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IALR Awards 16 STEM Scholarships

IALR Awards 16 STEM Scholarships

IALR awarded 16 high school seniors with $1,000 scholarships to support their continued education in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The scholarship program, which is available through the IALR Foundation, supports talent development in STEM career fields, which is significantly important to Southern Virginia’s economic transformation. The program is available to qualifying seniors who are interested in STEM and live throughout IALR’s service region. IALR’s STEM commitment is also evident through its research centers, precision machining program and advanced learning programs.

Harrison Booth
Halifax County High School
Virginia Tech

“Southern Virginia is the perfect area (for pharmaceutical companies), because there’s
so much available land for companies to build manufacturing plants and labs. My goal is to
become a lead technician at a major
pharmaceutical company.”

Lucas Burnette
Gretna High School
Hampden-Sydney College 

“My ultimate plan is to never stop learning
while also serving others. I desire for my
career to make a difference.”

Morgan Epperson
Halifax County High School
University of Virginia

“I realized speech language pathologists
helped people with eating and swallowing
issues when my grandfather developed
Lewy Body Disease and began having
trouble eating. A speech therapist worked
with him in the nursing home…I intend to
learn all that I can… to help as many people
as I can.”

Nicholas Flood
Tunstall High School
Danville Community College

“When I finally stepped foot in the classroom,
I was amazed at all of the technology that
the students were working with. There were computers, laptops, networking equipment
and other cool devices…After being blown
away by what I saw, my decision to go into
the field of IT was set, and I have worked towards a career in the field ever since.”

Kylie Jackson
Franklin County High School
University of Mary Washington

“I will use my knowledge in animal anatomy
and behavior to conduct research and
monitor individuals or groups of organisms
in the wild. With each day, I will learn
something new and apply this knowledge
as I study wildlife in their natural habitat to
make conclusions about scientific inquiries.”

Hite Jones
Bluestone High School
Old Dominion University

“Dental hygiene is my aspired career choice
that I plan to pursue for the rest of my life. I would like to assist people with their dental health, because it is crucial to have good
hygiene in order to remain healthy.”

Mary McLaughlin
Galileo High School
University of Virginia

“Recently, I have become drawn to disease research and the role that genetics and
ecology play. The coronavirus outbreak has inspired me to lean towards disease research….This could be one of the most significant events of my lifetime.”

Amber Mize
Patrick County High School
Patrick Henry Community College

“The science of nursing is a tedious and extremely physically taxing field to be in,
but I know without a doubt it is the field for
me. I will work hard in my post-secondary education and even harder in the job I plan
to have to ensure I do absolutely everything
I can to touch the lives of my patients
and their families.”

Cale Newton
Halifax County High School
Virginia Tech

“Even though I am going off to college to get
my education, I will always have the desire to come back. Wherever I go, I will always know that all roads lead home….We also need
more doctors, and I could greatly contribute
to the health of my home community….”

 

Bailey Paxton
Franklin County High School
Radford University

“My end goal in biomedical engineering is to help those who need it medially and cannot afford to pay for it. Hopefully, I will be able to develop my own company that will help with
this goal.”

Ashanti Smith
Franklin County High School
University of Pittsburgh

“In eighth grade, I had the opportunity to take
Health and Human Services as an elective.
This opportunity stimulated my interest in
STEM, because we learned terms and
techniques that are used in the medical
field. I learned how to perform CPR and
how to use a defibrillator.”

Brooke Tilley
Bassett High School
Clemson University

“We live in an era where the concern about health is a priority. Many dentists view
the mouth as the gateway to the body and
look at the whole body and not just the
teeth and gums. I would love to be able to
not only make someone have a beautiful
smile, but improve their health as well.”

 

 

Taylor Wilson
Gretna High School
University of Virginia

“STEM is a subject one can never truly
master, which is why it holds such great
personal appeal. Its subjects never peak; instead, they constantly evolve to present individuals with even more opportunities to learn.”

Alexandria Woods
Tunstall High School
Norfolk State University

“I aspire to become a pediatrician, because
at a young age my cousin became very ill
and was under the care of the hospital for
a long time. I witnessed how the doctors
were able to treat her and nurse her back
to health. I desire to be able to do the same.”

 

James Yeaman 
George Washington High School
Virginia Tech

“Our design construction of a roller coaster
in Physics class combined science
knowledge with construction techniques to
instill a passion for learning… this
opportunity and challenging environment
was a major deciding factor in my
decision to pursue a degree in engineering.”

Kensley Yeatts
Tunstall High School
Liberty University

“Teachers are what shape the future,
and I want to be a part of helping
shape young people into whatever
they aspire to be. I want to make an
impact on teenagers and be a role
model that they can look up to….”
AET Students Participate in New NOW Program

AET Students Participate in New NOW Program

IALR and the Academy for Engineering and Technology (AET) held the first ever virtual Next generation Of Work (NOW) program in April. Modeled after the District C program in North Carolina, NOW pairs student teams with area companies who pose a problem for the students to solve. Twenty-five local AET juniors participated, and three local companies, including Dewberry, Kyocera and Tyton BioSciences, served as the business partners.

“It’s a really unique way to provide students with a real life, work-based learning experience to solve complex problems in diverse teams,” said Jessie Vernon, IALR Program Coordinator. In addition to student benefits, the program also assists local businesses. It is a minimal time investment of up to five hours, and they receive viable solutions to their problem. The N.C. District C program reports that 93 percent of their business partners have implemented or plan to implement at least part of the solutions the students provided.

Students were first coached on the mindsets and tools needed to work collaboratively to solve their business problem. Students then met with their business partner to learn about their problem. From there, they had roughly four weeks to research, brainstorm and develop their plan, and received feedback from their business partner at the halfway point. Vernon, John Hatchett, AET Coordinator, and Dana Silicki, IALR Program Coordinator, who each completed 60+ hours of training with District C, served as team coaches and provided more frequent support to students. The final event consisted of a 10-minute presentation to the business partner highlighting their solution to the problem, followed by 15 minutes of discussion. Business partners provided real feedback to the students, and the students were also graded on their participation.

Students are taught four principal mindsets: Analytical, Design, Collective and Self-Aware. They are also taught how to use 12 different tools within these mindsets. “This is a very student-driven process,” Vernon said. “After being coached at the program launch on the four mindsets and most of the tools, the students set their own agendas and ideate on their own.”

IALR plans to run various implementations of the program moving forward. This is the first District C-modeled, partner program to be run outside of North Carolina.

“The pleasure and honor of this project was all mine. It is inspiring to see young people critically think like that,” said Jason Wells of Kyocera. “I found the time invested very worthwhile.”

Squad 5, including Bailey Calhoun, Emma Littlefield and DaTaevion Robertson, present their business problem solution to Tyton BioSciences.

 

Squad 8 students Elliot Jones, Zakhyia Stamps, Joe Tramontano and Jaten Yates pitch their solutions to Dewberry.

Danville Public Schools and IALR Partner to Expand WiFi Access and Virtual Teaching Resources

Danville Public Schools and IALR Partner to Expand WiFi Access and Virtual Teaching Resources

IALR’s mobile Inspiration Lab to help educators, students and community select days throughout May

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research’s mobile Inspiration Lab will offer open WiFi access and scheduled support of teachers every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon throughout May in the parking lot of the former W. Townes Lea Elementary School. WiFi connection should be made using personal mobile devices, such as Google Chromebooks, from outside the lab.

Danville Public Schools (DPS) and the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) are partnering to expand virtual teaching resources for educators while supplementing WiFi access for students, their families and the community. IALR’s 45-foot mobile Inspiration Lab will be parked at the former W. Townes Lea Elementary School on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons during the month of May to serve these audiences.

“During this unprecedented time of COVID-19, our teachers are learning to teach differently,” stated DPS Superintendent Dr. Stanley Jones. “In my 35 years in public education, there has never been a more important time for collaboration and building strong partnerships. Working with the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research gives our teachers access to a world-class mobile lab that will provide a unique experience for both teachers and students.”

“We are extremely grateful for the partnership we have with Danville Public Schools and other area school divisions to support the instructional needs of our area’s educators as well as the learning and WiFi access needs of our students and the community at large,” said Dr. Julie Brown, Director of Advanced Learning at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. “Continuing to leverage the advanced technology of our mobile Inspiration Lab is one way we can keep our region moving forward.”

Students, their families and the community may access the Inspiration Lab’s WiFi hotspot from noon-4 p.m., every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the month. Personal mobile devices, such as Google Chromebooks, should be used to connect from outside the lab within the parking lot of the former W. Townes Lea Elementary School. No unscheduled visitors will be allowed inside the mobile lab at this time. The hotspot is called IALR Inspiration Lab AP1.

Teachers may reserve an individual appointment time on the Inspiration Lab to record their next virtual lesson and to teach students from an engaging, new setting. The mobile lab offers advanced technology and resources to complement a wide range of instructional topics, especially regarding science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). From 3D printers and robots to a chemical fume extractor, the Inspiration Lab is equipped to support most hands-on instructional needs. With proper advance notice and planning, IALR will also assist requesting teachers with instructional resources for coding, robotics, electronics and more.

Teachers can view available resources at ialr.org/inspiration-lab. They can request an appointment at bit.ly/DPSgovirtual. Advance registration is required to prepare the necessary equipment and to ensure only one teacher accesses the Inspiration Lab at a time.

For questions or additional information, please contact Bruce Waller, IALR Program Coordinator for the Inspiration Lab, at bruce.waller@ialr.org or (434) 770-8777.

LiveGrow Bio and IALR’s Plant Endophyte Research Center Partner on Microbial Biological Solutions for Growers and Agribusiness

LiveGrow Bio and IALR’s Plant Endophyte Research Center Partner on Microbial Biological Solutions for Growers and Agribusiness

LiveGrow Bio’s manufacturing, formulation, and delivery system, IALR’s endophytes may present natural alternative to chemical treatments

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) and LiveGrow Bio are pleased to announce a partnership to develop microbial biostimulant and biocontrol solutions for growers and the agriculture industry. Pending successful testing, the potential new products could enter commercial production on an accelerated timeline, offering growers natural, healthy alternatives to chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

“The agricultural biologicals market is growing rapidly as farmers are seeking synthetic, chemical-free solutions,” said Mark Gignac, Executive Director of IALR. “This collaboration represents the next step in taking our endophytes to market. Our applied research experience and expertise in endophytes will be combined with LiveGrow Bio’s patented formulation and delivery system in a mutually beneficial partnership that will ultimately benefit farmers across the region and beyond.”

Dr. Chuansheng Mei, Chief Scientist of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), works with endophytes, or beneficial plant bacteria, which serve as biostimulants by naturally stimulating plant growth and health and contributing to natural pest control.

“Our partnership with IALR is an important piece of our product development pipeline over the next two years. By leveraging their extensive work with endophytes, our team can accelerate the identification of the most effective microbes for various crop segments that we are currently targeting. Combined with our patented microbial manufacturing and formulation technology this will allow us to quickly test commercial formulations of these microbes in the field, significantly reducing our timeline for launch of new products,” said Andrey Pinchuk, President and CEO of LiveGrow Bio.

As part of the agreement, IALR will provide LiveGrow Bio some of IALR’s most promising plant endophytes, or beneficial bacteria that were once living inside plants. These extracted microorganisms are from the library of more than 2,000 endophytes collected, characterized and researched by IALR’s Plant Endophyte Research Center, the first of its kind in the U.S. The plant endophytes serve as biostimulants by naturally stimulating plant growth and health, reducing the need for chemical fertilizer use and offering sustainable agricultural solutions. They also serve as biocontrol agents by contributing to natural pest control, providing a healthier alternative to chemical pesticides and improving the environment and soil quality. Collectively, biostimulants and biocontrol agents are known as biologicals.

“Establishing high-value and mutually beneficial partnerships such as this represents an important next step in bringing our natural biological solutions to the market,” said Dr. Scott Lowman, Director of Applied Research at IALR.

LiveGrow Bio will provide a unique, low-cost microbial manufacturing and formulation platform designed to maintain and administer the benefits of the endophytes while meeting the needs of the end user. Of particular advantage is the innovative platform’s ability to accommodate hard-to-formulate and -store biologicals based on Gram-negative bacteria. Most commonly, today’s biologicals integrate Gram-positive bacteria and fungi that produce spores, which allows them to be stored and have a shelf life. The often more efficient Gram-negative bacteria do not produce spores, making them poor candidates for the market in spite of their known high efficacy in the field. However, LiveGrow Bio’s platform provides an effective production, formulation, and delivery solution, which allows them to utilize any Gram-negative as a commercial product and expands opportunities for more diverse and highly effective product development options. In addition, LiveGrow™ Platform produces non-dormant products, which allows for a lower application rate while making their response in the field order of magnitude faster and more effective than the dormant spore-based products.

Soybean Field with Drying Plant in Background – Some of IALR’s most promising endophytes will be combined with LiveGrow Bio’s microbial production and formulation platform to develop microbial biostimulant and biocontrol solutions for growers and the agriculture industry. Major crops, including soybeans, will be targeted as well as others, such as strawberries, tobacco and turf grass.

As published authors and international experts on Gram-negative beneficial bacteria, IALR scientists will partner with LiveGrow Bio on the research and development of the microbial biological solutions. The two teams will combine IALR’s most promising endophytic bacteria with LiveGrow Bio’s platform and test the resulting pilot products on both the east and west coasts to ensure efficacy across diverse climates, environments and soil types. Once successful combinations are found, commercialization will be explored, leading to availability to growers.

LiveGrow Bio is a biotechnology company that has developed a platform allowing for cost-effective and field-effective manufacturing and formulation of any microbial organism. This LiveGrow™ Platform enables successful commercialization of a vast array of effective microbial organisms. LiveGrow Bio is focused on leading the next wave of agricultural innovation via highly concentrated metabolically active formulation of biopesticides and biostimulants to overcome growing pest resistance and ineffective, high-cost microbial products that currently exist in the marketplace. For more information, visit livegrowbio.com.

AmeriCorps Members Help Serve Hundreds with Drives and Service Hours

AmeriCorps Members Help Serve Hundreds with Drives and Service Hours

Community service program helps address food and water needs and seniors’ mental well-being

In the past month, 24 AmeriCorps members have served hundreds of families, children and seniors across Danville, Pittsylvania County and South Boston during the COVID-19 public health crisis, and they continue to do so. This service-based group has provided a natural conduit for support of essential needs like food, water and mental wellness, as well as expanded manpower for the nonprofit and community partners who champion these resources.

“As the AmeriCorps pledge states, our members strive to ‘get things done,’ and we are so appreciative of their can-do attitude and enthusiasm, especially during these challenging times,’” said Dr. Julie Brown, Director of Advanced Learning at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), which administers the Dan River Year AmeriCorps program across Southern Virginia. “These members usually serve at schools and other community sites that are currently closed; however, with careful planning and creativity, we have been delighted to offer new, meaningful and safe ways for them to continue to serve and positively impact our region.”

Five AmeriCorps members served for several days at God’s Storehouse packing food bags in support of the Malcom Huckabee Backpack Program that helps feed children when out of school. They continue to support God’s Storehouse with other initiatives, including the Urban Farm and at-home projects to help build the organization’s food capacity now that both food donations and needs have risen.

Ten members have also volunteered on a continual, regular basis with Pittsylvania County Schools to help pack and deliver lunches to families who come to the schools for weekly pick-ups. They have partnered with the Chatham Rotary and other local groups to organize more than 200 lunches at each middle school every week.

Bertina Wilson, an AmeriCorps member who normally serves at Bonner Middle School, organized a water drive and delivered hundreds of bottles of water to Danville communities in need. Paige Warren, who normally serves with the Danville Church-Based Tutorial Program, coordinated food packs for children and the elderly in the Seeland Crossing community in Danville.

Eight AmeriCorps members packed 75 “Stimulus Care Packages” for seniors and delivered them to Chatham Health and Rehabilitation Center and to Sentara Woodview in South Boston. To help stimulate the minds of seniors during this time of social distancing and restricted visits, bags were filled with the following items: playing cards, board games, puzzles or activity books, “thinking of you” greeting cards with stamped envelopes, art supplies and adult coloring books.

Dan River Year AmeriCorps member Trina Holiness-Morris writes friendly, encouraging messages to senior residents of Chatham Health and Rehabilitation Center and Sentara Woodview in South Boston. The notes were included in Senior Stimulus Care Packages along with playing cards, board games, activity books, art supplies and more to keep them engaged and occupied during this time of restricted visits.

IALR’s Dan River Year AmeriCorps program is designed to address literacy challenges and engage youth in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Members usually serve as mentors, coaches and tutors for students during the school year and during summer educational or enrichment programs. They receive a stipend and Segal Education Award for their service. AmeriCorps leads the nation’s volunteering and service efforts and is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency. For more information, visit www.NationalService.gov.

IALR Welcomes New HR Manager

IALR Welcomes New HR Manager

IALR is excited to welcome its new Human Resources Manager, Elaine Ratcliffe, who has over 20 years of experience. In addition to a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and Media Studies from Virginia Tech, she also holds numerous human resources certifications. Ratcliffe was the former President of the North Carolina International Public Management Association for Human Resources and is active in her communities and volunteer experience. She serves on several nonprofit boards, such as the Davidson County Human Resource Association, where she was president for two years.

“We are thrilled to welcome Elaine to our team,” said IALR Executive Director Mark Gignac. “Her expertise in human resources will be invaluable as we continue to improve our employee relations, policy and regulatory compliance and other administrative efforts.”

Vineyard Grant Application Now Open

Vineyard Grant Application Now Open

The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission (TRRC) has extended the Vineyard Development and Expansion Program and has approved continued program management by IALR. The purpose of the program is to promote the state’s wine economy and agritourism growth by providing growers incentives to expand vineyard acreage. Through the cost-share program, IALR will continue to work with the Virginia Cooperative Extension, TRRC and the Virginia Vineyards Association to increase vineyard acreage and address the shortage of Virginia-grown grapes.

A cost-share award of up to $3,000 per acre is available for qualified vineyard growers, reimbursing 33 percent of eligible expenditures. Vineyards with up to nine acres may receive a maximum award of up to $15,000, and those with 10 or more acres may receive a maximum award of up to $20,000. Eligible cost-share items include, but are not limited to, grapevines, hardware for trellis systems, fencing and irrigation systems. Funding is available to qualified existing growers and new growers.

More information and the application can be found online at http://trrcgrape.com. Applications are now being accepted and the deadline to apply is December 31, 2020. For additional information and questions, please contact Program Manager Amy Turner at Amy.Turner@ialr.org or 434-766-6788.

 

Megabytes – More than a Restaurant

Megabytes – More than a Restaurant

Although Megabytes, IALR’s on-site restaurant, is currently closed during the unfortunate COVID-19 situation, the team looks forward to working together again in the future to satisfy their customers. In the meantime, staff share a glimpse into their lives and what they enjoy most about the Cyber Park’s favorite café. 

(L-R) Brett Harden, Supervisor/Chef; RocQuel Miller, Cashier; and Doug Price, Senior Cook, make up the friendly Megabytes staff.

Brett Harden joined the IALR Sodexo staff as a cook six years ago before progressing to Supervisor/Chef, a title he has held for two years. His passion for cooking has led to a favorite menu item named after him – Brett’s Southern Fried Chicken. “I wanted to make the best chicken you could eat,” said Harden. After hours, he enjoys sports and video games. Before working at Megabytes, Cashier RocQuel Miller had no interest in culinary arts, but now has developed a love for the field. He enjoys keeping everything “neat and in order” for the customers and plays video games outside of work. Doug Price has been with Megabytes for five years. He started in catering, worked his way up to Senior Cook and enjoys working with his coworkers, “making the customers happy” and operating a mobile car wash on the side.     

“They are a very tight-knit group who look after one another and work together to meet the needs of our customers,” said Sodexo Manager Nelson Rich. “They are a special group of people who I am honored to work with.”

Visit bit.ly/megabytesnews to sign up for future Megabytes emails and updates.

IALR Announces Internship Opportunities

IALR Announces Internship Opportunities

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is pleased to announce and accept applications for the 2020 Summer Internship Program. The program will place 10 interns in meaningful, on-the-job training experiences at IALR in the areas of biotechnology, precision agriculture, economic development, marketing and communications, and talent development.

“Nothing prepares our future talent more for successful career opportunities than real-world, work-based learning experiences,” said Dr. Julie Brown, IALR’s Director of Advanced Learning. “, We are excited to once again offer internship opportunities here at IALR that provide students with significant leadership development, networking, resume-building and skill-building activities and projects.”

To be considered for the eight-week, paid project, candidates must be one of the following: (1) a high school graduate with plans to attend college in the fall of 2020, (2) an undergraduate or graduate level college student or (3) a recent college graduate who completed a college degree within the last 12 months. For the most part, the internship will be completed June-July 2020.

Available internship opportunities include:

  1. Biotechnology to Develop Natural Plant Biostimulants with Dr. Chuansheng Mei
  2. Biotechnology to Develop Natural Plant Pesticides with Dr. Sajeewa Amaradasa
  3. Precision Agriculture and Controlled Environment Agriculture with Samantha Smith-Herndon
  4. Agricultural Technology Internship – SMART Table with Daniel Caccavelli (two positions)
  5. Research and Data Analysis for the Southern Virginia Region with Linda Green
  6. Marketing and Communications with Allison Moore
  7. Career Booklet Development for the SOVA Career ChoICE: East and West Expo with Dr. Julie Brown
  8. Smart Manufacturing Workforce Pipeline Research and Marketing for the Southern Virginia Region with Linda Green (two positions)

Interns will receive a stipend of $2,925 paid semi-monthly. The anticipated weekly time commitment is 28 hours, and the IALR mentor will set the work schedule during the intern orientation.

Applications are due by 4 p.m. (EST), Friday, March 13, 2020. The internship application, other information and detailed project descriptions are available at www.ialr.org/internships. For more information, please contact Brown at julie.brown@ialr.org or 434.766.6711, or Elaine Ratcliffe, IALR’s Human Resources Manager, at elaine.ratcliffe@ialr.org or 434.766.6747.

Mitchell Doss, a 2019 IALR summer intern, assisted IALR’s Samantha Smith-Herndon with the precision agriculture drone project. He helped deploy the technology at a regional farm to capture and analyze imagery for more efficient monitoring of crop health and detection of potential problem areas.

Anna Brooks, a 2019 IALR summer intern, worked with fellow intern Kaitlyn Lipscomb and IALR’s Dr. Julie Brown on a talent development project to promote advanced manufacturing and engineering career fields to women. Brooks and Lipscomb conducted focus group sessions and activities with groups of students as part of their work.

Local CHW Selected as National Ambassador

Local CHW Selected as National Ambassador

One of the Dan River Region’s Community Health Worker (CHW) program’s very own has been selected to serve as a National Ambassador for the National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW). Crystal Deshazor, a Certified CHW Team Lead, was selected through a highly competitive process to become one member of the first cohort of 20 NACHW Ambassadors. She represents the state of Virginia.

“Crystal continues to be an amazing leader and advocate for the Community Health Worker Initiative of the Dan River region. Not only does she advocate for the clients and the community that she serves, she also advocates on the state and national level to help bring awareness to the health issues and social determinants that are affecting Virginians,” said CHW Project Manager Amanda Young. “She is the true definition of a public servant.”

Throughout their term, Ambassadors will convene meetings and develop strategies with the NACHW Ambassador and Outreach Committee to support new member recruitment and act as an Ambassador of NACHW at select events for at least one year. Ambassadors will also contribute to program development and share updates on outreach efforts in their own regions. They have already gathered to discuss the roles, responsibilities and vision for the Ambassador Program.

“I look forward to creating the standards that will one day break boundaries for Community Health Workers as a whole,” Deshazor said. “Most importantly, I want to advocate for the people that go unheard, who are underprivileged, overlooked and that suffer from illnesses across the state of Virginia and around the world.”

GO TEC Talent Development Program Launches New Brand

GO TEC Talent Development Program Launches New Brand

Largest funded GO Virginia project unveils logo

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) and the Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC) staff and advisory board have selected and unveiled a new brand for the GO TEC project. The selection process was facilitated by IALR and completed with the input of students, educators, industry, economic developers and GO TEC Advisory Board members.

The logo features the GO TEC name in modern, high-tech font with the color grey and an energetic motion-oriented lime green. The “O” in “GO” incorporates the look of a power button to insinuate technology, movement and the concept of empowering talent with the skills to attract and retain top-quality industry.

“We are extremely excited to introduce and begin using the new GO TEC logo in our communication and branding efforts,” said Dr. Tammy Hurt, GO TEC Program Manager. “As we grow this talent development project into the full progressive model it is intended to be, a cohesive, well-positioned brand is critical to its success and ability to engage participants.”

In March 2019, GO TEC received the largest grant to date from the GO Virginia competitive funding pool. The GO Virginia State Board approved an investment of up to $4.9 million, which will be matched 1-to-1 by support from more than 17 local partners. The project will deliver workforce training and talent development through a “hub and spoke” model and will target in-demand occupations identified across Southern and Southwest Virginia. Targeted career paths include IT/cybersecurity; robotics, automation and mechatronics; precision machining; welding; and advanced materials. Participating GO Virginia Regions include 1, 3 and 4, an area that encompasses many of Virginia’s rural counties stretching from Wythe County to Greensville County.

The program extends the pipeline to about 1,414 students of the following six participating middle schools during the 2019-2020 school year and will continue to grow:  Chatham and Gretna Middle Schools in Pittsylvania County, O.T. Bonner and Westwood Middle Schools in Danville, Cumberland (County) Middle School and Price Edward (County) Middle School. During the 2020-2021 school year, the following 11 additional middle schools will join the GO TEC training program and partnership:  Dan River and Tunstall Middle Schools in Pittsylvania County, James S. Russell Middle School in Brunswick County, E.W. Wyatt Middle School in Greensville County, Halifax (County) Middle School, Laurel Park Middle School in Henry County, Lunenburg (County) Middle School, Martinsville Middle School, Bluestone Middle School in Mecklenburg County, Nottoway (County) Middle School and Patrick County High. Dual enrollment programs with GO TEC higher education partners continue to expand in high schools across the region. These higher education partners are also experiencing growth in their GO TEC-related, on-campus programs in areas such as welding, precision machining, IT, mechatronics and more. They include:  Danville Community College, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville, New College Institute and Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville, the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center in South Boston, Southside Virginia Community College in Charlotte and Brunswick Counties and Wytheville Community College.

As administrator and fiscal agent of GO TEC, IALR utilized the services of its Public Relations and Communications Department to lead the brand development effort. The team, including Manager Allison Moore and Graphic and Multimedia Specialist Daniel Dalton, worked with GO TEC staff members Hurt and Jacob Taylor, Training Coordinator, along with Dr. Julie Brown, Director of Advanced Learning at IALR.

The team reviewed multiple logo iterations before selecting four options believed to best address the goals and audiences of the GO TEC project. As part of their due diligence, the team collected stakeholder feedback from key groups, including K-12, industry, higher education and economic developers. Surveys captured a collective total of 380 responses from students and educators. The feedback guided selection of two refined logo options presented to the GO TEC Advisory Board for a final consensus. The selected logo ranked number one with students of the Piedmont Governor’s School for Mathematics, Science & Technology and the Academy for Engineering & Technology. It ranked in the top two with students of the Career and Technical Education high school and middle school Career Connections programs, and first and second with industry representatives. The GO TEC Advisory Board commended the logo’s modern edge, clean design and universal appeal. They also applauded the many marketing opportunities offered by the power button and its application to a broad array of curricula and career paths.

Moving forward, the GO TEC brand will be integrated into a new website, social media presence and other communications outlets and tactics. The main goals will center on building awareness of the strengths and advantages of the GO TEC program in order to attract and retain talent development pipeline participants, as well as garnering support from other key stakeholders for program longevity.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, GO TEC lead agency and fiscal agent, serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with advanced learning, applied research, advanced manufacturing, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s major footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville. For more information, visit www.ialr.org.

Halifax County 11th grader Quest Payne builds a gaming console at GO TEC partner Southern Virginia Higher Education Center’s Career Tech Academy (CTA-IT) as part of their IT program. CTA-IT gives students the hands-on skills needed to build, repair and troubleshoot computers and personal computing devices. (Photo Courtesy of Drew Morris)
 

Jaden Glenn prepares to MIG weld a T-joint using the Lincoln Welding Simulator in the GO TEC Career Connections lab at Westwood Middle School with assistance from GO TEC Training Coordinator Jacob Taylor. Welding is one of nine units completed by GO TEC Career Connections students; others include Healthcare, Robotics, IT Coding and Programming, Metrology, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering and CNC Machining. (Photo Courtesy of Kizzy Stevenson)
Summit Brings Experts Together to Grow Hemp Industry

Summit Brings Experts Together to Grow Hemp Industry

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) hosted the third annual Industrial Hemp Summit in February, which drew a sold-out crowd of around 400 attendees from 25 states. The two-day event is a multi-stakeholder collaboration focused on building the hemp industry in the United States. It focused on building the supply chain and market making for industrial hemp food, fiber and flower. It also highlighted innovation that is currently happening in the industry, as well as explored what resources and infrastructure are needed to move the industry forward. IHS logo

IALR’s overall commitment is to help lead and build the emerging hemp industry. Among its many resources, IALR provides hemp testing services, hemp research, hemp programming and events, and hemp instructional videos at www.ialr.org/hemp. The Summit offers a unique experience for attendees because it is the only business-to-business event which takes place in a research facility that is actively involved with the hemp industry and actually doing research on the plant.

New this year, a pre-summit networking event allowed attendees to gather at Ballad Brewing, in Danville, for informal networking, music and food. The following two days, the Summit featured a packed schedule of speakers, industry panelists, networking and lab tours. Bill Richmond, Chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Domestic Hemp Production Program, who leads the team responsible for the 2018 Farm Bill, spoke on the current state of the industry. “The good news for industry advocates is that the regulations are not yet set in stone. The USDA plans to use the 2020 growing season as a chance to test drive the interim rule and identify any needed changes before it is finalized,” Richmond said.

The event’s Presenting Sponsor was Huber, the technology leader for high precision thermoregulation. West Town Bank & Trust and US Agro Logistics were Supporting Sponsors. The County of Halifax, Va., Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Waters and Front Range Biosciences also served as Sponsors.

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Congressman (5th district) Denver Riggleman spoke, advocating for milder regulations and legislation that would be more practical for hemp farmers and processors.

The Summit was organized by IALR Executive Director Mark Gignac, N.C. Industrial Hemp Association Board Chairman Marty Clemons and N.C. Industrial Hemp Association Executive Director Blake Butler.

USDA Chief of Domestic Hemp Production to Speak at 2020 Industrial Hemp Summit

USDA Chief of Domestic Hemp Production to Speak at 2020 Industrial Hemp Summit

The 2020 Industrial Hemp Summit has added to its speaker line-up Bill Richmond, Chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Domestic Hemp Production Program. Richmond leads the team responsible for the establishment and implementation of U.S. domestic hemp production as mandated under the 2018 Farm Bill.

“As the U.S. hemp industry continues to evolve, the guidelines and rules by which our growers, processors and other stakeholders will operate are a critical topic,” said Mark Gignac, Executive Director of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), which hosts this annual event. “We are pleased that Bill will be able to join us and share the latest updates and plans for this growing industry.”

In his current role, Richmond is responsible for rule making, public education and outreach efforts with state departments of agriculture and Indian tribes. He joined the USDA in 2000 and has held several previous roles. He served as the acting director of the USDA team responsible for establishing labeling rules for bioengineered (GMO) foods in the U.S. Richmond also worked as the Chief of Staff of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service from 2016-2018. He studied agricultural economics at the University of Maryland and holds professional certificates from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and the Brookings Institution.

The Feb. 24-25, 2020, Industrial Hemp Summit will convene for the third year multiple stakeholders to build the industrial hemp industry in the United States through development of a supply chain and market-making for industrial hemp food, fiber and flower. The Summit will highlight current innovation in the industry, as well as explore what resources and infrastructure are needed to move the industry forward. Industrial hemp is used to make a variety of commercial and industrial products, including health and natural food products, supplements, skin products, clothing, bioplastics, insulation, biofuel and more. Thanks to 2018 federal legislation, U.S. growers, processors and others may now consider entering this versatile market as an opportunity for diversification.

The Industrial Hemp Summit has traditionally ranked as a sell-out event. The 2019 summit sold out with more than 200 on the waiting list. Stakeholders from 18 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and the U.S attended, including investors, economic developers, tobacco companies, entrepreneurs, medical companies and others interested in advancing the U.S. industrial hemp market. Maximum attendance will be increased for the 2020 summit. Interested attendees are encouraged to purchase their tickets early to ensure a seat.

The 2020 agenda features a multitude of bioscience experts and topics and can be viewed at www.industrialhempsummit.info.

To register, visit www.industrialhempsummit.info. Tickets are $250, and admission for the Monday night reception only is $50. For questions or more information, please contact (434) 766-6605 or info@industrialhempsummit.info.

PHOTOS from the 2019 Industrial Hemp Summit:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskP7qXji
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmBodG3J

Institute for Advanced Learning and Research and Virginia Tech launch the Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center in Danville

Institute for Advanced Learning and Research and Virginia Tech launch the Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center in Danville

The partnership will create a hub of innovation and economic development in an industry expected to grow to $4 billion

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is partnering with the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences and the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech to launch a Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center on IALR’s campus in Danville, Virginia.

The Innovation Center will leverage technology and research to accelerate advancements, economic development, and regional participation in the developing industry of indoor farming. The value of U.S. greenhouse-grown food crops is expected to exceed $4 billion this year.

“We are delighted that the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research and Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences have combined their expertise to create a top program in controlled environment agriculture. This collaborative effort is creating tremendous energy and excitement because of its potential to provide innovative solutions to the agricultural community,” said Alan Grant, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “Partnerships like this will help us realize the vision of the SmartFarm Innovation Network Initiative to support the agriculture industry.”

Convening industry, academia and producers, the Innovation Center will be housed primarily within a modern greenhouse complex on IALR’s campus. Features will include various hydroponic systems, which grow plants in a soilless root medium with optimal amounts of water and nutrients. Vertical growing racks will maximize space, and high-tech engineering and technology will be integrated and on display throughout the center. High-value demonstration crops will include lettuce, herbs, strawberry, blackberry, hemp and more. In addition, faculty and staff involved in the center will research and educate on raising fish in controlled environments using aquaponics, or recirculating aquaculture systems that integrate plant and fish production. While traditionally viewed as separate fields, plant and fish production share many similar technologies, issues and needs.

“We are excited to partner with Virginia Tech, a fellow champion of cutting-edge innovation, to expand the impact of agriculture in promising new ways,” said Mark Gignac, executive director of IALR. “While agriculture is a longtime industry of Southern Virginia, economic factors have demanded a new identity. We believe controlled environment agriculture is one of the defining solutions, and we are proud to work with Virginia Tech to introduce the concept to our region’s growers and attract industry.”

According to Michael Schwarz, director of the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center, this new collaboration will further bolster domestic seafood production.

“The U.S. currently has a national seafood trade deficit in excess of $15 billion, with more than 50% of the seafood we consume originating from aquaculture,” he said. “Through this new programming and leveraging of expertise and infrastructure, we have the opportunity to drastically increase domestic seafood and produce production within the state, region, and country, enhancing food safety, security, sustainability, and most importantly, socioeconomically within our agriculture economies.”

Controlled environmental agriculture helps protect plants from disease and stress while providing ideal growing conditions for high-quality, quick-to-harvest food products – sometimes in as fast as two weeks depending on the crop. In addition to hydroponic systems, the Innovation Center will use data management, sensors and vertical structures to ensure ideal distribution of water, energy, capital and labor. Plus, strict entry protocols will prevent pests. Together these factors result in a high quality, consistent product with significantly more harvests than outdoor conventional production methods. Other advantages of controlled environmental agriculture include uniform, year-round production, potentially pesticide-free agriculture and greatly reduced land and water requirements.

AeroFarms, a leading controlled environmental commercial producer based in New Jersey, recently announced the world’s largest indoor farm to be located in Cane Creek Centre in Pittsylvania County, just minutes from IALR. While this industrial-sized operation demonstrates scalability, Michael Evans, director of Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Science, believes the technology is accessible to even small farmers in the region.

To encourage market growth, and in line with IALR’s role as a regional catalyst for economic transformation, the Innovation Center will introduce controlled environmental technologies to regional parties interested in entering the market. Conferences, workshops, site visits and a web presence will comprise part of the outreach and educational activities. According to Evans, controlled environment agriculture is a rapidly growing sector that offers many potential opportunities in Southern Virginia.

“We are excited to house this facility on the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research’s campus and to benefit from both the technology developed and the associated economic development opportunities it provides for the region,” said Scott Lowman, director of applied research at IALR. “Consumer demand for healthy, local and pesticide-free produce is high, and will continue to increase in the coming decades. We look forward to serving this need through controlled environment agriculture.”

IALR-Sponsored Holiday Tree Program Raises $16,585 for Charities

IALR-Sponsored Holiday Tree Program Raises $16,585 for Charities

Event featured 44 decorated trees, has raised more than $117,000 since 2010

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is pleased to announce that its 10th annual Decorating the Trees for a Cause program raised $16,585 for nonprofit organizations over the holiday season. Forty-four organizations participated in the program, and each selected a charity for which to collect votes in the form of donations.

“Our community has once again stepped up to support another banner year for charitable fundraising through this program we are honored to host,” said Ellen Bass, Sales & Marketing Manager for the Institute Conference Center. “Thanks to the generosity and giving of guests and sponsors as well as the creativity and dedication of our exhibit participants, we raised the second largest amount since the beginning of the program in 2010.”

Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company’s tree received the most votes and donations and, therefore, won the first-place bonus of $1,000. The company’s charity of choice, the United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County, received donations of more than $4,000. Foster Insurance’s tree received the second most votes, and their donations, which totaled more than $1,400, were selected to go to God’s Pit Crew. As the second-place winner, they received a $700 bonus for their charity. Make a Wish of Greater Virginia was selected as the random drawing winner and received a bonus of $500. The bonus awards were made possible through an anonymous donation as well as sponsorships by Sodexo Inc. and HomeTrust Bank.

The three-week voting and display period for the Decorating the Trees for a Cause program ended Dec. 20, and all participants received 100 percent of the donations contributed for their trees. Since the program’s beginning in 2010, $117,183 has been raised for charitable causes.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, advanced manufacturing, conference center services and economic development efforts. The Institute’s major footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville. Visit www.ialr.org for more information.

For other photos, please visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmJN8eDt

• Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company’s tree received the most votes, or donations, for the company’s selected charity, United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County. As the first-place winner, it also received a bonus of $1,000.

• Foster Insurance’s tree finished second for most votes and donations collected. Its selected charity was God’s Pit Crew, which received a bonus of $700.

 

Participating Organizations

Supported Cause

Academy for Engineering & Technology

Dan River FFA Project

Aker’s Heating & Air

Camp Selah Ministries

Alpha Phi Alpha

Big Brother Big Sister

Alzheimer’s Association Central & Western Virginia

Alzheimer’s Association Walk

American Cancer Society

Relay for Life/Praise God Champions

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention VA Chapter

Suicide Prevention & Awareness

American Legion 1097 Auxiliary

American Legion 1097 Auxiliary

American National Bank

Danville Area Humane Society

AmeriCorps

Haven of the Dan River Region

Angel Wings Home Care

Cross Roads Reconciliation Services

Averett University Flight Center

Averett University Flying Cougars

Chatham Middle School

Out of Darkness Walk

City of Danville Utilities

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Commonwealth Hospice

Hospice Promise Foundation

Community Health Workers

Community Health Workers

Daly 7

Wounded Warriors

Dan River High School DECA

Claire Parker Foundation

Dan River Non-Profit

Dan River Non-Profit

Danville Church Based Tutorial

Danville Church Based Tutorial

Danville Humane Society

The Danville Humane Society

Danville Public Schools

STEAM Night

Danville Redevelopment and Housing

Cedar Terrace Recreation Center

Danville Speech and Hearing Center

Danville Speech and Hearing Center

DCC’s TEACH Club

Delta Kappa Gamma “Books for Babies”

Dry Fork Christian School

Dry Fork Christian School

Foster Insurance

God’s Pit Crew

God’s Store House

God’s Store House

Goodyear

United Way of Danville

Historic North Theatre Inc.

Historic North Theatre Inc.

Home Trust Bank

House of Hope

IALR/Sodexo

United Way of Danville

KickBack Jack’s #36

Cops and Kids

Make a Wish of Greater Virginia

Make A Wish of Greater Virginia

National Society of Black Engineers

National Society of Black Engineers

Piedmont Governor’s School

Parent of Student (Jan Yoder) Health Issues

Pittsylvania County Parks & Rec

Youth Commission

Riverside Cleaners

Stop Child Abuse Now

Sacred Heart Catholic School

Sacred Heart Catholic School

SPCA

SPCA of Pittsylvania County

ST. Luke’s United Methodist Church

Backpack Food Ministry for GLH Johnson School

Stonewall Therapeutic Recreation Center

Stonewall Therapeutic Recreation Center

URW Federal Credit Union

Children’s Miracle Network

Whitmell FTD’s Relay Team

American Cancer Society

Women United Inc

Mentoring Programs
IALR Shares Growth Across All Divisions in Newly Published Annual Report

IALR Shares Growth Across All Divisions in Newly Published Annual Report

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) has published its 2019 Annual Report, which shares significant growth and accomplishments among each of its five divisions over the past fiscal year, July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019.

A new Advanced Manufacturing division led by Director Troy Simpson was added to further establish Southern Virginia as the preferred site for advanced manufacturers. It cooperates with Danville Community College to develop a pipeline of skilled machinists and has secured funding from the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Danville Regional Foundation to build a $25.5 million Center for Manufacturing Advancement estimated to open in 2021.

Other growth included the Applied Research division’s launch of the nation’s first Plant Endophyte Research Center. With a library of more than 2,000 plant endophytes, or beneficial bacteria, research is being conducted on how these microorganisms may reduce chemical fertilizer use, improve soil quality and plant health, and increase crop yields. Also highlighted was the Advanced Learning division’s leadership of the GO Virginia-funded Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC) project. This initiative received GO Virginia’s largest competitive grant awarded to date and will help extend the region’s lauded talent pipeline to middle schools with the introduction of Career Connections labs. The Institute Conference Center also experienced growth by serving 17 percent more guests and 29 percent more programs than the previous year. Lastly, the work of the Economic Development division, thanks to the partnership with the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance, resulted in record activity over the past year – 655 new jobs and $106.7 million of capital investment by employers.

“I am extremely proud of the progress our staff and partners made last year to help transform our communities for the better thanks to an intense spirit of collaboration,” said Mark Gignac, IALR’s Executive Director. “To recognize the vital partnerships with other organizations and like-minded change agents, we have titled our report ‘Transforming Communities Together.’”

Select copies of the Annual Report are available in print format at IALR as well as online. The online version is accessible at www.flipsnack.com/theialr and includes interactive elements.

AeroFarms to Build World’s Largest Indoor Farm

AeroFarms to Build World’s Largest Indoor Farm

On behalf of Gov. Ralph Northam, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring announced AeroFarms will build its 10th and largest indoor farming operation in Cane Creek Centre, a joint industrial park for the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County. Named in November as one of Time magazine’s 100 Best Inventions, the company will invest $42 million and create 92 jobs.

“We are excited to expand to Virginia, an incredible state with a strong farming tradition,” said David Rosenberg, Co-Founder and CEO of AeroFarms. “We are also excited about the future collaboration opportunities with the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research to build on our work with Fortune 100 companies to solve broader ag-related supply chain issues.”

The new, 150,000-square-foot facility will be AeroFarms’ largest, most sophisticated indoor vertical farm to date. The company uses proprietary aeroponic growing technology to produce highly flavorful leafy greens at a rate 390 times more productive than field-grown plants.

Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring (center) presented a Virginia state flag as a welcome to AeroFarms (left to right) Managing Director Sam Schatz, CEO David Rosenberg and Chief Marketing Officer Marc Oshima.

“The mission of this leading commercial indoor farming provider aligns very closely with the work our Applied Research division is doing to create sustainable agricultural solutions,” said Mark Gignac, Executive Director of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR). “We look forward to helping support the work and future success of this reputable innovator of agriculture, our Commonwealth’s top private industry.”

Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Newark, N.J., AeroFarms is committed to growing the best plants possible with significantly less water and no pesticides, while offering extremely high levels of food safety. By
hiring locally and creating year-round employment, AeroFarms is able to grow all year to nourish its communities with high-quality produce that delivers optimal nutrition and flavor.

“AeroFarms is a leader in agricultural innovation with farming technologies that make high-quality, local produce available to more communities,” said Gov. Northam. “We are bringing capital investment and economic opportunity to rural Virginia by recruiting innovative companies like AeroFarms.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Pittsylvania County, the City of Danville and the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance to secure the project for Virginia.

AeroFarms shared a tasting of Dream Greens, their local retail
brand for sweet baby kale, peppery arugula, spicy ruby streaks,
baby watercress, and other baby greens and microgreens.

IALR to Host First Hemp Grower Expo in 2020

IALR to Host First Hemp Grower Expo in 2020

Growers to Connect with Vendors, Attend Sessions to Prepare for Next Growing Season

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is pleased to announce the region’s first event focused specifically on meeting the needs of area hemp growers. The 2020 Hemp Grower Expo, to be held Tuesday, Jan. 28 at IALR, will allow producers to network with peers, connect with providers of hemp seeds and clones, and discuss ways to successfully prepare for the next growing season.

“We are a tool for our community to thrive and grow, and one of the important audiences we serve is growers, especially since agriculture remains Virginia’s largest private industry,” said Mark Gignac, Executive Director of IALR. “While hemp is an exciting opportunity for diversification, as an emerging industry, there are still many guidelines and best practices to work through. We look forward to offering this platform for growers to openly discuss challenges and solutions and to connect with hemp seed and clone providers.”

The 2020 Hemp Grower Expo will occur from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Jan. 28. The agenda will feature a networking and exhibit showroom of hemp seed and clone providers the entire duration of the expo. From 11 a.m.-noon, IALR’s own Yimeng “Jack” He, Analytical Chemist, will present “Unraveling the Mysteries of Hemp Testing.” His remarks will address the testing process and the six causatives IALR has identified regarding lab-to-lab discrepancies. Gignac will also discuss the ways IALR is using its research assets and expertise to help inform guidelines and best practices moving forward as consensus methodology is developed for hemp testing.

The expo will include a lunch buffet and a second session where attending growers will be invited to participate in open dialogue about lessons learned from the first growing season and how to apply them to next year. Advance registration is required. Tickets are $35 for growers and must be secured online by Jan. 21 at bit.ly/2020-hemp-grower.

Exhibitor booths are available for approved providers of hemp seeds and clones. The vendor fee of $500 includes a 10- by 8-foot booth, pipe and drape for a professional experience, booth signage, one eight-foot table with linen and skirting and two chairs. Online vendor preregistration is required by Jan. 10. To preregister, vendors should complete the form at bit.ly/preregisterhempexpo.

For questions about the expo, please contact IALR Lab Research Associate Samantha Smith-Herndon at samantha.smith@ialr.org or 434.766.6622

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) helps lead the region’s emerging hemp industry by offering elite analytical testing services, informative hemp-related programming and research to help foster uniform guidelines and practices. IALR also hosts the annual Industrial Hemp Summit, a multi-stakeholder event helping to build the hemp industry in the U.S. More information on the summit, to be held Feb. 24-25, is available at industrialhempsummit.info.