During the last session for the class III fellows, we were exposed to many diverse angribusiness entities on the Eastern Shore. These businesses ranged in size from a father-son farming operation to a massive global industry leader employing over 50,000 employees world wide. The later mentioned business is Smithfield and their high sanitation standards mixed with efficiency… Continue reading Efficiency and beyond….
Quail Cove Farms
On our trip to the Eastern Shore, we learned not only about the diverse production agriculture on the shore, but we also had the opportunity to visit with Mr. Bill Jardine and his son, Brian, of Quail Cove Farms. Both of these gentleman shared about their unique challenges with soil, weed and pest management in… Continue reading Quail Cove Farms
AMADAS Industries and Coach
(pictures from Amadas Website) Two weeks ago, on our VALOR III seminar, we had the privilege of meeting Mr. John Wagner from Amadas Industries to give us a tour of the Amadas Production plant as well as the Amadas Coach line. Mr. Wagner shared with us the history and vision of the company and how… Continue reading AMADAS Industries and Coach
Port Day!
Port day! During our day at the ports in Norfolk, we had the pleasure of viewing trade in Virginia from two unique viewpoints: first by learning the ins and outs of the Port of Virginia as a whole, and second by walking through Perdue Agribusiness' Deep Water Port and discussing the products that flow through… Continue reading Port Day!
Innovating Hogs
Don't pretend that you didn't know hogs are innovative! They can build straw homes, go wee-wee-wee all the way home, and my favorite part, turn slop into chocolate covered bacon. Okay, so maybe none of that is exactly true, but at Smithfield Foods, they make it all seem possible. Our visit to Smithfield's Innovation Space… Continue reading Innovating Hogs
Leadership Momentum
Have you ever wondered why leaders seemingly "don't get it"? "It" could be trying ideas, being innovative or just simply making decisions that seem so obvious to others. Here are some specific examples to understand leadership momentum: Natural/Man-made disasters (Hurricane Katrina/BP Oil Rig Explosion in Gulf of Mexico): What took so long for President George… Continue reading Leadership Momentum
A Visit To Cherrystone Aqua Farms
On our second VALOR Class III seminar, we visited Cherrystone Aqua Farms, part of Ballard Fish and Oyster Company. For more than 115 years, the Ballard Fish & Oyster Company has been producing some of the best clams and oysters in the world. Today, the 5th generation of the Ballard family, Chad Ballard, is still producing great shellfish,… Continue reading A Visit To Cherrystone Aqua Farms
Lead like the wind…
Five things the wind teaches about leadership: Be cool, we hear ya! We can't see you, but it's nice to know you are there. Wow, where did you come from? Sometimes, you make us stop and think! Several winds form a hurricane...Several people can form an awesome team!
Commonwealth Cotton Gin!
I recall a time when cotton was heavily produced in America. It was a time that provided excellent income for many people. Over the years, the cotton crop shifted away from Virginia and returned around the early to mid 1990s. We visited the Commonwealth Cotton Gin in Windsor, VA and learned about the healthy cotton… Continue reading Commonwealth Cotton Gin!
Will Hatcher
Hello. I am Will Hatcher and I’m a Fellow of Valor Class III. I am husband to my awesome wife Josanna. I am dad to adult step-daughter Eimile who is living in NYC. I am dad to Tristan who is almost 5 and his little sister Olivia who is 2 1/2. Tristan is fond of knock-knock jokes and… Continue reading Will Hatcher
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