Cultivate Summer 2023

Cultivate

BLOOMING BUSINESS

Farms’ sunflowers are seasonal stunners

Virginia Farm Bureau

— AARON GOODE, Chesterfield Berry Farm

Volume 16, Number 3

Summer 2023

Cultivate (USPS 025051) (ISSN 1946-8121) is published four times a year. February, May, August, October. It is published by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, 12580 West Creek Parkway, Richmond, VA 23238. Periodicals postage rate is paid at Richmond, VA and additional mailing offices. The annual Subscription Rate is $1.31 (included in membership dues).

Postmaster: Please send changes of address to, Cultivate, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, P.O. Box 27552, Richmond, VA 23261; 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 Cultivate@vafb.com. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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

Member: Virginia Press Association

EDITORIAL TEAM

Pam Wiley Vice President, Communications

Kathy Dixon Managing Editor

Nicole Zema Sr. Staff Writer/Photographer

Christina Amano Dolan Staff Writer/ Photographer

Maria La Lima Graphic Designer

Eleanor Stickley Graphic Designer

Alice Kemp Staff Writer/Advertising Coordinator

VISIT US ONLINE vafb.com

WE’RE SOCIAL!

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.

“The honeybees love them.”

Did you know?

With yellow and black tiger stripes and long, barn-swallow tails, Tiger Swallowtail butterflies are aptly named.

And the vibrant Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is Virginia’s official state butterfly. That designation was made in 1991, and is still in effect today.

Male tiger swallowtails are yellow

with distinct, dark tiger stripes, and two blue spots near each tail. Females can be either yellow like the males or black with shadows of dark stripes. The hind wing of female tiger swallowtails has a row of bright blue chevrons and an iridescent blue wash over parts of the interior hind wing.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, swallowtail butterflies’ outspread wings can measure up to 5½" from tip to tip. These insects can be found east of the Mississippi River, as well as in the Great Plains and in Mexico.

They often fly in the treetops, but you sometimes can spot them when a group of swallowtail males group together to drink water from puddles. Swallowtails of both sexes also drink nectar from a wide variety of native and exotic garden plants.

Females lay their large green eggs on plants in the magnolia and rose families. Common host plants include tulip tree, wild black cherry and sweet bay magnolia.

So, if you want to attract Virginia’s state butterfly, you may want to plant some of these in your yard.

SCHOLARSHIP FUND

$700,000

That’s how much money has been awarded to deserving youth through the State Fair of Virginia Youth Scholarship Fund since 2013. Last year’s State Fair program awarded a total of $92,570 to 216 scholarship recipients. See related article on page 5.

Discover some of the state’s oldest and largest trees, on Real Virginia

Featured this month on Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s weekly television program:

• Learn about Virginia’s largest trees—some of which are hundreds of years old.

• Find out why fire ants are marching through some Virginia farms.

• Acquaint yourself with Greene County’s top agricultural commodities, including poultry, dairy products and fresh fruits and vegetables, on this month’s County Agricultural Close-up.

Real Virginia airs nationwide at 3:30 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month on RFD-TV on Dish Network and DirecTV, and on selected cable outlets around the state. It airs weekly on WBRA digital channel 15.2, WHRO Norfolk, WVVA Bluefield and WTKR Norfolk, and on the first and third weekends of each month on WVIR Charlottesville, WSVF Harrisonburg, WRLH Richmond and WSLS Roanoke.

‘Your Fair, Your Way’ at the 2023 State Fair of Virginia

BY CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN

Themed “Your Fair, Your Way,” this year’s State Fair of Virginia offers fairgoers the chance to choose their own adventures.

The State Fair will be held Sept. 22 through Oct. 1 at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County. With one of the largest fair midways in the MidAtlantic, the 10-day event will offer myriad new attractions, including more gate promotions and contests, and returning fan favorites—all while celebrating Virginia agriculture and natural resources.

Exciting show-stopping attractions will include the famed racing pigs of Rosaire’s Royal Racers and Revenge Roughstock Rodeo Company’s professional bull riding, bronc riding and barrel racing. Master chainsaw carver Ben Risney also will return to create one-of-a-kind wooden masterpieces, and some sculptures will be auctioned off to benefit the fair’s scholarship program. New this year are Jet Pack Water Circus’ aerial performers, the Cast in Bronze bell carillon and “Dan-Dan the Farmer Man” comedy show.

Concerts on the Main Stage will feature a variety of musical genres and include country legend John Anderson and new country artist Megan Maroney.

Often dubbed “Virginia’s Largest Outdoor Classroom,” the State Fair Educational Expo continues to expand on unique and interactive programming for students to learn more about agriculture, forestry, wildlife and conservation. Field trip

registration is open Aug. 1 through Sept. 15.

The Black Tie & Boots benefit gala will be held on the fair’s opening night at Meadow Hall. The ticketed event is a major source of funding for the SFVA Scholarship Program.

The fair’s first-ever “Taste of Virginia,” a ticketed event for sampling Virginia foods and beverages in the historic Meadow Hall, also will benefit the scholarship program and Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom. Scholarships are earned through an annual application process or competitions held during the State Fair, including categories for creative and culinary arts, horticulture, 4-H and FFA, SkillsUSA and livestock competitions. Winners may use their scholarship earnings to attend any accredited post-secondary

educational institution.

Since 2013, the fair has awarded over $700,000 through 2,000 individual scholarships. Last year’s State Fair awarded 216 scholarships totaling $92,570.

While enjoying delicious fair foods, fairgoers also can learn about what’s on their plates by visiting the Virginia Commodities Pavilion, a one-stop shop to discover Virginia’s agricultural commodities. Gigantic pumpkins, squashes and watermelons also will be on display in the horticulture tent.

Whatever your ideal adventure may be, there is something for everyone at the State Fair of Virginia. Mark your calendars to discover the best of Virginia, and make it your own fair to remember.

For more details visit StateFairVa.org

Sept. 22 through Oct. 1

Exclusive offers for Farm Bureau members

Improve your health with special member savings

NEW! Get the latest consumer electronic and hearing aid technology at significant discounts

Great Hearing Benefits works to improve hearing health, which is essential to overall health. The company is comprised of thousands of credentialed hearing care professionals in a nationwide network, providing the latest technology with affordable pricing, award-winning care and record-breaking patient satisfaction.

And now, Virginia Farm Bureau members can save up to 50% on top hearing aids provided through companies like Beltone, ReSound and Jabra.

Members get:

• Discounted pricing in today’s top hearing technology;

• A free 60-day trial;

• 3-year warranty and service;

• 5,000+ hearing care locations nationwide;

• In-person or virtual appointments;

• The benefit of sharing discounts with up to three immediate family members; and

• A 25% discount off Jabra consumer audio and headsets, plus office teleconference products.

To access your savings, visit vafb.com, log in as a Virginia Farm Bureau member, and go to the Great Hearing Benefits tab to start saving.

Discount prescription medications, delivered to your door

Prescription drug prices have skyrocketed over the last few years, but Farm Bureau members in Virginia are now eligible to receive free generic prescriptions delivered right to their door!

My Free Pharmacy is offering VFB members a special subscription rate of $17.96 a month for individuals or $26.96 monthly for families.

Members then receive free 21-day supplies of 125 generic acute medications at any pharmacy nationwide and 90-day supplies of chronic care generic medications, with free shipping to your door. They also are eligible to purchase over-the-counter medications at a fraction of the price on chronic care generic medications.

Westmoreland County Farm Bureau member Summer Downs signed up for the program and said even with the monthly subscription fee, her family will save almost $200 a month. “They have 85% of the medications we need, and the website is easy to use.”

Access the pharmacy helpline at 800-257-8420, or visit myfreepharmacy.com/virginia.

Save on preventive health screenings

You never know when a cardiovascular issue will arise, so why not get screened to assess your risk for stroke, heart attack and bone fractures?

Virginia Farm Bureau members are eligible for four non-invasive vascular health screenings to assess risk for stroke, heart attack or bone fractures. For just $135, members can be screened for carotid artery, abdominal aortic aneurysm, atrial fibrillation and peripheral arterial disease. They also receive a free osteoporosis scan. Visit vafb.com, log in as a VFB member, and go to the Life Line Screening tab to sign up.

Members can be compensated for cell towers on their property

Virginia Farm Bureau members can get paid for leasing land to Vogue Towers for installing a wireless communication tower.

VFB has partnered with Vogue Towers to implement a marketing program to further wireless connectivity throughout Virginia while compensating Farm Bureau members. Vogue’s management team has built more than 5,000 towers in the U.S. since 1996. Cell towers allow wireless networks to better serve the communities in which they’re located, improving cell phone reception and ensuring the highest level of safety.

Members who are interested in leasing land for a tower should register their information with Vogue Towers through our website, vafb.com/membership-at-work/ benefits/Vogue-Towers. Registration is not a commitment to lease your property, but simply an expression of interest in the program. After you submit an opt-in form on that page, Vogue Towers will contact you directly when they are seeking space for tower(s) in your area.

If a tower is built on a member’s property, that member will be paid a one-time fee and then receive a monthly rent with annual escalation. The initial lease is for a 5-year term with seven 5-year renewals.

The leased area will be 55´ x 55´ up to 75´ x 75´, and the height will be determined by the phone carrier. All towers will have a secure, fenced compound. Vogue maintains insurance on the tower and takes care of all ground maintenance.

Atala Hairstreak native

Julia native

Pipevine Swallowtail native

Florida Zebra Longwing native

CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN

CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN

CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN

Virginia butterfly numbers are declining, and experts advise residents to create habitats that will attract the winged pollinators.

winged wonders: Creating a thriving butterfly habitat

|

BY CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN

They’re elegant, vibrant and elusive, often vanishing as quickly as they appear—making each unexpected visit all the more memorable.

Mary Free, a Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener serving Arlington County and the city of Alexandria, has spent the past 17 years capturing the beauty of butterflies with her camera—one of her most important gardening tools.

There are 102 butterfly species that have been observed in Virginia, according to butterflyidentification.org. While Free hasn’t kept count, she has noticed a decline in the number of winged visitors to her garden.

“Habitat loss is a major factor in the decline of insect and bird populations,” Free explained. “Everyone who creates a butterfly habitat adds a steppingstone to reverse that trend by providing a place where pollinators can safely eat and reproduce, planting trees and shrubs that reduce carbon and using fewer chemicals.”

While it may seem daunting, creating a thriving butterfly habitat can be as simple as several potted plants or as expansive as acres of floras.

“The key is to provide the plant food butterflies need as both caterpillars and adults,” she noted.

Plan it out

“Where you live in Virginia, your soil type, light conditions and hardiness zone will guide your plant choices,” Free said.

She encourages sticking with native plant species, as they attract native butterflies, provide the quality food they need, adapt to local climates and conditions—conserving water and reducing chemical use—and promote biodiversity.

Adult butterflies stay close to where their larval host plants can be found, so Free suggested planting nectar and host plants together, or choosing nectar plants that double as host plants. Selecting plants that provide a succession of blooms the entire season is another good way to keep butterflies coming back to your garden.

Every butterfly species is unique, according to Clara Aus, “M&T Bank Butterflies LIVE!” exhibit coordinator at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Henrico County.

“Some species and their caterpillars feed on many different plants, and some are specialists that only need one host plant,” said Aus. She added that the cabbage white butterfly eats anything in the mustard family, while the monarch only needs milkweed.

To attract particular species, visit lewisginter.org/virginia-butterfly-garden/ to view Aus’ list of native butterflies and their host plants.

Some host plants may already be growing in your garden, like parsley, carrots, dill and fennel, which attract Eastern Black swallowtail caterpillars. Some may be in your neighborhood, like white clover and oak, wild cherry and flowering dogwood trees.

Eastern Black Swallowtail caterpillar

native

CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN

MARY FREE

Look around to see what native host plants are nearby, and plant something different to maximize results.

Completing the habitat

Butterflies will visit nectar flowers that are shaded during part of the day if they have a basking space, so place a flat rock in a sunny spot nearby.

They need refuge from wind and rain, so plant densely, and follow minimum spacing recommendations. Protect nectar flowers with fences, along with shrubs or vines that also serve as host plants, like native spiraeas, native viburnums, New Jersey tea, purple passionflower and American wisteria.

Plant a variety of bright colors to catch butterflies’ attention, and group three or more plants of like species together.

Male butterflies need soil minerals for reproduction. Create a puddling area by placing a shallow dish at ground level, fill it with sand mixed with yard soil, and keep it damp.

“Another item you may want to add to your pollinator habitat—a bench—so that you can sit down and enjoy it,” Free said.

Important don’ts

• Don’t buy plants that have been treated with pesticides, as they can be deadly to butterfly larvae, and avoid using chemicals in and around your garden.

• Don’t plant invasives or keep them in the habitat.

• Don’t plant cultivars with double flowers, as they have little to no nectar.

• Don’t plant cultivars of native species that are not sterile.

• Don’t clear away dead flowers or foliage on or near host plants, as they may harbor butterfly eggs or feeding caterpillars.

Native nectar plants that grow in sun or partial shade

SPRING: Eastern Red columbine, wild geranium, phlox

LATE-SPRING TO MID-SUMMER (OR LATER): Blazing star, black-eyed Susans, milkweed, whorled tickseeds

MID-SUMMER INTO FALL: Joe Pye weeds, old field aster

NON-NATIVES: Parsley, purple coneflower, zinnia

For a complete list of nectar and host plants for Mid-Atlantic butterflies and moths, visit mgnv.org/pollinators-andmore/lepidoptera.

Scarlett Mormon non native

Malachite Chrysalis non native

Gray Hairstreak non native

CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN

CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN MARY FREE

yummy!

All hail

Virginia’s ICE CREAM trail

Take a trip to taste some of the state’s finest sugary delights

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS

BY CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN

Virginia’s dream team of homemade ice cream, custard and sorbet is only a scenic road trip away.

The “Mouthwatering Ice Cream Trail,” crafted by OnlyInYourState in 2021, entices visitors to taste some of Virginia’s finest frozen treats. Winding through Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley, the seven-stop route features true “farmto-cone” delights, including frozen custard, seasonal sorbets and gelato— along with breathtaking sights along the way.

Hit the road with friends or family, and cool off this summer with these sweet treats.

From traditional favorites like strawberry and vanilla to new twists like banana cream pie and green tea, visitors to the Virginia ice cream trail can find cool treats to please any palate.

The Dairy Godmother ALEXANDRIA

The Dairy Godmother offers Wisconsin-style frozen custard in the heart of Alexandria.

The popular shop features a daily flavor of fresh custard, like “Bordeaux Cherry Chip,” as well as chocolate and vanilla each day. It also offers a variety of sorbets that change daily. The custard is prepared with at least 1.4% egg yolk and 10% milkfat, made in a special custard machine and stored at 17˚ to 20˚ to enhance every flavor and buttery-smooth bite.

The sorbet is made with frozen fruit, herbs, water and sugar.

Visit thedairygodmother.com for more information.

Sugar Mama's FAIRFAX

The “mini scoops” at Sugar Mama’s in Fairfax are the perfect way to explore the shop’s unique ice cream flavors, and you can pile them high in a homemade waffle cone or cup.

The “Banana Cream Pie” and “Coco Choc Crunch” are crowd favorites, offering sweetness and texture in each rich, creamy bite. Other ice cream flavors like coffee and green tea provide balanced bitter-sweet bites for those with less of a sweet tooth.

Visit sugarmamasicecream.com for more information.

Moo Thru REMINGTON

The charming Moo Thru is a Remington staple that offers a true “farm-to-cone” experience.

Established 13 years ago by the Smiths, a fourth-generation farming family, this barn shop takes “homemade” to a new level by sourcing from local dairy farmers and using fresh, local ingredients whenever possible.

The slow-churned ice cream frequently incorporates new, seasonal flavors. Blackberry, cake batter and dark chocolate are among the most popular choices.

You can grab any of their rotating flavors via the drive-thru or pick-up window, or enjoy your cone beneath the shop’s spacious pavilion.

Find a Moo Thru location nearest you by visiting moothru.com

Carl's FREDERICKSBURG

Carl’s in Fredericksburg has been serving up classic soft-serve frozen custard for 76 years, and visitors may experience a wave of nostalgia when visiting this retro ice cream stop.

Made with a much higher concentration of eggs and butterfat and the earliest Electro Freeze® machine models, the famous Carl’s custard is a richer, creamier dessert than most traditional ice cream.

Part-owner Ramona Settle said their treats are “as fresh as you can get,” with every flavor sold out daily and new batches made every morning. Their most popular orders are strawberry or a combination of vanilla custard topped with hot fudge and maple nuts.

The shop is open seasonally from the Friday before President’s Day through the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and is cash only.

Visit carlsfrozencustard.com for more information.

Chaps Ice Cream CHARLOTTESVILLE

Chaps Ice Cream in the Charlottesville Historic Downtown Mall pairs the charm of an old-fashioned ice cream parlor with innovative flavors.

All ice cream is made on-site and features custom-created flavors to satisfy every palate, along with rotating seasonal flavors July through September.

The most popular orders are chocolate and vanilla; the “Four C’s,” which is chocolate ice cream with cherries and chocolate chips; black raspberry; and the “Golden Nugget,” which is vanilla ice cream with pecans and caramel.

Visit chapsicecream.com for more information.

Opened in 2008, the popular parlor features a variety of gelato and sorbet made with fresh ingredients sourced locally. Flavors include “Lemon Lavender,” which incorporates lavender from local farmers markets and “Highland County Maple” made with maple syrup from neighboring farms.

Popular orders include “Sticky Rice Gelato,” made with jasmine rice and coconut, which pairs a subtle sweetness with the gelato. Pistachio is another crowd favorite made with Californiasourced nuts for a sweet and salty treat.

Upon entering, visitors will likely smell the sweet aroma of the shop’s homemade waffle cones that are made daily.

Visit thesplitbanana.com for more information.

The Split Banana STAUNTON

The Split Banana in downtown Staunton is the place for authentic gelato with local flavors.

Kline's Dairy Bar HARRISONBURG

The original Kline's Dairy Bar in downtown Harrisonburg has been serving up custard-style ice cream since 1943.

High-quality ingredients and an oldfashioned ice cream-making technique transformed the Kline family’s homebased ice cream stand in 1943 into six bustling locations today. Each regional location makes its own fresh ice cream each morning, and features weekly specials that change on Wednesdays.

Fan favorites include black raspberry, banana pudding and peach.

Find a Kline's Dairy Bar location nearest you by visiting klinesdairybar.com.

‘Factory Farms’

Clarifying the confusion surrounding large-scale farms |

Cold. Uncaring. Corporate-owned giants fueled by greed and profits. Those are sometimes the stereotypes invoked when someone hears or reads the words “factory farm.”

“There is no real definition for the term ‘factory farm,’” explained Hannah Thompson-Weeman, CEO of the Animal Agriculture Alliance. “It’s just kind of a pejorative term used to refer to large-scale modern commercial agriculture. It’s capitalizing on the fact that a lot of people aren’t directly connected to agriculture.”

Connotations of impersonal, corporate-owned farms take up a lot of space in conversations around agriculture, but the reality is that farming and food production is still a family endeavor, as 98% of U.S. farms are family owned. Additionally, family farms accounted for 83% of total production in 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

BY ALICE KEMP

Big or small, they’re family businesses

While the agricultural landscape has modernized over time with farms getting larger to feed growing populations, 89% of U.S. farms are, in fact, small family farms according to the USDA.

“Of the larger farms—ones with sales over $1 million a year—90% of those are family farms,” said Alex White, an agricultural economics and management instructor in Virginia Tech’s School of Animal Sciences.

White noted that most farms are structured as sole proprietorships or partnerships, and only a small portion are classified as “corporate” family farms. These corporations can be any size, and they’re incorporated for practical reasons like tax benefits and transition planning. Most farms are multigenerational, and it’s much easier to transfer an incorporated farm to children or relatives when owners retire.

“Corporate has gotten a bad rap, but it’s simply a form of legal ownership,” White said. “It’s simply a way of doing things.”

Farms or feedlots?

Browsing online for “factory farms” usually reveals images of crowded cattle yards. But these pictures are an oversimplification of just one part of animal agriculture and livestock production: the feedlot.

Cattle farming encompasses various stages, with feedlots being the final step

before processing, explained Margaret Ann Smith, owner of Southlex Cattle Company and a sixth-generation farmer. In addition to running her own livestock operation, Smith works with her family’s farm, Smith Farms of Rockbridge County, which has been raising crops and livestock for over 150 years.

“At one point, we had four generations on the farm,” she said. “Before my grandma passed, the age range went from 94 to 4 years old. It’s a neat way to be … that’s what makes a family operation.”

While most cattle eventually go to a feedlot to be fed grain for finishing and weight gain, they spend the majority of their lives grazing on pasture, Smith explained.

“Seventy-five percent of their life is on a grass-based diet. Only a small portion of their life is spent in a feedlot,” she said.

At birth, calves remain with their moms on farms for several months, feeding and grazing. After weaning, they continue pasture grazing for another several months until they’re an appropriate age and weight to be moved to a feedlot. The feedlot stage typically lasts only four to six months, during which time livestock receive a specialized nutrientdense diet until they reach a suitable weight for processing.

Smith noted that feedlots follow science-backed practices, are managed under strict regulations, have thirdparty auditing, and employ specialized

Margaret Ann Smith is a sixth-generation cattle farmer in Rockbridge County and said cattle spend about six months in feedlots, where they receive specialized diets and veterinary care.

staff like veterinarians and nutritionists who look after the livestock—ensuring they’re healthy and stress-free.

“When you see cattle bunched up, that’s just what they do—it’s their herd instinct,” Smith said. “Even though they may have a huge amount of room in a feedlot, they instinctively want to go stand on top of each other.”

It all works together

Whether farms are small, midsize or large, the families behind them play a vital role in feeding consumers and providing a range of highquality products. They do this while employing innovations and best practices to remain good stewards of their animals and the environment.

“There are so many different options available to you because of the amount of different and diverse production we have in our agriculture community,” Thompson-Weeman said. “There are people at the heart of this who are making the best decisions they can for their animals, for their land and ultimately for consumers. It’s their livelihood.”

Especially when feeding, beef cattle get close to each other as part of their herding instinct. The majority of cattle in Virginia spend most of their lives on a grass-based diet, grazing on family operated farmland.

Golden oasis: Sunflowers soak up the summer sunshine

Facing the sun with their petals outstretched in a golden halo, the sunflower is worthy of its bright moniker.

And just as the flowers follow the sun, many farmers are following a blooming sunflower agritourism trend in Virginia.

Although sunflowers aren’t a major commodity in the commonwealth, several farms have begun cultivating them to diversify their operations and increase agritourism opportunities. Some harvest the flowers for their seeds while others open their sunflower fields for picturesque photo backdrops, botanical mazes and cut-your-own experiences.

Bridging the seasons with sunflowers

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY ALICE KEMP

When you hear the name Chesterfield Berry Farm, sunflowers probably aren’t what come to mind.

But when traveling down the farm’s winding dirt roads in midsummer, you’ll be captivated by 15 to 20 acres of brilliant sunflowers presenting a stunning sea of yellow.

“We were looking for something to come in after strawberry season,” explained Aaron Goode, the farm’s owner.

A local spot favored for U-pick

strawberries during the spring and a fall pumpkin patch, the farm diversified into sunflowers to expand its summer attractions alongside seasonal sweet corn. This is the third year Goode has cultivated sunflowers, and visitors can browse vast rows of varying heights and colors, from garnet-red Velvet Queen to funky, almost fuzzy Goldy Honey Bears. Bicolored sunflowers, reminiscent of a sunset with deep orange petals tipped in gold, add to the striking scenery.

“We plant about 15 different varieties,” Goode said. “We have branching varieties with multiple blooms and then the single stems with one big bloom.”

Props interspersed throughout the blossoms complete the picture-perfect setting for family photos and selfies.

And visitors don’t leave emptyhanded after capturing their new memories.

“We give them shears, and we have a water station,” Goode said. After customers cut their perfect blooms, “they put flowers in a bag in a cup, and we tie it up for them.”

To ensure a lasting experience for the farm’s few thousand visitors, Goode makes two plantings—one in early spring so flowers are ready midJuly, and another during summer to coincide with the bustling pumpkin season. The sunflowers thrive in

Virginia’s heat and the farm’s welldraining sandy loam soil, Goode said.

While the fields were planted with customers in mind, they aren’t the only ones attracted to the yellow blooms.

“The honeybees love them,” Goode said. “They get something out of them too. There are a lot of bees in the fields, but they don’t bother you.”

Goode doesn’t harvest the sunflowers for seeds, but those remaining don’t go to waste. Once they’ve passed their peak, wildlife takes over. Birds, squirrels and other creatures enjoy feasting on the seeds and stems before the fields are cleared, readying the ground for the next planting.

Goldy Honey Bear

Common Sunflower

Velvet Queen

Bicolor Sunflower

Aaron Goode, owner of Chesterfield Berry Farm, said sunflowers supplement the farm’s other enterprises.

Sunflower spectacle draws thousands to Beaver Dam Farm

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY NICOLE ZEMA

Earth dwellers craving an otherworldly farm experience can find it when exploring the towering rows of 600,000 densely packed sunflowers at Beaver Dam Farm. It’s transformed into a 20-acre planet of blazing yellow blooms and airspace buzzing with pollinators.

Sun-drenched blossoms form an endless horizon line on the Botetourt County farm, at times obscuring the familiar view of earth.

Beaver Dam hosts the largest sunflower festival and vendor show on the East Coast, scheduled for Sept. 8-17 this year. Up to 20,000 visitors—they’ve come from 35 states—orbit the vast fields every summer and fall.

The mission is overseen by Candace Monaghan, a fourth-generation farmer

with a dairy background.

As the dairy industry started to decline in Virginia, farmers were forced to sell out or diversify operations, so Monaghan’s family switched to raising beef cattle.

On a whim, they planted black oil sunflowers in an empty field in 2015.

“My father, Preston, always liked sunflowers, and wanted to see if they grew well,” she recalled. “They did grow, and a few people stopped to take photos and ask if they could pick a few to take home.”

She proposed establishing an annual sunflower festival, but Preston was apprehensive.

“He wasn’t thrilled about the idea of lots of people walking through the fields, but then he agreed to give it a try,” she said.

Monaghan promoted the one-day event through social and local media. They expected 300 visitors; about 1,600 showed up.

The event eventually evolved into a

10-day festival. Over 120 vendors sell handcrafted goods and treats. Guests can lose themselves in the rows of color, stopping for selfies at quirky photo stations. The festival also features wagon rides, a farm animal petting area, live music and catered sunset dinners.

“One of my favorite parts is watching everyone’s faces when they enter the gates and see all 600,000 sunflowers for the first time,” Monaghan said.

From planting to bloom is only an eight-week time frame.

“While they grow quickly, they also do not last long at all,” she explained. “Once the flower blooms it only lasts a short 10 to 14 days before it has wilted. Some years we will get enough rain to make the flowers grow, and some years they may be stunted because of lack of rain.”

Nothing is wasted. When the sunflower moisture content drops, a combine is used to harvest the seeds that are stored, transported and cleaned before being bagged for birdseed.

Acres of sunflowers at Beaver Dam Farm create an otherworldy experience.

Sunflowers pack nourishment from petal to root

There are about 70 species of sunflowers, according to the Farmers’ Almanac, often incorporated into the diets of people and livestock.

Sunflowers are used for birdseed, but most are processed into oil. The green stalks are chopped into silage and used as cattle feed.

The seeds contain calcium, phosphorus, a host of vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids.

To collect seeds before the critters, cover the ripening sunflower head with a loose-fitting paper bag. They are ready for harvest when the petals wilt and seeds turn brown.

Eat seeds raw or roast them in a single layer on a cookie sheet in a 300˚ oven for 30 or 40 minutes. Stir occasionally. For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of melted butter to a cup of seeds with your favorite seasoning.

Sunflower petals are edible, used in salads or as a garnish. Leafy parts can be eaten raw or sautéed, baked into chips or steeped for tea. The celery-like stalks are a crunchy dipping snack.

Sunflower sprouts or shoots add a fresh, nutty flavor in salads and sandwiches.

From top left, Beaver Dam Farm’s Candace Monaghan markets the annual sunflower festival. Rows of 600,000 flowers provide a stunning landscape for visitors to shoot picturesque photos, and then purchase pre-cut flowers to take home.

JASON RINEHART/HARTLIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

‘They thought I’d lost my mind’

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY NICOLE ZEMA

Far-flung deployments. Endless deadlines. Mandatory overtime.

You’d think these retirees would choose to relax after years of career building. But you’ll find them in their fields and high tunnels, embracing new challenges as they transition to a “retirement career” in agriculture. Robersons find their niche in farm retirement

When passersby stop at the Botanical Bites & Provisions farm stand in Spotsylvania County, they ask Thomas and Anita Roberson what they’re growing.

“Weeds!” Thomas says. “But the vegetables keep getting in the way,” he adds jokingly.

While the Robersons pursued careers in medicine, traveling internationally with the U.S. Army, they share a farming background. Thomas grew up on an Amherst County farm, and Anita spent vacations on her grandparents’ homestead in Spotsylvania County.

“We grew what we ate year-round,” Thomas recalled. “I left at 15 and said I would never go back to farming again.”

Anita worked as a medical personnel officer, and Thomas retired from performing arterial perfusions at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. As she was commuting to Washington D.C. for federal work, he moonlighted in emergency medicine and private practice.

“When I told everyone I was going into farming, they thought I’d lost my mind,” he recalled.

Anita’s loved ones refer to her as a “girly girl.”

“You’ll be hot and sweaty,” they told her, “with dirt under your fingernails.”

Anita didn’t care. “I was in the Army! I crawled under barbed wire! I was shot at!” she said. Ultimately, her family was supportive because they liked getting vegetables. “And now they have a greater appreciation of where food comes from. Plus, farming honors our heritage.”

Their 10-acre farm produces a host of fruits and vegetables, wildflower honey and cut flowers like peonies, roses and zinnias. They display colorful bouquets that grab passing motorists’ attention, enhancing their profit stream.

“The zinnias are Thomas-proof,” Anita joked. “You cut them, and they just keep coming back.”

Virginia Farm Bureau helped them attain a value-added grant for their farm-sourced cosmetic products— moisturizing soaps, lotions, lip balms and salves. They were named the 2015 Small Farmers of the Year by the Virginia State University Small Farm Outreach Program.

The Robersons are now preparing to grow Concord grapevines.

“Farming is physical,” Thomas said. “You have to be a plumber, engineer and mechanic. There’s more to it than throwing a seed in the ground.”

But they take solace in the absence of screeching beepers or midnight emergency calls.

“We spend as much time out here as we need to,” Thomas said. “And no

Retired medical personnel officer Anita Roberson and her husband Thomas, a retired perfusionist, are now owners of Botanical Bites & Provisions farm in Spotsylvania County, where they grow colorful zinnias, other flowers and fruits and vegetables.

Retirees reflect on careers as they turn to full-time farming

one tells me I can’t stop to watch The Young and the Restless.”

Retired meteorologist weathers the agricultural learning curve

The guy who shared the daily weather forecast on TV is now tuning in to hear it himself at Twin Cedars Fincastle Farm in Botetourt County.

For 40 years, farmers in Southwest Virginia relied on WDBJ Channel 7 chief meteorologist and news anchor Robin Reed for the forecast that impacted their operations.

“I would forecast three days of sunshine during hay season, but on day three, it poured,” he remembered. “I’d go to the store with my head down because that was a moneymaking proposition for the farmers. Concerts or golf tournaments get rained out too. But for farmers, it’s a different story, and I realize it’s come full circle.”

After 50 years in broadcasting, Robin and his artist wife, Teresa, are developing their own agricultural enterprise on 11 acres overlooking downtown Fincastle. He holds a seat on the Roanoke County Farm Bureau board, and is a full-time communications professor at Virginia Tech.

Watermelon, cantaloupe, pumpkins and gourds have performed well at Twin Cedars. Tenant farmers are growing 400 broccoli plants on-site, sharing their knowledge and techniques.

“We’re figuring out what farming is all about,” Robin said. “Teresa is the mastermind of all this. She’s my country girl from Page County, and I’ve been an urban boy my whole life.”

Robin said his life “changed significantly” when he bought a tractor. They plan to build hoop houses to extend the growing seasons and become profitable, perhaps tapping into the local farm-to-table restaurant scene. They may expand

into growing U-pick pumpkins, ornamental corn and wildflowers.

“We don’t see these as relaxation years,” Teresa said. “Retirement should be something that makes your brain and body work. It will keep you going longer if you have a passion for something.”

For Robin, retirement means the end of deadlines after an intensely schedule-driven career. But challenges still present themselves in farming.

“The flipside of success is how quickly failure can come with

weather,” he lamented. “It started raining late last season. Watermelons were still sitting on the vine at 75 pounds. I hurt my back picking them up, and they tasted awful!”

Agriculture has its share of beautiful surprises too. Teresa started off planting melon seeds in egg cartons with their grandson.

“We put them down in the field and darned if they didn’t take off!” she said. “You can pick something, eat it, and say—‘Wow, I put that seed in the ground.’”

Retired WDBJ Channel 7 chief meteorologist Robin Reed and his wife, Teresa, now own and operate Twin Cedars Fincastle Farm in Botetourt County.

Pumpkins and gourds are among the produce the Reeds grow on their 11-acre farm.

Young farmer hangs up the hose

Seth Edwards still had decades of a firefighting career ahead of him when he turned in his gear in October 2021.

The full-time lieutenant at the Franklin Fire and Rescue Department was devoting similar hours to growing peanuts, cotton and corn with his dad, Greg, at Edwards Farms in Southampton County.

Edwards managed that pace for 10 years until the pandemic demanded more overtime at the FFRD.

“I have two boys and a girl, and I was missing ballgames, dance recitals and birthdays,” he recalled. “I was a supervisor, so I had a lot of work to do all the time and never had a break. Firefighting is a very stressful job, especially when you’re a medic too.”

Edwards started as a Branchville Fire Department volunteer at age 14. He eventually earned a degree in fire science.

“I used to wake up in the morning excited to go to work,” he said. “I loved the job and helping people. But sometimes I wouldn’t see the kids for

two weeks straight.”

When his dad picked up more land, Edwards wrote his resignation letter and decided to embrace the flexible side of farming.

“My daughter had three seasons of softball, and I only saw two games while working at the fire department,” he said. “Now I’ve only missed one game during harvest.”

The Edwardses are four-time peanut yield champions for the Virginia Peanut Growers Association, producing 5,970 pounds per acre on 299.2 acres in 2022. They’ve been upgrading equipment to continue operations on 1,800 acres.

Still, former colleagues ask Edwards when he’s coming back to firefighting.

“Not right now,” he said. “Even though I’ve been slammed out here, I can drop this for our kids’ milestone events. No one says, ‘We’re too short-handed!’”

Farming has its share of aggravations too.

“On bad days I say I wish I was still at the fire department,” Edwards said. “But I don’t regret the decision.”

NICOLE ZEMA

Seth Edwards retired from a firefighting career to become a full-time peanut, cotton and corn farmer on his family’s Edwards Farms in Southampton County.

Success through sincerity

Agency manager Amanda Compton named 2022 Ralph Stokes Honoree

BY NICOLE ZEMA

When the bottom fell out of the mortgage industry in 2008, lending agent Amanda Compton found herself out of a job.

The loss was devastating, she recalled. Her young family of four was down to one income as the entire country grappled with economic uncertainty. Though Compton assumed mortgage lending was her forever-career, she looked for other opportunities.

With limited insurance knowledge, she was hired as an Appomattox County Farm Bureau insurance agent in 2009. Fourteen years later, Compton is an agency manager in Bedford County.

In hindsight, she knows the after-hours demands of the mortgage job would have negatively impacted family life.

“I wouldn’t have been the mother or wife I needed to be if I was out late working all the time,” she said.

Compton is reflecting on her journey after being named the 2022 Ralph Stokes Honoree in March.

Named for the late Smyth County Farm Bureau insurance agent Ralph Stokes, the annual award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated the highest level of service and integrity over their career, said Ray Leonard, vice president of sales for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co.

Compton’s agency also was named Platinum Agency of the Year, and she was recognized as Platinum Agency Manager.

“We’d like to think to succeed at her level, you have to work a 90-hour week, but I promise she does not,” Leonard said. “She works hard at work, and is as dedicated to her family as anyone can be.”

Hometown girl serves her neighbors

While many agents are known for their extroverted personalities, Compton is generally reserved.

“God showed me a long time ago— sincerity can outweigh talent or favorable personality traits,” she said. “Clients can feel your sincerity and want to work with someone who they believe has their best interest at heart.”

Compton was born and raised in Campbell County. She went on to earn a degree in media and advertising from Radford University.

Now working from the Bedford Farm Bureau office in Forest, Compton serves customers 15 minutes from where she grew up.

“It’s rare to have a job where you get paid to help others protect themselves and their families,” she said. “You can’t ask for much better for a career.”

Leonard said Compton is a go-to resource for new agents. With a teamfirst approach, activity is essential, she said, and it shouldn’t demand hours of

personal time.

“Honesty and ethical work habits are key,” she advises. “There are highs and lows in this job for everyone regardless of how successful you are. Just keep moving forward, and don’t start making excuses. Stay away from negativity.”

‘God has brought me favor’

Compton said she feels somewhat undeserving of all the accolades, and it’s God who brought her favor among clients.

“I’m on a daily mission to treat everyone I encounter in the way that Jesus treated people,” she said. “I fail miserably, but I try. All the glory goes to God.”

She added that her success is shared with an especially stellar office staff.

“For several years now, I have had two teammates who are the backbone of the office,” she said. “My success would be short-lived without senior member service specialists Jennifer Tuck and Erin Stephens doing what they do each day!”

Compton and her husband, Bear, and their daughters, Addison and Ava, attend Living Word Baptist Church in Forest. They spend time at the softball field and volleyball court and enjoy recreational fun at home. Compton is a self-published author of the book Finding God Amongst the Weeds, available on Amazon.

Stay protected and save with auto, homeowners policy discounts

In today’s world of inflation and tightening budgets, saving money can be a top priority. Insurance policies are no exception. As people are looking for ways to save, they may be able to take advantage of discounts from insurance providers, cutting down on premiums while keeping assets protected.

Personal auto insurance— navigating the road to savings

Many drivers are experiencing rising auto insurance premiums as people resume their daily commutes, and cars and travel get more expensive.

“Fortunately, Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. has several opportunities that can give policyholders a break on their car insurance,” said Barry Light, VFBMIC senior product development manager.

Good driver discounts: Policyholders who remain claim- or accident-free for three years while continuously insured with VFBMIC are rewarded with breaks on their premiums through the premier driver discount. Additionally, drivers 55 and older can save when they have completed a Virginia DMV-approved motor vehicle accident prevention course in the last three years.

Safety features discounts: Vehicles with certain safety features like anti-lock brakes and blind spot warning can qualify for more savings.

Good student discounts: Full-time students under 25 who excel in high school and college by keeping their grades up can earn premium discounts. Graduates under 25 with an associate’s, bachelor’s or post-graduate

degree from a two- or four-year college or university also are eligible.

Smart Start Program: Educates new drivers under 18 on safe and responsible driving by having them complete a Smart Start Program course. If the teen remains accidentand conviction-free, they can qualify for additional discounts.

Drive2Save usage-based insurance: Reinforces responsible driving habits with telematics technology for VFB Fire & Casualty policyholders.

“Drive2Save offers drivers a simple and fun way to become more aware of their driving behaviors and habits, affirming the positive habits and highlighting those needing improvement,” Light explained. “People can become safer drivers and also receive participation and good driving discounts on their auto insurance premiums.”

Homeowners insurance— shielding your home and savings

Extreme weather events and escalating costs of building supplies and construction labor have contributed to increased homeowners premiums in recent years. And, like auto insurance, homeowners can find discounts to help alleviate some of the financial burden.

Home alert credit: Recognizes the importance of fire and burglary protection systems in the house. By having these safety measures in place, along with fire extinguishers and fire or smoke alarms, homeowners can receive a credit on their premiums.

Claim-free discount: Rewards new and existing homeowner policyholders who have had no losses paid on their

policies. The discount amount is determined by how long policyholders have remained claim-free.

New home credit: A premium credit is applied based on when the house is built. Homes built and occupied in more recent years earn certain credit amounts, with new homes qualifying for a higher credit. Additionally, policyholders who are continuously insured with VFBMIC companies and those who have a personal auto policy along with a homeowners, farmowners and/or umbrella policy also may qualify for loyal member and multi-policy discounts.

To learn about other policy discounts and your eligibility, visit vafb.com or contact your local Farm Bureau insurance agent.

Accident Forgiveness Protection

VFB Fire & Casualty personal auto policies are eligible for one at-fault accident to be forgiven on a policy at any one time when Accident Forgiveness Protection is purchased. The forgiven at-fault accident will not cause any impact or increase to existing premiums that otherwise might have been affected by the accident.

“You’re not going to get a premium increase, saving you money in the long run,” Light said. “And once the first at-fault accident rolls off, the next oldest at-fault accident which occurred on the policy can be forgiven.”

This protection applies to all private passenger, farm and utility vehicles on a policy but excludes antique automobiles and unlicensed farm use vehicles.

Car rental insurance: What to know before you go

BY KATHY DIXON

Imagine taking a long-awaited trip to Italy. You check in at the rental car office and are asked if you’d like to purchase rental insurance.

You decline, thinking that your personal auto insurance policy will cover you in the event of an accident.

You may want to reconsider.

Personal auto insurance policies will cover damage to a rental car if you’re in the U.S., Canada or any U.S. territory. However, if you’re renting a car anywhere else, your coverage won’t transfer.

“A lot of people don’t realize that,” noted Anne Baskette, director of claims administration for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co.

But even in covered countries, a driver’s collision and liability coverage will only follow them if they rent a passenger vehicle similar to one endorsed on their personal auto policy.

For example, if you’re helping a child move from Richmond to

Virginia Tech and you rent a moving truck, your personal auto policy won’t cover damage to that truck if you’re involved in an accident.

No matter what type of vehicle you rent, Baskette recommends purchasing the rental insurance— called a Collision Damage Waiver— offered by rental companies. The reason is that even if your auto policy covers you for vehicle damage, it may not include secondary charges. Things like diminished value or loss of use of the vehicle, as well as administrative costs, are not covered under a personal auto insurance policy.

Suppose you’re driving a rental car, and a rock hits the windshield and damages it. Under a personal auto policy, windshield replacement would be covered. However, that policy would not pay the rental car company for losing the use of that vehicle while it’s getting repaired.

“In most cases the insured’s collision and liability coverage will

extend to rental vehicles that are similar to their own, but we still recommend customers purchase a CDW when they’re renting,” Baskette noted. “If you don’t purchase the extra coverage, you’re rolling the dice. It’s better to pay a nominal daily rental fee than to end up paying thousands of dollars if something happens and you’re not covered.”

Best practices when renting a vehicle

Purchase the rental insurance offered by the rental company, even if you have a personal auto policy.

Be sure to list any potential drivers on the contract. If only your name is on it, and you get sick and someone else has to drive, they might not be covered under the rental contract.

Inspect the vehicle thoroughly before driving it off the lot. Note any scrapes, nicks or dents on the checklist provided by the rental company, and photograph the vehicle as well.

Overseas travel requires travelers to purchase rental car insurance.

Help wanted? Attract and retain employees with a group insurance plan

BY NICOLE ZEMA

Employment is plentiful in the post-COVID economy, giving workers desirable options in the job market. Businesses that offer competitive benefits like group health insurance have an advantage as employers vie for good candidates.

Offering coverage to employees is an important recruitment decision, said Brett Denton, vice president of Virginia Farm Bureau Health Insurance Solutions. “For employers it’s a win-win,” he said. “They have a strong recruitment tool and tax benefits.”

VAFB Health Insurance Solutions offers access to group health, dental, vision and life insurance, plus short- and long-term disability to businesses.

Business owners work with Farm Bureau’s statewide agents to help design a benefits package that works best for their company’s needs. Farm Bureau works through most major insurance companies.

Account executive Dawn Simmons recalled speaking with a local contractor in February whose company was struggling to retain reliable workers.

“We talked about setting up different benefits from medical to disability,” she said. “We discussed his company’s budget, what his employees’ needs were, and I was able to set a great benefits package in place. The nice thing about it, we were able to fit a full benefits package into his financial budget and timeline. When we spoke to the group the other day, he said he’s up to 10 employees!”

Products are updated annually, and brokers undergo training year-round with different carriers, plans and enhancements.

Plans can range from high-deductible ones to those with a traditional co-pay. The company can pay up to 100% of

whatever plans are selected, with a minimum of 50%.

“The employer doesn’t have to pay the total cost, which can be a misconception about group coverage,” Denton said. “And businesses can choose the type of plans they offer.

“It’s attractive to offer two or three plans as a business,” he said. “By offering group coverage, you have access to richer networks and more plans.”

VFB staff also can help business owners change to a different group plan if they’re unhappy with current coverage.

“If they already have an existing plan, we can compare different carrier options,” Denton continued. “If we show you something of value, you can sign a ‘broker of record’ to move the business to us and start fresh with a new agency.”

To request a free quote on a complete suite of coverages for your business and employees, call 800-229-7779 or visit vafb.com/health.

BY CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN

It can be challenging to navigate the health insurance markets. Fortunately, Virginia Farm Bureau health insurance agents can help identify the right plan for you.

VFB agents have helped more than 28,000 families and 2,000 businesses throughout Virginia secure health insurance coverage. Partnering with multiple insurers, VFB offers everything from traditional, comprehensive benefits to High-Deductible Health Plans with health savings accounts representing:

• Aetna

• Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

• CareFirst

• Cigna

• Kaiser

• National General

• Optima (Sentara)

• Piedmont Community Health Plan

• United Healthcare

Traditional vs. High-Deductible Health Plans

In general, traditional plans have lower deductibles and higher premiums while High-Deductible Health Plans can have higher deductibles and lower premiums, according to Gina Gentilini, senior account executive for VAFB Health Insurance Solutions.

Traditional health plans vary with deductibles, co-insurance and copays that can apply to a primary care doctor, specialist, emergency room or hospital visit. Depending on the plan, you may pay only a co-pay for a primary care physician or specialist visit.

Discover which health insurance plan is right for you

“For a High-Deductible Health Plan, you must pay for everything out of pocket until you hit a deductible,” Gentilini said. “After that deductible, approved in-network services are either covered at 100% or you have a coinsurance to satisfy, which varies by the plan. The exception is certain routine preventive services, which are covered at 100% before the deductible when in-network.”

Individual budgets and health needs should be considered when selecting either a traditional plan or HDHP. When meeting with your agent, you’ll want to have a “needs assessment” to see which plan is right for you.

Traditional health plans may be a good option for those who visit the doctor frequently or anticipate major medical costs. HDHPs may be a good option for those looking to save money in the long run and have a health savings account to cover their medical costs up front. Health savings accounts also have tax benefits.

“A High-Deductible Health Plan can be paired with a health savings account, which not only offers tax benefits, but also can make you more proactive when it comes to your own healthcare,” Gentilini said.

To request a free quote from your local agent, visit vafb.com/health or call 800-229-7779 to speak with a representative.

Traditional Health Insurance

Patient has deductible, co-insurance and co-pays. Some services may not be subject to the deductible.

Lower deductible

Higher premiums

Health Savings Account not available

High-Deductible Health Plan

Patients pay full cost until deductible is met

Higher deductible

Lower premiums

Often paired with Health Savings Account

Summer meals? Don’t sweat it!

There’s no doubt about it, summer is hot. With temperatures soaring, the last thing people feel like doing is breaking a sweat in a sweltering kitchen.

In fact, cooking indoors on a hot day does more than heat up you and your kitchen. It also causes a home’s air conditioner to work harder and run longer to cool down the house, leading to higher energy costs.

The solution? No-cook meals. These simple meals offer delicious flavors while giving you and your energy bill a break. Using simple ingredients, they often take less time to prepare than meals that require sautéing, roasting or baking. Many of the ingredients, particularly fruits and vegetables, are in their raw form, providing full nutritional benefits.

They’re also a creative way to use leftovers. Not sure what to do with the rest of that rotisserie chicken? Make some chicken wraps or chicken salad, or toss it in a fresh summer salad with strawberries and goat cheese.

Whether they are salads, sandwiches, soups or wraps, no-cook meal options are endless.

Garden Fiesta Tuna Pockets

Ingredients

15-ounce can of low-sodium black beans, drained and rinsed

10-ounce can of tuna, packed in water, drained

1 onion, diced

1 bell pepper, diced

1 carrot, diced

¾ cup corn kernels

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 tablespoon canola oil

1⅓ tablespoons chili powder

⅔ tablespoon garlic powder

3 whole-wheat pita pockets

Sweet cantaloupe pairs well with salty prosciutto and peppery arugula in this summertime salad.

Directions

In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except for the pita pockets. Mix thoroughly to combine.

Divide the tuna mixture equally, and serve in pita pockets.

—Recipe courtesy of Virginia Cooperative Extension

Prosciutto Salad

Ingredients

1 pound cantaloupe, sliced thin juice of ½ a lemon

½ pound prosciutto, sliced thin

1 cup mozzarella balls

2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

1 cup arugula

1-2 tablespoons balsamic glaze

Directions

In a large bowl, toss cantaloupe slices with lemon juice. Layer with the basil, arugula, prosciutto and mozzarella. Drizzle with balsamic glaze just before serving.

—Recipe adapted from the North Carolina Cooperate Extension

Turkey Apple Brie

Sandwich

Ingredients

8 slices multigrain bread

1 cup baby spinach

¼ cup red onion, sliced thin

8 ounces deli-sliced roasted turkey

4 tablespoons honey mustard

1 red apple, cored, cut in half, and sliced ½ of an 8-ounce wheel of brie cheese, thinly sliced

Directions

Lay the bread on a cutting board in two rows of four slices.

On four of the bread slices, place a small handful of spinach and top with a few slices of red onion.

On the same slices, layer on the turkey and spread 1 tablespoon of honey mustard. Place the apple and brie on the turkey, and top each one with a slice of bread.

—Recipe courtesy of the National Turkey Federation

Strawberry Gazpacho

Ingredients

1 medium tomato, coarsely chopped

½ English cucumber, peeled and coarsely chopped

½ medium red bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped

1 pound ripe strawberries, hulled and halved

½ teaspoon minced garlic

½ teaspoon chopped thyme

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

6 strawberries, sliced

Directions

Using a food processor, add tomato, cucumber and bell pepper, and pulse until finely chopped. Transfer to a bowl.

Add strawberries to the food processor, and pulse until finely chopped. Add berries to the tomato mixture, stirring to thoroughly combine. Reserve 1 cup.

Return the remaining mixture to the food processor along with the garlic and thyme, and process until pureed. Return the mixture to a bowl, and add olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and reserved cup of strawberry mixture. Cover and chill 4-8 hours. Garnish with sliced strawberries.

—Recipe courtesy of Chef Tammy Brawley on Real Virginia

Scan the QR code or visit the web page below to watch Chef Tammy Brawley of Real Virginia prepare this delicious strawberry gazpacho!

bit.ly/43Hkge4

NATIONAL TURKEY FEDERATION

FREE MEDICARE SEMINARS

Virginia Farm Bureau health insurance representatives can help clarify complexities of Medicare during free virtual seminars. Seminars are open to anyone interested in learning more about Medicare and its timelines. Register for free virtual Medicare seminars by contacting your local Farm Bureau office, or register online at vafb.com/health/medicare-seminars.

UPCOMING MEDICARE SEMINARS:

August 17, 6 p.m.

September 26, 2 p.m.

REGISTER ONLINE AT: vafb.com/health/medicare-seminars

Flood insurance provides peace of mind

Flooding causes more damage in the U.S. than any other severe weather event.

In fact, just 1 inch of water in a home can cause over $25,000 in damages. And while homeowner policies are great for protecting assets in many instances, most don’t cover flood damage, said Andrew Bochman, flood coordinator for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co.

“It’s always a good idea to have flood insurance because you never know when disasters will strike,” Bochman said. “Not having proper insurance can be costly and leave you footing the bill for repairs.”

While homeowners living in highrisk areas often are required to buy flood insurance, others may think it’s not necessary if they’re not in a flood zone and live far from a large body of water. But according to the National Flood Insurance Program, over 40% of flood insurance claims occur outside of high-risk flood areas.

“Most of the recent flood claims I have worked were from people who live in the mountains,” Bochman noted. “When heavy rain occurs in mountainous regions, the water has nowhere to go. Creeks and hollows will flood and can damage nearby homes.”

Flood coverage

In general, a flood is an excess of water on normally dry land, affecting

two or more acres of land or two or more properties—a policyholder’s property must at least be one of the two to submit a claim. Flood insurance covers direct physical losses caused by an overflow of inland or tidal waters, runoff, mudflow and erosion.

Flood insurance is a separate policy available to homeowners, renters, condominium owners and commercial owners and renters, and it’s offered in two types: building coverage and contents coverage.

Building coverage protects the home’s structure, including items like electrical and plumbing systems; furnaces and water heaters; large kitchen appliances; carpeting; cabinetry; foundation walls, anchorage systems and staircases; and fuel tanks, solar energy equipment, water tanks and wells.

Contents coverage protects what’s inside the home—personal belongings like clothing; furniture and electronics; washers and dryers; microwaves; and valuables like artwork up to $2,500. Additionally, flood insurance policies will pay up to $1,000 for loss prevention measures, including sandbags, tarps, supplies and work to assist in protecting property from a flood threat.

Extreme weather is becoming more prevalent, and flood insurance can provide peace of mind when people know their most valuable assets are

protected. NFIP data indicates the average cost for flood insurance is $985, whereas the average claim payout for residential flood damage in 2019 was $52,000.

To learn more about flood risks and how to purchase flood insurance, visit floodsmart.gov, or contact your local Farm Bureau insurance agent.

Tips for flood preparation

Search your address on FEMA’s Flood Map Service website at msc.fema.gov/portal/home to determine if you’re in an area prone to flooding.

Take photos and videos of major household items and valuables. Keep these somewhere safe for potential flood insurance claims.

Save copies of important documents like birth certificates, passports, medical records and insurance papers in a safe, dry place. Keep originals in a watertight safe deposit box.

Elevate and anchor utilities, including electrical panels, propane tanks, sockets, wiring, appliances and heating systems.

Waterproof your basement. Install a water alarm, a working sump pump and a battery-operated backup pump in case of power outages.

Clear debris from gutters and downspouts.

When flooding is imminent, move furniture and valuables to an attic or the highest floor.