I suppose my life’s purpose is to understand yours. Public thinker Simon Sinek encouraged our VALOR fellows to start with Why. So, we listened closely to ascertain the Why—a purpose, cause or belief—that motivates ag industry operators and innovators throughout the Shenandoah Valley at our March seminar. For some, their Why is rooted passion, tradition… Continue reading What’s your ‘why?’
Our fourth seminar as part of VALOR Class VII took us to the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Each seminar in the program seems to carry its own unique theme, and this one centered on the concept of "finding your why." We kicked things off before we left by listening to Simon Sinek’s Start with Why –… Continue reading Shenandoah Valley Seminar: Finding Your Purpose
The fourth seminar for VALOR Class 7 led us throughout the beautiful Shenandoah Valley - my home. The core theme around our seminar was "Why?" https://youtu.be/u4ZoJKF_VuA?si=Ot-nSGnp9vK40HEO So WHY am I writing a blog post about crying in public? Stick with me. It'll make sense. Amanda, you tell everyone about Andy It was at ATL Farms,… Continue reading Crying in Public
We had the great pleasure of meeting with Mr. Robert Whitehurst and Tyler Parham to discuss their solar project in Mt. Jackson, VA. Robert does a great job helping to maintain what I would call one of the best managed solar sites in Virginia. He has thought about all the details and did the best… Continue reading Energix Solar- Mt. Jackson, VA
Not all architecture is visible at street-level. Some of the most enduring structures are built through policy by state officials committed to sustaining a strong regulatory framework underpinning Virginia’s largest private industry. While farm advocates are the architects of agricultural policy, state leaders hammer out the details, enabling the growth, safety and continued economic influence… Continue reading Agricultural architecture
There’s something about agriculture that forces you to be adaptable. Weather, markets, legislation — it’s a field (pun intended) where change is the only constant. So, it felt appropriate that our third VALOR VII seminar in Richmond began with yet another set of curveballs: a snowstorm, a power outage, and a city-wide boil water advisory. … Continue reading Boiling Water and Bourbon: A VALOR Seminar in Richmond
Twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern. VALOR class VII seems to be in a pattern of weather events. Session I concluded during Hurricane Helene. Session II involved gale force winds. Session III started with a snowstorm causing a boil water advisory for the entire Richmond area. Despite these challenges, our class has… Continue reading The Weather Strikes Again
Our Valor class has a unique way of meeting during significant weather events. True to form, we met for our third seminar after a snowstorm had shut down the capital. The general assembly, which was to begin the day we arrived, had recessed and wouldn't reconvene until the following Monday. But our fearless leader, Megan,… Continue reading Learning Leadership
Another seminar for the (history?) books. The third VALOR VII seminar proved that agricultural leadership is about adaptability. When two inches of snow unexpectedly shut down Virginia's Capitol, our cohort turned a potential setback into an opportunity for deeper connections. Virginia's legislative session was postponed to the following week and for the rest of the… Continue reading p.i.v.o.t
I grew up about 25 minutes outside of Washington D.C. and almost always our class would attend a yearly school trip to one of the museums downtown- ugh, another trip to the Smithsonian?! When family and friends from across the country or around the world would visit, we would usually take them boating on the… Continue reading Seeds, Swine and the Shore
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