Faculty Profile
James R. McKenna, Ph.D.
Dr. McKenna
Professor of Agronomy & Academic Counselor
Appointment
Teaching : 85%
Research :15%
Extension : 0%
Web
Education
- B.S. Agriculture University of Rhode Island 1964
- M.S. Agronomy University of Maine1970
- Ph.D. Agronomy VPI & SU 1988
Professional Activities and Interests
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Heavily involved with instruction and advising in undergraduate programs. Serves as coordinating counselor for Crop and Soil Environmental Science majors.
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Speciality includes cropping systems, sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, and forage systems.
- Major focus has been in the area of managing managed ecosystems in an environmentally friendly manner. Lately the emphasis has shifted to managing land change and local food and fuel production.
Courses
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CSES 2444 | Agronomic Crops |
| CSES 3444 | World Crops & Cropping Systems |
| CSES 4444 | Advanced Cropping systems |
| CSES 4964 | Global Seminar |
| HIST 3124 | History of American Agriculture |
| CSES/FOR 4334 | Temperate Agroforestry (team teach) |
Current Projects
- Agroforestry research and demonstration at Kentland Farm at Whitethorne, an agro-silvo-pastorial project involving walnut and honey locust, cool-season perennial grasses, and sheep.
Current Extension Programs
- Outreach efforts involve serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the New River Land Trust and projects involving land care in the New River Valley.
Recent Honors
- Fellow, American Society of Agronomy
- Fellow, North American Society of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA)
- Agronomic Resident Instruction Award, American Society of Agronomy
- William E. Wine Award for Teaching, Virginia Tech Alumni Association
- University Award for Excellence in Advising, Virginia Tech Alumni Association
- Diggs Teaching Scholar Award
Recent Publications
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Buergler, A. L., J. H. Fike, J. R. McKenna, J. A. Burger, C. M. Feldhake, and C. D. Teutsch. Forage Nutrient Value in an Emulated Silvopasture. Agron J. 98:1265-1273, 2006
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Buergler, A. L., J. H. Fike, J. R. McKenna, James A. Burger, C.M. Feldhake, and C. D. Teutsch. Botanical Composition and Forage Production in an Emulated Silvopasture. Agron J. 97:1141-1147, 2005
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Galbraith, J. M., J. R. McKenna, and P. F. Donovan. 2003 Challenging Agricultural Governor's School Students with Advanced Geographic Computer Tools and Techniques. NACTAJour. 47(4):28-34.
- Crunkilton, J. R., J. R. McKenna, and J. M. White. 2003. A Model for an International Undergraduate Exchange Program in the Agricultural and Life Sciences. NACTAJour. 47(3):14-18.
Personal Activities and Interests
With help from my wife Deb, we operate a small farm at Whitethorne, about 10 minutes from campus. We raise grass-fed Katahdin hair sheep. We also have an organically-fed flock of hens, and plant a garden with the idea of living on locally produced food products much of the year, with our own production supplemented by the local farmers market. We live on Tom's Creek just above where it flows into the New River, and enjoy canoeing on the river, observing local birds and other wildlife, and sharing the farm and environment with our five grandchildren.