershed Studies • Watershed Management • Urban Stormwater Management • Machine Safety & Management

4. BSE Extension Issues • Several emerging areas • Interdisciplinary • No agent group (in-service) • Publications • Demonstrations & Abode Connect • Several programs not involved • Facilities & plans • Grain handling & storage • Farm ponds / Irrigation • Traditional farm safety • Fruit harvest / processing • Greenhouse production

5. Biological Systems Engineering • Strategic plans (future positions): • Graphics Designer • Ecological/Stream Restoration Engineer (habitat improvement and restoration of bay, rivers and inland lakes) • Water Supply Engineer (water supply planning, climate change impacts, residential/industrial/ agricultural water conservation/reuse) • Three Regional Extension Specialists (energy, bioenergy, waste utilization, soil/water conservation)

6. BSE Extension Jactone Arogo Bobby Grisso Brian L. Benham John Ignosh Zach Easton Erin James David Sample Chris Mariger

7. Extension Funding Sources • Foundations • National Fish and Wildlife Foundation • Internal • Seed grants from Virginia Tech • ICTAS • Others • Farm Bureau • Engineering consulting firms • Federal • USDA • USEPA • State • DEQ • DCR • CZM • Piedmont Wetlands Research Program • Commodity Groups • National Corn Growers Association

8. Specific Programs: Grisso • Safety & Security • Farm Safety Resources • Emergency Preparedness • USDA Funding – Educational • AgrAbility Virginia • Protecting Youth in Lawncare Industry

9. AgrAbility Education • Reducing secondary injuries • Safety of vineyard workers • Reducing falls / confined space • Joint disabilities & arthritis • Medical community materials • Impacts: • Over 60 farmers remain on the farm • Reduce secondary injuries • Develop AT to overcome obstacles

10. Lawncare Education: Youth Educational Resources (under development) 1. Protecting the Crew (working with 4-10 persons crew) 2. Compact Tractor / Commercial mowers (20hp +) 3. Utility Vehicles /ATV’s / Gators /Mules / Carts 4. Powered Hand Tools 5. Hand Tools • Focus Areas: • Proper Maintenance and Operation • Personal Safety (PPE/Heat) • Awareness of Surroundings – interface with crew (#1)

11. Lawncare Education: Youth • Run-over Prevention • Audible and mechanical alerts to prevent proximity violations • Engine shut off for vehicles too close to people • Heat Stress Prevention • Alert other workers of person in trouble • Audibly notify workers of heat induced temperatures based on conditions • Hearing Loss Prevention • Encourages the use of hearing protection

12. Lawncare Education: Youth • Run-over Prevention • Audible and mechanical alerts to prevent proximity violations • Engine shut off for vehicles too close to people • Heat Stress Prevention • Alert other workers of person in trouble • Audibly notify workers of heat induced temperatures based on conditions • Hearing Loss Prevention • Encourages the use of hearing protection

13. Lawncare Education: Youth • Impacts: • A work force familiar with the safe operation and use of machines commonly used in green industry. • Significant reduction in the number of accidents and heat exposures. • The sensor technology developed in this study may be useful for protecting other workers exposed to heat, athletes during training, and children in amusement parks.

14. Management is the KEY Specific Programs: Grisso • Machinery Management • Precision Farming • Machinery Performance • Pesticide Application (PAT) • Conservation Tillage • Biomass Logistics (new) • Package systems • Logistics patterns

17. LID Demonstrations: Sample Highly public site located near downtown Richmond (Shockoe Creek headwaters) Heavily used by K-12 for educational purposes Site is highly developed and urban, with nearly 100% impervious surfaces Site is located in a combined sewer area, with inadequate existing drainage infrastructure

18. SMV LID Projects Site Plan • ??

19. SMV Demonstration Project • Practices with 90-95%treatment: • Bioretention • Tree-box filters • Porous pavement • Practices with 50-70% treatment: • Vegetated Roof • Rainwater

20. Key Feature of Bioretention In cooperation with Lucas, W.L., Integrated Land Management , 2010 • Water Treatment residuals in media enhanced P removal reduce thickness. • An impermeable membrane restricts side exfiltration • Adjustable outlet designed to increase detention time and enhance N removal.

21. Key Features of Rainwater Harvesting • 2 5,500 gallons tanks, 4 roofsheds of 1,300 ft2 each (2 drain to each tank) • System is designed to pump water to urban farm • Associated research will establish runoff reduction credits using long term simulation

22. Key Features of Vegetated Roof Image courtesy of Timmons Group • Most expensive treatment • Therefore can be done last, scaleable (cut back if we have to) • Currently 3,683 ft2, first 0.5” rainfall • Modular, integrated w/ roof renovation