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I graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Plant Medicine, the equivalent of a "plant M.D." (http://dpm.ifas.ufl.edu) I’m currently the Agriculture Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Agronomy at Ferrum College, a small liberal arts college in the picturesque foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains: (http://www.ferrum.edu/academics/schools/natural_sciences_math/agriculture.html) In the academic offseason, I work the… Continue reading An Ag Transplant From New York and Naturalized Virginian

When the opportunity to participate in the 2nd class of VALOR came along I was excited to be considered!  The chance to learn more about the many facets of agriculture, develop my leadership skills, meet new people and experience new places and cultures is intriguing! My name is Marilyn Adams.  I am a native of Loudoun… Continue reading Gettin’ Started!

    My name is Kevin Beamer. I am 32 years old and have been raised in a world of agriculture.  I am now the President of my families wholesale business Va Produce, located in Hillsville Va, but I didn’t start at the top.     Don’t get me wrong I have been blessed with… Continue reading Roots

I was recently at a conference where my husband and I were part of a "Meet a Farmer" campaign with the American Farm Bureau Ag Foundation. It's part of a initiative to introduce consumers to farmers and vice versa. Start a conversation. Ask questions. Debunk myths. Hey, even grab a #felfie if the mood suits. I'll… Continue reading Citified Farmer

Is really coming to an end or is it the start of a new beginning. This week the inaugural class of VALOR will be graduating. It is so hard to believe that two years has passed! I am not sure how the other members feel but I honestly believe they feel the same as I… Continue reading End of a fantastic journey or start of something much greater?

The inaugural class of VALOR visited and toured Liberty Mills Farm which is owned and operated by Kent and Evie Woods. Liberty Mills Farm spans 110 acres which was originally part of the Bloomingdale Farm, and is located in Orange County, just east of Rapidan River in Somerset, VA. Our view from the farm included… Continue reading A “farmtastic” Adventure

On a cool day in May, the VALOR fellows enjoyed lunch, a tour and tasting at Veritas Vineyard and Winery in Afton, VA with two wine industry leaders – Emily Pelton, winemaker for Veritas, and Michael Shaps of Virginia Wineworks. The wine industry in Virginia has exploded over the last decade or so. The number… Continue reading In Virginia There Is Wine, and In Vino Veritas.

Sometimes it just takes the right idea.  Sometimes it just takes the right group of people.  It really goes gangbusters when you have the right group of people working on the right idea.  Enter the Olde Dominion Agricultural Foundation in Chatham, VA. The VALOR fellows visited the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex in Chatham during our… Continue reading If you build it, they will come.