Uh-oh. I’ve been mistaken for a leader. I took a worthier candidate’s spot. The VALOR selection committee confused me for someone with real leadership potential. My mind was racing at Class VII’s orientation in Blacksburg in late September, when I realized I’d never truly contemplated the elements of leadership, much less envisioned myself as one.… Continue reading Revelations of a reluctant leader
Hello, I’m Sarah Wilson, a proud Virginia native. While I was born and raised on my family’s beef cattle farm in Lebanon, VA, I now live in Abingdon, VA. Growing up on a farm has shaped my life in ways I never could have imagined. The values and work ethic I learned from this environment… Continue reading Embracing Agriculture
Farm Bureau, MD&VA Milk Producers, VAFB Young Farmers. I've been apart of so many different groups in the past, but VALOR is one with the possibility to connect me deeper to every aspect of Virginia, the United States, and the globe. My name is Thomas French and I’m a 6th generation farmer from Maurertown, Virginia.… Continue reading Family, Fun, and Farming
I stood in Dr. Julia McCann’s office in Litton-Reaves Hall during the fall semester of my sophomore year at Virginia Tech. In order to gain membership to the Block & Bridle (B&B) club, I was required to obtain faculty signatures on the wooden letters that our pledge class carved and decorated. As Dr. McCann signed… Continue reading Introduction: Are You Interested in Ag Communications?
Hello everyone, I am Todd Legge from the metropolis of Middletown, VA, a small one-stoplight town 20 miles south of Winchester. I currently work for Darling Ingredients, Inc., based in Irving, TX, as a Finished Goods Sales Representative covering the eastern US. Darling Ingredients, Inc. is the world’s largest rendering company, with over 260 locations… Continue reading A Journey from Farm to Leadership
Howdy! I am Amanda Culp. I currently have the pleasure of working as the Director of Communications & Marketing at Maola Local Dairies, owned by Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association. Through my position with Maola, I lead a team of five individuals who share our sustainable dairy platform with customers and consumers while… Continue reading Learning to Lead in Virginny
Pic: Sam and Walter on Katie. Ears: Henry. . Sam Norman, originally from Hereford MD which is halfway in between Lancaster PA and Baltimore City (a little bit country, and a little bit...) I currently live in New Kent County Virginia with my husband Brian and son Walter. I have had the pleasure of working… Continue reading Introductions
Over the last 22 months, VALOR Class VI has traversed tens of thousands of miles within the the Commonwealth of Virginia, Commonwealth of Kentucky, and travelled to Republic of Kenya on the African Continent. We've experienced every level of agriculture from the humble beginnings of homesteads/ small-holders to large commercial agricultural enterprises, and everything in… Continue reading VIRGINIA
Theodore Geisel, more commonly known as beloved children's author Dr. Seuss once said:“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory” I’m finding a lot of truth in that statement as my VALOR experience comes to a close. Tomorrow I head to Roanoke to be with my classmates one… Continue reading Final Seminar, Final Blog
It was a bittersweet feeling when our group gathered for the first to last time in Central Virginia in May. We had spent the last 21 months visiting with some of the most outstanding and unique farming operations and support groups, hearing about their philosophies and best practices. Amongst all the variety of visits, tours,… Continue reading Seminar 11 Review
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