“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” – JFK Rainy evenings are the best time to write; the words I type tick away on the keyboard like the raindrops pitter-pattering on our metal roof. I fall into a rhythm to where there is little worry about what I should be getting done outside, the… Continue reading Hi, I’m Alison Jones! – VALOR Class V
Recently, I was given an award through my employment entitled “The Culture of Yes”. The interpretation of “Culture of Yes” was a team player, willing to help others, going above and beyond to help those that you served. Being nominated for this award was a tremendous honor and left me very humbled, considering the caliber… Continue reading “Culture of Yes” – Meet Dr. Amy Johnson, DNP, FNP-C – VALOR Class V
“Leaders don’t force people to follow, they invite them on a journey.” - anonymous In the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic, I received a card with this quote on it in the mail yesterday. As the director of a leadership program, it is exciting to think about inviting others on a journey - one of… Continue reading Invited on this Journey
During our last seminar, we had the honor of visiting the George Washington Carver High School. George Washington Carver High School was an African American High School during segregation for four counties. After segregation, the school was turned into a vocational center. Now, the school has become a special project of the community with the… Continue reading The Struggle for an Education!
During the ninth seminar of VALOR Class IV in Central VA, we fellows enjoyed a stop at Bright Farms in Elkwood, VA. General Manager Nate Gurevitz gave us a tour of the 150,000 sq. ft. facility and showed us the hydroponic growing process for the greens they grow, from start to finish. First, seeds, trays… Continue reading Seminar IX: Bright Farms
As I reflect on our time visiting Southside Virginia, one theme that stands out for me is the importance and power of vision, which shines through at the Olde Dominion Ag Complex. The facility seems like a huge asset to the agricultural community. It took incredible vision for the 9 farmers who started the idea… Continue reading Vision & relationships
For our November Seminar, we traveled to Southside Virginia. Southwest Virginia and Southside Virginia are kindred spirts due to their involved in growing the golden leaf. There are many different types of tobacco grown for many different reasons. Southwest Virginia has traditionally grown burley tobacco (air cured) and Southside has traditionally grown flu cured tobacco… Continue reading Tobacco & Strong Leaders
What more appropriate time than the New Year to reflect upon past experiences and how it can help one grow and develop. November's seminar took us to Southside Virginia. One of our tours took us to Briarview Farms which is owned and operated by Mr. Robert Mills. Mills tends to rejuvenate and inspire others in… Continue reading Daring Decisions
I wasn't really sure what to expect during our trip to Southside Virginia. This is a part of our state that I have visited quite few times personally but never in the context of the agriculture industry. We hit the ground running as always when we arrived in Danville. Our first visit was to JTI… Continue reading Southside: One of Virginia’s “Extremes”
The song I chose for this blog's title, by Old Crow Medicine Show, is somewhat of a contradiction, because as our visit to Southside Virginia showed us, tobacco is still very much a part of the region. However, we also saw that farmers are increasingly having to diversify their operations, with row crops, beef, and… Continue reading We Don’t Grow Tobacco
