GMO - A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. It sounds harmless enough, but this term has sparked some heated discussion in the agriculture community as well as the general public. It is Halloween and I am interested in how you folks see GMO’s, … Continue reading GMO’s – Ghoul or Godsend?
It's 3am. You've been on the road since 11:30pm after grabbing 90 minutes of sleep at the end of a work day that started at 1:57am the day before. There are 368 more miles to go to your destination, which you must reach by 8am. It's just you and the satellite radio out on the… Continue reading Drive
Tomorrow we leave on our US study trip, which officially means we’re past the halfway point with VALOR. I’ve thought a lot about how fast this program is passing. Seminar VI, like all of the seminars thus far, was fantastic. For me, one of the most meaningful experiences was the weekend on the bay with… Continue reading Investing with a long-term view.
A few years back Guy Clark postulated that there are only two things that money can’t buy, true love and home grown tomatoes. I suppose there is some wisdom in that but the times they are a changin’. I can assure you that all over Virginia, and other places throughout the nation, money CAN buy… Continue reading There’s only two things…
Many of you who follow this BLOG know already that VALOR stands for Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results and what an amazing endeavor for those of us fortunate enough to be participants in the inaugural class. As we continue on our journey in learning about agriculture in not only our state but in our community,… Continue reading VALOR in Virginia’s Northern Neck… Learning our Responsibility
Most evenings in my college days several fraternity brothers would gather in my room for an evening cocktail to unwind while watching The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson - yes I have dated myself. It was an enjoyable ritual - one that was relaxing where we would share a laugh or gripe about the day we… Continue reading Can we talk?
My son Andrew, a Boy Scout, recently spent a week at Camp Davy Crockett in Rogersville TN. Camp is a weeklong adventure where Scouts utilize skills learned in scouting to be self sufficient and continue the learning process. As you might expect I am very proud of my son and his accomplishment in Scouting. He… Continue reading Be Prepared
I am sitting here in my tractor, planting soybeans. Well...not really. All I am doing is monitoring the monitors that monitor the process. The planter is doing the critical task of precisely placing each seed in the ground and covering it with soil. The tractor is driving itself-and doing a better job of it than… Continue reading Reflections from the tractor windshield
There is a widespread belief that it is us vs. them when it comes to the relationship between the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Agricultural Industry. I would submit that it doesn’t have to be that way. I recently had the opportunity along with the VALOR fellows to visit the EPA in… Continue reading U. S. Environmental Protection Agency vs. Agriculture… Inevitable? Maybe not.
Quotes that I heard while participating in the seminars that inspired me to reflect...ponder... and just made me smile. "If a one takes care of the land and the water, the land and the water will take care of them." "A leader is someone who takes the time to listen and values others opinions even… Continue reading Reflections
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