Soil Fertility and Management in Small Holder Settings

Speaker Bio: Dr. Tom Thompson is Associate Dean and Director of International Programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Professor of Agronomy at Virginia Tech. He earned B.S. , M.S. , and Ph.D. degrees in agronomy and soil science. He was an academic department head at two universities, including Virginia Tech. He has published >50 refereed journal articles and garnered more than $9.7 million in extramural funding in support of research and outreach on efficient use of irrigation water and nutrients in cropping systems. He spent a sabbatical leave in Israel during 2004. His recent research and outreach have focused on the adoption of conservation agriculture practices in smallholder farming systems of Haiti and Senegal. He is a fellow of the American Society of Agronomy, the Soil Science Society of America, and the Food Systems Leadership Institute. As Associate Dean and Director, he is responsible for advancing the college missions of learning, discovery, and engagement across the globe.
 

Abstract: Smallholder farmers in the developing world face many challenges; a number of these are soil-related. As soil quality is critical for agricultural development, understanding how to manage and improve soil fertility are the tools for success. This workshop is an opportunity to meet with Dr. Tom and discuss the causes and extent of some of these challenges, as well as a variety of possible management responses.