VALOR Fellows had a complete experience during Seminar VI: Bay/Northern Neck - Agriculture, Technology and the Environment. It was an exciting time bringing together firsthand the components of one of the most talked-about efforts in decades, allowing a vibrant agricultural industry and work in partnership to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay… Continue reading A little technical assistance please …
Not your average beans…
An otherwise inconspicuous grain elevator along Tidewater Trail in Center Cross, Virginia, holds thousands of bushels of soybeans. However, these aren’t just your average beans. The Montague Farms facility contains natto beans grown by farmers in Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina, and destined for export to Japanese markets. It’s not just the beans that are… Continue reading Not your average beans…
There’s only two things…
A few years back Guy Clark postulated that there are only two things that money can’t buy, true love and home grown tomatoes. I suppose there is some wisdom in that but the times they are a changin’. I can assure you that all over Virginia, and other places throughout the nation, money CAN buy… Continue reading There’s only two things…
Reblogged: Virginia Oysters See Growth Over Last Decade
Reblogged: Virginia Oysters See Growth Over Last Decade Earlier this month, Gov. Bob McDonnell toured Kellum Seafood Company's oyster harvesting, shucking and packing facility in Weems, located in the Northern Neck along the Rappahannock River, to witness first-hand the strides made by Virginia’s oyster industry and to celebrate the industry's growth in recent years, highlighted… Continue reading Reblogged: Virginia Oysters See Growth Over Last Decade
Flashback to the Washington DC Seminar
Saturday, May 11, 2013 Virginia Tech MARE Center by Dr. Rebecca Splan & Jake Grove Alson H. Smith, Jr. AREC by Dr. Tony Wolf Endless Summer Harvest by Mary Ellen Taylor, Owner & President Sunday, May 12 , 2013 Training and Development Workshops on Stakeholder Development; Issues Panels Sponsored Tour and Dessert at Loudoun Farm Museum by the Museum Director… Continue reading Flashback to the Washington DC Seminar
Pride
As I reflect over the past year in VALOR, I have observed a common thread throughout the agriculture industries, businesses, and people the VALOR class has had the opportunity to observe, interact with, and learn about. The prevailing thread is pride. They are proud of what they are doing and accomplishing. They love their jobs… Continue reading Pride
Virginia Tech: VALOR fellows meet federal decision-makers
http://vimeo.com/70859840 Over the past year, the inaugural Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results class has gotten a view of farming and food policy in the state from just about every angle. They visited with tomato farmers on the Eastern Shore, underwent media training at Virginia TV stations, and even met Gov. Bob McDonnell. But on their… Continue reading Virginia Tech: VALOR fellows meet federal decision-makers
VALOR in Virginia’s Northern Neck… Learning our Responsibility
Many of you who follow this BLOG know already that VALOR stands for Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results and what an amazing endeavor for those of us fortunate enough to be participants in the inaugural class. As we continue on our journey in learning about agriculture in not only our state but in our community,… Continue reading VALOR in Virginia’s Northern Neck… Learning our Responsibility
“Thank you soooooo much.”
The sixth meeting of the VALOR fellows has just concluded, marking the halfway point of our inaugural fellowship. The group of fellows numbers ten in total, but as we travel (both literally and figuratively) we number 12. Megan Seibel, the program director, and Kelsey Brunton, who - prior to her "retirement" - was the graduate… Continue reading “Thank you soooooo much.”
How ’bout dem apples?
In the northern locales of Virginia, the rich history and bright future of fruit production come together outside of Winchester at the Alson Smith AREC. For many years apple orchards have been a fixture of the landscape. A more recent addition to the scenery has been the long rows of grape trellises that marks the… Continue reading How ’bout dem apples?
