One of the first memories I have is on the farm on which my family lived until I was five years old, on the outskirts of Cincinnati, Ohio.  We had a small sheep herd on approximately 20 acres.  One day when I was around four years old I was outside playing and I remember my… Continue reading Growing up… Down on the Farm

My name is Dave Winston.  I grew up on a 100-cow grade Holstein dairy farm in Campbell County, Virginia, that was operated my grandfather, father, and uncle.  When I was 5 years old, my grandfather invited me to help him feed baby calves and I have been involved in the dairy industry in one way… Continue reading Dairy Dave Begins a New Adventure

A big HOKIE, HOKIE, HOKIE HI from Wahoo country.   My name is Kim Love.  I am the branch manager for the Charlottesville office of Farm Credit of the Virginias. My way back story doesn’t include adventures in farming or agriculture.   I grew up in Worcester County, Maryland.   At that time, Runaway Bride had not put Berlin… Continue reading Pursuit To Happiness

I am incredibly honored to be a fellow in Class IV of VALOR. I am grateful for this opportunity to grow professionally and have a deeper understanding of the industry. Having met my VALOR peers at the first seminar I am incredibly impressed with their diverse backgrounds and I am excited to develop new relationships… Continue reading Life is Calling….

“Say Yes” I grew up in the Panhandle of Florida and my Dad was a row crop farmer and a day-working cow hand while my mother raised my sister and me. Farming became tougher and tougher for my family and as a young struggling farmer in the late seventies, my father got caught up in… Continue reading Brantley Ivey

Greetings from where Virginia begins! Where the fog hangs over the Cumberland Mountains!  Where the Cumberland Gap ushers a welcome to all those who pass through!  Where the great Powell River flows onto Tennessee! Where family farms dot the valleys!  Where a lonesome pine sit high on Powell Mountain!  Where Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia all… Continue reading Where Virginia Begins!

To those with roots in agriculture generations deep, I’m an outsider. I grew up in a rural community in northern New York, but did not grow up on a farm. I began horseback riding lessons in elementary school and joined 4-H to be able to show at the county fair. My curiosity was sparked. I… Continue reading Outsider turned insider