A long time ago, I was told that any story has three (3) sides: the two opposing sides and the truth. The truth usually falls somewhere in between! Seminar VII to the Northern Neck and Tangier Island shed light on the longstanding debate between environmental protection and economic growth. Our first stop at the Omega… Continue reading Menhaden, Blue Back Crabs, and the Environment
Chesapeake Bay that is! Class IV's trip to the Northern Neck and Tangier Island was definitely one for the books. From oysters to eels, from corn to pumpkins, the region showcased some of Virginia agriculture's finest. In addition to the fun that was had on the trip, we encountered some pretty serious topics, such as… Continue reading Sittin on the Dock of the Bay
What an amazing experience in the Northern Neck & Tangier Island! This was my first time to Tangier and I found the unique culture and way of life to be a breath of fresh air. As always we visited numerous locations and I had an opportunity to learn so much about aquaculture. Our first stop… Continue reading The Northern Neck & Tangier
Another great VALOR Class IV seminar to a part of VA that I rarely frequent, but oh so full of agriculture and history. The first stop of Seminar VII was Omega Protein. Before an outdoor tour of the plant and one of their fishing vessels, we watched an informative video explaining the multi-generational company Omega… Continue reading Seminar VII: Northern Neck & Tangier
It's hard to believe that we have just completed the first year of the VALOR program. Wow, what an experience! And, the latest seminar in Southwest Virginia was one of the most memorable seminars so far! Southwest Virginia has such a distinct culture, and this cultural uniqueness was evident throughout the trip. It was one… Continue reading Southwest Virginia: Culture and Agriculture
While enjoying a delicious supper at Mountain Rose Vineyards, we were joined by Rachel Helton, Director of Development for the Health Wagon. Rachel gave us a very informative and impactful presentation on the work this nonprofit organization does. Our mission is to provide compassionate, quality medical care to the medically under-served in the mountains of… Continue reading The Health Wagon
Southwest Virginia is home to beautiful landscapes and friendly, welcoming people. I admire the sense of community shown in many of our visits. People are proud of their culture and traditions. Tyler Hughes, a musician and local elected official, was an example of a young person passionate about helping his community. The coal museum and… Continue reading A Sense of Community
At the H.W. Meador Coal Museum in Big Stone Gap, we were treated to the music of Tyler Hughes. The title of this blog post refers to a song he performed about the life of coal workers. Determined. Proud. Innovative. Resilient. These are just a few words that come to mind when reflecting over our… Continue reading Buddy Won’t You Roll Down The Line
Being a lifelong resident of Southwest Virginia, I've always considered myself Appalachian. Seminar VI took us past my stomping grounds to what I'd consider "deep southwest" or "the coalfields." I really appreciate Amy for helping make this trip happen because even for a SWVA girl like myself, I gained a lot from this seminar. Several… Continue reading No Culture Without Agriculture
Growing up in the shadows of the Cumberland Mountains, I love the sound of creeks running through the hollers and seeing the island of trees springing forth from the fog in the mornings!  I am very proud to be an Appalachian American and I am very fortunate to have been able to come back home! … Continue reading Home is where the heart is!
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