Gordon Groover, an associate professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, was recently awarded the 2012 Andy Swiger Land-Grant Award.
Each year, the Andy Swiger Land-Grant Award is given to a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences faculty member for his or her creative accomplishments in research, teaching, or extension. The award, which recognizes those who solve practical problems and enhance agricultural profit and production, was made possible by an endowment established in honor of former Dean Andy Swiger.
Groover has been a faculty member at Virginia Tech since 1983 and prior to this position, he served for four years as a Virginia Cooperative Extension agent. In his current role, Groover supports Virginia rural landowners and farmers, provides leadership to Virginia’s emerging farm business needs, and educates extension agents, farmers, policy makers, and governmental personnel.
“Dr. Groover epitomizes the land-grant university mission of service and improvement to agriculture,” said Steven Blank, head of the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. “He is one of the nation’s most knowledgeable experts on the economics of pasture-fed beef systems.”
Groover directs the commonwealth’s agricultural use taxation program. This research educates Virginians on the value of agricultural lands and assists local leaders who set and collect property taxes.
“In 2012, the fiscal impact of this project was $282 million in annual property tax savings for farmers and owners of agricultural lands,” Blank said.
From 1992 to 2000, Groover helped to lead, establish, and deliver the Computer Classroom on Wheels program. This program served as an instructional framework for teaching farmers across the country.
Groover has led educational programs on the economic and legal aspects of farm leasing. He has also developed software to help manage dynamic pasture-based dairy systems.
Groover and Richard Crowder, professor of International Trade in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, lead the Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade.
Groover also writes and edits the Virginia Business Management Update newsletter.