Jesse J. Richardson, Jr., is an Associate Professor in Urban Affairs and Planning at Virginia Tech, Policy and Research Advisor for Water Systems Council and an attorney. His teaching and research focuses on land use law, land conservation and water rights. He received his B.S. in Agricultural Economics, magna cum laude, and his M.S. in Agricultural and Applied Economics from Virginia Tech. He received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law. He received the 1999 American Agricultural Law Association Award of Excellence for Professional Scholarship and the 2004, William E. Wine Award, Virginia Tech’s highest teaching honor.