Extension Specialist/Associate Professor
Urban Ag Certificate Program
Phone: (804) 524-5962
Email: lgithinji@vsu.edu
EDUCATION
Ph.D. (2007) - Auburn University (Agronomy & Soils)
M.S. (2003) - Ghent University, Belgium (Management of Physical Land Resources)
Cert.(1998) - Bet Dagan Institute, Israel (Agro-meteorology)
B.S. (1994) - University of Nairobi, Kenya. (Agriculture).
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS
American Society for Horticultural Science
Soil Science Society of America
Agronomy Society of America
American Society for Plasticulture
SELECTED RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
Takie, N.O., N.C. McCallum, L.J.M. Githinji, et al. 2014. The Impact of Selected Socioeconomic Factors on Residents’ Perceptions of Benefits of Community Gardens. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development .Vol.5, No.12.
Githinji, L.J.M. 2014. Effect of biochar application rate on soil physical and hydraulic properties of a sandy loam. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science Journal. Vol. 60, Issue 4.
Paul, S.,L.J.M. Githinji, R.O. Ankumah, K.R. Willian, and G.Prichett. 2013. Sorption Behavior of Ibuprofen and Naproxen in Simulated Domestic Wastewater. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Journal. 225:1821
Gurung, D.P, Githinji, L.J.M, Ankumah, R.O. 2013. Assessing the Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loading in the Alabama (USA) River Basin Using PLOAD Model. Air, Soil, and Water Research Journal 2013:6 23–36.
Mathew, R, Y. Feng, L.J.M. Githinji, R. Ankumah and K. Balkcom. 2012. Impact of no tillage and conventional tillage systems on soil microbial communities. Applied and Environmental Soil Science Journal. Vol. 2012.
Githinji, L.J.M., M. Musey, and R. O. Ankumah. 2011. Evaluation of the Fate of Ciprofloxacin and Amoxicillin in Domestic Wastewater. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution Journal. Vol. 219 (1-4):191-201.
Githinji, L.J.M., J.H. Dane, and R.H. Walker. 2010. Evaluation of physical and hydraulic
properties of inorganic amendments used in turfgrass root zones. Irrigation Science Journal. Vol. 29: (1): 65-77.
Githinji, L.J. M., J.H. Dane, and R.H. Walker. 2009. Water-use patterns of tall fescue and
hybrid bluegrass cultivars subjected to ET-based irrigation scheduling. Irrigation Science Journal. Vol. 27 (5): 377-391.
Githinji L.J.M., Dane J., Walker R. and van Santen E. 2008. Evaluation of Turf Color and Root Length Density of Bluegrass and Tall Fescue under Irrigation Scheduling. J. Applied Bioscience. 9(1): 343- 53.
SELECTED EXTENSION PUBLICATIONS
Githinji, L.J. M. 2015. Planting Calendar for Vegetable Gardeners in Virginia. Sustainable and Urban Agriculture Series. Virginia State University. Fact Sheet.
Githinji, L.J. M. 2015. Companion Planting in gardening. Virginia State University. Sustainable and Urban Agriculture Series. Virginia State University Bulletin.
Githinji, L.J. M. 2015. Water Management for Raised-bed Gardens. Sustainable and Urban Agriculture Series. Virginia State University. Bulletin.
Githinji, L.J. M. 2010. Organic Farming Principles and Practices for Limited Resource Farmers.
Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Program Publication. TUCED.
Githinji, L.J. M. 2009. Tensiometers for Irrigation Scheduling in Alabama. Tuskegee
University Cooperative Extension Program Publication. TUCED.
Githinji, L.J. M. 2009. Vegetable Crops Using Plasticulture in Black Belt Counties of Alabama.
Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Program Publication. TUCED.
Githinji, L.J. M. 2009. A Guide to Soil Testing and Fertilizer Recommendation for Home Gardeners in Alabama. Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Program. TUCED.
SELECTED GRANTS
USDA NIFA Capacity Building Grant. Expanding Local Food Systems in Arkansas Delta through Hands-on Extension Education. Project Award # 2014-03123Award amount: $350,000. Project Role: PD/PI.
Center for Agricultural and Rural Sustainability (CARS) Grant. Establishing and Expanding Sustainable Strawberry Production in Eastern Arkansas and Surrounding Areas. Project Award #28932-12. Award amount: $175,000. Project Role: PD/PI.
USDA NIFA Capacity Building Grant. Enhancing Capacity of Tuskegee University to Establish Science-based Gardening Education. Project Award # 2012-38821-20132. Amount: $349,611. Project Role: PD/PI.
USDA/NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) Grant. Enhancing the Viability and Sustainability of Beginning Farmers and Ranchers through Collaboration, Mentoring and Whole Farm Planning. Amount: $675,750. Project Role: PD/PI.
USDA NIFA Capacity Building Grant. Enhancing Capacity of Tuskegee University to Conduct Water Quality Extension Educational Programs. Amount: $300,000. Project Role: PD/PI.
SSARE Grant: Organic Agriculture Hands-on Training and Educational Materials for Extension Professionals in the Southeast. Amount: $98,850. Project Role: PD/PI.
SSARE grant: Enhancing the economic stability of select limited resource farms through the establishment of micro-propagated pecan orchards integrated with crops and animals: Amount $15,000. Project Role: PD/PI.