When I used to think of crop production it envisioned rusty equipment clacking across the field. The vision I had was covered in dust, mud, sweat and exertion. I pictured heat and rain and glorious discomfort as hard working people put the definition in tough and the grit in GRIT. There was plenty of doubt… Continue reading Precision Ag in Action
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Pigs Really Can Fly…
In a whirlwind of speed and efficiency and through a maze of machines and people, pigs fly through Smithfield Foods’ packing facility. Smithfield Foods is a $14 billion global food company and the world’s largest pork processor and hog producer. As a part of our second VALOR seminar we were very fortunate to tour the… Continue reading Pigs Really Can Fly…
Tidewater/Eastern Shore Trip
What a great trip in November to the Eastern Shore and Tidewater. Every tour stop and presenter was very good. From pork packing facility to oyster hatchery and cotton to luxury coaches...quite a diverse offering. Having some past experience in logistics, I was so impressed with all that is going on at the Port of… Continue reading Tidewater/Eastern Shore Trip
Quail Cove Farms
On our trip to the Eastern Shore, we learned not only about the diverse production agriculture on the shore, but we also had the opportunity to visit with Mr. Bill Jardine and his son, Brian, of Quail Cove Farms. Both of these gentleman shared about their unique challenges with soil, weed and pest management in… Continue reading Quail Cove Farms
AMADAS Industries and Coach
(pictures from Amadas Website) Two weeks ago, on our VALOR III seminar, we had the privilege of meeting Mr. John Wagner from Amadas Industries to give us a tour of the Amadas Production plant as well as the Amadas Coach line. Mr. Wagner shared with us the history and vision of the company and how… Continue reading AMADAS Industries and Coach
Innovating Hogs
Don't pretend that you didn't know hogs are innovative! They can build straw homes, go wee-wee-wee all the way home, and my favorite part, turn slop into chocolate covered bacon. Okay, so maybe none of that is exactly true, but at Smithfield Foods, they make it all seem possible. Our visit to Smithfield's Innovation Space… Continue reading Innovating Hogs
Leadership Momentum
Have you ever wondered why leaders seemingly "don't get it"? "It" could be trying ideas, being innovative or just simply making decisions that seem so obvious to others. Here are some specific examples to understand leadership momentum: Natural/Man-made disasters (Hurricane Katrina/BP Oil Rig Explosion in Gulf of Mexico): What took so long for President George… Continue reading Leadership Momentum
A Visit To Cherrystone Aqua Farms
On our second VALOR Class III seminar, we visited Cherrystone Aqua Farms, part of Ballard Fish and Oyster Company. For more than 115 years, the Ballard Fish & Oyster Company has been producing some of the best clams and oysters in the world. Today, the 5th generation of the Ballard family, Chad Ballard, is still producing great shellfish,… Continue reading A Visit To Cherrystone Aqua Farms
Lead like the wind…
Five things the wind teaches about leadership: Be cool, we hear ya! We can't see you, but it's nice to know you are there. Wow, where did you come from? Sometimes, you make us stop and think! Several winds form a hurricane...Several people can form an awesome team!
Commonwealth Cotton Gin!
I recall a time when cotton was heavily produced in America. It was a time that provided excellent income for many people. Over the years, the cotton crop shifted away from Virginia and returned around the early to mid 1990s. We visited the Commonwealth Cotton Gin in Windsor, VA and learned about the healthy cotton… Continue reading Commonwealth Cotton Gin!
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