Adam Downing
Extension Agent, Forestry (housed in Madison Co.), Agriculture and Natural Resources
Virginia’s natural resources are varied and valuable. The Northwest District Natural
Resources Extension Program focuses on the renewable and perpetual resources related
to trees and forests. Perpetual resources, such as clean air and water, are linked to large
forest tracts as well as individual street trees. Timber and wildlife are renewable and
contribute to economic and social well-being. Extension programming enhances and
sustains these resources for all Virginians through a variety of efforts that have one or
more of the following goals: Ecosystem Integrity, Individual Capacity Building and
Industry Viability. These broad range goals are incorporated across a suite of six
programming initiatives: Community Forestry & Arboriculture Education, Natural
Resource Professionals Outreach, Private Forest Landowner Education, Natural
Resources at the Interface, 4-H Youth Education and General Public Awareness.
Since 2001 Adam has worked as a regional Forestry and Natural Resources Extension
Agent serving the people and communities of Virginia’s Northern Piedmont and
Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. His professional expertise is in providing informal
education regarding forestry and natural resources to address current issues in rural,
urban, and rural/urban interface areas to home & landowners, professionals, decision-
makers, and the general public. His mission is to enable people to make best decisions
regarding the forest & natural resources, within their realm of influence, resulting in
environmentally sustainable management, growth, and quality of life for that person and
that community.
Education/Certifications
M.S. Forest Resources, Penn State. 1999.
B.S. Forest Management, Purdue University. 1993.
Certified Arborist MA-4922A. 2008
Certified Pesticide Applicator Certificate # 90891-G. 2003.
Experience
2001 to present. Extension Agent – Natural Resources, Northern District Natural Resources. Virginia Cooperative Extension
1998 – 2001. Extension Agent - Forestry/4-H, Northwest District. Penn State Cooperative Extension
1996 – 1998. Graduate Teaching Assistant. School of Forest Resources, Penn State.
1994 – 1996. District Agro-Forestry Extension Specialist. United State Peace Corps.
1994 – 1994. Assistant District Forester. Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry.
Professional Associations
National Association of County Agricultural Agents, 1998-present
Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals, 1998-present
Society of American Foresters, 1996-present
Selected Awards
2021. Society of American Foresters Technology Transfer Award
2020. Fellow. Society of AMerican Foresters
2020. Virginia Forestry Association Disinguished Service Award
2018. Fellow. Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institude
2013. Andy Swiger Land-Grant Award. VT College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
2012. June Sckoll Media Award. Virginia Association of Soil & Water Cons. Districts
2011. Gold Award: Video/DVD/CD. ANREP.
2010. Merit Award. Appalachian Society of American Foresters.
2009. Extension Excellence Program Award - New Initiatives. VCE
2008. Silver Award. Extension Publication. Southern Regional Extension Forestry.
2007. National Winner: Communication Award, Publication. NACAA.
2007. Young Forester Leadership Award. Appalachian Society of American Foresters.
2006. Gold Award: Refereed Journal Article. ANREP.
2005. Gold Award: Radio. ANREP
2004. Gold Award: Newsletter/Series of Articles. ANREP
Selected Publications