Our Valley
Saturday, August 22, 2020
2
Saturday, August 22, 2020
OUR VALLEY
Showing Takes Plenty Of Training
Harrisonburg, Va.
Myers: The Making Of A Grand Champion BY JESSICA WETZLER Daily News-Record
E
LKTON — Luke Myers has only been showing goats for two years, but his confidence when inside the arena would say otherwise. With the height of his animals hitting right above his waist, Myers, 10, walks his two goats and pig on his family’s farm in
Elkton where Massanutten Mountain paints the backdrop for his show. “Walking them is the best part,” he said. “It helps me get them ready.” Myers has been participating in open goat shows since he was 3, but picked up doing the 4-H and FFA livestock market shows in 2019.
Luke Myers poses with his goat Doc at his family’s farm in Elkton.
Luke Myers practices walking his goat Doc on his family’s farm in Elkton. Luke competed in the Rockingham County Fair’s livestock market show with his two goats and pig.
His passion for competing sparked inside the ring as the months of training came full-circle and the dedication paid off. “Showing is my favorite part,” he said. “It’s fun to get out in the ring with the goats and just show them off, but I still get nervous when showing.” The moment inside the ring is one that has been building for months as Myers doesn’t start training his animals for show until February when they are born, and even longer when the animals are bred on the farm. His goats, Doc and Bashful, were bred on the farm and born in February. From the day they were born, Myers has been preparing for the goat show at the Rockingham County
Harrisonburg, Va.
Fair and the State Fair of Virginia, which he competed in last year. For the 2020 Rockingham County Fair, Myers will be showing Doc and Bashful, along with Snow White — a 250 pound commercial pig that was bought from a farm in Rockingham County. While his nerves were beginning to hit him the week before the fair, Myers continued
OUR VALLEY
to prepare his animals for the hog show and goat show by walking them around an open field with a red four-wheeler and empty pin as his guide. “First you get them in and talk to them,” he said, holding Doc’s halter to keep him by his side. “Then you get them on the halter and get ready to walk.” As a reward, Myers said he gives food to
Saturday, August 22, 2020
his animals in training. For Doc and Bashful, its walnut leaves, but Snow White prefers marshmallows. Following an invisible guide, Myers will walk his animals one-by-one in a rectangular shape a handful of times twice a day. With Doc, the walking routine is easy, but Myers
We salute our area farmers! NOW HIRING!
We would be happy to supply you with all your bedding needs.
Huffman Litter Service 540-434-7920
4124 North Valley Pike • Harrisonburg, VA 22802
ASK ABOUT OUR ATTENDANCE AND SIGN ON BONUSES! One of the top ten largest vertically integrated chicken producers in America. EOE M/F/ Disabled/Vet 501 N Liberty St. Harrisonburg, VA
19992 Senedo Rd. Edinburg, VA
540-437-0720
540-984-4121
3
PROUD SUPPORTERS of our local 4-H & FFA Programs
4
Saturday, August 22, 2020
OUR VALLEY
Harrisonburg, Va.
Luke Myers feeds marshmallows to his pig Snow White as a reward after training. Myers competed in the Rockingham County Fair’s Hog Show on Monday.
Luke Myers walks his pig through the barn at the Rockingham County Fair Monday.
Harrisonburg, Va.
OUR VALLEY
said Bashful can be stubborn at times. “I am still getting them broken, but I am getting there,” he said. “He just doesn’t like walking on a chain.” Ahead of the fair, Myers spent less time walking with the animals and more time getting the animals used to having their mouths and feet touched as part of the judging is placing the animal in a particular stance that requires arranging by hand. “I have to get them used to touching their feet and face when moving them,” he said. Myers said he was “a little nervous” going into fair week, but was happy there was still a show at all. At the fair, Myers was putting on the finishing touches to his pig Snow White, who was about to compete in the showmanship round. Myers said showmanship is all about how you “show off” the animal and how you act with the animal. With showmanship happening first, Myers said it helped him to feel “more ready” for the next competition, but added that he felt a bit nervous before walking in the ring. Once inside the hoop barn, Myers was focused on showing Snow White and as his determination would show: Myers won the Supreme Grand Champion Award for the market hog show. “It’s nice to see the work you put into it happen,” he said.
Saturday, August 22, 2020
Luke Myers grooms his hog before the 4-H and FFA Market Hog Show at the Rockingham County Fair Monday.
Shenandoah Valley Excavating Diesel fuel specially enhanced for economical performance, both on & off the road.
Launch your residential or commercial project with confidence when you get Shenandoah Valley Excavating on the job. We have 14 years of experience in the business to provide you with efficient and effective services.
Convenient bulk delivery and pump island.
You’ll always get a FREE estimate and see great results If you’re in need of a new driveway, gravel, or topsoil, call us today. Make us your choice when you need commercial excavation, residential excavation, or subdivision development. Count on our hard work and faithful service on every job!
7589 Warm Springs Pike, Bridgewater, VA 22812
(540) 908-8151 ivansve@comcast.net
5
ROCKINGHAM PETROLEUM CO-OP 981 N. Liberty St. Harrisonburg, VA 22802 (540) 434-4321
Monday - Friday: 7:00 am - 4:30 pm Saturday: Closed
WWW.SOUTHERNSTATES.COM
6
Saturday, August 22, 2020
OUR VALLEY
Harrisonburg, Va.
Luxury Pool & Spa would like to thank all of our customers in the valley. Over the past two years we have made many new friends. However due to the pandemic, we have made the decision to close our mall location. Our other four locations are going strong and eager to help you with any warranty concerns or chemical questions. You can call our Charlottesville store (434-202-2331) and get product delivered to your door. 7KDQN \RX IRU \RXU EXVLQHVV DQG KRSH WR VHH \RX DJDLQ VRRQ b b b Joe Gehlich / Logan Antozzi
OUR VALLEY
Harrisonburg, Va.
Gaining Animals’ Trust Key For Fravel Twins
Saturday, August 22, 2020
7
BY JESSICA WETZLER Daily News-Record
H
ARRISONBURG – It’s the feeling of seeing hard work and dedication pay off at the end of a livestock market show that keeps Grace and Peyton Fravel coming back for more each year. The twins, both 17, started showing hogs at the Rockingham County Fair when they were 9 and have since grown their resumes to showing goats, market lambs and commercial cattle. As they approach their final years of being eligible to compete in the livestock market show, it’s the lessons learned they have
Peyton, left, and Grace Fravel groom a steer Monday at the Rockingham County Fair.
MNL
Martin’s Native Lumber
• Lumber • Trusses • Fencing • Metal Roof & Siding On Lumber Mill Rd. Off Rt. 257, West of Dayton Monday–Friday 7:30-5 Saturday 7:30-11 NG YOU VI
SER
R FO
76 YE
ARS
540-879-2518
enjoyed the most from their experience. “You work so hard all year and in the end being able to show the animals … it’s taught me a lot about hard work and dedication,” Grace said. Grace showed hogs and cattle during this year’s Rockingham County Fair livestock shows, alongside her brother, Peyton, who showed hogs and steers. The pair began preparing for the show more than a year ago as they pick out their market animals in 2019 to be shown at the 2020 county fair. “My steer was born in February 2019, so I had to work with him since he was born,” Grace said. “I’ve been working way over a year now and if I had purchased it, I would have trained for 10 months.” With a year’s worth of training going into Peyton Fravel, of Broadway, waits on the sideline each show, Peyton said it’s the entire process during the 4-H and FFA Market Hog Show at the of picking out the animal, training it and then Rockingham County Fair Monday. showing the animal that stands out to him the most. Raising hogs is a slightly less strenuous “I enjoy seeing the beginning and then the task. Grace said they don’t start working with end product of the animal and [seeing] how hogs until April. much it’s grown and matured,” he said. With training starting months before the fair is set to start, Peyton said it was important to keep up with the animals feeding regimen SHENANDOAH VALLEY and make sure they are gaining weight or not LIVESTOCK SALES, Inc. gaining too much weight since the animals t Sales every Saturday at 12:30 PM & Wednesday at 6:00 PM have to be weighed prior to the show. t Selling all classes of livestock every Saturday t Selling slaughter cows, bulls, fat cattle and baby Other aspects that go into training include calves every Wednesday washing, walking the animal and spending t Cow sales the 2 Wednesday of the month t Selling fat cattle every 3 Saturday of the month time with the animals to get them ready for t Dairy Sales on the 4 Wednesday of the month the big day. Michael Ritchie t Owner/Manager ce: 540.434.4482 “We are trying to gain that trust,” Grace 1044 Edom Rd., Harrisonburg, VA 22802 said. “You are preparing the animal and ShenandoahValleyLivestock.com yourself with the animal to form some nd
rd
th
Harrisonburg, Va. OUR VALLEY sort of bond.” “It’s important for it to be promoted in a animals are very well cared for. We invest a On their farm in Broadway, Grace and very positive way,” he said. “Some people lot of money and time into our animals. We Peyton will wash their steers once a day, blow have a negative view on showing animals, are proud to represent agriculture through them out and then practice walking with them thinking it hurts them. The reality is that these 4-H and FFA.” as part of their fair show preparation routine. For the hogs, it is important to keep them cool throughout the day, which adds an extra task on top of washing, walking and feeding. When the week before the fair arrives, the list of daily tasks increases as Grace said the steers need to be clipped, items needed to be brought to the fairgrounds have to be packed and the final hours of training are squeezed out of each day. “A typical week before a show is spent getting all the supplies ready and making sure the animals are physically ready,” Peyton said. Peyton and Grace both participated in Monday’s hog show – the first market show of the week. On Wednesday, they showed their steer and, once the competitions were over, the livestock sale happened on Friday where the twins sold their animals. With the fair changing its focus from carnival rides to only livestock shows, Grace said the change wasn’t much for her. “For me, the showcase was always my thing anyway,” she said. Peyton said having the fair’s focus solely on agriculture this year was a good thing, adding that the “roots of the fairs all around Peyton, left, and Grace Fravel groom their hogs before the 4-H and FFA Market Hog Show at the Rockingthis area started with agriculture.” ham County Fair Monday.
8
Saturday, August 22, 2020
Heavy, Medium, Light, & M/C Towing On & Off Road Recovery, Roadside Services (tire/jump/fuel)
Dumpster Rental Truck, Trailer and Passenger Car Auto Repair too!
419 Trumbo Ct Broadway 540-896-9644
Rt. 11 South Harrisonburg 540-438-8344
Kitchen Kupboard is a kitchen specialty store located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. We carry hundreds of different products ranging from cookware sets to aprons to all the little gadgets and timesavers you need for your kitchen.
Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
$5 off $10 off $2 off
Any Purchase of $25 or More With coupon. Not valid with any other offers. Expires 9/30/2020
Any Purchase of $50 or More With coupon. Not valid with any other offers. Expires 9/30/2020
Any Purchase of $10 or More With coupon. Not valid with any other offers. Expires 9/30/2020
OUR VALLEY
Harrisonburg, Va.
Saturday, August 22, 2020
9
The Role Of Technology In Agriculture
M
odern industry is driven by technology. Advancements in technology have changed how business is conducted, with some industries undergoing dramatic changes since the dawn of the 21st century. While agriculture might not be the first industry people think of when reflecting on the changing nature of industry, The National Institute of Food and Agriculture notes that modern farms are vastly different than those from a few decades ago. Farmers have long relied on technology to make their operations as efficient, productive and profitable as possible. Precision agriculture, which refers to technological advances designed to propel agriculture into the modern, computerized and informationbased world, is helping the agricultural sector become more profitable and efficient while also improving safety and making agriculture
more eco-friendly. In addition, the NIFA notes that the modern agricultural industry employs technology such as robots, temperature and moisture sensors, aerial images, and global positioning systems. If it sounds complicated, that’s because it is. For example, modern sensors can detect soil conditions, potentially producing hundreds of readings per second. These sensors help farmers know the best possible time to plant seeds so they can reach their full potential. That improves both the efficiency of modern farms as well as their output. The NIFA also notes that agricultural technology has reduced waste. For instance, thanks to agricultural technology, farmers no longer have to apply water, fertilizers and pesticides uniformly across entire fields. Technology has shown that farmers can simply target specific areas or even treat individual plants differently. That saves time and allows
farmers to use only minimal quantities of water, fertilizer and pesticides. In addition, according to the NIFA, employing agricultural technology in this fashion leads to higher crop productivity and reduces runoff of chemicals into rivers and groundwater, thereby reducing the farm’s impact on local ecosystems. Modern farms are technological marvels where various technologies are being employed to produce crops more efficiently and safely than ever before.
KEENER
WINDOW & DOOR
General construction around your home
Competitive pricing Free estimates
Replacement Windows
867-9134
keenerservice.com
GREAT CARE
ur For Yo : Safety SIDE C U R B S E RV I C E E I E RG CO N C
WITHIN REACH Contact Us For: • Boarding • Grooming • Day Care ALL ABOUT PAWS 1685-B Garbers Church Rd (540) 208-7540
allaboutpawsboarding.com
COMPLETE VETERINARY CARE Advanced Treatments Θ WƌĞǀĞŶƚĂƟǀĞ ĂƌĞ
Online Services • Pharmacy EƵƚƌŝƟŽŶ ĞŶƚĞƌ Caring For Your Pets’ Health for Over 45 Years! ASHBY ANIMAL CLINIC 1685-A Garbers Church Rd.
(540) 433-9174
ashbyanimalclinic.com
10
Saturday, August 22, 2020
OUR VALLEY
DELAVAL VMS V300 2098 John Wayland Hwy Harrisonburg, VA 22801 18150 Virgil Goode Hwy Rocky Mount, VA 24151 540-433-9117 800-572-2123 The ultimate automatic milking machine. The Voluntary Milking System VMS™ enables you to harvest the maximum milk yield from your herd, while freeing up time for you and your staff to focus on other duties. ✓ Contributes to Improved Farm Profitability ✓ Contributes to More Milk per Labor Hour ✓ Contributes to Healthier Cows ✓ Contributes to Highest Milk Quality
www.dairymenspecialty.com
Harrisonburg, Va.
OUR VALLEY
Harrisonburg, Va.
ROCKINGHAM NEW HOLLAND PARTS • SALES • SERVICE
540-434-6791
• 600 WEST MARKET STREET • HARRISONBURG, VA 22801
Saturday, August 22, 2020
AUGUSTA EQUIPMENT COMPANY
540-885-8107 • 1304 RICHMOND AVE • STAUNTON, VA 24401
3PDLJOHIBNOI DPN
11
12
OUR VALLEY
Saturday, August 22, 2020
It’s A Family Affair For The Hills
Harrisonburg, Va.
BY JESSICA WETZLER Daily News-Record
K
aytlynn, Kaylee, Tyler and Kyrstin are the fourth generation in the Hill family to be involved with 4-H and the livestock market shows – following the footsteps of their parents, Justin and Ashley Hill. With raising animals for competition coming second nature to them, each sibling plays a role in helping others succeed. The oldest, Kaytlynn and Kaylee, both 16, share tips and tricks with younger sister Kyrstin, 11, while Kyrstin gets to share training steer
Kaytlynn Hill, 16, of Singers Glen, brushes her steer at the Rockingham County Fair Monday.
with older brother Tyler, 13. And while raising the same type of animals on the same farm may lead to a shared experience, each sibling has found their own part of the process that brings out their favorite experiences. “Definitely, my favorite part is I love watching them grow up,” Kaytlynn said. “My steer, I saw him the day he was born. I got to see all the plans I had for him and it’s neat to watch him change.” Raising an animal from birth to the beginning stages of training, the Hill family has made the 4-H and FFA livestock market show a “family affair,” said Ashley Hill. “They operate as a team,” she said. For this year’s Rockingham County Fair livestock show, twins Kaytlynn and Kaylee are showing cows and lambs, Tyler is showing hogs and steers and Kyrstin is showing steers and lambs. When it comes to picking out an animal to show, Kaytlynn said it’s based on genetics and personality, adding that “you want the animal to fit with your goals.” Each animal shown at the fair is born and raised at their farm in Singers Glen, making it a year-round process.
COUNTRY CAFE
Custom Cabinets Made Locally
Good Down Home Cooking
From Design To Installa on all of our cabinets are built on-site and customized to exceed your expecta ons.
Let‘s make your dream become a reality. Kitchens Mudrooms MON-TUES-THURS-FRI 5:30 AM – 7 PM • WED CLOSED • SAT & SUN 6AM – 2 PM
540-298-1411
15552 Old Spotswood Trail, Elkton • Like Us On Facebook
Baths Offices
Living Spaces Libraries
Bridgewater - 828-6763 www.millcabinetshop.com
While Kaytlynn is the only sibling to cater toward raising the animal from birth as her favorite part of the process, it’s difficult for twin sister Kaylee to pin-point a moment she prefers the most as she said she enjoys the entire process. “The show is like the final product,” she said. “I really enjoy the show, but the end product is the end goal ... it’s everything leading up to that.” On top of typical training that goes into preparing an animal for a show, such as walking, bathing and feeding, Kaylee said there was also the part of training yourself for the show. “You have to build trust and a relationship with the animal and that part stands out to me,” she said. “When you get to the fair, the only thing that is the same is you, you are all the animal knows.” And while Kaylee has been doing the livestock shows for eight years, she said it’s still hard to see the animals get sold off on the final day of the shows, but also rewarding. With fewer shows under his belt, Tyler said the anticipation of the show keeps him on his toes. “The end is probably the most exciting
Harrisonburg, Va.
part because you are putting it all together at once,” he said. This year will be the first year Tyler shows hogs at the Rockingham County Fair – something he has wanted to do since he was 9 years old. Tyler said during his first show, he was able to watch a hog show and ever since wanted to be a part of it. Since the family goal is to show animals bred and owned by the family, Tyler’s wishes of competing in a hog show meant they had to get a new species for the farm and having a hog ready to compete would take years. “It takes time,” Kaylee said. When in the middle of a show, Tyler said his heart is usually beating so fast that he can’t think, but his nerves begin to settle once in the show ring. “It’s not so bad then,” he said. “I’m just excited to be in there.” Then comes Kyrstin’s favorite part – the show.
OUR VALLEY Kyrstin has been competing for three years now and has been able to receive guidance from her older siblings, who have a combined 14 years of experience with showing animals at the county fair. “Kyrstin has been working harder than anyone,” said Kaytlynn. For her third show, Kyrstin upped the animals she would show to two steers instead of one, adding that it was nice to have help from her older siblings. “This year I broke steers all by myself,” she said. Kyrstin said she enjoys getting her animals tamed, along with making sure they have good attitudes leading up to the show. With the livestock shows being a family event, Kaytlynn said she has enjoyed being able to share the experience with her siblings. “It’s fun and different than how our first year showing with Kaylee,” Kaytlynn said. “We all have different approaches to it.”
Saturday, August 22, 2020
13
And this year’s show holds extra sentiment to the family as they feared the Rockingham County Fair would have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “It makes you appreciate what you could have lost,” Kaylee said.
Tyler Hill, 13, of Singers Glen, brushes his steer at the Rockingham County Fair Monday.
Do You Know The
DANGEROUS DIFFERENCE?
If you see winged, ant-like insects flying around your property, you need to know whether they are ants or subterranean termites. Your house could be in danger! Carefully compare the insects flying around your house to the illustration below. If you’re uncertain, call us for positive identification. If the insects are termites, CALL US IMMEDIATELY. We will eliminate their colony and protect your house.
Ants vs. Termites! Elbowed Antennae
Agricultural Lime & Crushed Stone Broadway Quarry 11261 Turleytown Rd. Linville, VA
Flatrock Quarry 477 Limestone Rd. Quicksburg, VA
(540) 833-2061
(540) 896-1441
Our People and Service Make the difference www.rockydalequarries.com
Narrow Waist
Straight Antennae
Front wings longer than back wings
WINGED ANT
Both pairs of wings same size
Thick Waist
Actual size 1/2 inch
WINGED
TERMITE
Actual size 1/2 inch
Moyers Exterminating Co., Inc. “Proudly Serving the Shenandoah Valley Since 1980”
Grottoes 540-249-5110, Luray 540-743-7227
14
Saturday, August 22, 2020
OUR VALLEY
Harrisonburg, Va.
The Various Benefits Of Farm-To-Table
F
ew things are more satisfying than biting into a fresh tomato right from the garden or seasoning a meal with herbs picked from a windowsill greenhouse. Restaurants recognize the value of such experiences, and more and more are relying on locally sourced products in their kitchens. The farm-to-table movement is not new, but it has gained momentum as consumers become increasingly enamored with the flavor and environmental impact of locally sourced foods. The National Restaurant Association found that farm-totable food was one of its top 10 trends for 2015. Furthermore, the group says that one in five consumers are willing to pay more for local food, and 41 percent admit that locally sourced ingredients influence their decisions when choosing where to dine. Newcomers to the farm-to-table dining experience may not understand all the fuss surrounding this popular trend. The following are some of the key benefits of farm-to-table. • Peak freshness and ripeness: Local produce ripens on the plant and can be harvested at the last possible minute before it
turns up on a plate. This helps ensure that it contains the highest amount of nutrients and flavor, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Food that has to travel further is often picked well before it is ready, ripening on the way to stores or other vendors. • Better for the environment: Food that needn’t travel far before reaching diners’ plates saves roughly 500 gallons of diesel fuel to haul produce a distance of 1,500 miles. This conserves fossil fuels and prevents harmful emissions from entering the atmosphere. • Supports neighboring farms: Supporting farm-to-table restaurants and other eateries
keeps business local in two different ways. It not only benefits local restaurants, but it also directly supports neighboring farms, fisheries and other suppliers. • Accessibility to seasonal choices: Farm-to-table eating provides a wide variety of in-season foods. This can translate into tastier foods because they are grown and harvested during their optimal growing season. • Reduces factory farming: According to O.info, the informational resource powered by Overstock.com, farm-to-table and local farming can reduce reliance on large, profit-driven corporations that may focus on maximum production over animal health and welfare. Local farms may be more inclined to treat their animals well and institute sustainable practices. • Learn about the community: A person might live in an area and never know that a local vineyard is in the vicinity or that a producer of straight-from-the-hive honey is nearby. Exploring farm-to-table resources can open people’s eyes to local businesses doing great work in and around their communities. Farm-to-table is a popular movement that people are embracing for various reasons.
Enclose that Pool, Yard Or Farm with Aluminum
in a variety of colors
Chain Link
in a variety of colors
L & O Fence, LLC Call Dwight (540) 820-0824 LOFence@LOFence.com www.LOFence.com
Also Available:
Vinyl • Wood • Split Rail • Farm Fence • Post Driving
Harrisonburg, Va.
OUR VALLEY
Perdue is proud to support Proud to be part of thethe agricultural community Rockingham County Fair.
New Location!
New Location!
Saturday, August 22, 2020
15
16
Saturday, August 22, 2020
OUR VALLEY
Harrisonburg, Va.
Youngest Bryan Has Able Shoulders To Lean On — His Big Sisters BY JIM SACCO Daily News-Record
F
Landon Bryan, 9, of Broadway, poses for a photo with his goat Tuesday at the Rockingham County Fair.
inally, Landon Bryan is 9. And in the world of 4-H and FFA, that means he can, finally, show off his animals at the Rockingham County Fair. Monday night was his in-ring debut, and while he was planning to walk around the show ring with his hog in tow hoping to wow the judges, he had to admit — with a smile, of course — that there would be butterflies as well. But those wouldn’t be at the end of a lead, they would be flying around in his stomach. “I’m nervous,” he said. Can you blame him? There are first times for everything at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds. A first time in a while, at least, that no bands will be playing, that nobody will be screaming from rides and the first time, again in a long while, that the place won’t be filled to the brim thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ASHBY MINI-STORAGE TIRES AND SERVICE WITH PEACE OF MIND 4040 0 EARL EARLY LY RD R RD. HARRISONBURG 540-434-1792
2 20 2077 WEST SPOTSWO SPOTSWOOD WOOD O TRL. TRL ELKTON 540-298-0154
Units 40–300 sq. ft.
(540) 828-7081
ashbyministorage@gmail.com 5715 Herring Lane behind Bridgewater Car Wash
Solving your Storage Problems!
Harrisonburg, Va.
And there, all alone with his hog or one of his two goats, will be Landon, in front of judges for the first time. “I’m nervous about the judging,” he said. Good thing he has some very able shoulders to lean on, if need be. His two sisters — Rachel and Allison — are old salts at this despite their young age. Rachel, 17, considers herself a cattle girl, the thrill of leading a 1,000 pound almostas-tall-as-her Hereford around never gets old. It’s fun, she said. “It’s exciting,” she said. And it takes practice. Rachel said it takes a couple of months of preparation, breaking the cow with the halter, teaching it to walk around the ring and, occasionally, getting peppered with questions by the judge.
OUR VALLEY
Saturday, August 22, 2020
“So you have to know your animal,” she said. It’s the same for middle-sister Allison, who planned to also show hogs and lambs during the weeklong show. The 15-yearold enjoys the raising aspect, watching the animal grow from calf or piglet into a full-grown fauna on the family farm off Mayland Road in Broadway. Both have confidence that their brother, and his butterflies, will do just fine. Hogs, they say, are a great starter animal for newbies. Raising them is easy, with the main part watching what the hog eats to keep their weight where it should be. “You really don’t have to work with them,” Allison said. Inside the show ring, however, the work is real.
Dairy Equipment
17
All three Bryans have to know how to present the animal to the judges, making sure each beast stands the right way and knowing they must maintain eye contact with the judges. Having a tame cow, goat, lamb or pig helps. “So you’re focusing on how you present yourself and you’re not messing with the animal,” Rachel said. Much like Landon, Rachel and Allison were nervous their first time out. A whole new world with all eyes on them and their animals. But ask them both, and Landon was going to do just fine. That proof was in the paper (or email), with Landon leaving the show ring Monday night with the Novice Showmanship Award.
• Sales • Installation • Service • Supplies
- 40 years in business Problem solving through innovation. Innovation • Quality • Workmanship • Service • Experience
Steel Erection & Crane Rentals 5366 N. Valley Pike, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 Office: (540) 434-7465 • Fax: (540) 434-7640
C&C Farm Supply 2035 Tan Bark Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 222801 • 540-433-8582
18
Saturday, August 22, 2020
OUR VALLEY
Harrisonburg, Va.
Yes, we are open! Thank you for your continued business!
(P) 540.437.9360
4562-C South Valley Pike | Rockingham, VA 22801
(F) 540.437.9371
www.countylineva.com
Harrisonburg, Va.
OUR VALLEY
Agriculture And The Economy
T
hough it’s easy to look at the tech industry and think this increasingly influential sector is what makes the world go round, something closer to the very core of the Earth may be what’s driving your economy. The agricultural sector plays a strategic role in a nation’s economic development and prosperity. From the earliest days, agriculture
has been heralded as playing a crucial role in North American culture. Farmers who grow produce and raise livestock for meats and other products have long exemplified what it means to work hard and take initiatives to be self-sufficient. The symbiotic nature of agriculture and the economy is noticeable when examining the ups and downs of each. This is because food production and the potential of agriculture extends beyond the fields and local food stands. These resources impact supply chains and other markets. A strong agriculture base influences other employment sectors like food manufacturing, biotechnology, hospitality, machinery building, and much more, while a weak agriculture can adversely affect those sectors. While it can be difficult for residents of
Saturday, August 22, 2020
19
developed nations to visualize agriculture’s effect, one only needs to turn to impoverished and developing nations to see just how big an impact agriculture can have on an economy. Agriculture provides food and raw materials, eventually creating demand for goods produced in non-agricultural sectors. Also, food provides nutrition that can serve as the foundation of a healthy nation. Earning a living in agriculture strengthens purchasing power, which fuels other markets. Eventually, farming can pave the way for development, including roads, markets, shipping services, exporting, and many other sectors. Agriculture is an important economic building block. An especially important sector, the agricultural industry, when supported, can contribute greatly to sustained economic growth.
20
Saturday, August 22, 2020
OUR VALLEY
Harrisonburg, Va.