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Amber Vallotton Spotlight

   

Amber is the Horticultural Extension agent for Rockingham County, also serving Augusta, Bath, Highland, and Rockbridge Counties.  Amber joined Virginia Cooperative Extension in January 2007, where she served as the Crop and Soil Science agent until her role shifted into the horticultural arena in 2009.  Amber grew up in Maryland where she met her husband, Daniel.  She then spent 17 years living, studying, and working in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where she attended New Mexico State University and obtained her B.S. in Agronomy in 1995 and M.S. in Agricultural Biology with a minor in Experimental Statistics in 2005. 

Amber’s current extension programming efforts focus on agricultural profitability and viability in both commercial and non-commercial horticulture through the promotion of locally-based food production, diversification, and improved production methods; Beginner Farmer education; Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification training; environmental stewardship through the promotion of best management practices; integrated pest management; and pesticide applicator training.  In the non-commercial horticultural area, Amber serves as the coordinator of the Central Shenandoah Valley Master Gardener Association, where she guides and supports the organization in various ways, overseeing various educational community projects and managing the volunteer base, as well as assisting in the organization and planning of the annual MG training course.

Amber has participated in the Virginia Beginning Farmers & Rancher Coalition Project from the very beginning. Her enthusiasm and dedication for helping beginning farmers clearly shines through as part of the Coalition curriculum writing team.  In particular, Amber provides ample, practical experience to the concept of whole farm planning. 

Amber D. Vallotton
Virginia Cooperative Extension-Rockingham
Horticulture Agent/CSVMGA Coordinator
965 Pleasant Valley Road
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
540-564-3080 (Office)
avallott@vt.edu