Cooperative Extension Aquaculture Program

Virginia State University

The Cooperative Extension Aquaculture Program at Virginia State University (VSU) is entirely supported by state funds. The Commonwealth of Virginia’s aquaculture efforts are divided between Virginia’s two land-grant institutions with VSU responsible for freshwater pond and cage aquaculture. Virginia’s aquaculture industry future will be based on the increasing consumer demand for a healthy, high-quality, affordable, and contaminant-free product. VSU’s Aquaculture Extension provides education programs with a primary focus on sustainability, water quality, nutrition, aquaculture economics, regulatory concerns, safety, and technologies to assist county agents work with clients to develop aquaculture systems. These programs serve more than 750 enterprises ranging in size from less than one acre to greater than 50 acres with investments of $1,000 to more than $1,000,000. Audiences also include youth, processors, marketers, consumer groups, educators, and natural resource managers. The VSU Aquaculture Program provides leadership and technical expertise to enhance the production and competitiveness of Virginia’s aquaculture industry. This program also promotes the protection of water quality and natural aquatic resources. The Youth Aquaculture Program has more than 50 schools and organizations participating. Programs range from tours of the VSU aquaculture facility, to hands-on aquaculture presentations, and educational assistance with school aquaculture production operations.

Facilities construction and renovations began in 1986 for the hatchery, fish processing, fish health diagnostic lab, and greenhouse, and a 57-pond aquaculture facility located on approximately 100 acres at Virginia State University’s Randolph Farm. Students and community members participate in educational programs.

 

Program Objectives

  • Coordinate with the Virginia Aquaculture Association on transitioning traditional agriculture (i.e. tobacco) operations to alternative farming including aquaculture.

 

  • With a focus on limited-resource farmers, VSU’s Aquaculture Extension provides research-based information through literature, media, workshops, field days, and demonstrations to clients to assist with the development of sustainable pond aquaculture in Virginia.

 

  • Work within the 1890 Land-Grant Model with research and academics to strengthen Virginia’s aquaculture industry.

 

  • Educate farmers, community leaders and other interested individuals on issues pertaining to aquaculture.

Youth Aquaculture Program

Objectives: Increase aquaculture awareness, student recruitment, promote environmental stewardship

The number of youth involved averages 10 per school with an aquaculture project, but more than 50 students per month for tours of our facility. More than 30 schools and organizations are involved in the program. Programs range from tours of the VSU aquaculture facility, to aquaculture presentations at the schools, to commercial aquaculture production operations at the schools. Special projects include the Youth Aquaculture Competition at the State Fair, and the partnership that has evolved between Gloucester High School, a private sector waste management company, and VSU’s aquaculture extension office.

Fish Health Program

VSU’s Fish Health Program has three components: Fish Health Diagnostic Lab for disease outbreaks; disease prevention by educating producers on management through workshops, newsletters, and factsheets; and research on current problems in Virginia. The Diagnostic Lab, located at the Cooperative Extension Pavilion at VSU’s Randolph Farm, has received 30 to 50 cases per year from fish producers across Virginia since 1993. The lab routinely does parasitology and bacteriology for determining disease problems, and tests many water quality parameters affecting fish health. The lab has field capabilities for on-site investigations, and, in addition to assisting fish producers, has helped other state agencies with their fish health problems. Fact sheets are provided on disease problems and workshops conducted across the state on fish health management.

Summer pond programs for urban schools provide educational opportunities for inner city youth.

 

Virginia State University Links

Virginia State University Home Page

School of Agriculture

Cooperative Extension

 

Return to the 1890 Aquaculture Extension Home Page

 

Aquaponics is explained by VSU faculty to Virginia State Fair visitor.

For more information, contact:

Brian Nerrie, Ph.D.

Virginia State University

Cooperative Extension

Box 9081

Petersburg, VA 23834

Phone: (804) 524-5903 ● Fax: (804) 524-5245

E-mail: bnerrie@vsu.edu

Other 1890 Aquaculture Extension Programs

Kentucky State University ● Langston University ● Delaware State University ● University of Maryland - Eastern Shore ● North Carolina A&T State University ● Fort Valley State University ● Lincoln University ● West Virginia State University ● University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

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