Save the Date

Countdown to the State Fair of Virginia

As of May 1, there are exactly 145 days until the 2022 State Fair of Virginia opens on Sept. 23 and runs through Oct. 2.

Fair fact:

The 2021 State Fair hosted more than 2,000 exhibitors and drew over 5,000 entries in competitions for livestock, vocational skills, visual and culinary arts, horticulture and more.

Mark your calendars to come celebrate the best of Virginia! A fun event for the whole family, the State Fair offers countless sights, events and iconic fair food.

The fair also provides an educational and exciting look at Virginia agriculture. Fairgoers can see a host of livestock and equine exhibitions and competitions featuring beef and dairy cattle, goats, pigs, lambs and more. Visitors also can watch dairy calf births and dairy cow milking demonstrations and try their own hands at milking a cow.

The favorite Young MacDonald’s Farm exhibit in Harvest Landing will return with its baby duck slide, chicken egg incubator and goat mountain.

There’s no shortage of entertainment at the State Fair of Virginia! For fair details, visit StateFairVa.org.

KIERAN WAGNER

Virtual seminars return to educate members about Medicare options

Following two years of growing popularity among members, virtual Medicare 101 seminars o ered through Virginia Farm Bureau are here to stay.

“These seminars allow our sta to unpack how Medicare works and explain the di erences between traditional Medicare, Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage plans,” said Tracy Cornatzer, sales manager for VFB Health Insurance division. “The seminars are educational and provide an excellent opportunity for those who attend to gather information that will help when looking for a plan that will fit their needs.”

Perhaps best of all, members can attend virtual seminars from the comfort of their own homes, and sessions can easily be accessed on a computer, smartphone or tablet.

The seminars typically last an hour, and a VFB Health Insurance representative will explain the plans. The presentations describe how Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and other related plans work. Eligibility, enrollment periods and plan timelines also will be covered.

For the third year of virtual seminars, sessions now include a third time slot: • Morning sessions will be held at 10 a.m. on June 7, July 7, Aug. 9 and Sept. 22. • Afternoon seminars will be held at 2 p.m. on May 24, June 16,

July 19, Aug. 18, Aug. 30 and Sept. 29 • Evening sessions will be held at 6 p.m. on May 10, June 28, July 28 and Sept. 8.

To register, visit vafb.com/health/ medicare-seminars. Alternatively, you may RSVP by emailing your name, email address, and the date of the seminar you’d like to attend to MedicareSeminar@va .com, or contact your local Farm Bureau o ce. If you cannot attend a seminar and have questions about Medicare or need assistance signing up for a Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement or Part D plan, call 800-229-7779. You also can request a personalized quote at vafb.com/health.

Native Virginia flowers and bushes planted next to a house prevent runoff, provide wildlife habitat and cut down on mowing.

‘LAWNTERNATIVES’

Traditional lawn alternatives can reduce yard maintenance, limit runoff and create habitat

BY NICOLE ZEMA

Have you considered retiring your lawnmower?

It has worked hard all these years maintaining the lawn—open green spaces for children, pets and outdoor entertaining, and natural pathways through the property.

Virginia’s water quality and gardening experts say property owners can enhance traditional, manicured outdoor spaces with ecologically sound features that reduce erosion and runoff by implementing site-specific conservation practices. Creating areas of low-maintenance native plantings gives the lawnmower a break, while providing food and habitat for pollinators, important insects and migratory species.

Lawn care can be expensive, noted Blair Blanchette, Virginia Conservation Assistance Program coordinator for the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. “And we are losing wildlife habitat. But the benefits are multi-level when you replace a lawn or impermeable surface with a native garden.”

Reimagining manicured lawns

“You can treat runoff issues, improve water quality and provide habitat, and it doesn’t mean your lawn has to go away,” Blanchette added. “For example, treat a certain area with a rain garden, but keep that backyard area for your pets and barbecue.”

Since 2016, the VCAP has helped homeowners implement conservation landscaping, impervious surface removal, stormwater conveyance and bioretention. Application costs can be reimbursed up to 75%.

“There’s flexibility to pick what’s going to work well for you,” Blanchette said. A technician will assess the best practices to remedy issues like erosion, standing water or bare ground. Homeowners or community property managers can contact their local SWCD to discuss eligibility.

“But we’re excited that current House and Senate budgets have allocated $4 million for VCAP, which is an increase for this urban program,” said Dr. Kendall Tyree, Virginia SWCD executive director.

Native groupings offer form and function

Native plants incorporated into a landscape are adapted to local soil and climate conditions, and therefore require less maintenance or fertilizer.

“Natives have significantly deeper roots than non-natives or lawn grass, which allow filtration, and are a food source for the critters who live here,” Blanchette said. “They may require extra maintenance to stay alive in their first summer, but once they’re established, they do their own thing. It shouldn’t be as much work as your lawn!”

Horticulturalist Mark Viette said groupings of native plant combinations can be an attractive enhancement that reduces mowing space, entices pollinators and creates habitat for wildlife.

“The orange flower butterfly weed called Asclepias tuberosa is a fantastic plant that attracts species,” he said. “It’s a food source for the caterpillars, and it’s beautiful.”

Goldenrod thrives in open areas and enriches soil with nitrogen. Ironweed adds a splash of purple to landscapes prone to water saturation.

Grouping natives with similar sunlight, soil and water requirements is

Before conservation

After conservation

A wildflower meadow planted behind a house offers conservation benefits for homeowners, wildlife and waterways.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS

easier to maintain and adds dimension, Viette advised. “Group five butterfly plants together, then five of another, and so on.”

Native groupings

Rain garden

Are you eligible for VCAP?

The Virginia Conservation Assistance Program is an urban cost-share program that provides financial incentives and assistance to property owners installing eligible conservation practices in participating soil and water conservation districts. These practices can be installed in areas with erosion, poor drainage or poor vegetation. Eligibility is extended to residential, commercial or community spaces.

To learn more, visit vaswcd.org/vcap, call your local SWCD, or contact the association’s office at 804-559-0324.

Virginia quilters honor traditionalism while embracing modern styles

BY NICOLE ZEMA

Northumberland County's Logan O'Bier made her first square quilt at the age of 7. Some current pieces are sold in her Etsy shop, MadeFabricArts. L ifelong fiber artist Logan O’Bier had to learn the rules before she could break them.

Her self-taught mastery of traditional quilting techniques led to historical reproduction and antique restoration. Eventually, this empowered her to create modern, visually indulgent pieces that provoke thought and amusement, while honoring her heritage.

“My mom always said she couldn’t leave a pair of scissors out because I would cut everything up!” O’Bier recalled. However, she was encouraged to pursue the art form, and followed a beginner’s book to create a basic square quilt at age 7.

“I worked up to doing stars with half-square triangles and crazy quilts—an actual technique using scraps and building outward,” O’Bier said.

She became “obsessed” with Civil War-era and late1800s fabrics, replicating historical patterns.

“When I started quilting, it was not hip or cool for young people,” O’Bier said. Friends teased her. “Why are you doing something your grandmother does?”

However, modern quilts eventually became fashionable. They are characterized by bold colors and prints, high-contrast, graphic compositions and improvisational piecing, like her mid-century-inspired quilt she calls Terranaka Code, or “Earth Friend.”

One of her crazy quilts, entered into a past State Fair of Virginia Quilt Show, garnered praise from the judges. With astronomically influenced stars representing constellations and dappled with twisting black holes, its print glows in the dark.

O’Bier comes from generations of watermen and farmers in the Northern Neck, which inspired other designs, like her crab pot buoy quilt, personalized with her dad’s buoy number. And a sunflower quilt block was created in memory of her great-uncle Billy Dawson.

“Everybody loved his sunflowers, which he planted specifically so people could see them from the road,” she said. “I sat there and made sure every stinkin’ little seam was perfect.”

The results are stunning, but it’s the process she finds rewarding. A quilt is a “problem” until O’Bier finds a solution.

“That’s why I like restoration work, because it’s a definite problem,” she said. “A quilt can be mangled, or just a little piece needs to be replaced. I’m a sucker for something that needs to be saved.”

Quilts central to museum’s captivating exhibits

Hundreds of quilts lovingly handcrafted from 1806 to 2022 are on display in the heart of downtown Harrisonburg at the Virginia Quilt Museum. Three floors of exhibit space feature a variety of quilt styles, techniques, themes and artistry from both permanent collections and rotating exhibitions.

Intricately pieced fabric “portraits” of 182 species will be displayed through July 15 in the Inspired by Endangered Species exhibit. Each panel reveals layers, textures and stitching imitating hair, feathers, skin, water and sky.

“It helps people see quilts as art—things our ancestors could only dream about,” said Alicia Thomas, the museum’s executive director.

Antique pieces weave a socioeconomic story. Giant

Logan O'Bier holds up a reproduction Civil War-era quilt that she crafted.

quilts made in the 1800s from luxury fabrics like silk indicate the quilter had plenty of money and free time.

“Others were just trying to keep their family warm,” Thomas said. “And with more modern quilts perhaps made by a group, you can see how the they worked together, and imagine those bonds they had.”

Quilting is women’s history, Thomas added.

“Of course there are men who quilt, but it is traditionally a woman’s story, and I think we are just now recognizing the artistry of quilting.”

CALLING ALL QUILTERS!

2022 Virginia Quilt Museum Mini Quilt Challenge

Participants of any age and skill are invited to submit a 15-by-15-inch quilted creation and $10 entry fee through December 2022. Seasonal themes and details are listed at vaquiltmuseum. org/service/2022-mini-quiltchallenges

2022 State Fair of Virginia Quilt Show

Quilts will be displayed at the State Fair of Virginia, Sept. 23-Oct. 2 at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County. Competition is open to youth, amateurs, professionals and seniors. Entry fee is $5 per class. Check entry dates and details at StateFairVa.org/p/getinvolved

Above, from top left, Logan O’Bier shows some of her quilt designs: a constellation, a modern original she calls “Terranaka Code,” crab pot buoys, a sunflower memorial block and a quilt made of men's shirts. Below, from top left, Alicia Thomas is the director of the Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg, which displays “crazy quilts” and those depicting endangered species, like these mushrooms and sea otter.

Don’t let flood damage wash away your savings

BY ADAM CULLER

Asingle inch of standing water can cause as much as $25,000 in damage to your home, and repair costs will continue to rise if any additional floodwaters enter the structure.

According to the National Flood Insurance Program, the average claim payout for residential flood damage in 2019 was $52,000, a figure few homeowners can afford to pay themselves. To protect yourself from a substantial financial loss, the best solution is to purchase flood insurance.

While most homeowners policies exclude flood coverage, purchasing a flood policy will cover direct damage and personal property losses caused by flooding. NFIP defines a flood as a temporary “partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land areas, or of two or more properties.” A policyholder’s property must at least be one of the two to submit a claim.

Floods also are designated as the overflow of inland or tidal waters; unusual and rapid accumulation of any surface water source; mudflow; or the collapse or sinking of land along lake shores or similar bodies of water.

Two types of flood coverage

Flood coverage is offered in two options—building coverage or contents coverage.

Items protected under building coverage include 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 typically will provide protection for personal

Standing water can substantially damage homes, so purchasing flood insurance is recommended for covering direct damage and personal property losses.

belongings including: clothing; furniture and electronics; washers and dryers; microwaves; and other items up to $2,500 in value.

The First Street Foundation, a nonprofit that researches flood risk in America, estimates 9.1% of properties in Virginia are at a substantial risk of flooding. That number increases to 15% when including properties that have flood risks of any severity.

Lisa Whitus, personal and commercial lines underwriting manager for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co., explained homeowners residing in highrisk areas often are required by lenders to have flood insurance.

However, many homeowners who live in areas that don’t require flood insurance forgo coverage, and are left to foot the bill when disaster strikes. With Virginia experiencing more rain than ever recently—2018 was the wettest year on record, and 2020 was the third-wettest—now’s a good time to reconsider.

“We live in one of the wetter states when you consider our annual rainfall and natural landscape, which includes many rivers, streams, lakes, swamps, marshes and other wetlands that have the tendency to flood,” Whitus said. “And when you consider the added risk of hurricanes each year, having flood coverage should absolutely be a priority for homeowners in Virginia.

“Your standard homeowners policy won’t cover damage caused by groundwater entering your home, and statistics are widely available to show how quickly flood damage can add up.”

NFIP data indicates the average cost for flood insurance is $985, a fraction of the potential cost of a flood-related loss. When purchasing coverage, there typically is a 30-day waiting period between the purchase date and the date the policy goes into effect.

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

1890’s market

ALEXANDRIAVA.GOV

Historic farmers markets remain popular in modern times

Fruits and veggies are more plentiful today, but shoppers have found local produce at the farmers market in Market Square in Alexandria since 1753.

Farmers markets have a rich history in the United States, and in Virginia.

The first U.S. market was established in 1730 in the center of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Farmers markets were created to support the buying and selling of fresh, local produce, meats and baked goods, and they have increased in number and popularity over the years. In 2019 there were over 8,000 markets operating nationwide, according to USDA.

Virginia has almost 300 farmers markets of its own. Read about three of the oldest ones and how they’ve thrived over the years.

As many as 30 vendors can be found throughout the open-air spaces at the Lynchburg Community Market, including Ruddy Shupik of Easy Does it Farm, left, and DJ Livengood of Walnut Winds Farm.

COURTESY OF LYNCHBURG COMMUNITY MARKET

Between harvest seasons, vacant produce spaces are filled with vendors selling value-added products like pasta or arts, crafts and handmade goods. Original market building Saturdays are an opportunity to showcase the broad scope of regional agriculture for vendors Christoph and Lauren Herby. The couple produces tree syrup at Tonoloway Farm in Highland County. Lauren’s parents operate the stand with a nephew—his first job—who is learning people skills and how to run a small business.

Guests come away with an education about Virginia commodities.

“Many folks are surprised to learn that we make maple syrup and other tree syrups, including black walnut and hickory syrup, right here in Virginia,” Christoph said. “Highland County is one of the few places in Virginia with a cold climate where conditions are suitable for making syrup as winter transitions into spring, and we are happy to share these unique Appalachian flavors with our customers at the Old Town Farmers’ Market.”

LYNCHBURG COMMUNITY MARKET

Alexandria's Old Town Farmers' Market has operated for almost 270 years

BY NICOLE ZEMA

A centuries-old tradition is still celebrated every Saturday at Market Square in Alexandria, where commerce and agriculture have intersected since 1753.

The Old Town Farmers' Market is one of the longest continuously operating farmers markets in the U.S. Within view of Alexandria City Hall, more than 70 vendors sell farm-grown produce throughout the seasons, plus meats, seafood, dairy products, breads, pastries, hot prepared foods, juices, ciders, cut flowers and potted plants.

The market offers something for everybody and attracts thousands of families, foodies, tourists and neighborhood regulars, said Alfred Coleman, deputy director of administration in the city’s Department of General Services, which oversees the market.

“Your warm, sunny days are the most crowded, active and vibrant,” he said. “Even with the last two years of COVID, people got out to shop at the market instead of inside the grocery store. Attendance numbers kept going up. The vibe was pretty upbeat and busy.”

Plan your visit

301 King St., Market Square, Alexandria Open 7 a.m. to noon every Saturday, rain or shine Visit alexandriava.gov/ OldTownFarmersMarket for more information.

Lynchburg market endures as a fresh food hub

BY ADAM CULLER

As the third-oldest continuously operating farmers market in America, the Lynchburg Community Market has a rich history in Virginia’s southern Piedmont.

Seasonal produce—like cabbages, apples and carrots—can be found every Saturday at the Lynchburg Community Market.

The market was established in 1783 as a town square for the expanding city, serving as a social gathering space. The open-air market took on a commercial component when it was rebuilt in 1814.

After moving from its original downtown location on 9th Street to its current site at 12th and Main streets in 1932, the market’s role in the community also shifted. The market moved away from its function as a social center and began operating primarily as a farmers market sometime in the mid-20th century.

Since then, the market’s growth has coincided with the downtown area’s resurgence, and now serves as a hub for locals to buy farm-raised foods.

“Downtown Lynchburg is technically a food desert, and on Saturdays we’re the only place in [the city] where you can have access to fresh fruits and veggies,” said assistant market manager Darrius Slaughter.

“I think the root of all health and wellness comes from the food you put in your body, so it’s very important that the items you’re consuming are nutrient-dense and good for you,” Slaughter added. “Having a central spot downtown where people can have access to that—especially with the SNAP program where we can make it easier for people to have access to those fresh items—is super important.”

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is a federal program that provides benefits to low-income individuals and families via an electronic benefits transfer card used to purchase food.

Part of the Lynchburg market’s mission is to provide its customers access to fresh foods while supporting local farmers.

The market accomplishes this by providing more than 30 dedicated spaces for farm vendors to sell their goods each Saturday. Slaughter noted that vendors come from areas within 90 minutes of Lynchburg, and sell farm-fresh items such as dairy products, eggs, meat and produce.

Thanks to steady patronage from local buyers—and their increased awareness of the value of locally produced foods—the Lynchburg Community Market is showing no signs of slowing down after nearly 250 years of business.

“I think the community really acknowledges how much of an important role the community market plays,” Slaughter said.

Plan your visit

1219 Main Street, Lynchburg Open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday, year-round Visit lynchburgcommunitymarket.com/ visit/ for more information.

The jewel of Roanoke has a lasting legacy

BY ALICE KEMP

In the heart of downtown Roanoke, the Historic Roanoke City Market has flourished with a sense of community and tradition for 140 years.

At the same location since its founding in 1882, the market boasts the title of Virginia’s oldest continuously operating open-air market. Open seven days a week, it offers residents fresh, local foods and artisan crafts from around 50 farmers and craftsmen.

“It’s such a jewel,” said Eric

Customers stroll through the modern-day Historic Roanoke City Market, which offers local foods and arts and crafts year-round.

Pendleton, the market’s manager. “We have some vendors whose families go back to the 1920s at this market. It’s become such a tradition.”

Named one of the “Great American Public Places,” by the Lyndhurst Foundation, the market has evolved over time. In 1979, the old wooden structure was upgraded, and colorful awnings that showcase vendor stalls were added. The iconic City Market Building, which once housed an indoor market, was sold in the ‘80s.

More recently, pavers were installed, vendor tables were moved to the market’s front and parking in the market square was prohibited— improving walkability and visual appeal.

“I would estimate that the market is the most-photographed area in Roanoke,” Pendleton commented. “You always see prom pictures, homecoming pictures and wedding pictures on social media.”

While the market’s legacy flourishes, Pendleton has noticed a shift in the vendor mix. He’s recently struggled to recruit new producer vendors as older farmers retire or sell their farms. Newer growers aren’t willing to sacrifice valuable family time to spend weekends selling at the market.

“How can you argue with that?” he asked.

But the market’s unique setting and popularity keep it sought-after real estate for vendors. A destination for

For over 30 years, Tim Belcher of Rolling Meadows Farms in Martinsville has traveled to the Historic Roanoke City Market each week to sell houseplants, herbs and vegetables to customers that have become like "extended family."

socializing, it draws thousands to enjoy outdoor concerts and events in the Market Square on busy weekends May through September.

“We’re surrounded by lots of restaurants and shops, so when you Plan your visit come to the market you’ve got a full day of activities. What better way to Market Square SE, Roanoke Open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday sell your product?” said Tim Belcher of Rolling Meadows Farms. For over 30 years, Belcher has Visit downtownroanoke.org/explore/ farmers-market for more information. traveled from Martinsville to sell produce, houseplants and specialty products. He appreciates the larger, more diverse customer base compared to smaller markets closer to home—and the opportunity to see familiar faces. Historic Roanoke City Farmers Market “It’s almost like a family event,” he said. “Some of the customers are like your extended family. And it’s our livelihood—it’s what we do to make a living.”

VIRGINIA ROOM

Dan Kline holds trays of purple radish and amaranth microgreens that he cultivates in the cellar of his Richmond home.

Small but mighty

Nutrient-rich microgreens are gaining popularity among growers and consumers

BY ADAM CULLER

For most people, harboring organisms of otherworldly colors in their basement is a scenario typically reserved for horror movies. But for Dan Kline, the mystical green, pink and purple shades of microgreens cultivated in the cellar of his Richmond home are a dream come true.

Kline, a pastor, is among an increasing number of non-traditional agriculturists growing microgreens in small spaces and harnessing their tremendous nutritional content.

Microgreens are broadly defined as vegetable greens that are grown and harvested before the sprout stage, or after the plant has developed its first leaves. Generally, it takes between two to three weeks for microgreens to reach this phase.

Much like their mature counterparts, microgreens contain some of the same nutritional properties as brassicas like arugula, broccoli and kale. However, microgreens differ because the seedlings are much younger than vegetables and their biochemical composition contrasts slightly.

An assortment of microgreens are often sold as "Sweet Rainbow Mix." Microgreens can contain four to six times the amounts of nutrients in mature plants of the same variety.

Microgreens packed with vitamins

“A lot of enzymes and nutrients that are packed into the seed and occur during the sprouting process are still there when microgreens are harvested,” explained Chris Mullins, a Virginia Cooperative Extension horticulture specialist.

“The plant is still living off the nutrients in the seed and the enzymes that are produced, and minerals and even some antioxidant chemicals are very much there in the early stages,” he added. “They don’t necessarily go away as the plant matures, but that small little plant is going to be more densely packed with nutrients.”

To better grasp the extent of microgreens’ nutrient content, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the University of Maryland’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources conducted a study of 25 crop varieties.

The resulting data revealed microgreens can contain four to six times the amounts of vitamins C, E and K and beta carotene compared to mature plants of the same variety.

In addition, microgreens taste similar to the mature crop. ‘Superfoods’ are easy to grow

Mullins said these characteristics place microgreens in the category of “superfoods,” which are revered for their nutritional and overall health benefits. He also noted microgreens are generally easy to produce, and require little more than containers that can hold soilless media, grow lights, water and a dedicated space to grow.

“There really aren’t a lot of barriers for entry into growing microgreens,” Mullins said. “You just need a few things to get started; there’s no huge capital expense to get into

Sunflower early stage

Red Russian kale

Garnet red Amaranth

Broccoli and Rambo purple radish

ADAM CULLER

Micro sunflower shoots thrive under a grow light in Dan Kline's Richmond basement.

“You just need a few things to get started; there’s no huge capital expense to get into it, and it’s quick. You can put seeds down, and in 10 to 20 days you can have your production done and harvest.” — CHRIS MULLINS

it, and it’s quick. You can put seeds down, and in 10 to 20 days you can have your production done and harvest.”

This simplicity has led growers from all walks of life—like Kline at Bring Forth Urban Farm in Richmond—to raise their own microgreens.

Easy-to-eat veggies at micro stage

Kline began producing microgreens after his mother died of Alzheimer’s disease, an event that motivated him to grow food to fortify his physical and mental health. He initially was drawn to brassica microgreens because of their abundant sulforaphane content, which is believed to help prevent cancer, cardiovascular issues and neurological conditions, including Alzheimer’s.

Sulforaphane, a sulfurrich compound, is at its highest level in the seed, Kline explained, and a single plant in the microgreen stage can contain as much of the compound as the full-size plant. At a fraction of the size of mature vegetables, it’s easier to consume sulforaphane— as well as vitamins and minerals found in other crop varieties—in larger amounts during this stage.

Kline selected four crop varieties that were found by the USDA study to be the most nutritious and added them to his “Sweet Rainbow Mix.” The mix includes broccoli, red cabbage, red Russian kale and red garnet amaranth microgreens.

Kline also markets individual varieties including Rambo purple radish and sunflower microgreens. He has sold his products through home deliveries and at Richmond’s Lakeside Farmers’ Market since 2018.

Though his operation of a few shelves and containers is modest, Kline said his products have made a big impression on customers. He said he’s even taught a few repeat customers how to grow their own microgreens.

Mullins said the future’s bright for hobby farmers who grow microgreens. “As people become more interested in local farmers markets and locally grown food, you also can see the trend of them becoming more aware of microgreens and similar products.”

Impact of U.S. agriculture validated in new economic study

BY ADAM CULLER

Agriculture is the backbone of America, and a new study commissioned by 30 leading farm and food advocacy groups has the data to affirm that.

The coalition—Feeding the Economy—released its 2022 Food and Agriculture Industries Economic Impact Study March 22 in conjunction with National Agriculture Day.

The basis of the study was to quantify the contributions of the American agriculture and food sectors to the U.S. economy in 2021.

The corresponding report identified the number of jobs, wages paid, value added and total output of the U.S. agriculture and food sectors. It also measured the economic impact of suppliers supporting the two sectors, as well as the businesses aided by the industries’ direct spending.

The findings revealed 7% of the U.S. economy and 29% of American jobs are tied to the two sectors, whether directly or indirectly. The total impact of agriculture and forestry was found to be $7.43 trillion.

Additionally, both combined to provide 43.46 million jobs, $2.3 trillion in workers’ wages and $718.2 billion in tax dollars.

The Feeding the Economy coalition noted the report “underscores the resiliency and strength of America’s food and agriculture sectors.” And, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the industries continued to add jobs and provide safe food for consumers amid global supply chain shortages.

“American agriculture is really the foundation of our lives and our economy,” said Dr. Roger Cryan, chief economist for American Farm Bureau Federation, one of the study’s sponsoring organizations. “This study reveals the numbers—and maybe some of the spirit—of this one indispensable sector.”

Data also was calculated at the state level, and the study found Virginia's agriculture and food sectors provided over 518,161 direct jobs and produced $62.8 billion in economic output.

Agricultural goods produced in Virginia also contributed $3.85 billion in agricultural exports and $16.4 billion in tax revenue in 2021, according to the report.

“Agriculture has long been Virginia’s largest industry, and our farmers’ dedication to providing the nation’s food, fiber and fuel continues to be a key driver of the state’s economy,” said Tony Banks, senior assistant director of agriculture, development and innovation for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.

“Feeding the Economy’s report and similar studies help support this fact and reinforce the importance of agriculture locally and nationally,” he added. “They also increase public awareness of farming, which ultimately helps the cause of farmers everywhere.”

American farms and forests combined contribute 43.46 million jobs, $2.3 trillion in workers' wages and $718.2 billion in tax dollars, according to a Feeding the Economy study.

AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM

Richmond educator named AITC Teacher of the Year

Miriam Thomas, a fifth-grade teacher at Barack Obama Elementary School in the city of Richmond, has been named the Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom 2022 Teacher of the Year.

The award recognizes a Virginia educator for incorporating agriculture into his or her core curriculum.

Thomas is a language arts and history teacher who grew up visiting her grandmother’s farm. Her own experiences with agriculture, along with the school’s inner city setting and knowledge that many of her students have little exposure to farming, led her to teach about the sources of their food and to explore how agriculture touches their lives.

One of her projects was a literature study with the novel A Taste of

THOMAS

Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan. The novel mentions a variety of fruits and vegetables, which Thomas brought to class. She discussed how they’re cultivated and which ones are grown in Virginia, and she described the farms that produce them. Students also learned how to cook and prepare the foods and took home recipe books for their parents and caregivers.

“Miriam strives to instill in her students a love and respect for agriculture and the environment,” said Tammy Maxey, Virginia AITC programs director. “A previous AITC grant winner in 2021, she has dedicated herself to providing meaningful handson learning and presents her students with opportunities to practice and develop lifetime skills.”

As Virginia AITC Teacher of the Year, Thomas will receive a scholarship to the 2022 National AITC Conference in June and a $500 cash award.

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Boxwood

Yew

Winter-damaged shrubs call for patience, then pruning

Holly

Gardeners are urged to prune winter damage on shrubs in May or June.

Freeze damage is easily visible on many evergreen shrubs in the early spring, and the temptation to prune those plants can be strong.

But gardeners should be patient and wait a few months to see how far the damage goes, urged horticulturalist

Mark Viette.

“Not just cold temperatures in the winter, but an early freeze in November and December could also have caused damage to the leaves,” Viette said. “You will see brown leaves on many shrubs, but is it frost damage or something else? The key is to wait and see. It can take several months for evergreen leaves to truly die.”

He said it’s OK to prune the damaged leaves and branches in May or June,

“because by then you’ll be able to see how far back to cut.”

Smaller freeze-damaged leaves and branches are best pruned with hand shears, Viette said, while larger damage can be cut with lopping shears. “I really prefer hand shears over the powered hedge trimmers; they give me more control.”

Evergreen shrubs like hollies and boxwoods face numerous challenges when the weather turns cold. Sometimes a plant may not get enough moisture, and the tips of its branches literally die back.

Sometimes a plant has been fertilized in the fall or pruned too late in its growing season, and tender new growth doesn’t have enough time to harden off before freezing temperatures hit. Additionally, heavy snow and ice storms can cause significant damage to plants, sometimes breaking off major branches.

Other winter damage can be caused by salt poisoning of a shrub that’s planted too close to a public road or next to a heavily used driveway or walkway. Salt damage can be addressed by flushing the area around a plant with 2 inches of water over a 2- to 3-hour period in the spring to leach salt and road chemicals from the soil.

In all these cases, garden experts recommend waiting until spring to prune damaged branches. The dead tissue can help protect the rest of the plant from further damage until the weather warms up.

“Yews are often affected by cold weather, because they’re often pruned in August and have tender new leaves when cold weather hits,” Viette said. “Gold dust, or aucuba plants, often suffer winter damage. In many area of Virginia, the tips freeze back. Be sure to prune out the dead tips back to live tissue.”

He added that at this time of year, it’s safe to prune these plants. “When you’re done, the plant’s going to look a lot better, and you’re going to find nice, fresh growth coming out.”

Together, we’ll overcome the opioid epidemic.

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If someone you care about is suffering from opioid addiction, please visit farmtownstrong.org.

Farm Bureau members receive

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We value our long-standing partnership with Farm Bureau and are proud to offer you exclusive savings.

*Farm Bureau Exclusive Cash Reward is exclusively for active Farm Bureau members who are residents of the United States. $500 Exclusive Cash Reward on the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2021/2022/2023 Ford Maverick, Ranger, F-150 or Super Duty®. This incentive is not available on F-150 Lightning, F-150 Raptor, F-650 and F-750 Super Duty®. This offer may not be used in conjunction with most other Ford Motor Company private incentives or AXZD-Plans. Some customer and purchase eligibility restrictions apply. Must be a Farm Bureau member for 30 consecutive days prior to purchase or lease and take new retail delivery from an authorized Ford Dealer’s stock by January 3, 2023. Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com or see your authorized Ford Dealer for qualifications and complete details. Note to dealer: Claim in VINCENT using #38326

CS18_149 Farm Strong Qpg Ad_r.indd 1Real farmers, sharing real stories, on real farms REAL VIRGINIA

11/15/18 10:13 AMFD22_FB_2022_Virginia_3.6875x4.8125_Ad_rd01_01.indd 1 2/22/22 10:53 AM

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 digital channel 15.2 • WHRO Norfolk

• WTKR Norfolk • WVVA Bluefield

Watch the first and second weekends of each month on

• WRLH Richmond • WHSV Harrisonburg • WVIR Charlottesville

Umbrella insurance is a safety net against worst-case scenarios

BY ALICE KEMP

Most everyone has heard the common expressions “When it rains, it pours.” and “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” Many have lived out these idioms and experienced an event that snowballed into something much bigger.

That’s why it’s always a good idea to have a safety net in place for when disasters occur. Insurance is one way to protect yourself and your assets from a financial standpoint, but what happens if your standard insurance coverage isn’t enough?

That’s where an umbrella policy comes in.

“An umbrella policy ensures that your family and assets like college funds, retirement savings, emergency savings and even your home and farm are protected against incidents that exceed current coverage limits,” explained Lisa Whitus, personal and commercial lines underwriting manager for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. “They provide additional liability protection beyond the limit that’s on your standard policy.”

Say you’re having guests over, and someone falls and gets injured, or your dog bites someone. With today’s costly medical bills, a lawsuit for damages could easily rack up beyond your homeowners liability policy limits, and your hard-earned savings, house and other assets could be on the hook.

“Or, if you’re at fault for an auto accident that unfortunately caused serious injuries, the injured party could sue for medical bills but also the time away from work and legal fees,” Whitus explained. “Suddenly your auto policy coverage limit of $300,000 won’t cover the $1 million in damages the judge awarded them.”

With an umbrella policy, extra

Umbrella policies protect families and their assets like college funds and retirement and emergency savings.

liability coverage would kick in, helping cover the remaining amount while keeping your savings and house safe.

In addition to providing liability protection for property damage, injuries and legal fees, umbrella policies cover unique situations like libel, defamation and slander. They also travel with you and can even cover instances that happen away from home, such as on vacation.

Low in cost for the peace of mind they provide, umbrella policies are available for personal policies like auto and homeowners, farmowner policies and commercial policies for business owners.

And, like most Farm Bureau policies, they can be “customized so you can get the level of protection you need to secure your family’s financial future,” Whitus said.

To learn more, visit vafb.com/ insurance/umbrella, or call your local Farm Bureau insurance agent.

The bloody mary—an enduring classic blends complex flavors

Tomato juice and vodka: Two key ingredients in the iconic bloody mary cocktail. Beyond that, it’s a combination of seasonings, sauces and spices that add flavor to each sip.

While the recipe and personalization are at the whim of whoever is mixing the beverage, classic ingredients include lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Some add olive brine or pickle juice, extra spicy sauces and horseradish for a flavor oomph.

And let’s not forget the garnishes. Just as important as what goes into the drink is what’s on top of it. Traditional garnishes include a celery stalk, olives, okra or pickles. As bartenders become imaginative, garnishes have taken on a life of their own—shrimp, bacon and even softshell crabs or pizza slices.

The origins of the iconic cocktail are murky, but many believe it was invented in the 1920s at Henry’s New York Bar in Paris by bartender Fernand Petiot, who combined canned tomato juice—a new invention at the time— with vodka. The drink eventually made its way to the U.S. after Prohibition and has been a classic cocktail ever since.

Simple Bloody Mary

INGREDIENTS

2 ounces tomato juice 1½ ounces vodka, optional 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce ¾ teaspoon horseradish 2 dashes lemon juice 3 dashes of Tabasco or other hot sauce pinch of salt

dash of freshly ground pepper celery and olives for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Add tomato juice, vodka, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, Tabasco, salt and pepper into a stirring glass. Mix, pour over ice, and garnish with celery and olives.

—Recipe adapted from Virginia Distillers Association

Fresh Tomato Bloody Mary

INGREDIENTS

6 large, ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 teaspoons hot sauce 2 teaspoons horseradish 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon seafood boil or Cajun seasoning 2 teaspoons celery salt 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper good quality vodka, optional celery sticks for garnish

DIRECTIONS

In a blender, mix all ingredients except vodka and celery sticks, until smooth. Taste, and adjust seasoning to preference. Pour mix into a food storage container or pitcher, cover, and chill. To assemble, combine 1 ounce of vodka with every 6 ounces of mix. Pour over ice, and garnish with celery sticks.

Variations of the bloody mary cocktail include a bloody bull like this one, topped with celery, olives, pepperoncini and a beef jerky stick.

—Recipe adapted from the Florida Tomato Committee

Bloody Bull

Mix ingredients:

2½ cups beef broth or stock 28-ounce can diced tomatoes ¼ cup pepperoncini liquid 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2-4 teaspoons hot pepper sauce 1 teaspoon celery salt 1 teaspoon pepper ½-1 teaspoon Creole seasoning 4 ounces vodka, optional

Glass rim garnish:

2 tablespoons grated beef jerky 1 teaspoon celery salt ½ teaspoon Creole seasoning

Garnish:

2 stalks celery, split in half lengthwise 4 pepperoncini peppers 8 green olives beef boudin boulettes, beef slider, beef jerky stick (optional)

DIRECTIONS

In a blender, add all ingredients except the vodka. Cover, and process for one minute or until smooth, scraping the sides of the container as needed. Combine the glass rim garnish ingredients on a small plate. Dip the rim of the glasses into the mixture to cover ⅛ inch of the rim. Roll the rim of the glasses into the garnish mixture on the plate. Add ice to fill four glasses, and divide the Bloody Bull mixture evenly between them. If using vodka, add 1 ounce to each glass, and mix. Garnish with celery, pepperoncini peppers, olives, beef boudin boulettes, sliders or jerky, as desired.

Are your membership records up-to-date?

If you’ve dropped your landline, moved to a different residence or changed your email address, Virginia Farm Bureau wants to know.

Current contact information is the key to connecting Virginia Farm Bureau members with news and information about agriculture, insurance, membership and safety.

To check whether your contact information is up to date, log in to your account on vafb.com and click on “profile,” which is found in the red bar in the main menu. If you need to update your email address or phone number, click on the dropdown menu to do so.

Alternatively, customers can call their local Farm Bureau office and share contact information with a staff member. Customers should always contact their local office when a change of address occurs.

While an accurate phone number can help customers connect with their agents, providing a current email address also unlocks access to VFBMIC’s newest initiative.

Last year, VFBMIC launched a paperless option, bringing customers online access to their policy information for the first time. Sign-up information was sent to policyholders who had an active email address associated with their insurance policies.

Policyholders who choose paperless enrollment receive email alerts when policy documents are available, and have around-the-clock access to those documents and statements. Payments also can be made online.

Customers with an active email address attached to their policies can enroll in paperless services by logging into their account on vafb.com. Eligible policies will be listed, and customers can choose which policies to enroll.

Underground service lines coverage

Information in the winter issue of Cultivate regarding insurance coverage for underground service lines has been revised, and you can read it here: bit.ly/3625mXj.

THINK LIKE A GROWER

We are here with you through every stage of the growing season. When you’re ready, give us a call.

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Insurance groups launch effort to reduce teen road fatalities

Teen drivers are four times more likely to crash than motorists 20 and older, and the fatal crash rate for teens is nearly three times higher than older drivers.

To help address these concerning trends, American Property Casualty Insurance Association and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have teamed to launch the Navigate to Safety program.

The program is comprised of three educational road maps that provide expert advice and other resources to help parents safely guide their children through their early driving experiences.

The road maps can be downloaded

online at iihs.org/teen-roadmaps.

“Parents need clear information to help kids stay safe and develop good driving habits from the beginning,” said David Harkey, IIHS president. “This program is designed to address the key risk factors and simplify some of the tough decisions parents face when it comes to their teen drivers.”

Robert Passmore, APCIA vice president of auto and claims policy, said helping teen drivers develop responsible habits early is key to fostering a new generation of safe drivers and creating safer roadways.

The program’s three road maps are titled “Choosing a Vehicle,” “Embracing Safety Tech” and “Laying Down the Law.” Each highlight key facets of parenting teen drivers.

“Choosing a Vehicle” serves as a buying guide, and provides an overview of what to consider when purchasing a child’s first vehicle, such as age, size and crashworthiness. Parents also can view a full list of new and used vehicles recommended by IIHS and Consumer Reports for teen drivers.

“Embracing Safety Tech” highlights teen monitoring and advanced safety features that are available in modern vehicles, some of which may be unfamiliar to parents. Features such as automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection and lane departure warning systems can help control vehicles and are invaluable for less experienced drivers.

Lastly, “Laying Down the Law” helps parents and their children familiarize themselves with local laws and explains the benefits of enforcing additional rules with teen drivers. A customizable contract that teens and parents can discuss and sign also is included.

Teen drivers and parents also can find additional resources through Virginia Farm Bureau’s Smart Start Teen Driving Program. With this plan, users can find helpful tips on driving laws and a review of safe driving habits, which can be found in the program’s “Safe Driver Booklet.”

Virginia Farm Bureau insurance customers can save get an extra 5% off premiums for drivers under 18 when their children are accident- and conviction-free, and complete the program’s quiz. All customers need to complete the quiz is 30 minutes and a valid policy number for the discount to be applied once it is passed.

The quiz is available online, or customers can call their local Virginia Farm Bureau insurance agent for a printed copy.