On Monday, March 22nd, The Virginia Chapter held its Sixth Annual Agriculture Pageant and was the first year the event was held virtually.

Welcome to our Zoom Pledge Meeting TAKE 4! Today the pledges are going to be surprised by their new “Big”. One by one the “Bigs” will come on to the screen and announce the name of their little. Even though this is online, this is their official big in the Fraternity. The brothers are here to help guide the new pledges through this process and answer any questions they have. This year it is even more important to have them to lean on. My goal is to connect them with another AZ brother that can fill in the missing blanks in regards to missing those in-person moments. Creating that valuable one on one connection so that no one has to feel alone.

I decided that one best friend wasn’t enough, so as well as getting an active brother as a Big, I pulled in some awesome Alpha Zeta Alumni. Alumni Buddies will be part two of this process. The pledges this semester will have two amazing people in their lives. I want them to learn our traditions, values, and our passions for agriculture and the environment.

This has been an unexpected challenging semester but while it has been difficult it has also allowed me to create special situations for the pledges that would never have occurred before. For the first time, ever Alumni are able to actively help in this process. Some chose to be buddies and others can simply sign on during our zoom meetings and get to know some cool people. Zoom meetings create a safe space for everyone to collaborate and connect our lives together.

-Arlyn Smith, Pledge Chair

This past winter, our members created a beautiful LOVE sign for our organization and competed to win against other clubs from the college. Pictured is some of our amAZing volunteers for the day with their decorated sign during the tailgate event with Farm Bureau.

This winter we were able to continue a chapter retreat event that we started two years ago. This year we ventured to a cabin outside of the Greyson Highlands and a few of our members and alumni were even able to see the wild ponies on their hike one afternoon. The event was great for creating and strengthening the bonds within our chapter—and get a little time away before finals!

This fall the Virginia Chapter of Alpha Zeta had one of their service events at Sinkland Farms. Sinkland is a local farm that holds a massive Pumpkin Festival every fall.

Every year Virginia Alpha Zeta hosts an Agriculture Pageant for National Agriculture Week which allows organizations and clubs within the college of Natural Resources and Environment and the college of Agriculture and Life Sciences at to engage in a friendly competition to name two student members as Mr. and Miss Agriculture.

On April 6^th, 2019 the Virginia Chapter of Alpha Zeta participated in The Big Event at Virginia Tech.

The Virginia Chapter participated in Virginia Tech's The Big Event on April 7th as a way to thank our local community. 

Members of the Virginia Chapter of Alpha Zeta celebrated National Agriculture Week with an agriculture pageant, fundraising, and outreach!

The Virginia Chapter of Alpha Zeta gets to know interested individuals to promote the growth of the chapter through interest meetings and interviews!