Reblogged: Virginia Oysters See Growth Over Last Decade Earlier this month, Gov. Bob McDonnell toured Kellum Seafood Company's oyster harvesting, shucking and packing facility in Weems, located in the Northern Neck along the Rappahannock River, to witness first-hand the strides made by Virginia’s oyster industry and to celebrate the industry's growth in recent years, highlighted… Continue reading Reblogged: Virginia Oysters See Growth Over Last Decade
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Pride
As I reflect over the past year in VALOR, I have observed a common thread throughout the agriculture industries, businesses, and people the VALOR class has had the opportunity to observe, interact with, and learn about. The prevailing thread is pride. They are proud of what they are doing and accomplishing. They love their jobs… Continue reading Pride
Virginia Tech: VALOR fellows meet federal decision-makers
http://vimeo.com/70859840 Over the past year, the inaugural Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results class has gotten a view of farming and food policy in the state from just about every angle. They visited with tomato farmers on the Eastern Shore, underwent media training at Virginia TV stations, and even met Gov. Bob McDonnell. But on their… Continue reading Virginia Tech: VALOR fellows meet federal decision-makers
How ’bout dem apples?
In the northern locales of Virginia, the rich history and bright future of fruit production come together outside of Winchester at the Alson Smith AREC. For many years apple orchards have been a fixture of the landscape. A more recent addition to the scenery has been the long rows of grape trellises that marks the… Continue reading How ’bout dem apples?
Horsein Around
According to the Virginia Horse Industry Board the horse industry has a $1.2 Billion impact on the Virginia economy and generates 16,000 jobs. The horse industry is the 9th largest agricultural commodity in Virginia and ranks 12th in the nation for the number of horses. The part of the Commonwealth that has the largest impact… Continue reading Horsein Around
Meditations on Urban Agriculture
Creative marketing of local foods. A surging wine industry. Maintaining and revitalizing a treasured equine property. A behind-the-scenes view of National Ag Policy. These were some of the themes observed as the VALOR fellows experienced Urban Agriculture during Seminar Five in Northern Virginia & Washington DC. I must admit that I take my close proximity… Continue reading Meditations on Urban Agriculture
The Future of Farming
At our third seminar in January, the VALOR fellows visited the Leech family, and Ingleside Dairy. Parents Charles and Linda, and children Jennifer and Beau are all Virginia Tech graduates, with degrees in Dairy Science. The family milks approximately 300 cows on their Rockbridge County, VA farm. The dairy farm started operations in 1967, and… Continue reading The Future of Farming
America’s Promise Visit
The VALOR inaugural class had the opportunity to tour America’s Promise Alliance and meet with the executive vice president, Melinda Hudson, during our Northern Virginia/ Washington D.C. Seminar. America’s Promise Alliance was founded in 1997 by Gen. Colin L. Powell. It is the nation’s largest partnership dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth.… Continue reading America’s Promise Visit
Micro……What?
During the Northern Virginia/Washington D.C. seminar I had a truly unique experience in Purcellville, VA. I got to try “microgreens” while touring Endless Summer Harvest. Endless Summer Harvest is a family-owned and operated hydroponic commercial agribusiness. They take great pride in providing locally grown, pesticide free lettuces, gourmet greens, and herbs. Mary Ellen Taylor, president… Continue reading Micro……What?
Too Cool for Deja Vu
A year into the program with the inaugural VALOR class and there they are...calm, cool, collected, and utterly brilliant. A true cohort team. As we approach our sixth of 12 seminars at the end of next week, we will have fully completed the first of two years of whirlwind-like programming. We have traversed the state… Continue reading Too Cool for Deja Vu
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