Day 4 for us would have been a fine day for Jim Smiley. We visited Aceitera General Deheza's (AGD) Frog Farm. It was a very unique operation where they raise frogs from eggs and grow them to maturity to sell to select restaurants in Buenos Aires, Cordoba and Rosario. They produce and sell approximately 6000… Continue reading A Leap Ahead… Ribbet
Day 3 in Argentina started out with our departure from the Melincue Casino and Resort in the Santa Fe providence heading toward the providence of Cordoba. Today we had scheduled two stops, one being a dairy and the other as purebred sheep operation. However, as we have traveled in Argentina we have learned that they have received above average rain fall for this season. In the month of February alone they have received 700+ millimeters which converts to 30+ inches of rain in one month.
As a result many of the roads leading to the farms are dirt and not handling this amount of rain fall very well. This morning’s visit to the dairy had to be cancelled because they fear that our bus would damage the road and not allow the milk tanker to reach the farm.
This allowed us an opportunity to meet this morning as a group…
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I am overwhelmed. It's that simple. In a very good way, of course, but overwhelmed none-the-less. For three years, I have conceptualized what an international trip with VALOR would be like. For over 18 months, we have known Argentina would be the destination. We are here. Now. In the moment. Absorbing and reflecting and anticipating… Continue reading Humbling Hospitality
Today we visited Cabana de Constancia, a diversified farming operation in the Sante Fe Provimce. Such beautiful grounds. Señor Gallo and his family operate their family farm, there we saw sheep, goats, llamas, ducks, and chickens. In addition we saw a plethora of plants on the grounds including a fig tree, orange and tangerine trees,… Continue reading But, no Koalas
After breakfast this morning, our journey continued as we departed downtown Buenos Aires (BA) and headed east to the countryside. We traveled to the city of Pergamino, which is 200 kilometers (120 miles) from downtown BA. Pergamino is in the province of BA. The picture below offers a point of reference. As we entered the… Continue reading Day 2 – Pergamino – Buenos Aires Province
The Fellows second day was full of interesting and exciting things. Our guide Henry providing all manner of information about Argentine farming in the Buenos Aires Province. After a fantastic lunch provided by the Calderon family in Pergamino we visited their equipment facility. Nestled among various pieces of equipment was this circa 1964 Chevy Impala… Continue reading Who would have thought…
Today was the first of several that the VALOR Fellows will be spending in Argentina. Our day was spent in Buenos Aires touring and learning about the rich history and customs here. Buenos Aires is our first city and we have now visited one of the largest cities in the world. It was amazing to… Continue reading Argentina – A Tale of Two Cities
I admit I am cheating here... I have 3 blog posts floating around in my head right now, but time to pen none of them. As National FFA week is upon us again, for your convenience I have copied my blog post from this time last year. The sentiment still holds true, so perhaps this… Continue reading National FFA week reloaded.
"Beyond Their Fences". Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services ran an article in their second edition of Virginia Agriculture Magazine about the VALOR program. It encourages folks to step up and take an active role in industry leadership, following in the deep and powerful footsteps of our inaugural class of fellows. Oh, by the… Continue reading Beyond Their Fences
White Nose Syndrome sounds like a really bad title for a documentary about cocaine addiction. I can however tell you that it has nothing to do with drugs. Sadly it is a disease which is spreading across the eastern United States and is devastating our bat population. The following is from the National Wildlife Health… Continue reading “White Nose Syndrome” …. What?
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