During the ninth seminar of VALOR Class IV in Central VA, we fellows enjoyed a stop at Bright Farms in Elkwood, VA. General Manager Nate Gurevitz gave us a tour of the 150,000 sq. ft. facility and showed us the hydroponic growing process for the greens they grow, from start to finish. First, seeds, trays… Continue reading Seminar IX: Bright Farms
VALOR Class IV's first stop on the Southside tour was JTI - Japan Tobacco International - Leaf Services in Danville, VA. At the facility we watched and learned how tobacco was bundled and brought in by partner farmers, cut, re-hydrated, sorted and repacked for international distribution. Tobacco products were not made at this facility but… Continue reading Seminar VIII: Southside VA
Another great VALOR Class IV seminar to a part of VA that I rarely frequent, but oh so full of agriculture and history. The first stop of Seminar VII was Omega Protein. Before an outdoor tour of the plant and one of their fishing vessels, we watched an informative video explaining the multi-generational company Omega… Continue reading Seminar VII: Northern Neck & Tangier
Much thanks is given to Kevin Beamer and his family for VALOR Class IV's tour of Virginia Produce Company Inc in Hillsville, VA during our Southwest VA seminar. I enjoyed the tour through the processing and storage facility and learning about how VA Produce Co. works with both local growers in VA and growers across… Continue reading Virginia Produce Company Inc: Seminar VI
To summarize a week long trip from hundreds of pictures (I edited some 629 photos off my phone to 325 when I first got back) is not an easy feat. The statistics and stories shared by the folks who were gracious enough to host our VALOR cohort is still swirling in my head and in… Continue reading SC & GA: A (Quick) Southern Summary
National Trip - VALOR Class IV Seminar V
Seminar IV in Northern VA and D.C. - Urban Ag & National Policy
Class IV fellows tour Endless Summer Harvest in Northern VA.
Ah, Richmond. The capitol of Virginia; home of the oldest elected legislative body in the New World. Mother of Presidents (the state, that is). Steeped in history and tradition. It reminds me every time I go why I appreciate where I live…for a multitude of reasons. But I’m not a fan of politics; never have… Continue reading Let me tell you a story…
On January 9th, VALOR fellows traveled to the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation (VFBF) headquarters in Richmond to participate in media training with Norm Hyde and Kathy Dixon. Kathy gave us an informative presentation about "Putting the 'Me' in Media" and how to best formulate and deliver the message we wish to convey in any media… Continue reading Session III: Richmond, VFBF Media Training
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