Cultivate Spring 2020

Cultivate SPRING 2020

Virginia Farm Bureau

Satisfyingly Sweet Strawberries are a sure sign of summer

Cultivate Volume 13, Number 2 Spring 2020 Cultivate (USPS 025051) (ISSN 19468121) 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).

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Features 7

Interesting internships

Summer farm internships spark interest in future agriculture careers.

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Strawberries usher in summer

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Yum! Strawberry season is upon us.

Positive therapy

“There is something magical about springtime and strawberries.”

— LOWELL YODER,

Yoders Farm Campbell County

Therapeutic horseback riding can positively

affect one’s emotional, physical and social well-being.

Departments 5

Did You Know?

6

Save the Date

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For Your Benefit

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Heart of the Home

Postmaster: Please send changes of address to, Cultivate, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, P.O. Box 27552, Richmond, VA 23261; fax 804-2901096. 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 non-payment or reader complaints about services or products.

Member: Virginia Press Association

EDITORIAL TEAM Pam Wiley Director, Communications Kathy Dixon Managing Editor Nicole Zema Staff Writer/Photographer Adam Culler Staff Writer/Photographer Patricia Hooten Graphic Designer Maria La Lima 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.

PUBLICATION SCHEDULE

Associate members will receive their next issue of Cultivate in August. The magazine is published quarterly, and back issues can be viewed at issuu.com/virginiafarmbureau.

ON THE COVER Strawberries provide pickers with edible souvenirs.

President’s Message

Farmers, Farm Bureau stay strong in the face of uncertainty Our lives have changed because of the coronavirus health crisis, but one thing that hasn’t changed is Virginia Farm Bureau’s commitment to its members.

We support all Farm Bureau members, including our farmers, who aren’t taking a break from caring for animals and tending fields, orchards, vineyards and timberland.

This is not the spring anyone anticipated, but like every spring it presents Virginia’s farmers with a tremendous opportunity—to support our communities and consumers at home and abroad.

You can rest assured that the Farm Bureau families who operate 34,000 farms statewide remain committed to providing healthy, accessible foods and other important products. They are working hard to maintain the healthy, plentiful and safe food supply to which Virginians have grown accustomed.

We are doing our best to give our farmers the support they need and to provide every single one of our members the service that they deserve.

While the COVID-19 pandemic is presenting roadblocks, county Farm Bureau offices statewide are rising to the occasion. To help ensure the safety and health of our members, access to county Farm Bureau offices has been restricted, but staff are available to take your phone calls and are checking and responding to email on a regular basis.

You also can visit us online at vafb.com to pay your membership dues and find information on your member benefits such as discounts on household goods, tools and prescription drugs. If you haven’t set

up an account, you’ll need to register for one using your membership number.

Additionally, you can find other resources on our new COVID-19 page, located at vafb.com/farmerresources.

As well as providing farmers with current information relating to COVID-19 and its impact on their livelihoods, the page offers families at home with school-age children links to educational resources created by Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom.

Those include virtual farm tours, downloadable activities and a link

to the Agriculture in the Classroom Facebook page, where videotaped instruction is offered three times a week.

We hope you will take advantage of our virtual services during these times of social distancing.

Virginia Farm Bureau is here for you, and we’re not going anywhere.

Stay safe. Stay healthy. And stay strong. ________________________________________________

Wayne F. Pryor, a Goochland County hay and grain producer, is president of Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.

vafb.com / SPRING 2020

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WATCH US! > VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU WEEKLY TV PROGRAM

This month on Real Virginia: Virginia producers are #StillFarming during COVID-19 Featured this month on Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s weekly television program: • Virginia farmers are performing essential work during the current pandemic.

• Goats are taking a bite out of overgrown landscapes.

• Farmers markets are adapting to new regulations in response to social distancing.

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 WVPT Harrisonburg, WBRA Roanoke, WCVE Richmond, WHRO Norfolk, WVVA Bluefield, WHTJ Charlottesville and WTKR Norfolk.

Watch Real Virginia anytime online at youtube.com/ VirginiaFarmBureau. Watch Real Virginia anytime online at vafb.com.

PINE SEEDLINGS

32 million

That’s how many pine seedlings are grown annually at the Virginia Department of Forestry’s seedling nursery in Sussex County. Landowners purchase the seedlings to plant trees for beautification, conservation, habitat enhancement and commercial reforestation.

See related story on page 12.

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#StillFarming

Did you know?

It takes three years from planting to harvest for a crop of asparagus to grow. The nutritious plant, which is harvested in May in Virginia, will come back each spring for 15 years or more. In its first season, asparagus spears are the diameter of pencil lead. These eventually grow into a ferny, waist-high canopy that feeds the underground roots with energy synthesized from the sun. The plants strengthen in the second year. By the third spring, the spears reach the full diameter of a pencil, which signals they are ready to harvest.

Save the Date!

State Fair countdown As of May 1, there are exactly 147 days until the 2020 State Fair of Virginia opens on Sept. 25.

This year’s fair will offer a variety of fun, engaging and educational sights for people of all ages. Fairgoers can see a host of livestock and equine exhibitors and competitions featuring beef and dairy cattle, goats, pigs, lambs and poultry. In 2019 there were 1,100 livestock exhibitors and 4,000 livestock entries.

Attendees also can watch dairy calf births and milking demonstrations, and try their hand at milking a dairy cow.

The popular Young MacDonald’s Farm exhibit in Harvest Landing will return with the baby duck slide, chicken egg incubator and Goat Mountain.

Food vendors will be plentiful, serving delicious treats and refreshments, from traditional fair foods to unique culinary delights. Thrill-seekers can take a spin on carnival rides, and music lovers can enjoy a variety of live concerts. For those with young children, a trip down Kidway will provide attractions for the whole family.

For details, visit StateFairVa.org.

Financing Country Living Since 1916 The Experts in Rural Finance Homes • Land • Construction • Livestock Barns • Outbuildings • Equipment

800-919-FARM (3276) 6

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FarmCredit.com

INTERNSHIPS

INTERNSHIPS SPARK INTEREST IN FUTURE FARMING ARTICLE BY ADAM CULLER

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hen she enrolled at James Madison University, Dorothy Caserta intended to complete an undergraduate degree in nursing. But, as with many college students, her plans quickly changed.

After discovering JMU’s School of Integrated Sciences and Technology, Caserta became interested in sustainable agriculture. Inspired by her professors to accept an internship at Season’s Bounty Farm and CSA in Harrisonburg, she was quickly hooked.

“Immediately, I was like, ‘Yep, this is what I want to do,’” Caserta said. “[The internship]’s helped me realize that I want to do something with local and small-scale sustainable farming and agriculture.” Now she’s pursuing a degree in environmental sciences.

At Season’s Bounty, internships are focused on participants contributing to the growth of 5 acres of produce.

Most participants lack farming backgrounds or access to farmland, so the internships are intended as practical guides for those interested in pursuing a future in small-plot farming. Lessons include learning every step of the process—starting the plants, weeding, pruning, harvesting and prepping crops for selling at farmers markets.

“It’s a bit of a crash course, but you can get up to speed real fast,” said Radell Schrock, owner of Season’s Bounty. “It’s not a long process of learning high-level skills. There’s a ton of hands-on tasks that most anyone can learn if they’re willing to work hard and get dirty—like

Dorothy Caserta, an intern at Season’s Bounty Farm and CSA, tends to spring vegetables in one of the farm’s hoop houses.

ADAM CULLER

‘[THE INTERNSHIP]’S HELPED ME REALIZE THAT I WANT TO DO SOMETHING WITH LOCAL AND SMALL-SCALE SUSTAINABLE FARMING AND AGRICULTURE.’ — DOROTHY CASERTA

the people that don’t have the backgrounds but have interest. That’s why internships are so popular on produce farms, because how else are you going to learn that sort of thing?”

In Hanover County, Agriberry Farm was founded with a goal to employ and engage as many firsttime agricultural workers as possible.

Its goal is to reconnect younger generations to their food systems.

Most of Agriberry’s educational

outreach is done through summer work programs with high school and college students farming for the first time.

Participants learn useful skills working in the farm’s berry patches and orchards. They also are encouraged to learn about crop production and maintenance, and agribusiness.

“There’s a societal value of increasing awareness about food systems,” said Pierson Geyer, Agriberry director of operations.

“While it’s hard to quantify the value, we definitely think that it’s a strong educational core value that we maintain to make sure people understand that food systems take a lot of work, and that there’s value in shopping local at farmers markets, buying direct and supporting farmers in general.” vafb.com / SPRING 2020

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Agriberry Farm

NICOLE ZEMA

HANOVER COUNTY

ADAM CULLER

NICOLE ZEMA

Participants learn useful skills working in Agriberry’s berry patches and orchards. They also are encouraged to learn about crop production and maintenance, and agribusiness.

Clockwise from top left, Agriberry interns Lanie Travis, Charlie Rosser and Maja Olsson help trim fruit vines on the farm. Dorothy Caserta, a Season’s Bounty intern, weeds one of the Harrisonburg farm’s vegetable beds. Interns may be tasked with picking tulips for farmers market sales, or weeding garden beds in hoop houses.

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INTERNSHIPS Season’s Bounty Farm and CSA

ADAM CULLER

ADAM CULLER

NICOLE ZEMA

HARRISONBURG

vafb.com / SPRING 2020

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For Your Benefit

Save wherever you go, with Member Deals Plus® Virginia Farm Bureau’s exclusive Member Deals Plus® benefit uses the nation’s largest private discount network to save you money on meals, clothing, vehicle care, and other goods and services. It uses “show your phone” mobile deals that can be accessed anywhere and redeemed from a smartphone at the point of sale, or from a home computer.

Members can enjoy Member Deals Plus savings at more than 100,000 locations nationwide.

How to get started To register as a Member Deals Plus user, visit vafb.com/ benefits, and click the Member Deals Plus link near the top of the page. Then, on the Member Deals Plus website, 1. Click “Register” in the top right corner, and use your Farm Bureau membership number.

2. Once you’re registered, you can start saving immediately.

Then, to save with a mobile device, 1. Download the “Member Deals Plus” app from the AppStore or Google Play.

2. Sign in with your email address and password you created on the website.

For assistance, contact Member Deals Plus customer service at 888-275-9136.

Member Deals plus and Member Deals Plus are registered trademarks of Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.

Enter to win a Ford vehicle before Sept. 30 Members have until Sept. 30 to enter the Built Ford Proud Sweepstakes* for a chance to win a two-year lease on a new Ford vehicle.

Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com or text the word SWEEPS to 46786 to enter. *NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENT OF U.S. OR D.C., 21 YEARS OR OLDER WITH VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE TO ENTER AND A CURRENT FARM BUREU MEMBER. ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes ends 9/30/2020. For entry and official rules with complete eligibility, prize description and other details, visit fordspecialoffer.com/farmbureau/sweeps.

Sponsored by Ford Motor Company, One American Road, Dearborn, MI 48126.

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May brings a bushel of benefits for Farm Bureau members HOME/BUSINESS NEW!

Save on Xerox printers and supplies

Farm Bureau members interested in purchasing printers and supplies like cartridges, toner and ink will receive preferred pricing on the latest Xerox technology, including up to 50% off home and office products, production printers and digital presses. To learn more, visit Xerox.com/FarmBureau, or contact a Xerox representative at 800-275-9376, ext. 232.

Users must present their Farm Bureau membership card or member number at the time of sale.

When you're finally able to make travel plans, consider using the following member discounts NEW! Just

in time for warmer weather: Dollywood discounts Located in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Dollywood is recognized as one of the world’s best theme parks. Spanning 150 acres and located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dollywood offers more than 40 rides and attractions, including Lightning Rod, the world’s fastest wooden coaster.

Dollywood’s entertainment has won more awards than that of any other theme park for its live shows featuring country, bluegrass, Southern gospel and classic rock. Master craftsmen demonstrate the area’s rich artistry, from hand-blown glass to blacksmithing.

Members can now purchase discount tickets to the Dollywood Theme Park. Visit vafb.com/membership-atwork/benefits/dollywood. You will need to be registered and logged in as a member.

NEW! Save

on a visit to the historic Biltmore Estate

Biltmore Estate in Ashville, N.C., is America’s largest home. Built by George and Edith Vanderbilt, this property offers visitors tours, carriage rides, beautiful gardens, kayaking, horseback riding, paddle boarding, biking and much more on 8,000 acres.

Farm Bureau members in Virginia will receive $10 off regular gate admission to the historic Biltmore estate.

Members also can realize reduced rates at The Inn on Biltmore Estate, The Village Hotel and a variety of local accommodations.

While there, browse through unique estate shops for wine lovers, gardeners, bookworms and everyone in between.

Savor complimentary tastings of more than 20 handcrafted wines; and learn about the estate’s barnyard animals.

For Your Benefit

Your membership can save you money on hotel stays Your Farm Bureau membership gives you access to two programs offering significant savings at thousands of hotels and resort condo rental properties. Reservations are required, and blackout dates may apply.

Choice Hotels International The Choice Hotels International program offers a 20% discount off “best available rates” for Farm Bureau members at more than 5,000 locations. Choice is proud to help you find hotels that make it possible for you to connect with the people who matter most.

To access this discount rate, call 800-258-2847 or visit choicehotels.com. Use the Virginia Farm Bureau identification number, available at vafb.com/benefits and from your county Farm Bureau, when making a reservation, and present your membership card when you check in.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Whether you’re looking for an upscale hotel, an allinclusive resort or something more cost-effective, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has the right hotel for you! As a Virginia Farm Bureau member, you will save up to 20% off the Best Available Rate at over 8,000 participating hotels worldwide.

Wyndham’s vast portfolio of hotels and resorts offer a variety of accommodations to meet your travel needs. Wherever people go, Wyndham will be there to welcome them.

To take advantage of this discount rate, call 877-670-7088 or visit wyndhamhotels.com/farm-bureau. Use the Virginia Farm Bureau identification number, available at vafb.com/ benefits and from your county Farm Bureau, when making a reservation, and present your membership card when you check in.

TripBeatsm If you’re planning a travel adventure, start at tripbeat.com/ vafb.

TripBeatsm makes it easy, convenient and affordable to search and book resort vacations by providing access to thousands of resort condo rental properties in the U.S., Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico and beyond.

Once you register on the TripBeat website, you’ll find details on $399 Weekly Getaways—seven-night vacation rentals at only $57 per night. There is no limit on how many $399 Weekly Getaways Farm Bureau members in Virginia can book.

Farm Bureau members also save 25% on Preferred Weekly and Short Stays.

To book by phone, call 844-367-6433, and mention that you are a Virginia Farm Bureau member.

You don’t have to wonder about health risks with Life Line Screenings Members can save on four non-invasive vascular health screenings—for carotid artery, abdominal aortic aneurysm, atrial fibrillation and peripheral arterial disease—and have a free osteoporosis screening and bone density test to assess risk for stroke, heart attack and bone fractures.

Life Line Screenings, the national leading provider of preventive screenings, offers this collection of procedures to Farm Bureau members for $135.

Watch for mailings about scheduled screenings in your area, visit vafb.com/benefits (You will need to register and log in as a member) or contact your county Farm Bureau.

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Got vacation on your mind?

Destinations and travel times are subject to availability and confirmed on a first come, first served basis.

Price includes only accommodations and specifically excludes travel costs and other expenses that may be incurred. Price does not include tax. References to nightly prices presumes completion of full duration of applicable stay. Promotional discounts may not apply to all resort condo rentals. Offer may not be combined with any other promotion, discount, or coupon. To book travel, you must register and create an account at TripBeat.com. Free Membership is based on eligibility. Other restrictions may apply. Offer void where prohibited by law. All prices are based in U.S. dollars (USD). Comparison prices are available at www.endlessvacationrentals.com. Comparison prices may be subject to periodic sales and other variations. TripBeatsm and related marks are registered trademarks and/or service marks in the United States and internationally. ©2017 Resort Rental, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY

Born inVirginia Department of Forestry seedling nurseries serve landowners, promote forestation

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ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY NICOLE ZEMA

Robert Wilson removes trays of containerized seedlings from the growing tables for transport to the packing shed.

know a guy who can get you a great deal on a new forest.

About a half-hour drive from the nearest gas station at the Sussex-Southampton County line, a bustling Virginia Department of Forestry operation produces 32 million pine seedlings annually for landowners throughout Virginia and beyond.

Further north in Augusta County, its sister center grows, processes and ships a popular variety of hardwood seedlings, providing a plethora of species to beautify landscapes and serve landowners.

Both nurseries are state entities that are entirely self-funded and employ dozens of part-time and seasonal workers.

The VDOF seedling program has been active for more than a century, restoring millions of acres of Virginia forestland. Former first lady Dorothy McAuliffe helped harvest the second billionth tree seedling in 2017 to mark the nurseries’ 100th anniversary.

The Garland Gray Center in Sussex was built in 1984 specifically to grow loblolly and some longleaf pine. It is named for the late Sen. Garland Gray, a lumberman from the area. The nearby Nottoway River provides irrigation for the pine seed beds.

Josh Bennicoff, manager of the Sussex center, said the 80 acres of baby loblolly are the future of Virginia’s woods.

Center focuses on pines “Loblolly is the key pine species in all the South,” Bennicoff said. “The

‘We always sell out of our seedlings every year. And what we produce in a year will cover about 60,000 acres.’

—JOSH BENNICOFF Manager, Garland Gray Center, Sussex

nursery soil looks like sand, designed to aid in lifting a tree without hurting the roots.”

Landowners intent on reforestation typically plant about 500 trees per acre, usually by hand.

“I have about 10 planting contractors who buy several million each, but we sell to individual landowners also,” Bennicoff said. “We always sell out of our seedlings every year. And what we produce in a year will cover about 60,000 acres.”

Loblolly genetics are fine-tuned for desirable qualities through careful selection at a VDOF seed orchard. The official Pine Rating System classifies the productivity of the seedlings, which are sold as premium, elite and Virginia’s best. Bennicoff said a natural loblolly is crooked, and trees bred for straightness are ideal for lumber production.

Planted-pine rotation for logging purposes is somewhere between 15 and 50 years. However, that timeline is shortened for pulp and chip producers, who can get two plantings in a similar timeframe. vafb.com / SPRING 2020

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After seedlings are lifted by a team, the roots are dipped in protective clay, and the young trees are kept in cold storage until they’re ready for grading. After that, they are weighed and wrapped in approximate 1,000count bundles. While most of the plantings are bare-root, some loblolly and longleaf pine are grown as containerized seedlings.

“We’re all about production, quality and quantity,” Bennicoff said. “The Augusta [Forestry] Center is trying to capture a smaller market. They’ll do large orders, but the orders for hardwood are typically for smaller quantities.”

Hardwoods, softwood populate Augusta center In March, Augusta Forestry Center manager Josh McLaughlin’s cellphone squawked incessantly as he hustled to load seedlings and double-check orders for a busy stream of customers.

Nearly 40 species of Virginia hardwoods and softwoods are grown in seedbeds covering 100 acres adjacent to the South River. This center handles the VDOF’s delivery program, which offers tree seedlings, conservation specialty packs and seed mixtures. Customers can browse inventory and submit orders at buyvatrees.com.

While many customers aim to beautify their property, McLaughlin said others purchase trees for carbon or phosphorus credit mitigation, strip and coal mine reclamation, reforestation and habitat enhancement.

“Someone might just want to buy 10 redbuds to plant in their quarter-acre lot,” he said. “We want to appeal to every group.”

The website helps customers identify species that will suit their needs.

For McLaughlin, the hustle is not about greenbacks—it’s about a greener Virginia.

“We just want people to plant trees,” he said.

From left, Augusta Forestry Center manager Josh McLaughlin, foreground, helps Clinton Fisher of Shenandoah Habitats load hundreds of seedlings for reforestation. Seedlings are sorted on conveyor belts and then weighed, bundled and labeled to fulfill orders. Pine seedlings are harvested with farm equipment.

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Sweet souvenirs Virginia strawberries are ripe at the cusp of the season ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY NICOLE ZEMA

S

Strawberry plants flower in April before ripening into May’s red berries.

un-soaked strawberries are like the childhood friend you see once a year. You always pick up where you left off, making memories to savor until the next visit.

That sweet spot between April and June comes and goes, but the nostalgia associated with Virginia strawberries lasts forever.

Vitamin-rich and low in calories, strawberries are perfect for snacking or blending into smoothies, and are expected in most summertime sweet treats. The fruit’s distinct flavor profile translates to savory entrees too. Summer is coaxed to the commonwealth with every luscious bite.

Farms and roadside stands offering fresh berries punctuate Virginia’s landscape— more numerous than the 54 strawberry leaves encircling the official seal of the City of Virginia Beach.

‘If you pluck it, it goes in the bucket’ Every May, about 80 Virginia farmers open their pick-your-own strawberry fields to families intent on a sweet tradition.

“You ever go to Disney World?” asked Tom Baker, a Virginia Beach farmer. “You always come home with hats or sweatshirts.”

When families visit Baker at Brookdale Farm’s pick-your-own strawberry farm, they take home 10-plus pounds of souvenirs.

“The time to determine if it’s fully ripe is before you pluck it,” Baker said. “If you pluck it, it goes in the bucket.”

But picking will be a little different this

Lucy Henley, 9, eats strawberries straight from the field at Flip Flop Farmer in Pungo. vafb.org / SPRING 2020

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Sweet souvenirs

Find your fruit • Visit virginiagrown. com to find strawberry pick-your-own farms and farm stands with local pre-picked berries in your area. Most pickyour-own berries are sold by weight.

• Many U-pick strawberry fields are open to the public because they are considered an essential food service as the coronavirus pandemic continues. They have implemented measures to enforce distancing, and they’ve stepped up sanitation practices.

Check social media or call local pick-your-own farms to learn more.

The 37th annual Pungo Strawberry Festival has been canceled this year due to the pandemic.

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Delvin and Lowell Yoder of Yoders Farm in Campbell County use plasticulture to cover rows of strawberry plants.

Tall grass between the rows becomes a straw walking surface for pickers.

year. Because of the coronavirus threat, Gov. Ralph Northam issued a stay-at-home order March 30, but pick-your-own farms can still operate. Many farms will implement social distancing measures liked roped sections and numbered rows for pickers, and they have stepped up sanitation efforts.

Father of U-pick G. Winston “Wink” Henley won’t take credit for starting the pick-your-own movement in Virginia Beach—home of the Pungo Strawberry Festival. But he remembers a time when no day labor was available, so he invited neighbors to pick ripe strawberries, and they paid him. The business model caught on.

“I never had to pick another strawberry,” Henley said.

But at age 80, Henley still picks strawberries because he wants to. The blood of strawberry farmers must be speckled with seeds.

His son Bruce Henley operates Flip Flop Farmer, a name that ties in to his customer base.

“People like to stop and pick strawberries on the way to the beach, and then eat them when they’re on the beach,” Bruce said. “And then sometimes you’ll see the same people the same day—they’ll stop and pick more to take home.”

Chandler—Virginia’s strawberry Ruby June, Camarosa and Sweet Charlie might sound like the names of vocalists from a 1970s folk trio, but they are among common varieties strawberry growers cultivate in Virginia. However, it’s Chandler that has enduring star power.

“Chandler is still the No. 1 strawberry in Virginia,” Baker said. “It’s a very sweet berry.

And it’s forgiving of being picked underripe, while some other varieties need to be completely ripe.”

Chandlers have a limited shelf life and should be eaten fresh.

“If you’re going to pick it today, and take a quart to Indiana for Aunt Betty’s shortcake tomorrow, you don’t want Chandler,” Baker said. “You want something to hold better.

Camarosa or Ruby June will be just as pretty when you get there.”

Camarosa and Ruby June are fat and firm, able to survive jostling. Sweet Charlie bears fruit a week or two earlier than Chandler, which farmers often plant alongside other varieties to extend their season.

Savor the flavor Yoders Farm in Campbell County has diversified and enhanced the family’s multigenerational farming enterprise with a retail operation featuring products that extend the life of their strawberries, like freezer jam.

Yoders’ strawberry jam allows people to enjoy spring flavors even in the winter.

Strawberry care • Strawberries are generally ready to pick in late April and early May in Virginia’s coastal and southeastern areas. The western part of the state will have berries well into June. Always call the farm or farm stand for availability.

• Do not wash the berries or remove the caps from the berries until you are ready to use them. Covering the berries tightly with plastic wrap extends their shelf life.

• To freeze, place a layer of rinsed, dried and capped berries on a cookie sheet, and freeze until firm.

Remove berries from the cookie sheet and package in freezer bags. Date the packages, and place them in the freezer. Berries also may be sliced and frozen in freezer bags for later use.

Berries can be packaged with or without sugar.

Clockwise from top left, Steve Gallmeyer of The Gallmeyer Farms Berry Patch in Henrico County; G. Winston “Wink” Henley has one of the longest operating U-pick fields in the Virginia Beach area; Bruce Henley’s Flip Flop Farm is ideal for growing early-season strawberries; and Tom Baker, a Virginia Beach strawberry grower, says the best way to pick berries is to pinch the stem between your thumbnail and finger.

“It tastes very fresh well into the winter, or whenever you’re hankering for strawberries,” said Lowell Yoder, who works with his parents, Delvin and Barbara.

“That’s what makes it like fresh jam, the berries are never cooked,” said Barbara Yoder. “So it has that fresh berry taste. We also do a strawberry bread that is kind of

unique to us.”

The Yoders’ strawberries end up in milkshakes at their snack shack on the site, and piled into shortcake. Delvin likes the freezer jam slathered over ice cream.

“And there is something magical about springtime and strawberries,” Lowell said.

“They go hand in hand.”

• Strawberries are fatfree, cholesterol-free and sodium-free, and they are high in Vitamin C, folate and potassium.

Rich in dietary fiber and manganese, strawberries also are an excellent source of antioxidants. A 1-cup serving has only 55 calories.

Source: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

vafb.org / SPRING 2020

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VFBMIC and subsidiaries receive an upgrade to ‘A (Excellent)’ from AM Best

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BY NICOLE ZEMA

n the midst of the pandemic, Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. received some good news.

VFBMIC officials announced in late March that the company’s financialstrength rating, or FSR, from AM Best has been upgraded to an “A (Excellent)” from “A- (Excellent)” and its long-term issuer credit rating, or ICR, also was upgraded to an “a” from an “a-“. The FSR rating upgrade applies to VFBMIC and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including Countryway Insurance Co. in Syracuse, N.Y. “It has been exactly 25 years since VFBMIC was last rated as an A company,” remarked Darlene P. Wells, VFBMIC executive vice president and general manager. “This upgrade was the result of the last seven years

of excellent operating results and significant improvement in surplus.

This recognition is a true testament to the fortitude of our employees, leadership team and board of directors to ensure we have financially stable and reliable insurance companies to meet our ongoing obligations to serve our policyholders into the future.”

The announcement was intended to be shared at the annual sales conference, which was canceled due to the coronavirus threat.

AM Best, the world’s first and largest credit-rating agency, named for founder Alfred M. Best, assesses the creditworthiness of more than 16,000 insurance companies worldwide. Its purpose is to strengthen the overall financial condition and operating performance of the insurance industry

Farm Bureau Insurance makes adjustments to support members Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. is taking measures to support its members as they adapt to the current coronavirus circumstances.

Since Gov. Ralph Northam restricted non-essential businesses and issued a stay-at-home order in March, the company has seen a reduction in auto claims due to fewer people driving.

VFBMIC announced in mid-April that it would pay back approximately 20% of its April and May automobile premium payments to personal automobile insurance customers, pending regulatory approval. The account credit will automatically be applied.

“Our company was formed to help Virginians, and we have been supporting and insuring our members for 70 years,” said VFBMIC Executive Vice President and General Manager Darlene P. Wells. “And that is what we will continue to do during these trying times.”

In addition to auto policy credits, VFBMIC policy services representatives are working with individual policyholders facing a financial hardship due to COVID-19 by deferring premium payment due dates or by adjusting premium payment plans.

If you are experiencing a financial hardship due to COVID19, we have payment options available to support you.

Please call 888-236-7716 toll free to speak with a service representative about alternate payment solutions.

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through its services.

AM Best said the ratings “reflect Virginia Farm Bureau group’s balance sheet strength, categorized as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.”

It added that the ratings are reflective of VFBMIC’s continued favorable trends in operating performance, which has resulted in improvement in overall balance sheet strength.

Ray Leonard, VFBMIC vice president of sales, said the ratings upgrade is a testament to Countryway’s and the mutual insurance companies’ financial strength and stability. A strong balance sheet, profitable products and superior customer service, he explained, are the keys to success.

Online and available 24/7 Farm Bureau provides continuum of insurance service to policyholders Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. is operating as an essential business in keeping with Gov. Ralph Northam’s March 23 executive order.

The company has restricted access to county Farm Bureau offices but ensured there are still ways to conduct necessary business.

VFBMIC has 24-hour toll-free phone numbers that policyholders can call for specific needs: • To file insurance claims, call 800-452-7714.

• To make an insurance payment, call 888-236-7716.

• To change an insurance policy, call 888-236-7716.

For online transactions, visit vafb.com. If you haven’t set up an account, you’ll need to register for one using your membership number. Then you can: • Make a payment.

• Request a policy change.

• View and print documents.

• View and print auto ID cards.

• File a claim.

HORSE HELP

Therapeutic riding aids in healing ARTICLE BY ALICE KEMP PHOTOS BY NICOLE ZEMA

T Carol Branscome, executive director of Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center, said cultivating a bond with horses can help riders cope with trauma, grief and mental illnesses.

he benefits of therapeutic horseback riding go beyond the ring.

LaRue Sprouse-Dowd, executive director of Heartland Horse Heroes in Buckingham County, said she has seen firsthand how it helps students develop life skills and cope with challenges.

“We have one student who has gene deletion and was completely in a wheelchair three to four years ago when he started riding,” Sprouse-Dowd reflected. “Now he’s got ankle braces and walks a lot.”

She noted the horse’s rocking motion mimics walking and can build a rider’s core muscles and balance, which helps people transition to walking.

Therapeutic riding is designed to positively impact the cognitive, physical, emotional and social wellbeing of individuals—particularly those vafb.org / SPRING 2020

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Therapeutic riding is designed to positively impact the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of individuals— particularly those with special needs.

From left, Heartland Horse Heroes instructor Heidi Reynolds high-fives 14-year-old Aidon Morris as volunteers Sarah Mello and Josh Holfopple provide encouragement with a ringtoss game. Activities like this help students develop their riding skills and hand-eye coordination.

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(On left) Skyler Lipes with Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center spends time bonding with her horse, General. (Right row) Top photo, Julie Hollingsworth feeds her horse, Spirit; middle photo, LaRue Sprouse Dowd

and her dog, Lucy, like to interact with riders at Heartland Horse Heroes; and an Equicizer is a non-motorized horse that helps students learn mounting and dismounting before transitioning to an actual horse.

with special needs. It has wide applications and can benefit many by building a sense of independence and confidence and providing new developmental opportunities.

It also helps people with verbalization and communication, Sprouse-Dowd added.

“We had a student who did not talk in school, and she came out here and would ask me all sorts of questions,” SprouseDowd said. “She just opened up and wanted to know all about her pony.”

an emotional bond is paramount, because it can help with mental illnesses like depression.

“People who come here are oftentimes very cut off from others, and the horses act like a bridge for those people,” said Branscome. “If you can learn to trust the horse, and you feel good when you’re grooming the horse … that’s enough to heal.”

Julie Hollingsworth made that connection with her horse, Spirit. She learned to ride at Hoofbeats several years ago to feel closer to her oldest daughter, who had been a rider before she died from a rare form of cancer.

“I did it not only for her, but I’m doing it for myself, too, because it has begun to fill a hole in me,” Hollingsworth said.

“Spirit has begun to fill that hole. The kind of love I received from my daughter, I share it with him.”

An emotional connection

Therapeutic riding builds empathy and understanding by teaching students about horse care and how horses think.

Carol Branscome, executive director of Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center in Lexington, said cultivating

vafb.org / SPRING 2020

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No water? No problem!

Some Virginia plants tolerate thirst

V

BY ALICE KEMP

Lavender

irginia is known for its fickle climate. With heat waves, periods of little rain and generally unpredictable weather patterns, flora and fauna alike are at the mercy of Mother Nature—especially during the summer.

A hot Virginia summer without any rain can be brutal on gardens, turning lush landscapes into brittle, brown eyesores.

Drought-tolerant plants may be the solution to withstanding scorching summers while keeping a garden looking good. During the spring, instead of planting flowers that require watering every couple of days, try including some known for needing less.

Flowering plants are low-maintenance

There are several flowering annuals and perennials ideal for the conscientious gardener, noted Chris Mullins, a Virginia Cooperative Extension horticulturalist. “Things like portulaca, a succulent-looking plant that has a really pretty flower. It’s lowgrowing and can be a good ground cover.”

Another is the rudbeckia, or black-eyed Susan, a hardy, daisy-like plant found in many gardens, and the wild columbine, a plant with red and yellow tubular, bell-shaped flowers. There’s also lantana with its butterfly-attracting flowers and sedum, another flowering succulent that can grow in just about any landscape.

“Then there are two with fragrances: sage and lavender,” Mullins added.

“There are different types of sage, and Mexican sage has a nice aroma and flowers. Those can be what you consider drought-tolerant and don’t need as much water as some.”

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Ornamental grasses add drama

Ornamental grasses also make a nice addition. By nature, grasses are more drought-tolerant because they use a type of photosynthesis that allows them to hold onto water and use it more efficiently.

Zebra grass, with its clusters of dappled blades, can add height and interest to a garden or landscape. Little bluestem grass is known for its tight, spiky blueish stems that change to an orangy-rust in the fall and can add color throughout the seasons. Pampas grass, on the other hand, can add drama with its silvery white, plume-like flowers.

Not only will they make the garden look great, but these plants also have a wide range of sustainable and economic advantages.

“The main benefit is reduced water usage,” said Karin Stretchko, agriculture specialist for J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College’s Horticulture Technology program. “This can lead to lower water bills, less runoff from watering and irrigation systems and reduced maintenance for landscaping.”

They also have deeper, extended root systems, which can help control erosion and provide better options for soils that have low water-holding capabilities.

Some can even be more disease and pestresistant, Stretchko added.

The idea of creating a droughttolerant, sustainable landscape that’s also maintenance-free is an incentive for those planning what to put in their gardens this spring.

“It makes perfect sense because you’re going to have drought more often than not,” Mullins said. “A lot of these droughttolerant plants are beautiful, so it’s not like people are giving up too much.”

Black-eyed Susans are perennial flowers that don’t require much water to provide sunny blossoms.

Lantana

Sage

Wild Columbine

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AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM

Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom provides virtual learning

V

irginia’s schools are closed, which means parents and teachers are trying to find ways to supplement students’ learning outside of the classroom.

Virtual learning is one way to educate children who are staying home due to the coronavirus pandemic. To help with that, Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom swiftly launched three online campaigns, “Ag Sundays,” “Teach Me Tuesdays” and “Thinker Thursdays” earlier this spring.

“As the COVID-19 impact to families and schools became evident, the staff at AITC quickly saw a need to help,” said Tammy Maxey, AITC senior education manager. “Parents were seeking educational resources to keep their children learning, and educators were seeking sources of online supplemental learning initiatives.”

Available on the nonprofit organization’s Facebook page, the campaigns offer a range of activities, including video instruction and lab demonstrations, games, book readings, experiments for families to conduct at home, and information about additional resources on the AITC website.

To keep students engaged, the campaigns encompass a variety of subjects, including embryology, an animal’s life

arms

n real f

s, o al storie e r g in r a

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Real fa

REAL VIRGINIA A weekly television program produced

by Virginia Farm Bureau

Agriculture touches your life every day! Meet the Virginia farmers who raise products for your table and your community. Learn how to prepare delicious Virginia foods and cultivate a lush landscape and edible garden.

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 many cable outlets—check local listings.

Watch anytime at vafb.com, and weekly on • WBRA Roanoke • WCVE Richmond • WHTJ Charlottesville • WHRO Norfolk

24 Promo Ad CULTIVATE Real Virginia 2.indd 1

• WTKR Norfolk • WVPT Harrisonburg • WVVA Bluefield

Free downloadable activities like this pizza recipe help keep families engaged while they are staying at home.

cycle, seed germination and plant anatomy.

In addition to Facebook, the organization created a Google Drive where teachers, parents and others can register to download free activities and educational materials for at-home use. AITC also implements existing online resources such as its “Farm Life 360” YouTube channel.

The campaigns have been a huge success, according to Maxey. The organization recently received 40,000 page views in a week—tripling its normal count. Many Facebook posts are shared by others, and comments are overwhelmingly positive. In fact, AITC’s first post on a Saturday afternoon went viral in less than 24 hours, Maxey noted.

“People are hungry for things to do with their families.

Our priority at this time is to meet the needs of families and educators to provide resources for children.”

Maxey anticipates the Facebook campaigns will run through May. The online resources on AITC’s website, Facebook and Farm Life 360 on YouTube will remain available indefinitely.

“We anticipate adding additional YouTube videos, new curriculums and resources and future Facebook campaigns,” Maxey shared. “The resources we are building to meet the needs of families and educators today will expand AITC reach now and in the future.”

Agriculture in the Classroom is a national program that promotes greater understanding of agriculture through education. The Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom is a nonprofit organization that receives financial and administrative support from Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.

To learn more about Virginia AITC’s online campaigns and to access resources, visit agclassroom.org/va or facebook. com/VirginiaAgintheClassroom.

10/3/18 10:50 AM

BILTMORE.COM

State Fair of Virginia aids in mask-making effort The State Fair of Virginia has invited crafters, quilters and others who create with textiles to help make face masks for health care professionals.

As Virginia faces a rise in COVID-19 cases, health care workers and facilities across the state are grappling with the respirator and face mask shortage affecting the entire nation.

Responding to local demand and the growing movement to make homemade face masks to support health care providers, fair organizers are asking its community of crafters to start sewing.

“It’s an effort to connect our crafters to the current local need and give them an opportunity to help,” said Stuart Sanders, the fair’s assistant executive director. “Many of our annual competitors have the skills to create PPE (personal protective equipment), which is in high demand.”

The local initiative began through a Facebook group called RVA Masks 4 Health, and Sanders was asked to join.

“Once we saw the donation requests from specific health care facilities, we gathered and sent the information to our State Fair community,” Sanders said.

Face masks are an essential part of health care workers’ PPE. Faced with not having a mask at all, many health care workers are resorting to other measures, such as reusing single-use masks or using them beyond the official shelf life.

And while the homemade masks aren’t medical-grade and don’t provide much protection when used on their own, they are known to help extend the life and use of surgical or N95 masks when worn on top. Many health care experts also agree that having any mask is better than no mask at all during extreme circumstances.

Those wishing to contribute to the effort are asked to review instructions and guidelines for homemade masks, such as the proper patterns, specific fabrics that should be used and which facilities are accepting donations.

For more information, instructions and links to video tutorials, visit StateFairVa.org.

SAVE UP TO

$10 ON

BILT MOR E T ICK ETS Visit vafb.com and follow the Membership-at-Work link.

©2020 The Biltmore Company

Virginia crafters are busily making masks for health care professionals.

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Get down to business with personalized business insurance

F

or owners of small- to mid-sized businesses, selecting the right coverage under business owner policies can be an effective way to simplify and save on essential insurance needs.

Business owner policies, sometimes referred to as BOP, offer combined business insurance coverage without the need for multiple policies. Under BOP, property coverage, lost income coverage and business liability are combined into one customized policy.

Business owner policies can be customized according to industry, and often cost less than having individual policies.

“Business owner policies or commercial plans protect your livelihood and are essential for business owners,” said Lisa Whitus, personal and commercial lines underwriting manager for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. “The coverage business owner policies provide

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is important to have in place when you rely on your business for your income as well as the income of your employees.”

VFBMIC revamped its business owner policies in Jan. 2019 to replace 25-yearold products. Whitus said the new policies provide a more robust, highly customizable experience for business owners shopping for coverage.

The new products can provide coverage for businesses including hospitality, community nonprofits, corner markets, personal services, retail stores and specialty contracting services. They also offer discounts for multiple policies, claimsfree businesses and loyal customers.

“BOP provides extensive coverage for today’s business needs,” Whitus said. “It’s really a comprehensive and flexible product.”

For those conducting business from their homes, business owner policies are equally important. Unendorsed

homeowner policies will not automatically protect business property in the home or against business liability. Unendorsed auto policies also will not cover vehicles used for business purposes.

Amid growing concerns stemming from the coronavirus, business owners can opt for additional coverages under BOP. Cyber liability coverage protects those conducting business over the internet, and employment practices liability coverage can help protect businesses from employment-related lawsuits.

“Don’t think that because you operate your business in your home, that you’re adequately covered by your homeowner policy. You’re not,” Whitus said. “You need a business policy, plain and simple.”

To discuss the insurance needs of your business, contact a Farm Bureau insurance agent today, or visit vafb.com/businessinsurance for a list of BOP coverage.

Motorists urged to watch for farm equipment on the roads

BY ALICE KEMP

W

hen it’s time to take his farm equipment on the road, Caroline County farmer Lynwood Broaddus has a system in place, and it’s a team effort. He acts as a spotter while his brother and son follow with the equipment.

“I drive in front with flashers, an amber warning light and a red warning flag,” Broaddus said. “We have headphones to talk to each other, and I’ll go ahead to let them know the coast is clear.”

Driving equipment on roads is necessary for farmers like Broaddus. Not all fields and farms are contiguous, so farmers often use roads to travel from one field to another.

In most cases, he said, people are very considerate and understanding and will pull out of the way when possible. But the inattention of others can be frightening.

“You remember the ones that are going too fast,” Broaddus said. “You get some people who are impatient, and they run up behind us and sometimes try to pass when it’s a little on the sketchy side. They go blazing by like I’m not even there.”

Glenn Dye, a Stafford County farmer and member of Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s Farm Safety Advisory Committee, said the biggest danger he encounters is distracted motorists.

“Because the cab of my equipment sits up high, I have a good view of the drivers,” Dye said. “It is unbelievable how many have their phones in their hands.”

Planting season means more equipment As farmers drive around to fertilize and plant their fields, motorists are urged to exercise caution when they encounter farm equipment on rural roads. Farm vehicles travel much slower than cars, and someone driving 55 mph quickly closes the distance to farm machinery going 25 mph.

“A lot of people don’t realize how big farm equipment is and how slowly it moves,” said Jonathan Grimes, a Wythe County farmer and member of the farm safety committee. “They’re a lot longer and wider than they appear.”

Some farm vehicles, like large sprayers and self-propelled machinery, are so wide they extend beyond one travel lane. Dye said some of his equipment is almost 17 feet wide and takes up a large portion of back roads.

Adding to the danger, some rural roads have sharp curves and low visibility, with turnoffs tucked out of sight. Some areas have trees and overgrowth on the roadside that prevents farmers from moving over.

Grimes and Dye want motorists to keep farmers’ safety in mind when driving this spring.

“Tractors and farm equipment aren’t designed with three-part seatbelts,” Grimes noted. “There are a lot of blind spots. Those few minutes you want to save by driving fast could cause an accident.”

See for yourself

Tractors and other farm equipment often extend beyond one travel lane.

Virginia Farm Bureau partnered with the Virginia Department of Education and Department of Motor Vehicles to create a video for drivers about slow moving vehicles. The video was produced by Drive Smart Virginia and can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/38U4ShL

vafb.org / SPRING 2020

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Heart of the Home

Chesapeake Blue Crabcakes INGREDIENTS 2 cups Chesapeake jumbo lump crabmeat ½ cup bread crumbs 2 tablespoons diced onion 2 tablespoons butter 1 egg, beaten 2 tablespoons mayonnaisetype salad dressing dash of seafood seasoning salt and pepper to taste ¼ cup vegetable shortening lemon slices and capers for garnish

BESTof the BAY: Sizzling Chesapeake crabcakes make an impression

A

stack of hot crabcakes splashed with spicy cocktail sauce will liven up a weeknight dinner.

And last night’s leftovers sandwiched in brioche buns with lettuce, fresh onion and tomato also make a jazzy lunchtime entrée.

Sparkling wine or a bright and aromatic sauvignon blanc pairs nicely with this this pan-fried favorite.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, blue crabs are one of the most 28

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important commercial and recreational catches in the Chesapeake Bay. Blue crabs typically are harvested in Virginia between midMarch and late November.

Chesapeake blue crab is famous for its sweet, delicate flavor and tender meat— perfect for crabcakes, dips, bisques, chowders and salad.

Blue crab is a good source of high-quality protein, with each 3-ounce portion providing more than 17 grams. Blue crab also is a source of vitamin B12 and minerals. And did we mention it’s delicious?

Heart of the Home

DIRECTIONS Mix crabmeat and bread crumbs. Sauté onions in butter, and add to crabmeat.

Add beaten egg, salad dressing and seasonings. Mix well, and shape into 10 cakes.

Chill.

In a large frying pan, heat vegetable shortening and fry cakes until brown on both sides.

Garnish with a spicy sauce, lemon and capers.

Source: Neva W. Muse of Westmoreland County, Virginia Farm Bureau Country Treasures

Cocktail Sauce from Hell INGREDIENTS 2 cloves of fresh garlic, minced ¼ cup ketchup 1 tablespoon horseradish 2 shakes of hot sauce

DIRECTIONS

1 teaspoon mustard

Mix together. Serve cold.

1 teaspoon garlic salt

Source: Chef Todd Jurich of Bistro! restaurant in Norfolk, for the Virginia Seafood Council

Garnet’s Crabmeat Dip

juice of 1 lemon

INGREDIENTS

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 pound lump crabmeat

1 teaspoon seafood seasoning ¼ cup fresh aioli (whisk ¼ cup mayonnaise with 1 minced garlic clove and juice of quarter of a lemon)

2 8-ounce packages cream cheese 8 ounces sour cream 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon pepper juice of half a lemon 8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 325°. Mix all ingredients together except cheese. Pour mixture into a baking dish, and top with the cheese. Bake for 30 minutes.

Serve with your favorite crackers.

Source: Barbara Blythe of Southampton County Farm Bureau in What’s Cooking, 2010 Administrative Support Conference Cookbook

A squeeze of lemon and a spicy sauce can enhance a crabcake’s flavor.

vafb.org / SPRING 2020

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As deeds and titles transition ownership, the insurable interest of property like homes and cars also will change.

Keep track of insurable interests with up-to-date coverage

BY ADAM CULLER

F

rom brand-new cars, homes that have been in families for generations and most everything in-between, insurable interests exist when a person has a vested financial interest in the ownership of property.

In addition to the monetary interest in ownership of property, a person has insurable interest in property when a loss or damage to that property would incur financial hardship or other losses.

Typically, people only have insurable interests in their own property.

Homes and automobiles are the most common types of insurable interests.

However, any property a person has interest in continually upkeeping, maintaining and owning qualifies as an insurable interest.

“There are a billion different examples of insurable interests,” said Lisa 30

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Whitus, personal and commercial lines underwriting manager for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. “Insurable interests occur when a person derives a financial or other benefit from the continuous existence of property without impairment or damage to the insured object. Normally, these interests are established by ownership, possession or direct relationship.”

When property is purchased, sold or acquired as a gift through death or other circumstances, it’s important to ensure that the actual owner is the insured party on the property. As deeds and titles change, the insurable interest of the property also will change. It is up to the new owner to secure their own insurance coverage on the property and protect their insurable interests.

For example, if a grandparent gifted an

automobile to a grandchild and the car is retitled under the grandchild’s name, the grandchild would need to obtain his or her own auto policy. As the titled owner, the grandchild would be the one to suffer financial loss should that vehicle be damaged and would be unable to make a claim using the grandparent’s policy.

To confirm your insurable interests are covered under any scenario, a call to your Farm Bureau insurance agent can help identify any potential gaps in coverage on valuable property.

“When you buy and sell property, add on to a home or anything like that, you should be contacting your agent. All of that goes into your insurable interests in the property that you own and should be covered under your policy,” Whitus said. “If you don’t contact your agent to add them, the property will most likely not be covered.”

Discover the valuable benefits of Medicare Advantage plans

F

or people who are age 65 or older, or under 65 with certain disabilities, original Medicare often is a popular choice for medical insurance—but it isn’t the only choice.

Medicare Supplement insurance and Medicare Advantage plans both augment Medicare Parts A and B. People are often familiar with Medicare Supplement insurance. However, Medicare Advantage plans are growing in popularity.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans has nearly doubled over the past decade.

“You have to evaluate to see what is a better fit, whether it’s a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare supplement,” said Tracy Cornatzer, sales manager for Virginia Farm Bureau’s health insurance division. “You have to look at your needs and what possible needs you may have in the future to help determine what is going to be the right fit for you. We sell both types of coverage at Virginia Farm Bureau.”

Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Medicare Part C,

are offered and managed by private insurance companies and are approved by Medicare. The plans include Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B benefits. Additionally, the plans can include Medicare Part D prescription coverage and a wide range of added benefits not offered with original Medicare.

While subscribers will face upfront costs with copayments due at the time of service, the added value of supplemental benefits, low premium costs and an annual out-of-pocket maximum can help make Medicare Advantage plans a worthy investment for some beneficiaries. The supplemental benefits offered to Medicare Advantage subscribers often include dental, vision and hearing coverage, an allowance for assistive devices and transportation to and from appointments. Supplemental benefits vary by plan.

For more information on Medicare Advantage plans, call your county Farm Bureau office or request a quote at vafb. com/insurance/get-quote.

Note: Due to precautions relating to the coronavirus, Medicare Educational Seminars have been suspended until further notice.

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Virginia Farm Bureau 1-800-229-7779 An authorized licensed insurance agent for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia, license number: 109534

This policy has exclusions, limitations and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. For more information on benefits, please contact your agent or the health plan. Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program. The purpose of this communication is the solicitation of insurance. Contact will be made by an insurance agent or insurance company. Anthem Health Plans of Virginia, Inc. trades as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia, and its service area is all of Virginia except for the City of Fairfax, the Town of Vienna, and the area east of State Route 123. Independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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