A teacher told me that sentence right before I started my first semester of college. I still hear her in the back of my head because it continues to ring true throughout my life. First, I was introduced to peanuts. They come from a can, right? Well, actually, there are several varieties and one of… Continue reading The more you learn, the more you realize you don’t know.
Category: Uncategorized
A First Time for Everything
When was the last time that you experienced something for the first time? Every time I’m put into unfamiliar situations or when I find myself facing a new or unexpected experience, I ask myself this question. I think we can all agree, as we get older, the number of times we encounter something for the… Continue reading A First Time for Everything
Sometimes the Best Things Are the Things We Didn’t Plan
When I think back on my life’s experiences I often find the best ones were those I didn’t plan. For example, when I think back to all the different occupations I thought I wanted to do when I grew up (firefighter, astronaut, doctor, veterinarian, and meteorology) auditor was not on my list. However, this occupation… Continue reading Sometimes the Best Things Are the Things We Didn’t Plan
To Southeastern VA and Beyond!
To be honest, I didn't know a lot about agriculture in southeastern Virginia and on the Eastern Shore until our most recent VALOR trip. Let me tell you, it is a different world. Inside Belmont Peanuts. A mountain of peanuts in a Birdsong storage facility. Our first stop was the VA Peanut Growers Association where… Continue reading To Southeastern VA and Beyond!
Which comes first?!?!
Since this is my first blog post I will start by introducing myself. For the past 18 + years I have lived in Bristol Virginia and have worked as the Southwest Regional Director for the Tobacco Indemnification and Revitalization Commission. In this role I’ve had the opportunity to learn about so many aspects of economic… Continue reading Which comes first?!?!
Perseverance and Teamwork
I have definitely, and on purpose, procrastinated long enough to write this blog post! For some reason, I have found myself in the middle of two programs that are what I'd like to call, "out of my box". Agriculture is right up my alley however, dressing in business attire and visiting with dignitaries in addition… Continue reading Perseverance and Teamwork
Providing a Cornucopia of Opportunities
I've always thought to be blessed to have grown up with parents that exposed their children to a plethora of opportunities and let us choose our own path to learn and explore more as our interests and skills grew. This method for development continued to be my preferred way of learning as I grew into… Continue reading Providing a Cornucopia of Opportunities
Find your market and serve it with passion
As VALOR Class VI embarked on our first trip to explore agriculture in the Commonwealth, I was excited to get to know our cohort members better and learn about the sandy, flat regions of Virginia called Tidewater and the Eastern Shore. With family in Central Virginia and the Valley, and living in Southwest, I don’t… Continue reading Find your market and serve it with passion
“I could never do what you do.”
During Seminar II in the Tidewater area and the Eastern Shore, I was reminded of how each of us brings value to situations. One of my first bookkeeping clients told me that as an ER Nurse for over 30 years - she could take a body apart and put it back together but couldn't balance… Continue reading “I could never do what you do.”
What Growing Up On A Farm Taught Me About Leadership
Growing up on my family’s farm taught me something new almost every day and I didn’t even realize it. I just thought we were having fun! My name is Adam McKenery and I was raised on my family’s farm located in Hampshire County WV, just west of Winchester VA. To me it is the most… Continue reading What Growing Up On A Farm Taught Me About Leadership