September 2013 FBN

VirgniaFarm Bureau News September/October 2013

VaFarmBureau.org

Grayson grower takes Grayson grower takes Christmas tree farming Christmas tree farming to great heightsto great heights

Departments 9 Viewing Virginia

25 In the Garden

26 Good for You!

28 Heart of the Home

30 Marketplace

Contents 16 Grayson grower takes Christmas tree farming to great heights “As a kid, we used to go up on Mount Rogers and cut a Fraser fir for Christmas,” Rodney Richardson recalled. Now he grows them on nearly 400 acres.

4 VFBF AgPAC endorses candidates for statewide races, House seats The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC has made endorsements in three statewide races and races for seats in the Virginia House of Delegates.

12 State Fair of Virginia is ready to roll! Favorite foods, attractions and rides are being readied for the 2013 State Fair of Virginia—along with lots of new features. Find out how Farm Bureau members can save on admission.

Virginia Farm Bureau News (USPS 017-763) (ISSN 1525-528X) is published six times a year, January, March, May, June, August, September/October (combined issue). It is published by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, 12580 West Creek Parkway, Richmond, VA 23238. Periodicals postage rate is paid in Richmond, VA. The annual subscription rate is $1.42 (included in membership dues).

Postmaster: Please send changes of address to, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, Farm Bureau News, P.O. Box 27552, Richmond, VA 23261-7552; fax 804-290-1096. Editorial and business offices are located at 12580 West Creek Parkway, Richmond, VA 23238. Telephone 804-290-1000, fax 804-290-1096. Email address is [email protected]. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Members — Address change? If your address or phone number has changed, or is about to change, contact your county Farm Bureau. They will update your membership and subscription information.

All advertising is accepted subject to the publisher’s approval. Advertisers must assume liability for the content of their advertising. The publisher maintains the right to cancel advertising for non-payment or reader complaints about services or products. The publisher assumes no liability for products or services advertised.

Member: Virginia Press Association

editorial teamGreg Hicks Vice President, Communications

Pam Wiley Managing Editor

Kathy Dixon Sr. Staff Writer/Photographer

Sara Owens Staff Writer/PhotographerMorgan Barker Staff Writer/Photographer Bill Altice Graphic Designer

Maria La Lima Graphic Designer

Cathy Vanderhoff Advertising

On the CoverFraser firs like these at Mount Rogers Tree Farm in Grayson County grow indigenously in the highest elevations of Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee (Photo by Kathy Dixon).

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virginia farm bureau federationOfficers Wayne F. Pryor, PresidentScott E. Sink, Vice President

Board of Directorsdirector district countyEmily Edmondson 1 TazewellRichcard L. Sutherland 2 GraysonEvelyn H. Janney 3 FloydGordon R. Metz 4 HenryStephen L. Saufley 5 RockinghamPeter A. Truban 6 ShenandoahThomas E. Graves 7 OrangeH. Carl Tinder Sr. 8 AlbemarleHenry E. Wood Jr. 9 BuckinghamRobert J. Mills Jr. 10 PittsylvaniaJ. M. Jenkins Jr. 11 LunenburgW. Ellis Walton 12 MiddlesexM. L. Everett Jr. 13 SouthamptonDavid L. Hickman 14 AccomackJanice R. Burton * HalifaxNathan A. Aker ** Wythe

*Women’s Committee Chairman**Young Farmers Committee Chairman

VirgniaFarm Bureau News

Volume 72, Number 6 September/October 2013

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12publication scheduleProducer members will receive their next issue of Virginia Farm Bureau News in January. The magazine is published six times a year.

Sept. 27–Oct. 6, 2013

VirginiaFarmBureau.com september/october 2013 3

Mark Gold is optimistic about the future of farming, and he’s going to share why during the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention.

“Leading Agriculture into the Future” is the theme of this year’s convention, which will be held Dec. 3-5 at the Richmond Marriott.

Gold, managing partner of Top Third Ag Marketing, will kick off the convention with a keynote address on “Key Factors Affecting American Agriculture.” He is a former member of the Chicago Board of Trade.

Survival vs. selling out“I’m very optimistic about farming,

but there will be bumps in the road and farmers need to learn how to survive the cycles and not sell their land for parking lots or subdivisions,” Gold said.

His Top Third Ag Marketing’s mission is to help farmers manage the risks

VFBF Convention’s focus will be farming’s future

associated with producing grains, livestock, milk, cotton and energy. The company’s goal is to help its customers market their products in the “top third” of prices available during that market year.

Gold also will lead one of the Tuesday afternoon workshops and will provide specific strategies for better risk management on the farm.

A second workshop about transportation issues in Virginia will be offered Tuesday afternoon with speakers from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and the Virginia State Police.

During the business sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, voting delegates from each county Farm Bureau in Virginia will help shape VFBF state and federal policies for the coming year. Delegates also will elect members of the VFBF board of directors to represent Districts 3, 6, 9 and 12.

Agriculture-related transportation in Virginia and the influence of global markets will be topics addressed at this year’s convention.

Leading agriculture into the future

New smartphone-based benefitThroughout the convention, members

will be able to visit a Cyber Café, where employees will help them download a smartphone app for a new member service called Deals Advantage. Members can use the benefit to find discounts at restaurants and retail locations throughout Virginia and nationwide

Members also can take advantage of the Cyber Café for help with any technology needs they might have.

Optional tours to The Meadow and tractor museum

Convention participants will have the option of taking two morning tours—one on Tuesday to The Meadow Event Park, which is home to the State Fair of Virginia and the birthplace of Thoroughbred racing legend Secretariat; and one on Wednesday to the Keystone Tractor Works in Colonial Heights. The Meadow tour will focus on Secretariat and the historical property’s racing heritage, and the Keystone museum is home to more than 180 fully restored antique tractors, more than 40 vintage road trucks, some classic cars and an assortment of farm implements.

Each tour is limited to the first 50 participants who sign up when they register to attend the convention. Details and registration forms will be available at county Farm Bureau offices and online this fall.

Save the date!Dec. 3–5, 2013

at Richmond Marriott

4 Virginia Farm Bureau News VaFarmBureau.org

V irginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC announced in late August its endorsement of Ken Cuccinelli, the

Republican candidate for governor; Ralph S. Northam, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor; and Mark D. Obenshain, the Republican candidate for attorney general.

VFBF AgPAC also endorsed 88 candidates for seats in the Virginia House of Delegates.

The endorsements are based on the recommendations of local committees of farmers. The nonpartisan VFBF AgPAC was created by Farm Bureau in 1999 and employs in-kind contributions to support candidates who can best support agriculture and Farm Bureau issues.

“The individuals we endorsed have demonstrated their support for farmers through their leadership on specific issues or their favorable voting records while holding positions in the General Assembly,” said Wayne F. Pryor, VFBF president and chairman of the VFBF AgPAC board of trustees. “We believe we have endorsed three candidates who have helped farmers and will continue to help agriculture and forestry remain viable and remain Virginia’s largest industry.”

Pryor said Cuccinelli “has a proven track record of standing up for eminent domain reform” and for fair treatment of landowners in the takings process. “Without the leadership of Ken Cuccinelli, we would not have the eminent domain reform amendment to Virginia’s constitution,” approved by voters last fall.

He also praised Cuccinelli for calling foul when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency attempted to overstep its statutory authority on water and air issues that affect farms.

“While farmers want clean water and air, they cannot survive if heavy-handed regulatory measures come to bear in the future from an overzealous federal agency.

We appreciated Mr. Cuccinelli’s efforts as attorney general to question the EPA’s authority in trying to define water, itself, as a pollutant. While that case was not directly tied to agriculture, his actions served to call attention to the EPA overstepping its bounds.”

Pryor said Northam “has an excellent voting record on some of the key issues important to farmers. He supported the passage of the constitutional amendment on eminent domain reform. He grew up on the Eastern Shore with roots in a farming community, and we believe his experience on the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee will serve as a useful background with regard to issues that have an impact on farmers.”

Obenshain, Pryor said, has also been a strong advocate for farmers on the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee and has an agriculture-friendly voting record.

“He carried the constitutional amendment for eminent domain reform even in years when its passage failed, but he never gave up. He reached across the aisle to build bipartisan alliances to achieve its passage. He also recognizes the need to make sure the interests of landowners are protected. We believe that Mr. Obenshain, as Virginia’s next attorney general, will continue to make sure that the EPA doesn’t try to bully Virginia into complying with job-killing regulatory measures that exceed its statutory authority.”

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Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli (left) chatted with Bill Osborne (center) of Tazewell County Farm Bureau and Virginia Farm Bureau Federation President Wayne F. Pryor earlier this year during the VFBF Legislative Day reception.

VFBF AgPAC endorses Cuccinelli, Northam, Obenshain and 88 House contenders


1st District ...............Terry Kilgore* (R)

2nd District ..............Mark Dudenhefer* (R)

3rd District ...............Will Morefield* (R)

4th District ...............Ben Chafin (R)

5th District ...............Israel O’Quinn* (R)

6th District...............Jonathan McGrady (D)

7th District ...............Nick Rush* (R)

8th District ..............Greg Habeeb* (R)

9th District...............Charles Poindexter* (R)

10th District .............Randy Minchew* (R)

11th District .............Onzlee Ware* (D)

12th District .............Joseph Yost* (R)

14th District .............Danny Marshall* (R)

15th District .............Todd Gilbert* (R)

16th District .............Les Adams (R)

17th District .............Christopher Head* (R)

18th District .............Michael Webert* (R)

19th District .............Terry L Austin (R)

20th District .............Dickie Bell* (R)

21st District .............Ron Villanueva* (R)

22nd District ............Kathy Byron* (R)

23rd District .............Scott Garrett* (R)

24th District .............Ben Cline* (R)

25th District .............Steve Landes* (R)

26th District .............Tony Wilt* (R)

27th District .............Roxann Robinson* (R)

28th District .............Bill Howell* (R)

30th District .............Ed Scott* (R)

32nd District ............Tag Greason* (R)

33rd District .............Mary Daniel (D)

34th District .............Barbara Comstock* (R)

35th District .............Mark Keam* (D)

36th District .............Ken Plum* (D)

37th District .............David Bulova* (D)

40th District .............Tim Hugo* (R)

41st District..............Eileen Filler-Corn* (D)

42nd District ............Dave Albo* (R)

43rd District .............Mark Sickles* (D)

50th District .............Jackson Miller* (R)

51st District ..............Rich Anderson* (R)

52nd District ............Luke Torian* (D)

53rd District .............Marcus Simon (D)

54th District .............Bobby Orrock* (R)

55th District .............Buddy Fowler (R)

56th District .............Peter Farrell* (R)

57th District .............David Toscano* (D)

58th District .............Rob Bell* (R)

59th District .............Matt Fariss* (R)

60th District ............James Edmunds* (R)

61st District .............Tommy Wright* (R)

62nd District ............Riley Ingram* (R)

63rd District .............Rosalyn Dance* (D)

64th District .............Rick Morris* (R)

65th District .............Lee Ware* (R)

66th District.............Kirk Cox* (R)

67th District .............Jim LeMunyon* (R)

68th District ............Manoli Loupassi* (R)

69th District .............Betsy Carr* (D)

70th District .............Delores McQuinn*(D)

72nd District ............Jimmie Massie* (R)

73rd District .............John O’Bannon* (R)

74th District .............Joe Morrissey* (D)

75th District .............Roslyn Tyler* (D)

76th District .............Chris Jones* (R)

77th District .............Lionell Spruill, Sr* (D)

78th District .............James A Leftwich, Jr. (R)

79th District .............Johnny Joannou* (D)

80th District ............Matthew James* (D)

81st District .............Barry Knight* (R)

82nd District ............Bill DeSteph (R)

83rd District .............Chris Stolle*(R)

84th District .............Glenn Davis (R)

85th District .............Scott Taylor (R)

86th District ............Tom Rust* (R)

87th District .............John Bell (D)

88th District ............Mark Cole* (R)

89th District .............Daun Hester* (D)

90th District ............Algie Howell* (D)

91st District .............Gordon Helsel* (R)

92nd District ............Jeion Ward* (D)

93rd District .............Mike Watson* (R)

94th District .............David Yancey* (R)

95th District .............Mamye BaCote* (D)

96th District ............Brenda Pogge* (R)

97th District .............Chris Peace* (R)

98th District ............Keith Hodges* (R)

99th District.............Margaret Ransone* (R)

100th District ...........Lynwood Lewis* (D)

Virginia House of Delegates

Ken Cuccinelli (R)for governor

Ralph S. Northam (D)for lieutenant governor

Mark D. Obenshain (R)for attorney general

Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC endorsements(* indicates an incumbent candidate)


Winners of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Excellence in Agriculture Award, Outstanding Young Farm Employee Award and Outstanding Young Agriculturalist Award were recognized Aug. 3 during the Young Farmers Summer Expo in Wytheville.

Bedford couple wins Excellence in Agriculture Award

W.P. and Dr. Amy Johnson of Bedford County are this year’s VFBF Young Farmers Excellence in Agriculture Award winners. The award recognizes individuals for involvement in agriculture, leadership ability and involvement and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.

W.P. Johnson manages a 600-acre farm with his father, producing soybeans, wheat and hay. He also is the county executive director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency in Pittsylvania County. He is vice president of Bedford County Farm Bureau and chairs the organization’s Young Farmers Committee.

Amy Johnson was raised on her family’s farm in Highland County, where she helped raise beef cattle and sheep. She is a nurse

Young Farmers recognize their peers’ accomplishments

and holds a doctorate of nursing practice, and she works at East Lake Medical Center in Huddleston. She also is a member of the Bedford Farm Bureau Young Farmers Committee.

The couple will receive a Kubota RTV utility vehicle, courtesy of Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Services and Experient Health, and a Stihl chain saw from Mid-Atlantic Stihl. They also will receive a travel package to the 2014 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in San Antonio, where they will compete for the AFBF Excellence in Agriculture Award.

Sarah Scyphers of Washington County is this year’s runner-up. Scyphers and her husband, Aaron, have a cow-calf and sheep

operation, and she teaches agriculture education at Holston High School in Damascus and manages the school’s aquaculture facility.

Scyphers also will receive a travel package to the 2014 AFBF Annual Convention.

Washington County man named Outstanding Young Farm Employee

Alex Anderson of Washington County is this year’s VFBF Outstanding Young Farm Employee. The award was created to recognize successful young agriculturalists for their commitment to production agriculture through on-farm employment.

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Nomination deadline for 2014 Young Farmers awardsDec. 1 is the nomination deadline for the following 2014 Virginia

Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers recognitions:

• Achievement Award;

• Excellence in Agriculture Award;

• Environmental Stewardship Award; and

• Outstanding Young Farm Employee Award.For nomination forms and guidelines, visit VaFarmBureau.org/contests.

Young Farmers Winter Expo to be held in Virginia BeachThe Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Winter Expo will be

held Feb. 7-10, 2014, in Virginia Beach.This year’s event will be held in combination with the 2014 American

Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Rancher Leadership Conference.For more information, visit VAFBYoungFarmers.com.

>> save the dates

W.P. and Dr. Amy Johnson


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Anderson is the farm manager at Woodbrook Limousin Farms in Abingdon, where he handles “anything that needs to be done.

“It’s home to me, so whatever there is

to do, I’m a part of it,” he said.He also works part time as an auctioneer,

primarily selling livestock and automobiles.Anderson will receive a commemorative

plaque and $500 from First Bank AgCredit.

Orange County teen named Outstanding Young Agriculturalist

Garret Chambers of Orange County has been named this year’s VFBF Outstanding Young Agriculturalist. The award, co-sponsored by the VFBF Young Farmers Committee and Women’s Committee, recognizes high

school juniors and seniors for academic, community and agribusiness achievement.

Chambers is a freshman at Virginia Tech, where he is majoring in agribusiness and agronomy. He lives and works on Brooke Farms, where he raises cattle and helps with his family’s grain operation. He has been a member of the Orange County 4-H for 15 years and has shown market steers and hogs through that organization.

He will receive a $1,500 scholarship, including $250 from Virginia Farm Credit Associations, $500 from the VFBF Service Corp. under the GM Incentive Program, and $750 from the VFBF Young Farmers’ and Women’s Committees.

Other finalists were Sam Alley of Craig County, Mikayla Bailey of Rockingham County, Johnathan Foltz of Shenandoah County, Mary Hammock of Pittsylvania County, Jessica Houff of Augusta County, Hayden Leigh of Gloucester County, Mariah Morrison of Washington County, Madison Slaven of Augusta County, and Jessica Vass of Carroll County.

Finalists will receive $100 from Virginia Farm Credit Associations and $100 from the VFBF Service Corp. under the GM Incentive Program.

Finalists named for Dec. 2 Discussion Meet

Semifinals for this year’s Young Farmers Discussion Meet took place Aug. 3 at the Young Farmers Summer Expo, and four participants will compete for the state title in December.

Finalists are Jessica Jones of Pittsylvania County, Jeannie Layton-Dudding of Craig County, Paige Pratt of Smyth County and Sarah Scyphers of Washington County.

The Discussion Meet is a committee-style discussion of a predetermined agricultural topic. Participants are judged on their ability to build consensus and work toward solutions.

The final Discussion Meet round will be held Dec. 2 at the VFBF Annual Convention in Richmond.

Alex Anderson

Garret Chambers

Va. winners to compete for national Young Farmers honors, prizes

Winners of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Achievement Award, Excellence in Agriculture Award and Discussion Meet will compete on the national level at the 2014 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention.

That event will be held Jan. 12-15 in San Antonio.

The winner of the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award will get his or her choice of a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado or 2014 GMC Sierra, courtesy of GM, and paid registration to the 2014 AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference in Virginia Beach next February.

Three Achievement Award finalists will receive a Case IH Farmall 65A tractor, courtesy of Case IH, and a $2,500 cash prize and $500 in Stihl merchandise, courtesy of Stihl.

The winner of the YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award will get his or her choice of a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado or 2014 GMC Sierra, courtesy of GM, and paid registration to the YF&R Leadership Conference.

Three Excellence in Agriculture finalists will receive a Case IH Farmall 45A tractor, courtesy of Case IH, and a $2,500 cash prize and $500 in Stihl merchandise, courtesy of Stihl.

The YF&R Discussion Meet winner will get his or her choice of a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado or 2014 GMC Sierra, courtesy of GM, and paid registration to the YF&R Leadership Conference.

Three Discussion Meet finalists will receive a Case IH Farmall 55A tractor, courtesy of Case IH, and a $2,500 cash prize and $500 in Stihl merchandise, courtesy of Stihl.

Earlier this year, Dana Allen Fisher of Shenandoah County was named the 2013 recipient of the YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award. He is an agriculture instructor and FFA adviser and has served on the FFA Foundation board in several roles.

Chris and Jennie Simms of Southampton County won the YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award in 2011, and Scott and Mendy Sink of Blacksburg claimed the award in 2010. In 2012, Jason and Paige Pratt of Pulaski County were named runners-up.


Baily Leonard of Carroll County and David Meade Hardesty Jr. of Clarke County will receive $1,000 for their winning entries in the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation 2013 Rural Health Essay Scholarship Contest.

The contest was sponsored by the VFBF Rural Health Advisory Committee and funded by the Farm Bureau Health Care Consultants Department to help benefit young members’ career interests in rural health care. High school and college students from Farm Bureau member families submitted essays on “My Future Career in Rural Health in Virginia.”

Leonard is the daughter of Myra and Duane Leonard of Dugspur and a student at Shenandoah University, where she began a doctoral program for physical therapy this summer.

In her essay, she discussed her experiences as a patient, traveling great distances for physical therapy after a high school soccer injury. “This experience was the driving force in my career decision to be a physical therapist,” she noted.

Hardesty is the son of David and Debra Hardesty of Berryville and attends Clarke County High School. He lives on a dairy farm and wants to become a large animal veterinarian.

“Agriculture has given me so much and contributed to my life in endless ways,” he wrote. “I hope that one day I can contribute to the field that has had such an impact on my life.”

Runners-up Patricia Shorter of Gloucester County and Sarah Waddle of Tazewell County will receive $500 scholarships.

RURAL HEALTH CAREER SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The annual Rural Health Essay Scholarship Contest helps high school and college students from member families fund education that will lead to health-related careers in rural Virginia.

Equine Extravaganza promises unbridled excitement Nov. 1-3

The Virginia Equine Extravaganza promises to be three days of everything equine Nov. 1-3 at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County.

The event will feature more than 100 clinics and demonstrations by top horse industry experts from across the country.

Key presenters will include Julie Goodnight, host of Horse Master on RFD-TV; Ken McNabb, host of RFD-TV’s Discovering the Horseman Within; Dr. Robert Miller, equine behaviorist and veterinarian who created imprint training for foals; and classical stock seat trainer Ron McLoughlin.

The Ma’Ceo Gypsy Festival Equestrian Show will make its first full production appearance in Virginia during the event.

Presentations and demonstrations will feature natural horsemanship, dressage, reining, jumping, trail riding, gaited riding, cowboy mounted shooting, barrel racing, therapeutic riding, holistic health and more. Other program highlights will include a mounted police horse obstacle course; a breed and stallion pavilion; a trail challenge; narrated tours of the historic property; surrey rides; and a Kids’ Corral with children’s activities.

As befitting The Meadow’s status as birthplace of Thoroughbred racing legend Secretariat, there will be an exclusive Secretariat-themed event, as well as official Secretariat merchandise available, along with book signings.

Tickets will go on sale in September. For more information visit EquineExtravaganza.com.

Horse Master host Julie Goodnight will be a presenter at this year’s Equine Extravaganza.


Viewing Virginia

A recent study estimates worldwide farm-raised fish production is outpacing beef production.

According to a summary released June 12 by the Earth Policy Institute, for the first time in modern history aquaculture production is expected to reach 66 million tons, compared to 63 million tons of beef protein.

Virginia fish farmers are well-positioned to take advantage of the shift.

“Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing areas of agriculture in Virginia, and the reason it is is that we have a consumer that wants a high-quality product,” said Brian Nerrie, an assistant professor at Virginia State University and a Virginia Cooperative Extension aquaculture specialist. “There’s nothing better than a locally produced, easily harvestable product that’s ready for the consumer.”

There are plenty of fish farmers to testify to that. Dolce Vita Farm owner Kerrie Gianotti of Dinwiddie County sells rainbow trout at the Petersburg farmers’ market and said he’s hooked.

“I had been going to the agriculture meetings at VSU and had had interest in aquaculture since I bought my farm in

Virginia’s freshwater fish farmers poised for growth

New Virginia Tech Spirit daylily available at retail centers

1977,” Gianotti said. “I’ve always wanted to put catfish in, but they started introducing the trout to us … and it took off.”

John Hofmeyer, a Charles City County fish farmer and president of the Virginia Aquaculture Association, has lakes stocked with hybrid striped bass on his farm where there once was cropland. “Right now I have about 16,000 stripers in a 6-acre lake,” Hofmeyer said. In winter he raises rainbow trout in cages, from November through spring.”

The aquaculture industry in Virginia grossed more than $32.5 million in 2003, the last time a formal study was conducted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service. At the time, saltwater species like oysters, crabs and clams dominated the industry. But the number of freshwater species has been growing fast—so fast that some producers specialize in raising fingerlings for other growers .

“I am moving to a hatchery system where I can hatch my own eggs and create my own fry and fingerlings for stocking in my ponds and the network ponds throughout Southside Virginia,” said Dr. Lynn Blackwood of Lunenburg County, president of the Virginia Aqua Farmers Network cooperative.

The most recent formal study of Virginia aquaculture found the industry grossed more than $32.5 million in 2003.

The Virginia Tech Spirit daylily made its debut earlier this year.

The Virginia Tech Spirit daylily is now available at garden centers across the state. The maroon and orange daylily is the first new plant introduced by the Beautiful Gardens program.

The program was founded in 2005 as a collaboration of Virginia Tech, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Virginia Nursery Landscape Association. The program has test sites throughout the state for new plants.

The Virginia Tech Spirit daylily was bred by Linda Pinkham, a Virginia Tech graduate and plant breeder who donated the plant to the program.

“The lily is in fairly high demand,” said Lisa Lipsey, program coordinator for Beautiful Gardens. “We originally introduced it as a mail order item, because the supply was limited. The demand for the daylily was far greater than the supply.”

The Virginia Tech Spirit is burnt orange with a maroon center and maroon edges. It requires full sun for at least six hours a day and likes moist conditions during the growing season. The daylily begins blooming in late May.

The Beautiful Gardens program plans to introduces more new plant varieties in the future. “There are more daylilies in the pipeline,” Lipsey said.

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BY MORGAN BARKER

F uqua School, located in Farmville, began offering its students FFA this school year, having received its charter

in time for the first day of classes, Aug. 14.The decision to offer FFA at Fuqua began

with interested parents and students.“A parent came to us, and she has a

daughter who’s been very involved in 4-H and shows horses. They wanted her to continue,” said Susan Carden, Fuqua’s Middle and Upper School dean.

After holding a meeting to determine the level of interest in the program, Carden discovered the school had other students who were involved in livestock shows and other agricultural activities. Out of 130 students in the high school, she said she expects 15 to 20 to participate in FFA. “Ours will be a small program.”

Carden felt FFA was an important option for her students “because we place

Private school in Farmville starts FFA chapter

a strong emphasis on extracurricular activities,” she said. “FFA gives so many opportunities in every avenue of agriculture. It was natural for us to get FFA, because we already have students involved in agriculture.”

The mission of FFA is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. “All of our events are career-ready and based on one of the 300 careers available in agriculture. We’re trying to prep kids to go into the careers. There’s not really any other place where kids get that exposure,” said Andrew Seibel of the Virginia FFA Association.

Fuqua School’s FFA program is unique because Fuqua is a private school with students in kindergarten through 12th grade. FFA programs are most often found in public high schools and middle schools.

“It’s unusual for a private school to have an FFA chapter. I don’t know of any other private schools that have FFA,” Carden said.

The number of private schools with FFA varies by state, Seibel said. “As long as they’re offering a state-approved class, they can have a program.”

Fuqua currently offers two state-approved agricultural courses, Introduction to Agriscience and Ecology, and Environmental Management. The school is exploring adding one or two more that will be offered online. Those courses will allow Fuqua students to be enrolled in agricultural courses and participate in FFA for all of high school.

Carden said FFA will be a natural extension of the school’s mission “to provide a safe learning environment for students to achieve their boundless potential.”

Fuqua School students (from left) Trent Jacobs, Sarah-Jane French, Brad Davis and Nicholas Davis check the water quality of the school’s campus pond during the new Environmental Management class.

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2013

BY KATHY DIXON

THE STATE FAIR OF VIRGINIA returns this year, Sept. 27-Oct. 6, and includes all-time favorites as well as many new attractions and shows. Ticket, attraction and general information can be found at StateFairVa.org.

Fair food: Get your funnel cake favorites, and Block & Bridle barbecue is back

This year’s State Fair will offer a mishmash of food flavors—from melt-in-your-mouth deep-fried Oreos to melt-down-your-arms Sweet Frog ice cream.

State Fair staples like giant turkey legs, sugary funnel cakes and sausage sandwiches with peppers and onions will be for sale this year, but the fair’s Festival Loop is stuffed with so much more!

From third-generation O’Brien’s Italian sausages to Buffalo Wild Wings, the State Fair has tangy flavors to tantalize everyone’s taste buds.

Where besides the fair can you find Krispy Kreme sloppy joes and chocolate-covered bacon?

California Cheesin’ has “all kinds of things made with cheese,” said Pam Daneker, the fair’s operations manager, “everything from Cheddar nuggets to grilled cheese and a few mozzarella sticks in between.”

You can purchase a giant pork chop or jumbo baked potato from Porky’s, which has been part of the fair food lineup for years. In the cafeteria-style tent complete with tables and chairs, fairgoers can enjoy a pork parfait, which

includes layers of mashed potatoes, shredded pork and barbecue sauce in a see-through plastic cup. “They pack ‘em in there,” Daneker said.

If pork is not your thing, then how about beef? Pickle Barrel sells high-quality sirloin tips with mashed redskin potatoes and sautéed mushrooms and onions. A half-plate will run you $5, “but it’s plenty,” Daneker said. “And it’s delicious!”

If you’re craving something other than meat, you can buy crab cakes, oysters or shrimp po’ boys. Or visit the Mexican Grill for delicious south-of-the-border treats. At this new food truck, fairgoers will find tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, fajitas and even salads.

There also is Asian cuisine from Chan’s Concessions, Italian fare at Spaghetti Eddie’s, Greek specialties at Demitris and fried fish and chicken prepared by Virginia State University.

And there’s more good food news: Virginia Tech’s Block & Bridle Club will be back at the fair this year, serving up barbecue, ribeye sandwiches and roast beef. They will be located on the south side of state Route 30 near the Equine & Livestock Complex.

Soar, swing and spin on the State Fair midway

Fly to what feels like another galaxy in the Supernova, or let your stomach drop in the Wave Swinger.

Both rides are part of this year’s Midway Madness at the State Fair of Virginia. The Supernova and Wave Swinger are both

imported from Germany and offer a variety of thrills and chills.

Surrounded by images of aliens and planets, Supernova riders sit in free-spinning spaceships mounted on a turntable. As the turntable spins, gravity takes over and twists the ships in every different direction. When the turntable reaches full speed, it lifts them in the air.

Riders on the Wave Swinger can soar high into the air in their own individual swings.

If fast speeds aren’t your thing, you can ride the Giant Wheel, which is one of the largest portable gondola wheels in the United States. Standing at almost 100 feet, the wheel features 20 gondolas that each seat six adults or eight children.

This year the Giant Wheel, which takes eight hours to erect, will illuminate the midway with a brand-new LED light show.

All midway rides are state- and contractor-inspected. They are provided by Deggeller Attractions, which has been providing the State Fair’s midway thrills for more than 30 years.

Charlie Daniels Band, Jefferson Starship, John Anderson will perform at fair

The State Fair’s concert lineup for 2013 will include country legends the Charlie Daniels Band and John Anderson, as well as rockers Jefferson Starship.

Admission to afternoon and evening concerts is included in the general admission price. Seating will be festival-

State Fair is ready to roll!

(Continued on page 14)


2013

Fairgoers’ favorite pursuits include (clockwise from top left) taking a stroll along the midway; amazing small children with huge pumpkins; going for a spin on the Supernova; marveling at prize-winning quilts; and watching rodeo competitors kick up some dust.


2013

style, which means there will be no assigned seats, and visitors are welcome to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Anderson, who made his mark on the Top 10 with signature hits like “Swingin’,” “Wild and Blue” and “Straight Tequila Night” and saw double-Platinum success with his 1992 album Seminole Wind, will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 27.

Virginia-based Michelle Nixon & Drive, who play country and bluegrass, will open for Anderson at 6:30.

“Sweethearts of Bluegrass” Darin and Brooke Aldridge, who released their self-titled debut album a year ago, will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 28.

American Idol standout Casey James will perform at 7 p.m. on Sept. 29.

Bak N Da Day will lead a trip down memory lane at 7 p.m. on Sept. 30 with Doo-Wop, Motown and Philly Soul from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s.

American Pride, who perform songs recorded by country legends The Statler Brothers, will perform at 2 and 7 p.m. on Oct. 1.

Donna Meade and the band Four of a Kind will mark Meade’s long-awaited return to the State Fair concert stage at 7 p.m. on Oct. 3.

Jefferson Starship, the current evolution of Jefferson Airplane, includes songwriter/guitarist/vocalist Paul Kantner and vocalist David Freiberg. Both were among creators of the renowned “San Francisco Sound” that changed the course of pop music forever. Jefferson Starship will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 4.

Country artist Greg Bates, who released his debut single “Did It for the Girl” in 2012, will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 5.

The Charlie Daniels Band will close out the 2013 fair with a 7 p.m. performance on Oct. 6. In 1979 “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” topped country and pop charts, won a Grammy and propelled the band’s album Million Mile Reflections to triple Platinum.

Attractions: Grizzlies, rodeos and ropers—Oh, my!

If you’ve ever wanted to feed a grizzly bear, watch tree trunks get chiseled into animal sculptures or take a hot air balloon ride, you can do all that and more at this year’s State Fair.

In addition, there is a circus. With a paid fair admission, you can watch the jugglers, acrobats, camels and stilt-walkers of Circus Hollywood under the bigtop.

After the circus, you can stroll over to Harvest Landing and watch chain saw artist Ben Risney transform tree trunks into eagles, horses and other animals. He’ll be right outside the agriculture-focused Meadow Pavilion, where you can learn about Virginia beef, peanuts and soybeans. And don’t forget to pick up a few homemade mini doughnuts cooked in soy oil.

From the Meadow Pavilion, it’s just a short stroll to Young MacDonalds Farm, where visitors can watch the miracle of baby calves being born, and see fuzzy ducklings riding down a slide and splashing into a pool.

Afterward, walk through the Civil War 150 HistoryMobile, an interactive museum on wheels. The 53-foot tractor trailer began a four-year tour in 2011 in conjunction with the 150th anniversary commemoration of the First Battle of Manassas.

You can also catch a pro rodeo, watch a super-charged tractor pull or follow a roving piano puppet show. Or go see the Rhinestone Roper show, which features whip-cracking, trick-roping, knife-throwing, gunslinging performers.

On Festival Loop you will find the Triple Crown Amphitheater, where Virginia bands and choirs will be performing jazz, rock, bluegrass, gospel and other genres of music all day long.

And don’t forget to visit the Equine & Livestock Complex on the south side of the fairgrounds. A wide variety of livestock competitions will be happening throughout the fair, as well as horse shows and sheepdog trials.

Get a John Hancock from Lizard Lick

Stars of Lizard Lick Towing Ron and Amy Shirley will sign autographs at the fair on Sept. 29.

Lizard Lick is the truTV reality show that follows the owners of North Carolina-based Lizard Lick Towing & Recovery, and their group of repossession agents as they dodge brawls and bullets in order to get the goods.

If you don’t have anything for them to autograph, come out on Sept. 28 and buy Lizard Lick swag from Krazy Dave and Johnny.

Parade and pageant resurrect treasured traditions

The State Fair of Virginia is bringing back two treasured traditions this year—a pageant and a parade.

A Miss Virginia-affiliated pageant will take place on Sept. 28.

“We wanted to bring back some of the traditions of the State Fair of Virginia, and one of those is to have a queen represent the fair,” said Sherri McKinney, executive director of the pageant. “We’re excited to partner with the Miss Virginia and Miss America organizations because of their standards and their long-standing commitment to scholarships, which have also been an important part of the fair.”

The Miss State Fair pageant will include Teen, Preteen and Miss programs. All participants will take part in interview, fitness, talent and evening gown competitions.

Kylene Barker of Galax was a former Miss State Fair who, in 1979, became the first Miss Virginia to be crowned Miss America.

The new titleholder will represent the State Fair of Virginia at the 2014 Miss Virginia Pageant in Roanoke, serve as a spokesperson for the State Fair and make appearances throughout the state.

She also will participate in the parade, which will be held at 4 p.m. on Sept. 28.

Fredericksburg native Caressa Cameron, the 2010 Miss America, will serve as grand marshal.

2013


2013

Affordable pricing for everyone

The State Fair offers something for everyone in the family and so does admission pricing. Purchase tickets in advance online at StateFairVa.org, or consult the website for ticket outlet vendors. Tickets also will be sold at the fair gates.

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays:Adults – $15

Youth (5-12) / Senior (60+) – $10

Children 4 and under – Free withpurchase of an adult ticket

Monday through Thursday:Adults – $12

Youth (5-12) / Senior (60+) – $8

Children 4 and under – Free with purchase of an adult ticket

Season Passes:$25 in advance, $30 at the gate

Family Fun Pack:2 adult tickets, 2 children’s tickets and 2 unlimited ride wristbands—$75 (Advance sales only)

General admission tickets include all concerts, exhibits and attractions. Admission does not include rides, but ride tickets will be available for purchase inside the fair at $1 each or $20 for a sheet of 25 tickets. Some rides require more than one ticket.

A single-day unlimited ride wristband will be available for $21.

Tuesday, Oct. 1, will be $12 Tuesday, when visitors can purchase the unlimited ride wristband for $12. Thursday, Oct. 3, will be Dollar Thursday, when all rides will require a single ticket.

Parking at The Meadow Event Park is free.

2013

The fair’s Virginia529 Kidway will feature a classic carousel.

Farm Bureau members can save on weekday fair admission

Farm Bureau members in Virginia can visit their county Farm Bureau offices to receive up to six coupons good for $4 off adult general admission and $2 off youth general admission to the State Fair of Virginia. The coupons can be used Monday, Sept. 30, through Thursday, Oct. 3. Coupons must be presented at time of fair ticket purchase and may not be resold or redistributed.

Parking at The Meadow Event Park is free, and members also can pick up VIP parking passes at their county Farm Bureaus (limit one pass per membership).

Prices, policies, programs, schedules and concerts are subject to change or cancellation without notice.


Mount Rogers Tree Farm steeped

BY KATHY DIXON

Mountains and Fraser firs are all you can see for miles from Rodney Richardson’s back porch.

And that’s fine with him, because growing Fraser firs is how he makes his living.

“As a kid, we used to go up to Mount Rogers and cut a Fraser fir for Christmas,” said Richardson, the owner of Mount Rogers Tree Farm in Grayson County. “We had one every year.”

When he began growing firs on Whitetop Mountain using the Mount Rogers Fraser fir seed, it was a no-brainer to name it after the mountain where they grow indigenously.

Fraser firs grow native only in a relatively small area of the highest elevations of Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee. The cool weather-loving trees like the temperatures at the top of Mount Rogers, which is the state’s highest elevation at 5,729 feet. They also grow well on neighboring Whitetop, which is 5,520 feet. Richardson estimates that 99 percent of the Fraser firs grown in Virginia hail from Grayson.

‘Cadillac of Christmas trees’In 1980, he planted the first stand of

the special variety on his family’s 20 acres of farmland. Since it can take up to 10 years for the firs to grow to market size, Richardson continued working an off-farm job until 1990, when sales of the firs began in earnest. Today he grows 375 acres of what he calls “the Cadillac of Christmas trees.”

Fraser firs hold their needles well, have a nice fragrance and are good for hanging ornaments. But they can’t be harvested until there have been several days of 20-degree weather, because “that’s when the trees set their needles,” Richardson explained.

(Continued on page 18)photos by kathy dixon


in Fraser fir tradition

Rodney Richardson grows 375 acres of Fraser firs in Grayson County. He calls the Fraser “the Cadillac of Christmas trees.”


Each year the Richardson family harvests close to 15,000 large trees and about 3,000 tabletop-size trees, which average 36 to 42 inches. The biggest sellers are between 6 and 8 feet, but the largest so far has been a 44-footer.

They sell to a few mom-and-pop operations, but the majority of their income is from sales to Kroger stores in the mid-Atlantic region. They also operate a retail lot in Prince William County.

Mount Rogers firs won the Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association’s state championship in 2009 and 2012. Both years the Richardsons were able to take a tree to Virginia’s Executive Mansion in Richmond. “We had a blast,” Richardson said.

Throughout the year, the trees have to be fertilized, treated for pests, shaped and then tagged. They are marked for size and quality. If a tree is deemed ready for harvest, it gets one color tag and the workers know to trim it.

“After school, we have to drive straight to the field and start tagging trees,” said Richardson’s daughter, Hailey, who is a high school senior. “We tag and trim right up to harvest.”

Since the family earns the majority of its income between Thanksgiving and Christmas, they’ve had to start their own Christmas tradition.

It began the year they were so busy that it was Christmas Eve before they realized they hadn’t cut their own tree.

They grabbed a flashlight, went out into the closest stand of trees and cut the best one they could find. Now, even when they remember ahead of time, they still cut their own tree at night.

Richardson’s trees require care throughout the year, and his son, Riley, and daughter, Hailey, are involved in the work. The trees take as many as 10 years to reach market size.


AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOMwww.agintheclass.org

‘This workshop was enlightening’As students and teachers head back

to school, they’ll be greeted by teachers who attended Agriculture in the Classroom workshops last school year or over the summer and have a new and clearer perspective on agriculture.

Here’s what some of those teachers had to say about their AITC training experiences:

• I thoroughly enjoyed it and plan to use the lesson plans for years to come. ... I definitely recommend your workshop to others.

• This workshop was enlightening. Agriculture is not a common subject in the classroom due to the modern-day dependence on technology: however, I truly enjoyed learning and creating hands-on activities concerning agriculture.

• During the final months of school, our students spend a great deal of time reading, writing and participating in hands-on activities that help them grow in the knowledge of the life cycles of plants and animals. The kindergarten

teachers of South Hill Elementary School would like to thank you for providing the Ag in the Classroom materials that enhanced our lesson planning.

Agriculture in the Classroom is a national program that promotes greater understanding of agriculture through education. Virginia’s Agriculture in the Classroom program is a nonprofit affiliate of Virginia Farm Bureau that is funded through contributions to the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom.

Virginia AITC annually provides more than 1,800 educators of prekindergarten through fifth grade and pre-service teachers with agriculture-themed lessons, resources and training. Those teachers, who reach more than 55,000 children each school year, are using agriculture as a means to teach science, math, language arts and social studies.

AITC training and materials are made available to educators at no charge.

AITC supportersIn addition to many individuals who

contributed, these organizations made contributions to the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom between May 4 and Aug. 5.

• ASI Corporation

• BB&T

• Bayer CropScience

• Benefit Fiduciary Group

• Bon Secours Health System

• Cargill

• CDW

• Computer Resources Team

• Core Consulting

• Culpeper County Farm Bureau

• Experient Health

• Farm Credit of the Virginias

• Halifax County Farm Bureau

• Highland-Bath County Farm Bureau

• LexisNexis

• Mike Albert Fleet Solutions

• Monsanto

• Philip Morris International

• Richmond BMW

• Shenandoah County Farm Bureau

• Southeast United Dairy Industry Association

• Southern States

• Stone, Houston, and Associates

• Tazewell County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee

• Troutman Sanders

• Universal Leaf Foundation

• Valley Cadillac-BMW

• Virginia Cotton Board

• Virginia Pork Industry Board

• Virginia State Feed Association

• Virginia Tech

Walk, run or donate your old clunker to support AITC

Two fundraisers are available this fall for Virginians who want children to have an understanding of agriculture

State Fair StampedeRegistrations are being accepted through

8 p.m. on Oct. 4 for the second annual State Fair Stampede 5K and 10K run and walk, which will be held Oct. 5 at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County during the State Fair of Virginia.

The Stampede also will include a half-mile kids’ run.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Agriculture in the Classroom. Participants can register at raceit.com (Use the “Find Your Event” feature to search for “Stampede” among events in Virginia).

Clunkers for ClassroomsIf you have a car or truck that’s become

more of a lawn ornament, farm equipment that’s just not up to the job anymore, or an old boat that’s seen better days, you

can turn it into teacher workshops and classroom materials through the AITC Clunkers for Classrooms program.

Clunkers for Classrooms vehicle donations are hassle-free and cost donors nothing. To donate, simply call toll-free 877-99-AG-CAR (877-992-4227), or email [email protected] and reference AITC.

“This can be a win-win opportunity for Farm Bureau members and AITC,” said Karen Davis, Virginia AITC executive director. “They can get unusable vehicles off their property and support a cause they believe in. Any vehicle is welcome, and any donation can make a difference. We had one donation in 2012 that brought in more than $3,700.”

October 5, 2013 5 & 10KSTAMPEDESTAMPEDESTAMPEDESTATE FAIR


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Farmers embracing technology; study reports computer use up

According to a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service report, computer usage on farms has increased, as has the number of farmers who are using computers for their farm businesses.

The most common way farmers access the Internet is through a digital subscriber line, or DSL, but NASS found that only 35 percent of U.S. farms are using it today compared with 38 percent in 2011. Wireless was the second most common method of Internet access at 24 percent in 2013, up from 20 percent in 2011. Dial-up access dropped from 12 percent in 2011 to 5 percent in 2013.

As many as 67 percent of U.S. farms now have Internet access, compared to 62 percent in 2011, and more farmers have access to a computer, with 70 percent using a computer compared to 65 percent two years ago. The report also said 40 percent of farms use computers for the farm business, up 3 percent from 2011.

The higher the farm income, the more likely owners are to use computers. According to the report, in 2013 84 percent of farms with sales of $250,000 or more have access to a computer, and 72 percent of those are using it for their farm businesses. Of those with sales between $100,000 and $249,999, 73 percent have access to a computer, and 56 percent of them are using it for farm business. For farms with sales between $10,000 and $99,999, 68 percent have access to a computer, and 45 percent of them are using it for business.

Seventy-one percent of crop farms and 70 percent of livestock farms reported computer access.

Members can save at Farm Bureau warehouse open house on Sept. 27

In need of parts for your car, truck or farm machinery? Farm Bureau members can save 10 percent on purchases from the Virginia Farm Bureau Service Corp. Products Division at its Sept. 27 open house.

Since 1965, the Products Division has provided farmers with a variety of quality supplies, through Farm Bureau-certified local dealers and the Farm Bureau warehouse in Henrico County.

The open house will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the warehouse located at 1541 Mary St. in Sandston. Free refreshments will be served.

Members can save on a variety of parts, including tires, batteries and oil and grease products. They also can save on disk blades,

plow parts, chisel teeth, roller chains and cutting parts for hay equipment and combines. The discount is available for all products including baler twine.

The warehouse is a 53,000-square-foot facility with a daily inventory that is typically valued at $2.1 million in inventory. It serves about 400 dealers throughout Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina, as well as a handful in West Virginia and Delaware.

For information on specific products, call the warehouse at 800-476-8473.

N O T I C EAs of Jan. 1, 2014, Virginia Farm Bureau will discontinue

the member accidental death and dismemberment insurance benefit.

Claims related to losses incurred through Dec. 31, 2013, will be handled per the existing terms of the benefit. All claims incurred through that date must be submitted within 90 days after the date of the loss.


NEW MEMBER BENEFIT:

Save wherever you go, with Deals AdvantageFarm Bureau members in Virginia can

start saving this fall on purchases at places like Advance Auto Parts, Arby’s, H&R Block, Office Depot, Sears, Subway and more.

Deals Advantage, a new member benefit, uses the nation’s largest private discount network to save on meals, clothing, vehicle care and other goods and services. It uses “show your phone” mobile deals that can be accessed anywhere and redeemed from a smartphone at the point of sale, or from a home computer.

“It’s entirely possible for a member to save enough to offset the cost of a $40 annual Farm Bureau membership,” noted Clay Francis, vice president of membership and field services for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. “And Deals Advantage is as accessible as your smartphone.”

How it worksMembers can register for Deals Advantage

from a link on the front page of the Farm

Bureau website at VaFarmBureau.org (Have your membership number at hand). Once registered, they’ll receive a confirmation email and can begin saving immediately after downloading the free Deals Advantage smartphone app.

When shopping, dining out or traveling, registered members can search for participating merchants they frequent, or they can search for all participating merchants in a specific ZIP Code.

Here’s a sample of Deals Advantage savings available to Farm Bureau members in Virginia:• Advance Auto Parts – $40 off online

orders of $110 or more;• Busch Gardens and Water Country USA –

20 percent off online purchase of single-day tickets;

• Dunkin Donuts – 10 percent off purchases at selected stores; and

• Jiffy Lube – $5 to $8 off Signature Series Oil Changes.

Deals Advantage is offered in partnership with a network of more than 300,000 merchant partners representing more than 500 national brands.

“This represents a tremendous value we’re able to offer Farm Bureau members,” Francis said, “and we look forward to getting members’ feedback once they begin using Deals Advantage. There’s also the opportunity for them to recommend restaurants and other retail locations they frequent for inclusion in the benefit.”

Members with questions about Deals Advantage can get details from their county Farm Bureau offices, and those who attend the VFBF Annual Convention in Richmond can get on-site assistance in registering for the benefit and downloading the Deals Advantage app.


Prevent fires where many of them start—in the kitchen

Virginia drivers entering peak season for deer collisions

More fires start in the kitchen than any other part of the home.

That’s why “Prevent Kitchen Fires” is the theme of this year’s National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 6-12

“The National Fire Protection Association is hoping to raise awareness of the leading cause of fires—unattended cooking,” said Jimmy Maass, safety manager for Virginia Farm Bureau.

Fire departments across the nation respond to more than 400 kitchen fires every day. Between 2007 and 2011, there was an estimated annual average of 156,000 cooking-related fires, resulting in 400 deaths, 5,080 injuries and $853 million in direct damage, according to the NFPA.

Two of every five home fires start in the kitchen, with unattended cooking a factor in 34 percent of reported home cooking fires. Two-thirds of home cooking fires started with the ignition of food or other cooking materials. Cooking ranges accounted for 58 percent of home cooking fires, while ovens accounted for 16 percent.

To help prevent kitchen fires, take the following steps:• When frying, grilling or broiling food, stay

in the kitchen.• Always maintain a kid- and pet-free zone

within at least 3 feet from the stove.• Turn pot handles away from the stove’s

edge.• Keep a lid and oven mitt nearby when

you’re cooking, in case of a grease fire. If a grease fire occurs, slide a lid over the pan. Turn off the burner, and leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.

• Keep a proper fire extinguisher in an easy-to-locate position near the kitchen. Do not place it next to the stove; you may not be able to reach it if something on the stove is on fire.

• Periodically check your fire extinguishers to make sure they are charged. Check the owner’s manual for details on how to check the charge.

For more information and safety tips, visit firepreventionweek.org.

A reminder about fire extinguishers:Different fire extinguishers are

designated for different classes of fires:

>> Class A – ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, plastics and clothing;

>> Class B – flammable liquids such as grease, gas and oil;

>> Class C – energized electrical devices, such as appliances and electrical motors; and

>> Class D – combustible metals, such as magnesium.

>> Water extinguishers are appropriate for Class A fires only.

Most fire extinguishers available in home-goods stores are ABC-type and safe to use for Class A, B or C fires.

With an increase in urban sprawl and more roads being built through previously wooded areas, deer have been displaced from their natural habitats, leading to a rise in deer-vehicle collisions, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

The deer migration and mating season runs from October through December, causing a dramatic increase in movement of Virginia’s deer population and resulting in more collisions during those three months, with the heaviest amount in November.

An estimated 1.23 million deer-vehicle collisions occurred in the United States between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2012, cost-ing more than $4 billion in vehicle damage.

Virginia is one of the top 10 states where a driver is most likely to collide with a deer. In 2012, Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. had 2,998 claims related to collisions with deer, out of 107,226 personal and commercial auto policies. The claims led to $7.19 million in losses, with an aver-age loss of $2,400 per claim.

The claims data matches the October-through-December pattern, with deer-

are most likely to be seen at dusk and dawn near tree-lined roadways or areas that tran-sition from open fields to forest or water. Drivers must remember that deer are wild animals and often exhibit unpredictable behaviors when on or near roadways.

“A deer, like any other animal, is going to cross the road when they feel it is the safest time,” Maass said. “If you see one run across the road in front of you, slow down because it’s very likely that there is another one behind it.”

Deer crossing signs are posted to warn drivers that certain stretches of road are commonly populated with deer, he noted.

When driving after dark, use high-beam headlights to increase the range of vision. If a deer is spotted on or near the road, slow down immediately.

“Don’t swerve if a deer is in the road,” Maass said. “Brake firmly, but keep the vehicle headed in a straight line. Swerving can confuse the animal and prevent it from picking a direction to flee. Worse yet, the driver could lose control and hit a tree or another car.”

related claims significantly increasing or doubling during those months and the highest number of claims taking place in November. There were 390 collisions with deer in October, 532 in November and 324 in December.

During the coming months, motorists should drive slower and be aware of their surroundings even more than usual. Deer

More collisions with deer occur in October, November and December.


Smoke alarms

■■ Install smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.

■■ An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires, while a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, install both types of alarms or a dual-sensor alarm.

■■ Smoke alarms should be installed away from the kitchen—at least 10 feet from a cooking appliance—to prevent false alarms.

■■ Test your smoke alarms at least once a month by using the “test” button. Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

Always have a plan

■■ Make a home escape plan, and discuss it with everyone in your home.

■■ Have a designated meeting place a safe distance from the home.

■■ Practice your home fire drill at night and during the day with everyone in your home at least twice a year. Teach children how to escape on their own in case you are not available to help them.

If the alarm sounds

■■ Get out and stay out. Do not go back inside for people or pets. Call 911 from outside your home.

■■ If you have to escape through smoke, get low and crawl under the smoke.

■■ Close doors behind you as you leave.

HOME CHECKUP CHECKLIST

Halloween

■■ Use a flashlight or battery-operated candle in a jack-o-lantern instead of a real candle.

■■ If you do use a real candle, be sure to place lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn—and out of the way of trick-or-treaters.

■■ Keep all dried decorations away from heat sources and open flames.

Thanksgiving

■■ Stay in the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop, and keep children away from cooking areas.

■■ Do not leave your home while roasting a turkey in the oven.

Turkey fryers

■■ Follow all warning labels and manufacturer’s instructions.

■■ Use fryers on the ground level only—and never indoors, on a porch or deck, or in a garage.

■■ Be careful not to put too much oil in the fryer.

■■ Ensure the turkey is completely thawed before frying it.

■■ Use a long pole to hold the turkey when putting it in the hot oil. Lower it in slowly; don’t drop it.

■■ Wear long sleeves, gloves, long pants and shoes when using a turkey fryer.

Winter Holidays

■■ Blow out lit candles before leaving a room or going to bed, and turn off all light strings and decorations.

■■ Use clips, not nails, to hang outdoor lights so the cords do not get damaged.

■■ Connect no more than three strands of mini light sets and no more than 50 screw-in bulbs.

■■ Some lights and ornaments are exclusively for indoor or outdoor use, not both. Read manufacturer’s instructions.

■■ Keep Christmas trees at least 3 feet away from any heat source, including fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents and lights.

The best way to survive a fire is to prevent one from occurring in the first place. Below are tips from the National Fire

Protection Association to prevent fires in your home during the fall and winter holidays, and to increase your chance

of survival should a fire occur.

24 Virginia Farm Bureau News VaFarmBureau.org24 Virginia Farm Bureau News VaFarmBureau.org

The new health care reform open enrollment periodIf you have health insurance through an employer, you’ve surely

heard the phrase “open enrollment.”That’s the time when employees pick their health plan for the

coming benefit year.But now there’s a new open enrollment period coming to town.According to rules issued by the U.S. Department of Health and

Human Services, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is going to create an open enrollment period for people who don’t have employer coverage.

This is a big deal. Most of those consumers—many of whom are uninsured today—will be required to have minimum levels of coverage in 2014 or pay a penalty.

The first individual market open enrollment period will begin Oct. 1 —when the new health insurance exchanges are due to open—and will run through March 31, 2014.

When open enrollment begins, people who do not have qualifying employer-based or government coverage and who earn less than 400 percent of the federal poverty level may be eligible for government subsidies to help them pay for their coverage. During open enrollment they’ll be able to purchase plans and obtain subsidies by purchasing their plan through government health insurance exchanges or through licensed Web-based companies working in cooperation with the government.

People earning more than 400 percent of the federal poverty level who have no qualifying employer-based coverage still will be required to purchase coverage on their own, though they won’t be eligible to receive subsidies. These consumers will be able to purchase health insurance direct from the insurer or through their government exchange website, or through privately operated exchanges.

Outside of the open enrollment period in 2014, you’ll only be able to enroll in an individual health insurance plan when a qualifying event occurs. Those can include the birth of a child, marriage or the loss of employer-based health insurance coverage, among other things.

If you need help understanding what open enrollment under the new health care reform laws entail, qualified staff at your county Farm Bureau office will be happy to assist you.

Virginia Farm Bureau is committed to offering health insurance education that you can depend on. We want to make sure you have all the information you need to make the right decision when it comes to your health and well-being.

Leah Gustafson is a marketing specialist for Experient Health.


In the Garden

To find the station nearest you that airs Real Virginia, or to view the show online, visit VaFarmBureau.org.

Mark Viette appears on Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s weekly television program. Viette and his father operate the Andre Viette Farm and Nursery in Augusta County and have a live radio show broadcast by more than 60 mid-Atlantic stations each Saturday morning. They also are members of the Augusta County Farm Bureau. Andre Viette currently serves on the organization’s board of directors and on the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Ornamental Horticulture Advisory Committee, and Mark Viette is a former Augusta Farm Bureau board member.

HOLIDAY TRIMMINGS are as close as your own landscapeIt’s hard to find a simpler, and more per-

sonal, way to decorate your home for the holidays than with evergreen trimmings from your yard or garden.

“You can use all types of evergreens to make your own swag,” said horticulturist Mark Viette. He recommended cypress, juniper and fir cuttings.

First, check out your evergreens, and cut a long growth from one.

“You want a nice, long, flat spray for your swag,” Viette said. “Take time and look for the nice pieces.”

You might want to cut two to four branches from each type of tree or plant that you use.

Then it’s time to start assembling the swag. Take the greens, and bind them together using heavy wire. “You may need to use pliers to tighten the wire,” Viette said.

Once the greens are together, add pine cones, holiday ornaments, bows or ribbon, using the same wire attach them. Viette recommended adding pine cones or other elements in groups of three.

“You can hang your swag on your front door or on windows,” Viette said. Applying commercial products sold to preserve ever-greens will help them stay fresh-looking for as long as six weeks.

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Many kinds of evergreen cuttings from home landscapes can be used to make original holiday decorations.


Good for You!

Fresh fruits and veggies fix lack of dietary potassiumBY KATHY DIXON

The bad news is that many Americans are not getting enough potassium.

The good news is that eating foods high in potassium can be the fix.

“If someone is low in dietary potassium, they’re probably not eating enough fruits and vegetables,” said Kathryn Strong, a registered dietitian and Virginia Cooperative Extension family and consumer sciences agent serving Fairfax and Arlington counties. “But this should come as no surprise, because most Americans fall short on fruits and vegetables.”

According to recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans, most Americans are only getting about 56 percent of the potassium they need. That’s not good, because potassium is a dietary mineral necessary for balancing the body’s pH and for keeping fluids in balance as well. Potassium helps regulate normal blood pressure. It also is needed for muscle growth, nervous system and brain functions.

Fortunately, there are plenty of fruits and vegetables that are good sources of potassium, including avocados, bananas, cantaloupes, citrus juices, lima beans, spinach, tomatoes and potatoes. Lean meats and some types of fish such

as salmon, cod and flounder provide potassium as well.

Healthy people can get the necessary potassium from what they eat, but supplements are sometimes best for some Americans, Strong said. Certain diseases and medications can cause some people to lose large amounts of potassium.

“In these cases, you can eat bananas all day long and still be low in potassium.” Dehydration, which can result from severe vomiting, diarrhea, sweating and other conditions, can also lead to high potassium losses and require medical attention.

An adequate amount of dietary potassium helps control high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. About one in three American adults has high blood pressure.

“When people hear ‘high blood pressure,’ they immediately think about cutting back on salt, and that’s a good thing,” Strong said. “But when it comes to diet, increasing potassium may be just as important.”

Low potassium intake, excess sodium intake and excess body weight create the perfect conditions for heart disease.

“We now know that focusing on increasing potassium along with limiting

sodium can do even more for heart health,” she explained. Sodium and potassium are members of a mineral group called electrolytes, which help regulate muscles and balance fluid levels. “The potassium-to-sodium ratio appears to be particularly important. We should aim to eat two to three times more potassium than sodium.”

While bananas are the most well-known source of potassium, there are many other options. “Dry beans are actually one of the best sources,” Strong noted.

One banana has 422 milligrams of potassium or about 9 percent of the recommended daily amount. While this is good, one cup of white beans has 1,189 milligrams, about 25 percent of the daily recommendation.

Fruits and vegetables at Virginia farmers’ markets, including carrots, spinach, beet greens, cabbage, potatoes and celery, are perfect seasonal choices. Tomatoes are good sources of potassium as well and retain high levels of potassium even when preserved.

“Products like canned tomato sauce and stewed tomatoes have concentrated levels of potassium, because some of the water cooks off,” Strong said. Fresh tomatoes that are properly canned can be enjoyed as a good potassium source for up to one year.

Swiss Chard, citrus fruits and beans are among foods that contain high levels of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure.


Good for You!

Try these potassium-boosting recipes

Banana Pudding in a BagINGREDIENTS

1 banana6 tablespoons unsweetened

applesauce2 tablespoons lowfat vanilla yogurt1 whole graham cracker OR

¼ cup granola

DIRECTIONS

Place all ingredients in a plastic bag, and squeeze out the air. Squish the bag to mix all ingredients together.

Make a cut in the corner of the zipped bag, and squeeze the pudding into a bowl.

Greek Green Beans and TomatoINGREDIENTS

2 pounds fresh green beans2 cups tomatoes2 onions1 bunch fresh parsley2 garlic cloves1 green pepper2 teaspoons olive oil2 cups watersaltfresh ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

Wash the beans, cut off the tips and remove the stringy piece of fiber along the seam. Rinse the beans, and set aside.

Chop the tomatoes, onions, parsley and garlic. Thinly slice the green pepper. In a soup pot, sauté the onions in olive oil until translucent. Stir in the garlic, and sauté for a few minutes. Add all remaining ingredients and water.

Stir well, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 50 minutes or until beans are tender. Add more water if needed during cooking. Serve warm.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension

Apricots

Bananas

Beans

Beef

Beets

Cantaloupe

Cod

Citrus fruits

Dates

Greens

Mushrooms

Peas

Potatoes

Prunes

Raisins

Salmon

Soy and soy foods

Spinach

Strawberries

Tomatoes

Turkey

Watermelon

FOODS HIGH IN POTASSIUM:


Heart of the Home


kath

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Frito Pie is well-suited for entertaining

This slow cooker entree is not really a pie, said cookbook author Kendra Bailey Morris. It’s a delicious combination of chili, corn chips, cheese and sour cream and “is great for entertaining.”

This recipe, which is featured in her just-released cookbook The Southern Slow Cooker, uses extra-lean ground beef. Morris recommends browning it before placing the beef into the slow cooker. “Cooking it first increases the flavor and is well worth the extra step.”

INGREDIENTS

1 teaspoon vegetable oil2 pounds extra-lean ground beef4 cloves garlic, minced3 tablespoons chili powder1½ teaspoons cumin1 teaspoon dried oregano¾ teaspoon salt½ teaspoon sugar¼ teaspoon black pepper¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)2 8-ounce cans tomato sauce10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chiles (such as Ro-tel), undrained2 14-ounce cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained

DIRECTIONS

Spray the inside of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.

Heat a large skillet or cast-iron pan on the stovetop over medium-high heat, and add the oil. Crumble in the ground beef, and cook until the meat is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, and cook for another minute. Mix in the chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, sugar, black pepper and cayenne. Cook for 1 more minute.

Pour the beef mixture into the slow cooker, and add the tomato sauce, tomatoes and chiles, and kidney beans. Stir well. Cover and cook on low for at least 8 hours and up to 9 hours.

To serve, spread the chips in a 9” x 13” casserole dish or divide among eight smaller bowls. Pour in the chili, then top with the Cheddar, sweet onion, jalapeños and sour cream. OR cut open the individual serving–size bags of chips, divide the chili and toppings evenly among the bags, and eat straight from the bags with a fork.

Slow Cooker Frito Pie with Chili Con Carne

This chili entree can be served in a casserole dish or in individual serving-size bags of corn chips.


Heart of the Home

Kendra Bailey Morris appears each month on Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s weekly television program, courtesy of Virginia Grown, a program of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Morris is an author and culinary instructor whose work appears in Better Homes and Gardens, Food Republic, Virginia Living, Chile Pepper and other publications and is a former food columnist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Her blog is at fatbackandfoiegras.blogspot.com.

To find the station nearest you that airs Real Virginia, or to view the show online, visit VaFarmBureau.org.

Heart-healthy chickpeas are at the heart of Moroccan stew

Virginians may be surprised to learn that farmers in the state are growing chickpeas as the demand for hummus continues to grow.

Chickpeas are a versatile ingredient and can be used in a variety of dishes. They are a staple in Middle Eastern cooking, said cookbook author Kendra Bailey Morris.

In this dish, the heart-healthy chickpeas blend together with fresh kale and tomatoes for a fragrant, colorful stew.

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons olive oil1 medium onion, chopped5 small cloves of garlic, minced2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger1 small jalapeno or Serrano pepper, seeded and minced1 teaspoon cumin1 teaspoon ground coriander1 teaspoon garam masala*1 teaspoon ground turmeric¼ teaspoon ground allspice¼ teaspoon cinnamon¼ teaspoon black pepper14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained3 cups low-sodium chicken stock2 14.5-ounce cans of chickpeas, drained and rinsed3 cups fresh kale, washed, tough stems removed, and choppedsalt and pepper to taste

GARNISHES

Whole-milk yogurt or Greek-style yogurtfresh cilantro, choppedfresh pita breadcooked couscous

DIRECTIONS

Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, and sauté until just translucent. Add the garlic, and sauté for another minute. Add the ginger, jalapeno, cumin, coriander, garam masala, turmeric, allspice, cinnamon and black pepper. Sauté 2 more minutes. Add the canned tomatoes and chicken stock. Stir well, and then bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for about 45 minutes.

Add the chickpeas and kale, and cook for another 15 minutes until the chickpeas are heated through and the kale is tender. Season with salt and pepper. Serve stew over couscous in bowls, topped with yogurt and cilantro. Serve pita bread on the side.

* Garam masala is an Indian spice mixture found at many specialty stores. If it’s not available where you live, it can be omitted from the recipe.

Moroccan Chickpea Stew with Tomatoes and Kale

kathy dixon

Chickpeas are a staple of Middle Eastern cooking—and restaurant salad bars.


Marketplace

Members of Virginia Farm Bureau will receive one free 15-word classified ad per membership per year in Virginia Farm Bureau News, which is mailed to producer members, or in Cultivate, which is mailed to associate members.

Ads of 16 to 30 words must be accompanied by payment of $20.

Any additional ads placed by members in the same calendar year must be accompanied by payment of $10 for 15 words or fewer, or $20 for 16 to 30 words. Ads submitted without payment will be returned. We do not invoice for classified ads or provide proofs or tearsheets.

Ads with more than 30 words and ads from nonmembers will not be accepted.

Use the form in the January 2014 issue of Virginia Farm Bureau News or the online form at VaFarmBureau.org/marketplace to place your ad. No ads or cancellations will be taken by phone. Ads will be accepted only from members whose membership is current.

Magazine classified ads can be placed in the following five categories only:

• Crops;

• Farm Equipment;

• Hay/Straw;

• Livestock; and

• Livestock equipment.

Classified ads will be published in the following issues:

• April Cultivate (mailed to associate members only);

• May Farm Bureau News (mailed to producer members only);

• July Cultivate (mailed to associate members only); and

• August Farm Bureau News (mailed to producer members only).

2014 magazine classified ad schedule and policies

Finding your member numberWhen placing your ad, be sure to include your Farm Bureau member number, which can be found above your name on the mailing label

of your copy of Virginia Farm Bureau News. All member numbers will be verified.

Notice of Annual MeetingVirginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance CompanyThe annual meeting of policyholders of Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company will be held at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, December 5,

2013, at the Richmond Marriott, Richmond, Virginia, for the following purposes:

1. To receive and act upon the reports of the officers of the Company.

2. To elect a Board of Directors, each to serve for the term of one year.

3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

Dated this 1st day of October, 2013.

Jonathan S. Shouse, Secretary

Notice of Annual MeetingVirginia Farm Bureau Marketing AssociationThe annual meeting of members of the Virginia Farm Bureau Marketing Association will be held at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, December 5, 2013,

at the Richmond Marriott, Richmond, Virginia, for the following purposes:

1. To receive and act upon the reports of the officers of the Association.

2. To elect a Board of Directors, each to serve for the term of one year.

3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

Dated this 1st day of October, 2013.

Jonathan S. Shouse, Secretary


Help people find your fall and winter farm products, with Farm Bureau Fresh

If you are a Virginia farmer who direct-markets meats, eggs, produce or fibers, there’s a Farm Bureau member benefit that can make it easier for potential customers to find you.

Farm Bureau Fresh, based on the Virginia Farm Bureau website at VaFarmBureau.org/marketplace, lets members place free, searchable listings of up to 45 words. Farm Bureau began promoting Farm Bureau Fresh last year to anyone with an interest in local foods and other farm products.

Consumers can use Farm Bureau Fresh to search for products in any of 14 categories, or use a ZIP code to locate all producers in a specific area who sell to the public. In addition to addresses, phone numbers and farm websites, they’ll be able to access a map and Google travel directions to your farm, stand or other venue.

Products currently are being listed in the following categories:

• agritourism;

• aquaculture;

• bees and honey;

• Christmas trees;

• CSAs;

• eggs;

• fiber;

• flowers;

• fruit;

• meat;

• mushrooms;

• pick-your-own;

• pumpkins; and

• vegetables.

Watch this!To view RealVirginia,

visit VaFarmBureau.org.

Real Virginia focuses on State Fair, harvest seasonYou can learn all about how a livestock competition works at the State Fair, thanks to Moo U tour

guides. The national apple grower of the year hails from Virginia, and one farm family will discuss why they’re now raising grass-fed beef instead of Thoroughbred horses. Plus, what does this year’s tremendous crop season mean for farmers and consumers?

Real Virginia airs nationwide at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month on RFD-TV on Dish Network and DirecTV. It can also be watched weekly on WVPT Harrisonburg, WBRA Roanoke, WCVE Richmond, WHRO Norfolk, WVVA Bluefield and WTKR Norfolk, as well as on 40 cable systems across the state. It’s available online at VaFarmBureau.org.

Check local television listings, or visit VaFarmBureau.org for a list of participating stations.

Homes • Land • Construction • Livestock Barns • Outbuildings • EquipmentThe Experts in Rural Finance

Financing Country Living Since 1916

800-919-FARM (3276) www.FarmCredit.com

September 2013 FBN

Documents

Transcript of September 2013 FBN