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Laura Maxey-Nay

Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources - Crop & Soil Sciences

Laura grew up in rural Giles County where she was active in 4-H and worked on farms managing fruits, vegetables, and Christmas trees. She later attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech) where she completed a B.S. in Biology, and a M.S. in Entomology. As an undergraduate at Virginia Tech, she interned for the Entomology Department working in the quarantine lab and with the state small fruit entomologist. As a graduate student, her studies focused on agricultural entomology. She participated in various outreach programs around the country informing the public about insects and her graduate research. Once moving to the area, she worked for a local raspberry and blackberry farm as well as at local farmers’ markets. Before becoming the Ag Agent in King William and King and Queen Counties in 2012, she sampled row crops, vegetables, fruits, and trees for insect pests in the Richmond, Middle Peninsula, and Northern Neck areas. She transferred to the Hanover Virginia Cooperative Extension team in February 2014, and is excited to be a part of the agriculturally diverse county of Hanover.

Education

  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, VA 
    Masters of Science, Entomology
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, VA
    Bachelors of Science, Biology; Minor Entomology

Experience

  • Research Technician, Virginia Tech Entomology Department in Virginia’s Middle Peninsula and surrounding areas
  • Graduate Assistant, Virginia Tech Entomology Department focusing on agricultural insect pest management
  • Identifier, Virginia Tech Insect ID Lab
  • Co-Manager, Agriberry Blackberry and Raspberry Farm, Hanover, VA

Professional Organizations

  • Phi Kappa Phi Virginia Tech’s Honor Society
  • Phi Sigma Biological Honor Society
  • Gamma Sigma Delta Agricultural Honor Society