Agriculture and Natural Resources

Agriculture and Natural Resources programs help sustain profitability of agricultural and forestry production, while protecting and enhancing the quality of our land and water resources.  

 

Horticulture

As the horticulture agent for Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock Counties, Tim Ohlwiler oversees the training and volunteer management of local Master Gardeners. These volunteers staff help lines in each extension office to answer homeowner questions about lawns, gardens, vegetables, flowers and trees. Volunteers maintain demonstration gardens. Master Gardeners also run a variety of educational programs in local schools. They also do horticulture therapy at some local nursing homes with the residents, among other educational projects. 

Tim Ohlwiler also works with the local commercial horticulture industry in the above mentioned counties. He develops programs in conjunction with other extension agents to meet the needs of orchard growers, vineyards, nurseries, fruit and vegetable growers. He also provides education and information for pesticide safety and compliance with state and federal regulations. And he also works with service providers to the landscape industry such as landscape maintenance, tree care worker and lawn care technicians. He provides access to information form specialists at Virginia Tech and Virginia State University to those in the local horticulture industry. 

Agriculture

As an animal science agent, Tim Mize works with local producers in Fauquier and surrounding counties, delivering researched-based educational programs  on various topics, including animal nutrition and reproduction, hay and pasture management, and soil and water conservation. In cooperation with other extension agents and specialist, Tim also works in other agricultural areas, including row crops, byproduct feeds, nutrient management,  commodity and speciality marketing, and private pesticide applicators.