We had an outstanding first day in Southwest Virginia! The first two sessions involved "Crucial Conversations" by Mr. Jeremy Johnson and the second was, in short, "Strengths" by Dr. Eric Kaufman, who was instrumental in doing the research to create the VALOR Program. The focus of this writing will be about connecting crucial conversations to… Continue reading Crucial Conversations
Pun Puzzle!
Well, it's time for Session 6: Addressing Rural Communities - Opportunities for Leadership. For now, here is a fun fuzzle: Thirty cows, twenty-eight chickens, how many didn't?
For Your Consideration: Recent Reading & Building Urban-Rural Connections
Admittedly, I’ve been hesitating to post on the blog lately. How to sum up our VALOR trips to Northern VA, DC, and the Shenandoah Valley?! They were such rich visits! (I did put together an Instagram slide show with images of some of our Northern VA/DC visits if you’re curious.) While I keep working on… Continue reading For Your Consideration: Recent Reading & Building Urban-Rural Connections
Back To The Future—How A Colonial Beverage of Necessity Is Becoming Orchard Owners’ Ticket To The Future
The libation of choice of our Virginia colonial ancestors, hard apple cider, had a 200-year run in the commonwealth and the rest of the U.S. before falling out of favor in the early 1900s due to a new penchant for beer. Prohibition delivered the final blow to America’s affection for the fermented apple brew, until… Continue reading Back To The Future—How A Colonial Beverage of Necessity Is Becoming Orchard Owners’ Ticket To The Future
Turkey Day!
The third cohort of VALOR fellows were fortunate enough to have our fifth seminar in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. I may be biased, but there is no better place than Virginia’s largest agricultural county (in terms of gross receipts) to learn about agricultural leadership. And when you are in Rockingham County, the unofficial turkey capital,… Continue reading Turkey Day!
The View from the Backside of an Oatsmobile
This seminar we were able to learn about the Mennonite Culture and how it has shaped and influenced the agriculture in the Shenandoah Valley, specifically, Rockingham County. Having grown up the Valley, I thought I was somewhat versed in the Mennonite ways and lifestyle. I guess that is part of growing up, you realize what… Continue reading The View from the Backside of an Oatsmobile
When Your Melons Are Against the Wall
The Melon Problem (Please, feel free to insert any produce/flower/harvestable commodity of your choice in place of melon throughout this blog. The lesson is the same. I just happen to like melons, and I thought this to be a catchier title than "When your beans are strung.") You planted a lot of melons because, well, people like… Continue reading When Your Melons Are Against the Wall
How do we effectively communicate to people?
One answer to this question was provided by Mr. David Hughes, a poultry farmer whose farm demonstrated excellent animal care and overall commitment to trusted poultry practices. We had dinner with him and he shared his story about his wife's passing. Mr. Hughes was asked "how was it best to communicate to him during his… Continue reading How do we effectively communicate to people?
I Saw People
Today's events were quite intriguing. We first visited the Shenandoah Valley Produce Auction managed by Mr. Jeff Heatwole. Mr. Heatwole acknowledged the leadership of Extension Agent Mr. Eric Bendfeldt who was influential in developing the auction so the local farmers could have a place to sell their produce at wholesale prices. We then visited The… Continue reading I Saw People
Session V: Communicating Our Industry
Yes, "Our" industry (agriculture) does include everyone on the planet because we need food products for nourishment. However, there are people who ensure that the many agriculture systems thrive and meet the demands for food products. This is where a potential learning space exists: 1) Are we "communicating" in the correct grammar and pronunciation sense?… Continue reading Session V: Communicating Our Industry
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