06/12/2026
🎉 We are thrilled to announce that Zoe Dunlow has been named Tidewater AREC’s new Assistant Farm Manager—a historic milestone, as she becomes the first woman to hold this position since the research center was established in 1914.
A graduate of the Virginia Tech Agricultural Technology program, Zoe has been an integral part of the Tidewater AREC community since 2015. Starting as a summer intern, she transitioned into a 1500‑hour role and later moved into a full‑time field technician position with the PVQE program. Across each of these roles, she has built a foundation of knowledge and hands-on experience in applied research across field and laboratory environments.
Zoe is known for her collaborative spirit, working seamlessly across programs and always seeking ways to strengthen communication and coordination among teams. She approaches challenges with a solutions‑focused mindset, consistently identifying practical, efficient paths forward that support both research goals and day‑to‑day operations.
She believes deeply in the value each department brings to the AREC’s mission and looks forward to expanding her skillset—particularly through precision agriculture—while working alongside Farm Manager Brad Slye to lay the groundwork for future success.
Please join us in welcoming Zoe to this new role as she steps into this exciting chapter at the Tidewater AREC. We are deeply grateful for her dedication, talent, and teamwork—and we can’t wait to see the impact she’ll make in the years ahead!
Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Virginia Cooperative Extension
