Research Guides: Virginia Tech History Resources and University Archives: Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Extension

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College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) has roots going back to the beginning of Virginia Tech's history. When the university began as Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1872, it offered agriculture as one of its 13 "courses of study," what would today be considered "departments."

CALS University Archives and Manuscript Collections:

RG 13, CALS Guide for University Archives
This list includes the major overview of the University Archives' Record Groups. Record Groups are the official records of the university held by Special Collections. This includes official records, newspaper clippings, and printed material.

The records are divided into assigned Record Groups designated by the prefix, RG. For example, materials relating to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and some of the departments within are identified as RG 13/x.

There are two versions, a spreadsheet for sorting and filtering and a document that includes a page per RG number.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Collection, Ms2013-010
This collection contains material collected by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Materials include pamphlets, scrapbooks, photographs, negatives, slides, video tapes, invitations, and programs from department, college, and university events.
Louis A. Swiger Papers, Ms2004-013
The Louis A. Swiger Papers consist of correspondence, newspaper articles, speeches and awards relating to Swiger's work with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Records of the Office of the Vice-President, Louis A. Pardue, RG 3/3
Collection contains 1,072 folders consisting of general correspondence, general reports, financial reports, enrollment statistics, commencement and inaugural reports, minutes, and departmental information collected by Dr. Louis A. Pardue from 1950 through 1963 while holding the offices of Vice-President and Director of Graduate Studies. There is also correspondence relating to the Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Science (ORINS).
Harry W. Sanders Papers, Ms1975-002
Papers of Harry W. Sanders, graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute (BS, 1916); professor of agricultural education and vocational education (1925-1963) and professor emeritus of vocational education (1963-1985) at Virginia Tech; vocational teacher-trainer in Puerto Rico (1932-1933); co-founder of Future Farmers of Virginia (basis of Future Farmers of America). Includes correspondence, articles, printed materials, awards, scrapbooks, and photographs relating to Sanders' personal life and professional career (including his year in Puerto Rico, developing a vocational agricultural education program), as well as the histories of Virginia Tech and Blacksburg, Virginia.
Arthur B. Massey Papers, Ms1962-002
Papers of professor of botany and bacteriology Arthur B. Massey, who also was on the research staff of Virginia Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit and Agricultural Experiment Station and helped create the Mountain Lake Biological Station.
National Agricultural Publications, Ms2011-022
Includes publications from national agricultural and food agencies, including some about farms, gardens, and nutrition

CALS publications:

Publications from the VPI Department of Agricultural Education
Includes the Agreview, department mimeographs, and the Virginia Agricultural Instructor.
Publications from the VPI Department of Vocational Education
Includes publications about developing programs in vocational agriculture programs and more.
VPI Agricultural Education B.S. and M.S. Theses, 1919-1970
VPI Vocational Education M.S. Theses, 1938-1966

Virginia Cooperative Extension

Records of the Virginia Cooperative Extension, RG 26
This collection contains the administrative records of the Virginia Cooperative Extension, including correspondence, reports, financial documents, and records of Bob Swain.
Virginia Cooperative Extension Service Photographs, RG 26/2b
The Virginia Cooperative Extension Service Photographs, RG 26/2b, contains approximately 5,000 photographs of activities of the Agricultural Extension Service from 1937 thru 1966, primarily in the 1950s. Photographs depict 4-H activities, home demonstration work, food, breeding, field stations, gardening, poultry, dairy, and other subjects. The Extension Division, which was established in 1966, became the Virginia Cooperative Extension and Agricultural Experiment Station Division in 1995, often shortened to the Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE).
4-H All Stars Papers, RG 26/4/1
The papers of the Virginia Chapter of the 4-H All Stars span the years 1964-2014. The collection includes minutes, correspondence, financial reports, bylaws and policies, membership rosters, and photographs. It also includes the organization's mission statement and constitution. In addition to information about the local chapter, the collection contains materials about the Interstate Order of 4-H All Stars and about the midwinter and summer conferences.
Virginia 4-H Horse Program Records, RG 26/4/2
The Virginia 4-H Horse Program Records, RG 26/4/2, include photographs, slides, negatives, and audiotapes from Virginia 4-H State Shows, State Fairs, and other events throughout the state. 4-H programs began in Virginia in 1908, and since then, the Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University have hosted the Virginia 4-H Horse Program, which emphasizes equine selection, nutrition, management, riding, and horsemanship.
Master Gardener Program Collection, RG 26/2/1
This collection contains four boxes of slide sets, some with related scripts, for Virginia Cooperative Extension Service Master Gardener Program. Most materials are undated, but likely date from between the 1970s and early 2000s.
RG 26, VCE Guide for University Archives
This list includes the major overview of the University Archives' Record Groups. Record Groups are the official records of the university held by Special Collections. This includes official records, newspaper clippings, and printed material.

The records are divided into assigned Record Groups designated by the prefix, RG. For example, materials relating to the Virginia Cooperative Extension and some of the groups within or affiliated are identified as RG 26/x.

There are two versions, a spreadsheet for sorting and filtering and a document that includes a page per RG number.
Sanford Bernell Fenne Papers, Ms1987-054
Papers of Sanford Bernell "Chuck" Fenne, a graduate of Virginia Tech (BS, 1927; MS, 1930), and a Virginia Agricultural Extension plant pathologist from 1939 to 1967. Includes correspondence, writings, biographical materials, photographs, a Virginia Tech scrapbook, and a photo album compiled during a year (1943-1944) spent working in Brazil for the Food Supply Division, Institute of Inter-American Affairs.
James F. Johnson Papers, Ms2003-025
Speeches and outlines of speeches given by James F. Johnson while with the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service. Most were made while he was director of Cooperative Extension (1989-1992).
Thomas O. Sandy Papers, Ms2006-022
Correspondence, receipts, farm records, and other papers of Thomas O. Sandy, a farmer in Nottoway County, Virginia and the first state demonstration agent for agricultural extension in Virginia. Papers relate to Sandy's farm, extension work, and estate.

College of Natural Resources and Environment

The College of Natural Resources and Environments formed in 1992 as the College of Forestry and Wildlife Resources, but the college has its roots in the university going back to at least the 1930s, when the first courses in forestry and wildlife were offered.

CNRE University Archives and Manuscript Collections:

CNRE Guide for University Archives
This list includes the major overview of the University Archives' Record Groups. Record Groups are the official records of the university held by Special Collections. This includes official records, newspaper clippings, and printed material.

The records are divided into assigned Record Groups designated by the prefix, RG. For example, materials relating to the College of Natural Resources and Environment (CNRE) and some departments within are identified as RG 45/x.

There are two versions, a spreadsheet for sorting and filtering and a document that includes a page per RG number.
William A. Duerr Papers, Ms1975-006
Papers of VPI professor of forestry, William A. Duerr, who taught at Virginia Tech from 1972 thru 1980.
John Murray Papers, Ms2008-036
Papers of VPI chemistry professor John Murray, who corresponded with several faculty in forestry and wildlife resources

CNRE Publications:

Virginia Tech Forester
Newsletter produced by the VPI Forestry Club and VT School of Forestry and Wildlife Resources from the 1940s thru 1980s
School of Forestry & Wildlife Resources newsletter
Newsletter of the VT School of Forestry & Wildlife Resources from the 1980s and 1990s
College of Forestry and Wildlife Resources periodicals
Newsletters and graduate programs from the College of Forestry and Wildlife Resources from the 1990s
CNR and CNRE newsletters
Newsletters for College of Natural Resources and College of Natural Resources and Environment, from 1990s to the present
CNRE Newsmagazine
Electronic archives from CNRE of its newsletter from 2011 onward