Virginia Cooperative Extension Speakers Bureau

In this presentation, Lenah Nguyen, 4-H Extension Agent will teach participants will about tree anatomy, the importance of forestry products in their everyday lives, and the differences between renewable and non-renewable resources. This presentation can be delivered to any K- 12 classroom but targets SOL 4.8 - Virginia's Watersheds and Natural Resources. This presentation is 30 minutes long.

Jeremy Daubert and Cynthia Martel, Dairy Science Extension Agents, can talk to your students on just about any topic related to Dairy Science. They can present to any students in grades K-12 and speak for 15 - 30 minutes.

Michael Carter Jr., Small Farm Resource Center Coordinator at Virginia State University introduces students to the multitude of contributions by people of African descent to agriculture. This presentation can be adapted for students from grades K-12 and can be 30 - 60 minutes long.

Tim Ohlwiler, Horticulture Extension Agent, will introduce students to soils and soil health. Topics covered will include testing, mapping, organic matter, and cover crops. This presentation can be adapted for students in grades 3 - 12 and can be 15 - 60 minutes long.

Thomas Bolles, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent, will introduce students to the New South Wales Soil Health Card as a hands-on way to monitor soil. Teachers can also use this to as a basis for long-term monitoring the soil at their school. This presentation can be adapted for students in grades 6 - 12 and can be 20 - 60 minutes long.

Thomas Bolles, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent, will introduce students to cover crops and their importance to soil health. This presentation can be adapted for students in grades 6 - 12 and can be 15 - 60 minutes long.

Tim Ohlwiler, Horticulture Extension Agent, will introduce students to insects and explain their role in our world. This presentation can be adapted for students in grades 6 - 12 and can be 15 - 60 minutes long.

Dr. Michael Ellerbrock, Virginia Tech Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics will help teachers address economic literacy with their students. Dr. Ellerbrock can adapt a lesson for grades 6 - 12 that is 30 minutes - 60 minutes long.

Water Quality Extension Associate, Erin Ling will provide an overview of drinking water quality concerns, groundwater basics and private water supplies. This presentation is for students in grades 6 - 12 and targets SOLs for Earth Science, biology and chemistry. This presentation is 30 minutes long.

Carter Humphries, 4-H Extension Agent, will teach students the basics of public speaking in order to effectively develop and deliver a message that informs, influences or entertains an intended audience. They will how to plan and deliver a speech with an effective beginning, middle and conclusion. This presentation addresses English SOL 6.2, 7.1, 7.2, 8.2, 9.1, 10.1, 11.1, 12.1 and CTE Competency - deliver a speech or presentation. This presentation is for students in grades 6 - 12 and can be 30 - 60 minutes long.

Money is emotional. Financial Counselor, Joanne Bilotta will discuss how values and goals set us up for future planning and spending. Knowing these in advance and planning for large purchases as well has having a reasonable spending plan sets youth up for success. This presentation is for students in grades 6 - 12 and is 30 - 45 minutes long.

Jim Hilleary, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent reviews several considerations for buying goats or holding off on that decision. This presentation is for students in grades 6-12 and is 60 minutes long.

Kayla Dixon, Virginia 4-H Horse Ambassador, will teach students the basics of horse judging skills. This presentation is for students in grades 6-12, addresses Equine Science Competencies 106-113, and is 60 minutes long.

Jim Hilleary, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent discusses considerations for starting a backyard chicken flock (or not). He explains reasons why a backyard flock may or may not be a good idea. This presentation is for students in grades 6-12 and is 45 minutes long.

Dr. Erica Feuerbacher, Professor at Virginia Tech, will discuss how to use simple research procedures to ask dogs about what they like and don't like and how information learned can be used to improve our interactions with our furry companions. This presentation is for students in grades 6-12 and is 30 minutes long.

Beef production is a multifaceted and dynamic global business. The goal is the same, but production systems vary tremendously depending on the region of the world. In this presentation, Dr. Vitor Mercadente from Virginia Tech's Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences will help students explore the similarities and differences among the major beef production countries in the world. This presentation is for students in grades 9 - 12 and is 60 minutes long.

In the past decades several advancements were made on the reproductive technologies that are available for beef producers. In this presentation, Dr. Vitor Mercadente from Virginia Tech's Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences will discuss these technologies and how to apply them to improve beef cattle productivity. This presentation is for students in grades 9 - 12 and is 60 minutes long.

In this presentation, Carl Stafford, Animal Science Extension Agent, will share with youth the role of grazing livestock in removing carbon dioxide from earth's atmosphere. This presentation is for students in grades 9 - 12 and is 30 minutes long.

Reproductive biology is a fascinating field that includes physiology, anatomy and biotechnologies. In this presentation, Dr. Vitor Mercadente from Virginia Tech's Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences will discuss basic anatomy and physiology in the bovine as well as how reproductive biotechnologies work. This presentation is for students in grades 6 - 12 and is 45 - 60 minutes long.

Mark Estienne, Swine Research Physiologist, will teach students about the history of raising pigs in Virginia; modern production and management; and how the pork industry is an important component of the Commonwealth's Agricultural Industry. This presentation is for students in grades 9 - 12 and is 45 minutes.

Jim Hilleary, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent, introduces students to the enterprise budget as a farm financial tool. The presentation supports the 8008 Series Curriculum: Introduction to Animal Systems and can be delivered to students in grades 9 - 12 in 45 minutes.

Mandi Dolan, 4-H Extension Agent, will lead this open-ended Q&A style lesson to provide an opportunity for students to create their own basic resume and cover letter. General examples and guidance are provided throughout to assist in the professionally creative process. This presentation is for students in grades 9 - 12 and is 45 - 60 minutes long.

Financial Counselor, Joanne Bilotta will help students understand the world of loans - auto, student, and home. Students will also learn why credit is important and how to maintain it. This presentation is for students in grades 9 - 12 and is 45 minutes long.

Is it appropriate etiquette to wear pajama pants during a virtual interview? Mandi Dolan, 4-H Extension Agent, will help your students explore the expectations of today's job culture through activities highlighting the general application process, different types of interviews, and the proper attire for various professional settings. This presentation is for students in grades 9 - 12 and is 45 - 60 minutes long.