The BMCF has asked me to assist with research regarding an upcoming exhibit for June and July focusing on environmental issues in the area such as the agricultural history of Blacksburg (which is very rich due to Virginia Tech), sustainability, and consumerism in the area. I always find it fun to branch into different topics outside of my usual scope of research. Even though I will have graduated by the time the exhibit is up, I can’t wait to see pictures.
Until this point, I really didn’t know anything about agriculture at all and I’ve found it interesting how so many of these things intersect. Along with mining, Blacksburg has been an Agricultural powerhouse for years. Before being called Virginia Polytech Institute, it was first and foremost an Agricultural school. Today, the research gathered from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has really allowed Blacksburg and the state of Virginia to shine. Virginia provides a large percentage of the nation’s apples and turkey, which explains why the mascot for Virginia Tech is a turkey! Although he’s also known as a “Hookiebird”
The BMCF wants to focus its attention on not only agriculture but landfills too. We not only want to show how many landfills have reached passed capacity but also ways that the City of Blacksburg can hopefully address this issue on a local scale. Sustainable Blacksburg.org is a great source for anyone to find ways in which they can improve their consumerism habits in their daily lives.