“Say Yes” I grew up in the Panhandle of Florida and my Dad was a row crop farmer and a day-working cow hand while my mother raised my sister and me. Farming became tougher and tougher for my family and as a young struggling farmer in the late seventies, my father got caught up in… Continue reading Brantley Ivey
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Where Virginia Begins!
Greetings from where Virginia begins! Where the fog hangs over the Cumberland Mountains! Where the Cumberland Gap ushers a welcome to all those who pass through! Where the great Powell River flows onto Tennessee! Where family farms dot the valleys! Where a lonesome pine sit high on Powell Mountain! Where Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia all… Continue reading Where Virginia Begins!
Outsider turned insider
To those with roots in agriculture generations deep, I’m an outsider. I grew up in a rural community in northern New York, but did not grow up on a farm. I began horseback riding lessons in elementary school and joined 4-H to be able to show at the county fair. My curiosity was sparked. I… Continue reading Outsider turned insider
Taking My Own Advice
If the average Joe would look at my background, it may not make sense that I am a High School Career Coach. For those who are familiar with agriculture and what it entails would know that it makes perfect sense. My journey to where I am today is filled with career readiness and leadership opportunities… Continue reading Taking My Own Advice
“Meet Virginia”…. Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results
Hello! My name is Stefanie Kitchen, and in addition to being passionate about agriculture, I can’t get enough of music and puns. Therefore, I am committing to titling all of my blog posts with a song. And possibly a pun. This post's title features a classic from the band Train. My love for both agriculture… Continue reading “Meet Virginia”…. Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results
VALOR – Here We Go!
If anyone had told me while growing up in Guyana that I would be part of anything agriculture, I would have rolled my eyes and give them a dirty look. Yet two decades later, here I stand, completely immersed in agriculture in studies and work. Being involved in VALOR is something I never expected to be… Continue reading VALOR – Here We Go!
“All you have to do is be smarter than the cow.”
Hello everyone! My name is Brandon Reeves and I am honored to be a member of the VALOR class this go-round. At the outset, I’d like to thank all the supporters of VALOR and the folks that make it happen. We had an awesome first session and I look forward to spending the next two… Continue reading “All you have to do is be smarter than the cow.”
M’asem (my story in the Akan/twi language of Ghana)
Wrapping up our first session of Valor, 2 weeks later and I'm just making it home. This was my first trip to Va. Tech, and my second trip to southwestern Va. in the last 9 months and in my life. I took my passport this time, according to Siri and google maps, a border crossing… Continue reading M’asem (my story in the Akan/twi language of Ghana)
The Start of Something Wonderful…
It has been a while since I actually participated in a leadership development program - which is slightly ironic given that most of my young career has been spent behind the scenes of membership organizations coordinating program development. Last Friday, I was sitting at the Panera in Blacksburg, finishing up some work-related tasks over lunch… Continue reading The Start of Something Wonderful…
Reel it in…
The definition reel (v) is as follows: wind a line onto a reel by turning the reel. lose one's balance and stagger or lurch violently This could sum up my first weekend with VALOR Class IV. And quite a bit of my life; so let’s start there, and reel it back… Hi, I’m Kari Sponaugle,… Continue reading Reel it in…
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