The valley is a very special place. Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley is home to four of the top five ag-producing counties in the state. While livestock and poultry production reign supreme, the agricultural landscape is as diverse as it is productive. I have admired the valley since I began my career in agriculture; however, during my… Continue reading Seminar IV: Start With Why (Shenandoah Valley)
Not a title I expected to use after visiting the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. I have been to Valley a few times and have always admired its beauty, and to the naked eye there is nothing ugly to see. Breathtaking views everywhere you look. But those who work in agriculture know that it is not always… Continue reading Agriculture can be ugly
Our VALOR Class seems to have found a theme of of traveling during out of the ordinary weather events. We have checked off a hurricane, high winds, and now a snowstorm that knocked out the potable water supply to the city of Richmond. In true Class VII fashion, we overcame, learned a lot, and still… Continue reading Going with the flow (just not the Richmond City water flow…)
I suppose my life’s purpose is to understand yours. Public thinker Simon Sinek encouraged our VALOR fellows to start with Why. So, we listened closely to ascertain the Why—a purpose, cause or belief—that motivates ag industry operators and innovators throughout the Shenandoah Valley at our March seminar. For some, their Why is rooted passion, tradition… Continue reading What’s your ‘why?’
Our fourth seminar as part of VALOR Class VII took us to the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Each seminar in the program seems to carry its own unique theme, and this one centered on the concept of "finding your why." We kicked things off before we left by listening to Simon Sinek’s Start with Why –… Continue reading Shenandoah Valley Seminar: Finding Your Purpose
The fourth seminar for VALOR Class 7 led us throughout the beautiful Shenandoah Valley - my home. The core theme around our seminar was "Why?" https://youtu.be/u4ZoJKF_VuA?si=Ot-nSGnp9vK40HEO So WHY am I writing a blog post about crying in public? Stick with me. It'll make sense. Amanda, you tell everyone about Andy It was at ATL Farms,… Continue reading Crying in Public
We had the great pleasure of meeting with Mr. Robert Whitehurst and Tyler Parham to discuss their solar project in Mt. Jackson, VA. Robert does a great job helping to maintain what I would call one of the best managed solar sites in Virginia. He has thought about all the details and did the best… Continue reading Energix Solar- Mt. Jackson, VA
Not all architecture is visible at street-level. Some of the most enduring structures are built through policy by state officials committed to sustaining a strong regulatory framework underpinning Virginia’s largest private industry. While farm advocates are the architects of agricultural policy, state leaders hammer out the details, enabling the growth, safety and continued economic influence… Continue reading Agricultural architecture
There’s something about agriculture that forces you to be adaptable. Weather, markets, legislation — it’s a field (pun intended) where change is the only constant. So, it felt appropriate that our third VALOR VII seminar in Richmond began with yet another set of curveballs: a snowstorm, a power outage, and a city-wide boil water advisory. … Continue reading Boiling Water and Bourbon: A VALOR Seminar in Richmond
Twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern. VALOR class VII seems to be in a pattern of weather events. Session I concluded during Hurricane Helene. Session II involved gale force winds. Session III started with a snowstorm causing a boil water advisory for the entire Richmond area. Despite these challenges, our class has… Continue reading The Weather Strikes Again
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