Edward Olsen

As a Horticulture agent, Ed focuses on several diverse program areas which include both consumer and commercial horticulture interests.  Which involves working with both residents and landscape and nursery industry professionals of Henrico County.  Ed also provides support to the traditional agriculture producers in Henrico County.

Ed is also responsible for the Henrico Extension Master Gardener volunteer program.  The Henrico Master Gardeners are a group of volunteers that help Henrico County residents by answering gardening and landscape questions at Plant Clinics, the Master Gardener Horticulture Helpline and through many various educational programs through the county.

Education:

2010 - Master of Science in Education – Career and Technical Education, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA.

1990 - Bachelor of Science – Horticulture, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA.

Extension and Related Employment:   

7/2020 - Present - Extension Agent, ANR- Horticulture, Virginia Cooperative Extension.
1/2016 – 6/2020 – Associate Extension Agent, ANR- Horticulture, Virginia Cooperative Extension

1/2006 – 12/2015 – Agriculture Teacher, Powhatan High School, Powhatan, VA.

1999 – 2005 – Greenhouse Manager, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, VA.

1991 – 1994 – Greenhouse Manager, Jolly Greenhouses, Richmond, VA

1990 – 1991 – Research Assistant, Department of Horticulture, LSU, Baton Rouge, LA.

1988 – 1989 – Retail Sales and Customer Services Manager, Azalea Acres, Fairfax Station, VA.

1987 – Estate Gardener, Monticello, Charlottesville, VA

Professional Organizations and Service:

2020 – Present – Epsilon Sigma Phi – Alpha Gamma (Virginia) Chapter

2016 – Present – Central Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association

2016 – Present - Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District Board Member
2016 – Present - Virginia Extension Service Association (VESA)
2016 – Present – Virginia Association of Agriculture Extension Agents (VAAEA)

10/2020 – 8/2022 Southeast District Director

8/2022 - 8/2023 Vice President

2016 – Present – National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA)
2016 – 2019 – Richmond Landscape Contractors Association

Awards and Recognition:

2021 - Communications Award: Learning Module/Notebook; State and Regional Winner; National Association of County Agricultural Agents.

2021 - "Central Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association Symposium & Short Course Pesticide Recertification Program", First Place Pesticide Safety Education Program, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

2020 – Communications Award: Bound Book; State and Regional Winner, National Finalist; National Association of County Agricultural Agents.

2020 - Communications Award: Newsletter by Individual; State Winner; National Association of County Agricultural Agents.

2020 – Communications Award: Program Promotional Package; State Winner; National Association of County Agricultural Agents.

2019 – Less than 5 Year Award; Epsilon Sigma Phi – Alpha Gamma Chapter

2019 – Program Excellence Award for achieving excellence in “Program Marketing”; Southeast District and state winner; Virginia Cooperative Extension

2019 – Program Excellence Award for achieving excellence in “New Initiatives”; Southeast District winner; Virginia Cooperative Extension

2019 – Poster Session: Extension Education; State Winner and National Finalist; National Association of County Agricultural Agents.

2019 – Communications Award: Learning Module or Notebook; State Winner and Regional Finalist; National Association of County Agricultural Agents.

2019 – Communications Award: Video Recording; State Winner; National Association of County Agricultural Agents.

2019 – Communications Award: Newsletter by Individual; State Winner; National Association of County Agricultural Agents.

2018 – "2017 Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification"; First Place Pesticide Safety Education Program, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Licensure:

Commonwealth of Virginia Postgraduate Professional Teaching License - Certified: Agriculture Education; Virginia Department of Education; Issued July 1, 2018, Expires June 30, 2023.

Certifications:

• Commercial Pesticide Applicator, Categories: 3A, 3B, 10; Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; Issued June 12, 2019, Expires June 30, 2023
• Certified Fertilizer Applicator; Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; Issued March 8, 2020, Expires March 7, 2024
• Certified Nutrient Management Planner, Turf and Landscape; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; Issued August 31, 2018, Expires August 31, 2022.
• Facilitator; Project Learning Tree: Issued April 13, 2018.
• IS-00700.a; Federal Emergency Management Agency; Issued March 14, 2016.
• Greenhouse Operator; Virginia Flower Growers Association; Issued May 2008.