Jennifer M. Ligon is a senior Extension agent with Buckingham Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE). Her work focuses primarily on agriculture and natural resources, with a strong emphasis on supporting cattle producers and strengthening local agricultural communities. Her duties include hands-on producer education, community-based agricultural support, and implementation of research-based programs within Virginia’s farming communities. Her professional focus includes livestock production, stockmanship, and working directly with cattle producers to improve animal handling, farm management, and market access.

When did you start working for Extension?

“In 2007 my father passed away, which brought me back to the family farm in Nelson County. I was managing the farm and training horses but still needed insurance. In 2009, a longtime friend, Cindy McRae, (Administrative and Fiscal Assistant, Nelson) said, ‘Hey, there is a part time ANR agent opening in Buckingham, you should apply for it,’ so I did. A major role was to assist the Buckingham Cattlemans Association, and I came on as a full-time agent in 2011.”

What was your first farm visit like as a full-time agriculture and natural resources agent with Extension?

“My first day on the job was helping with grading cattle for the Buckingham Cattleman Association’s feeder calf sale. I wore nice khakis jeans and  polo shirt but ended up jumping in the pen to help handle the cattle. I have never worn those clothes again, but  it did help me win over the respect of the Association and long-time advisor, Jim Myers.”

Woman stands at a fence with cows behind it.
Ligon helped establish the Buckingham Cattlemen’s Association facility. Photo by Camden Littleton for Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Tell us about a moment that made you especially proud to work for Extension.

“My mentor, Jim Myers, always had the dream that the Buckingham Cattlemen’s Association would have their own facility.

I worked with local government and Soil and Water and applied for grants with the Tobacco Commission, VDACs, and USDA, to make that happen.

In, that facility, we’ve had everything from cattle artificial insemination clinics, to canning workshops to the BCA Production and Feeder Calf sales More recently, we have focused on educational programming to help producers market and finish their own beef.

Through more grants, we obtained a new refrigerated trailer and outdoor refrigerator freezer for staging. During COVID, producers were being told two year waits for processing their livestock, and we realized that producers needed these resources. I could not have coordinated any of this without the help of my amazing ANR co-workers, Amber Taylor and Taylor Clark, and the Buckingham Cattlemen’s Association.”

When did you start teaching low stress cattle handling? And how many farmers do you think you have taught over the years?

“I started my master’s degree in 2012; my research project was based on Bud Williams Stockmanship for low stress cattle handling. I taught the Department of Corrections, farm managers and offenders. After that study, I kept getting asked to present low stress demonstrations, many with a hands-on learning component.

At this point, I’d say 2,000 people have benefitted from the low stress cattle handling events, and over 2 million dollars of impact to the cattle industry in Virginia.”

Group of women poses on the bed of a trailer.
Extension agents, including Ligon, hosted Virginia Women in Agriculture Cattle & Equipment WISE training in 2025. Photo by Camden Littleton for Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Who were your mentors?

“My biggest mentor was Jim Myers. He really took me under his wing, going with me on initial visits, giving me advice, and standing behind me to give me the respect that really allowed me to get where I am today, especially as a woman. Other producers saw him support me, so they were willing to support me, too.

Ruth Wallace, the amazing 4-H agent in my office is another mentor. She can do anything and she does everything.”

What does Extension mean to you?

“We are an advocate for the future of agriculture in Virginia, and we help alleviate the disconnect between people and local government and universities. 

We help navigate grants and financial assistance available through federal and state programs.

We are the extension of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech. We take their research and get it out to our communities.

But then on the other end, we are also the voice of our communities. We take their issues, and we share that information with the university and local government and get people answers and solutions.

We are the glue that holds everything together, and we make people on both ends understand each other better.”

- Written by Camden Littleton, field marketing & communications coordinator