Well hello blogosphere world! My name is E.B. Watson and beyond the honor of being named a Class III fellow to the VALOR program, I am a fifth generation farmer from Bedford, VA and am the manager for our local soil and water conservation district, Peaks of Otter. I've spent the majority of my life… Continue reading A Clashing of Worlds…..
Buckingham County is the geographic center of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is also my hometown and home to my family's cattle farm, where we raise natural, grass-fed Black Angus beef. Growing up in this rural county, I learned small town values, the meaning of hard work and the importance of helping others. It was… Continue reading The Center of Virginia….
When I was a Virginia FFA officer (seems like many moons ago!), we were asked to define leadership in one word. After many people, including myself, gave it our best try, the national officers running the workshop soon gave us "the best" answer. LEADERSHIP = INFLUENCE! The influence we have on others in this wonderful… Continue reading INFLUENCE!
We've recently added a very tall, shiny, new grain bin to our farm skyline. It's the second tallest structure on our farm and it has a pretty safe ladder - important to have good gear when you're climbing! The climb up leaves me slightly breathless, a little nervous, exhilarated. The view from the top is… Continue reading The View From the Top
There is much to be gained by simple fencing. One might think that fencing is menial and without complexity but I believe that it is much more. Having spent a portion of the last two years or so in this thing called VALOR and having experienced many new and wonderful things an opportunity arose… Continue reading Fencing… A recollection and collection of reflections
...it was tense. VALOR as I have come to know it is over. True. There is one more seminar and graduation coming up in July yet, so the VALOR Fellowship for the members of the Inaugural Class is not really over per se. But, VALOR as twelve passengers in a van commenting on "attempted murder"… Continue reading The past, present and future walk into a bar…
It has been two months now since VALOR had the opportunity to engage farmers and leaders during an agricultural trip to Argentina. The production cycle is in reverse as compared to the United States cropping systems. The crops that we viewed should be harvested as we in the United States plant new ones. While there,… Continue reading Argentina Reflections
It truly has been and will continue to be a wonderful experience with a group of such fine people. I fall short of the proper word but I think "rewarding" best suits for the moment. Traveling across the Commonwealth, to Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan; and most recently our adventure in Argentina; we have not only… Continue reading VALOR: What a great journey!
Day seven for the VALOR Fellows consisted of lots of travel. Up early and a quick breakfast. Then on the bus for the trip to the airport. Fly, change planes, fly again, another bus and finally the hotel in beautiful El Calafate. Just as the sun sets and reflects off Lake Argentno, today's travel provided… Continue reading Some numbers from day Seven
...but me loves me Olive Oyl more. Many of us love our olive oil too and today the VALOR Fellows visited Bodegas Zuccardi Vineyards and Winery. Along with that amazing experience we were also given a tour of their olive oil production facilities. Familia Zuccardi has approximately 900 acres of olives. We learned that about… Continue reading Me loves me spinach…
valeadersor.com 