Cultivate Summer 2018 by Virginia Farm Bureau

Cultivate SUMMER 2018

Virginia Farm Bureau | THE VERY BEST OF VIRGINIA

Savor summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sweetness

Cultivate Volume 11, Number 3 Summer 2018 Cultivate (USPS 025051) (ISSN 1946-8121) is published four times a year. February, May, August, October. It is published by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, 12580 West Creek Parkway, Richmond, VA 23238. Periodicals postage rate is paid in Richmond, VA. The annual Subscription Rate is $1.23 (included in membership dues).

Features 28

Melon mania: Savor summer’s sweetness

There couldn’t be a better time than right now to grab a slice of ripe, juicy watermelon or cantaloupe. Cideries tap into demand for craft beverages

Cider is the fastest-growing segment of the alcoholic beverage industry. Some Virginia apple growers are using that trend to add value to their core crop. Cut flower farming is a blossoming business

Visit two of Virginia’s more than 200 cut flower farms.

Departments 3

Did You Know?

For Your Benefit

Heart of the Home

Marketplace

“When one has tasted watermelon he knows what the angels eat.” — MARK TWAIN

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 maintains the right to cancel advertising for nonpayment or reader complaints about services or products. The publisher assumes no liability for products or services advertised. Member: Virginia Press Association

EDITORIAL TEAM Greg Hicks Vice President, Communications Pam Wiley Managing Editor Kathy Dixon Assistant Editor Sara Owens Staff Writer/Photographer Patricia Hooten Graphic Designer Maria La Lima Graphic Designer Claire Mills 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 October. The magazine is published quarterly, and back issues can be viewed at issuu.com/virginiafarmbureau.

Did you know?

• No matter how much sweet corn you eat this summer, each ear will have an even number of kernel rows.

• Baby corn, like you see in stir-fry dishes and on salad bars, is sweet corn that’s been harvested early and can be eaten cob and all.

• According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the most corn husked by hand by one person in one minute is 13 ears.

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CIDER

52% ALBEMARLE CIDERWORKS

Amount by which sales of Virginia cider increased in 2016— that’s more than 416,000 cases. To learn more, see Page 11.

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Save the Date!

State Fair kicks off Sept. 28, runs through Oct. 7 The State Fair of Virginia opens on Sept. 28 with Midway thrills, funnel cakes, livestock competitions and a heaping helping of family fun. The 10-day event will run through Oct. 7 at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County. New this year is a nationally sanctioned professional competition for firefighters, as well as a related children’s challenge in which fair attendees can participate. Firefighters will compete individually as well as in teams in a series of tasks that include scaling a five-story tower, hauling gear up the tower, dragging fire hoses and rescuing a life-size “victim.” Back for a second year is the Blue Ribbon Craft Beer Fest, which will be held Oct. 6. Numerous Virginia breweries will participate in the ticketed event to celebrate the state’s booming independent craft beer industry and its agricultural connections. Both weekends of this year’s fair

will include a Celebrate Virginia’s Finest Sunday. Vendors will offer sales and samplings of products that carry the Virginia’s Finest® trademark, which identifies top-quality Virginia agriculture and specialty food and beverage products. Live concerts nightly at 7 p.m. will bring performers Scotty McCreery, Craig Campbell, Dylan Scott, Trent Harmon and Natalie Grant to the stage, along with artists from the Crooked Road, Virginia’s heritage music trail. All shows are free with a paid fair admission. Premium seats are available this year for $10 with general admission. There’s no shortage of entertainment, and grounds attractions will include the popular racing pigs of Rosaire’s Royal Racers, Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean suspended on the high wire, chainsaw artist Ben Risney, the World Champion Blacksmith Competition, K9s in Flight and monster truck rides. The roving

entertainers Amazing Giants and Robot Max will return. Dog lovers will be able to take in two days of 4-H obedience and agility trials, as well as sheep dog herding demonstrations. The fair will feature numerous livestock competitions and equine events daily, including a cowboy-style mounted shooting competition, the Virginia Palomino Competition, draft horse pulls and professional rodeo. This year the State Fair has been selected to host the American Milking Devon Mid-Atlantic Regional Show in conjunction with its dairy cattle show on Sept. 28-30. Devons are a rare and historic breed whose milk is superb for making butter and cheese. For ticket information and a fair schedule, visit StateFairVa.org.

Farm Bureau members save $5 on tickets Use your Farm Bureau membership to save $5 on State Fair of Virginia tickets. Starting Sept. 1, members can pick up discount coupons in county Farm Bureau offices good for $5 off adult, child or senior ticket purchases, valid any day of the fair. The coupons must be presented at the fair’s Ticket Plaza, along with a Farm Bureau membership card, when purchasing a ticket. There is a limit of two coupons per transaction per membership card.

vafb.com / SUMMER 2018

Save the Date!

OPENING SEPT. 28!

WATCH US!

> VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU WEEKLY TV PROGRAM

This month on Real Virginia: Farm-fresh summer foods!

State Fair countdown

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

As of Aug. 15, there are 44 days until the 2018 State Fair of Virginia opening on Sept. 28.

Fair fact:

The 2017 State Fair drew more than 9,000 students on field trips to the fair’s Educational Exposition. Virginia farmers are at the heart of the State Fair, and learning about agriculture is not just for kids. Experience the virtual reality of Virginia agriculture through 360-degree videos at the Farm Bureau booth in the Meadow Pavilion. See newborn calves or try your hand at milking a cow in the Southland Dairy Farmers Center. Be amazed at the size of the winners of the giant pumpkin and giant watermelon competitions in the Horticulture Pavilion.

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• See how wholesale farmers’ markets help provide farm-fresh fruits and vegetables for grocery store shelves. • Learn what goes into growing great sweet corn. • Discover the Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum in Surry County. • And, just in time for cantaloupe season, visit farms in Halifax County. 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 and WTKR Norfolk. Watch Real Virginia anytime online at vafb.com.

Harrisonburg restaurant celebrates bounty of local farms ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY KATHY DIXON

Local cherries (above) and mushrooms (right) are among foods the Local Chop & Grill House in Harrisonburg sources from area farms.

ate on a recent morning, a mushroom broth boiled in a stockpot while other dinner ingredients were being prepared in the kitchen of the Local Chop & Grill House in Harrisonburg. Chef Colin Auckerman said he planned to pair the broth, made from mushrooms the restaurant purchased from Afton farm, amFOG, with crispy tofu for a dinner special that night. Similar mushrooms had previously been used to make a handcrafted mushroom whiskey, which owner Jeff Hill said was “surprisingly good.” It’s all part of the restaurant’s effort to source local foods and provide the best of the season’s bounty on the menu. “The name is on purpose,” Hill remarked about the “local” part of the restaurant name. | LOCAL FARMS cont’d on p. 8 »

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local farms

cutline

A menu board highlights connections to local and regional vendors.

LOCAL FARMS cont’d from p. 7

Hill and his partners bought the restaurant in 2009 and have been purchasing from local farms ever since. Appropriately, the Local Chop & Grill House is in the former City Produce Exchange Building, once a bustling center for trade in butter, eggs and poultry. “The Valley is a hotbed of bountiful local farms and artisans, and I wanted to celebrate that,” Hill explained. The management team sought out farmers at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market and received recommendations for others. Today the restaurant sources its ingredients—everything from beans to wine—from more than two dozen local businesses. “We don’t want to be trendy; we want to be authentic,” Hill noted. Auckerman said there are many reasons to buy from and cook with local farm products; among them is a connection with the farmers. And, “more often than not, it’s a better product,” he shared. Sometimes the connections run deeper than just a quality business relationship. Patrick Ryan, who owns Ryan’s Fruit Market, met his wife, Rebecca, through his connection with a sous chef at one of the restaurants to which he sells produce. “Some of the best friends I’ve had over the years have been from the chop house,” Ryan said with a grin. The Local Chop & Grill House was the first restaurant he sold produce to in 2009. He was vending fruits and vegetables at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market, and a chop house chef was giving a cooking demonstration. “I stopped and asked him if he was interested in buying from me,” Ryan recalled. “I’ve been selling to them ever since.” Today Ryan, his wife, Rebecca, and parents Carroll and Cheryl Ryan, sell to a dozen Harrisonburg restaurants. They also offer pick-your-own cherries and sweet corn and sell peaches, apples and produce in their on-farm market. Ryan is the ninth generation to run the farm, which has been in the family since 1780. They’ve been raising fruit since 1890. On the recent morning in question, he was getting ready to pick Bing cherries and would deliver a gallon of them to the chop house. Auckerman said he hoped to pickle the cherries and pair them with pork, and Hill said they would use them in a craft cocktail as well. kathy.dixon@vafb.com

COLIN AUCKERMAN Chef, Local Chop & Grill House

PATRICK RYAN Ryan’s Fruit Market

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Weeding through misinformation

about GMOs BY SARA OWENS

Corn is among the most prevalent examples of crop biotechnology in the United States.

hey’ve been in use for more than two decades, but confusion still surrounds genetically modified organisms, commonly referred to as GMOs. “‘GMO’ has a bad connotation to it. Scientists don’t like to use the term,” said Dr. Tim Durham, assistant professor of agronomy and agricultural sciences at Ferrum College. “It’s precision ‘GMOs are the most breeding or biotechnology. It’s a heavily regulated refinement of conventional methods technology ever that we’ve been leveraging for released, and thousands of years.” that’s not up for GMOs have been widely used since 1996, and Durham called dispute. That’s an them a “scientific bridge to a better undeniable fact.’ life,” but noted that they have no —DR. TIM DURHAM, shortage of critics in the developed assistant professor of world. “People have done a great agronomy and agricultural job of demonizing technology they sciences, Ferrum College don’t know much about.” One misconception among consumers, Durham said, is that GMOs and food products that contain GMOs are totally unregulated. In fact, he explained, “GMOs are the most heavily regulated technology ever released, and that’s not up for dispute. That’s an undeniable fact.” sara.owens@vafb.com

Which crops, exactly, are GMOs? It can be hard to decipher the truth, especially when grocery items like bottled water, salt or ham carry “non-GMO” labels. The 10 GMO crops commercially available in the U.S. are: • Alfalfa • Apples • Corn (sweet and animal feed varieties) • Cotton • Canola • Potatoes • Rainbow papayas • Soybeans • Sugar beets • Summer squash Any products that do not contain those crops—like water, salt or ham—are not GMO foods.

vafb.com / SUMMER 2018

GMOs

Want to learn more about GMOs? • A February 2014 article in Cultivate goes into more depth: issuu.com/virginiafarmbureau/ docs/cultivate_0214.

Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s weekly television program, has shared information about GMOs frequently. Among the most current reports are:

• Another resource is GMOanswers.com, which uses more than 340 contributors— including farmers, educators and industry volunteers—to answer questions about GMOs.

• A Montgomery County farmer uses social media to share information with the public about GMO crops: bit.ly/rv16gmo • The science behind GMOs: bit.ly/rv16gmoscience • GMO history: bit.ly/rv16gmohistory

True or False? With an abundance of fresh foods available in the summer, you may have GMO questions. So here are some answers:

Seedless watermelon is a GMO. FALSE. It is a hybrid created by crossing two different varieties of watermelon, using conventional plant breeding techniques. Seedless watermelon varieties are among more than 300 watermelon varieties cultivated in the U.S. and South America alone. Sweet corn is a GMO. TRUE, but not all sweet corn. In the U.S. it is estimated that about 10 percent of the total sweet corn acreage planted is GMO. The cotton candyflavored grapes in my grocery store also are a GMO.

Why do GMOs even exist? GMOs were created to achieve a desired trait, such as tolerance to drought conditions or enhanced nutritional content, in plant varieties. The 10 commercially available GMO crops were created for: • Insect resistance

• Enhanced nutritional content

• Drought tolerance

• Reduced food waste

• Herbicide tolerance

• Improved food processing

• Disease resistance

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FALSE. They’re developed through a range of seed improvement techniques that are not the ones used to create GMOs. Fish DNA has been inserted in tomatoes. FALSE. There are no GMO tomatoes available commercially, with or without fish DNA.

| CRAFT CIDER |

Virginia cideries tap into demand for craft cider

ALBEMARLE CIDERWORKS

BY CLAIRE MILLS

ider is the fastest-growing segment of the alcoholic beverage industry. That’s good news for Virginia apple growers who are using that trend to add even more value to their core crop. Not that hard cider is new to Virginia. Americans have been quaffing the fermented apple juice since Colonial times. After a decline in popularity, the craft of cidermaking is experiencing a revival, and Virginia cideries are aiming to grow or source local apples to bring back fine cider. A decade ago, there was one hard cidery in the state. Today, more than 20 dot the map. Albemarle CiderWorks, one of the pioneers in the Virginia cider industry, has turned vintage apple cultivation into a passion for crafting classic dry American cider. “We started by planting 10 apple trees as a hobby and ended up with 250 varieties,” said Charlotte Shelton, owner of the family-operated cidery. She said the most ambitious thing the family did with the apples was to start making cider.

Albemarle CiderWorks owner Charlotte Shelton said her family’s cidery is working to bring back old apple varieties prized for their cider-making qualities, like Ashmead’s Kernel (left). vafb.com / SUMMER 2018

Albemarle CiderWorks Albemarle County Albemarle CiderWorks ciderist Chuck Shelton works with local apple varieties to make traditional American dry cider.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALBEMARLE CIDERWORKS

Cider Week in November • Virginia was the first state to have an official Cider Week proclaimed by its governor. This year’s celebration will be Nov. 9-18. Real Virginia, a weekly television program produced by Virginia Farm Bureau, has featured stories on Virginia cider and cideries: • Virginia hard cider: bit.ly/rv08cider • Richmond Cidery: bit.ly/rv14rcidery

| CRAFT CIDER |

Showalter’s Orchard RockinghamCounty

PHOTOS COURTESY OF OLD HILL HARD CIDER

Old Hill Hard Cider is made with juices pressed (below) from Showalter’s Orchard apples.

“We make cider out of nothing but apples, and the quality depends on the quality of the apples. Once we press the juice, the process is exactly the same as making wine.” Despite the near disappearance of traditional cider apples, CiderWorks has been instrumental in bringing them back. The farm now grows American cider apples like Harrison and Hewes Crab in its Albemarle County orchard. “Different apples produce juices with unique levels of acidity, sugar and tannin,” Ciderist Chuck Shelton explained. “I’m going to make whatever the apple gives me.” According to the Cider Market Trends Report for 2017, regional and local cider brands, rather than national ones, are driving the increase in sales of hard cider nationwide. Sales of Virginia cider increased by 52 percent, to more than 416,000 cases in 2016. At Showalter’s Orchard, the home of Old Hill Hard Cider, the Showalter family has been growing apples for more than 50 years. Six years ago they began making hard cider. The Showalters see their Rockingham County pick-your-own orchard and cidery as a direct link to visitors interested in the local food and farm-totable movements. Old Hill Hard Cider owners Sarah “The tradition of our farm has been to remain and Shannon Showalter relevant and sustainable by adding value to the crops that we grow. It was a natural progression to add hard cider production,” noted Shannon Showalter. Showalter said he is inspired by choosing blends of apples and the right yeasts for his ciders. He also incorporates nontraditional ingredients like hops, strawberries and peaches from the farm into seasonal selections. Now, he and his wife, Sarah, will expand their operation thanks to a $50,000 grant received this year from the Virginia Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund and Rockingham County. “The grant will allow us to double our production volume and construct a retail space with a larger tasting room and sales area. It will help us take advantage of the growth in the state’s agritourism and craft beverage industries,” Sarah explained. claire.mills@vafb.com

vafb.com / SUMMER 2018

Cut flower farming is a blossoming business A tale of two flower farmers

Different operations, same passion for cultivating blooms

T findings.

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY KATHY DIXON

he state’s cut flower farms—under glass or other protection and those in fields—have grown from 117 in 2007 to 227 in 2012, according to the most recent U.S. Census of Agriculture

The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers classifies specialty cut flowers as any flowers other than roses, carnations and mums that are comprised of a flower or flower bud and have straight stems at least 12 inches long and a shelf life of at least five days.

Archlynn Farms

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

facebook.com/ArchlynnFarmProduceandFruits For Amy Carwile, growing cut flowers is about the stories. “People tell me they’re buying a bouquet to take to a nursing home or to their wife to say, ‘I love you,’” Carwile shared with a smile. “One lady told me it was her birthday, and she was buying herself flowers because she deserved it. Hearing (customers’) stories just makes me happy.” She and her husband, Michael, have owned and operated Archlynn Farms in Charlotte County for the past five years, growing fruits and vegetables and selling them to subscription customers and at the Lynchburg and Farmville farmers’ markets. While shopping for produce, customers started asking about flowers. Carwile decided to attend a Virginia State University cut flower workshop this past January and became hooked. “I came home and ordered a ton of seeds.” She planted some in a field and more in one of the farm’s four high tunnels, unheated greenhouse-like structures. Now she is learning what grows well in a field and what

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thrives under cover. She’s also discovering her customers’ flower preferences. Old-fashioned stock, or gillyflower, has been popular with her customers, as have snapdragons, zinnias and sweet Williams. At the VSU conference, experts suggested growing bupleurum. Carwile heeded their advice and planted seeds, but “I haven’t sold the first stalk of it,” she remarked with a frown. Now she’s decided to make her own decisions about what to grow. “Around here in Southside Virginia, flowers are like vegetables. People like what they know and what they grew up with,” Carwile explained. “I like to grow pretty flowers; ones you can take home, put on a kitchen table or share with your friends.”

On Real Virginia

Real Virginia, a weekly television program produced by Virginia Farm Bureau, featured a story on cut flower farming earlier this year: bit.ly/rv18flower.

Beth Price helps her mother-in-law, Amy Carwile, sell fresh bouquets at local farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; markets.

Archlynn Farms owner Amy Carwile picks zinnias and snapdragons in one of her farmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high tunnels.

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Harmony Harvest Farm LLC AUGUSTA COUNTY

hhfshop.com The passion and excitement of growing cut flowers bursts through as Chris Auville and her daughter, Jessica Hall, discuss their family venture. “Our flowers are farm-fresh from the fields, and this is a great way to marry agriculture with the niche market of

cut flowers,” remarked Hall, Harmony Harvest Farm’s master grower and designer. “It’s highly rewarding to pick seeds out of a catalog for a bride, plant them, harvest them, arrange them and then watch them walk down the aisle.” Hall and her mother cultivated

the idea of starting a cut flower farm while on a family vacation six years ago. Hall was interested in returning to her farming roots, and Auville and her husband, Martin, wanted some hay land. Hall attended Virginia Tech, where she studied horticulture. “I said to Jess, ‘Where do florists get their flowers?’ and that’s when we looked at each other and knew we would grow flowers,” Auville recalled.

More than 200 varieties of flowers are grown in fields as well as greenhouses, including these (clockwise from below) bachelor buttons, allium, sweet pea and snapdragons. Jessica Hall (center) designs arrangements for about 40 weddings each year.

Stock, like these cream and pink varieties, are used frequently in Harmony Harvest designs.

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The mother-daughter team spent the next year researching, consulting with experts, writing a business plan and constructing high tunnels, a greenhouse and a work space. The Auvilles and Hall and her husband, Brian, incorporated the farm in 2013, and business has been blossoming ever since. They grow 200 varieties of flowers in fields and half a dozen high tunnels. “I love the peonies and dahlias,”

Auville remarked. “I love all the flowers,” Hall added. The flowers are used to design arrangements for about 40 weddings annually. The two also sell mixed bouquets to Whole Foods weekly, and this year they have begun selling flowers online and shipping them across the U.S. Last summer Hall was named one of Florists’ Review magazine’s top 35 floral designers under 35. She is

a Chapel Designer—a member of an international collective of wedding and event floral designers—and recently served on the design team for the First Lady’s Luncheon at the White House. kathy.dixon@vafb.com

Want to know more? To find cut flower growers and designers near you, visit the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers website at ascfg.org.

Chris Auville (left) and Hall show some of the flowers kept in cold storage after they’re picked by summer employees.

vafb.com / SUMMER 2018

CLAIRE MILLS

Award-winning Farm Bureau insurance agent Chris Adams said the best part of his job is the opportunity to be a positive part of customers’ lives.

Hanover agent uplifts peers in the field BY CLAIRE MILLS

irginia Farm Bureau insurance agent Chris Adams embraces one of the world's oldest principles—the Golden Rule—as central to how he conducts himself at work, at home and in the community. “This is a service-oriented job, so I try to do unto others as I would have them do unto me,” explained Adams, who is the recipient of this year’s Ralph Stokes Award, the top recognition given by Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. When he began working as an agent in Hanover County 23 years ago, Adams was insured through Farm Bureau but had never worked in the insurance business. Throughout his career, he has focused on his clients and on protecting people and things that are precious to 18

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them. He believes the best part of being an agent is the opportunity to be a part of people’s lives. “I’m part of their life when they’re building a house, when they’re having a baby. I have clients who have passed away, and I feel like a part of them is left with me,” Adams remarked. The Ralph Stokes Award is given annually to a Farm Bureau agent who supports company policies; is highly respected by peers; supports the agency force; and creates a high degree of client loyalty. “Chris serves as a mentor for many agents across the state,” said Gerald Gardner, VFBMIC director of sales. “He coaches them through challenges of this job and is willing to reach out to uplift others in the field.” Adams feels fortunate that treating

people well has led to referrals and business growth. One referral plays an especially important role in Adams’ life—his wife of 21 years, Tracie. After he wrote a policy for her, they dated and eventually married. Now, they live on a hobby farm where they’ve raised four children, along with cows, horses and chickens. The desire to help others also has led Adams and his wife to volunteer in more than a dozen community outreach efforts over the years. “I’ve tried to live a life of ministry and service, giving back to the community,” he added. “My faith in God is the rudder that steers me. I am blessed. If I can be a blessing to others, that’s what’s important.” claire.mills@vafb.com

Five-time Agent of the Year says success tied to responsiveness

hen Amanda Compton receives a text message from one of her customers, it doesn’t matter where she is; she responds. “It only takes a few seconds to tell them you’ll get back with them,” shared Compton, who was named the 2018 Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. Agent of the Year. The Bedford County insurance agent was named Agent of the Year for the fifth consecutive year “and, to our knowledge, a record for the history of the company,” explained Ray Leonard, VFBMIC vice president of sales. “Amanda has accomplished a lot through good, old-fashioned hard work and doing the right thing.” Compton recently was part of a panel of successful agents who spoke at the VFBMIC Sales Conference, where she shared her method of keeping track of policyholders and prospects. She notes renewal dates for each policyholder, and when she meets with prospective customers, she notes situations or upcoming events that could affect a future policy renewal or life insurance coverage decisions. And then she follows up. “I’ve had people tell me that we’re higher in price than other insurance companies but they stay with us because of the service they get from our office,” Compton remarked. She started with Virginia Farm Bureau in 2009 as an agent in Appomattox County but transferred to the Bedford County Farm Bureau osaffice in Lynchburg in 2012. Along the way, she sought advice from seasoned agents and followed it. “Needless to say, she works hard,” noted Gerald Gardner, VFBMIC director of sales.

KATHY DIXON

BY KATHY DIXON

Farm Bureau insurance agent Amanda Compton (second from left) was named Agent of the Year for a fifth consecutive year in March. She is based at Bedford County Farm Bureau’s office in Lynchburg.

“Amanda has accomplished a lot through good, old-fashioned hard work and doing the right thing.” - RAY LEONARD, VFBMIC vice president of sales Compton said she still maintains a work-life balance. She sets aside time for follow-up calls and is determined to leave the office each day to attend her two daughters’ sporting activities. She credits Jennifer Tuck, a Bedford Farm Bureau member service specialist, with helping her answer calls and service policyholders, making sure to address

high-priority situations. She also credits her faith for her accomplishments. “God has allowed me to be seen as sincere and trustworthy in the eyes of my clients. And organization and persistence are gifts that he has given to me that have allowed success in my career.” kathy.dixon@vafb.com

vafb.com / SUMMER 2018

For Your Benefit

Enjoy special Farm Bureau member prices on selected products and supplies from Grainger Plus free shipping on all Grainger orders Members are eligible for special Virginia Farm Bureau prices on selected product categories and supplies from Grainger, plus free standard ground shipping on all standard Grainger products*. Farm Bureau members receive special pricing on the following categories: • Electrical

• Cleaning: Consumables • Cleaning: Other • Hand Tools • Manufacturing: Welding

Members eligible for Ford’s F-150 sweepstakes

• Safety: Facility Safety • Safety: People Safety • Outdoor Equipment • Power Tools

Go to grainger.com/farmbureau to establish a new Grainger. com® account using that account number; or Call Grainger customer service at 800-472-4643 to update your existing Grainger account with the Farm Bureau organization account number. To be sure you get your Farm Bureau member prices, always reference Virginia Farm Bureau's organization account number when visiting your local branch, making a telephone order, or setting up your personal account online. If you have questions or need assistance, contact your county Farm Bureau. *FREE standard shipping on all orders shipped ground transportation. Other freight charges will be incurred for services such as expedited delivery, special handling by the carrier, sourcing orders and shipments outside the continental United States.

Members have access to hotel-stay discounts

Until Sept. 30, Farm Bureau members in Virginia are eligible to enter the Built Ford Tough F-150 Sweepstakes for a chance to win a twoyear lease on a new 2018 F-150 truck. To enter the sweepstakes:

1 2

Complete the entry form online at FordSpecialOffer.com/ FarmBureau/Sweeps; or text the word SWEEPS as an SMS text message to 46786 to receive a link to the entry form.

Participants must be a legal residents of the United States or District of Columbia, 21 years old or older with valid driver’s license, and a current Farm Bureau member. Complete rules can be found at the sweeps website.

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• Plumbing: Other

To get the Farm Bureau member prices, always reference the Virginia Farm Bureau organization account number when submitting an order. Contact your county Farm Bureau to get access to the account number. Get started with your price savings using one of 3 easy methods:

• Motors

• Plumbing: Pipe, Valves, Fittings

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Present the Virginia Farm Bureau organization account number at time of purchase.

Your Farm Bureau membership gives you access to two programs offering significant savings at thousands of hotels in North America. Advance reservations are required, and blackout dates may apply. Staff at your county Farm Bureau can provide you with the Virginia Farm Bureau identification number to ensure you receive your discount when making reservations.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

The Wyndham Hotel Group discount program saves you up to 20 percent off best available rates at more than 8,000 AmericInn, Baymont Inn & Suites, Days Inn, Hawthorn Suites, Howard Johnson, Microtel, Ramada, Super 8 Motel, Travelodge, Wingate by Wyndham and Wyndham Hotels locations. Additionally, TripBeatSM offers savings on condo rentals at more than

2,400 vacation destination properties. To take advantage of this discount rate, call 877-670-7088 or visit wyndhamhotels.com/farm-bureau and tripbeat.com/vafb. Use the Virginia Farm Bureau identification number when making a reservation, and present your membership card when you check in.

Choice Hotels

The Choice Hotels discount program offers 20 percent off best available rates at Cambria Suites, Clarion, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Econo Lodge, MainStay Suites, Quality, Rodeway Inn, Sleep Inn and Suburban locations worldwide. To access this discount rate, call 800-258-2847 or visit choicehotels. com. Use the Virginia Farm Bureau identification number when making a reservation, and present your membership card when you check in.

For Your Benefit

John Deere program offers savings for every project Good news, weekend warriors! You can receive valuable John Deere discounts just for being a Virginia Farm Bureau member. All Farm Bureau members in Virginia receive automatic access to John Deere’s GreenFleet™ Loyalty Rewards program. That means deeper discounts on equipment, including riding mowers, utility vehicles and tractors at John Deere dealerships. You’re also eligible for exclusive offers and special parts savings. Simply sign up for the John Deere GreenFleet Loyalty Rewards program using a valid Farm Bureau membership number and your ZIP code at JohnDeere.com/Farm Bureau. Farm Bureau members are eligible for the following discounts in these categories of equipment: • $350-$3,200 off Commercial Mowing; • $100-$250 off Residential Mowing; • $200-$350 off Utility Vehicles; • $200-$350 off Tractors;

• skid steer loaders – $500-$1,000 • telehandlers – $500-$1,000 •m ini hydraulic excavators – $250-$500 Visit vafb.com/benefits, where you can log in as a member and then obtain a membership verification certificate to present to your dealer at the time of purchase or lease quote. Your discount can be combined with any current retail discounts, promotions, rebates or offers available through Caterpillar or Cat dealers, with the exception of other membership purchase incentives. Discounts cannot be applied to past purchases. Find a Cat dealer near you at cat.com

Planning some late-summer fun? Plan on savings as well Member Deals Plus saves Farm Bureau members money on trips to amusement parks, concerts and other events, museums, zoos, tours, golfing and lots of other summer fun— as well as hotel stays and car rentals. Start basking in your savings today!

• $500-$3,700 off Golf and Sports Turf; and

•T o register as a new user, visit vafb.com/benefits.

• 17 percent off MSRP for Commercial Worksite.

•T o save with a mobile device, download the “Member Deals Plus” app from the AppStore or Google Play.

Other details: • GreenFleet Loyalty Rewards benefits are only available at John Deere dealerships. • GreenFleet members can manage their account at MyJohnDeere.Deere.com. For full GreenFleet terms and conditions, visit JohnDeere. com/GreenFleet. For full program details, visit vafb.com/ benefits.

Get substantial savings on Caterpillar machines Caterpillar’s Virginia Farm Bureau Member Benefit Program affords members in Virginia savings of up to $2,500 on qualifying machinery from participating dealers. Members also can receive a $250 credit on work tool attachments purchased with a new Caterpillar machine. • hydraulic excavators (Cat 336F and 349F) – $2,500 • medium track-type tractor (Cat D6T) – $2.500 • small wheel loaders – $2,000 • compact wheel loaders – $1,000 • small dozers – $1,000 • backhoe loaders – $500-$1,000 • compact track loaders – $500-$1,000

• multi terrain loaders – $500-$1,000

For assistance, call Member Deals Plus customer service, 888-275-9136. Member Deals plus and Member Deals Plus are registered trademarks of Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.

Save up to 25% on car rentals from Avis, Budget Your Farm Bureau membership affords you up to 25 percent off your next reservation with Avis Car Rental or Budget Car Rental, two of the world’s best-known car rental brands with locations worldwide. In addition, enjoy additional offers like dollars off, a complimentary upgrade or a free weekend day. Discount rates may vary between 5 percent and 25 percent depending on time of year, availability and other factors. The Farm Bureau discount may not be stacked with other corporate or membership discounts. Visit Avis.com/vafb, or call 800-331-1212 to make a reservation, and reference Virginia Farm Bureau’s Avis Worldwide Discount number, available from your county Farm Bureau and on vafb.com. Or visit Budget.com or call 800-527-0700 to make a reservation, and reference Virginia Farm Bureau’s Budget Customer Discount number, also available from your county Farm Bureau and on vafb.com. vafb.com / SUMMER 2018

Rideshare insurance coverage available

hen your app is on, get the coverage you need. Drivers for transportation companies like Uber, Lyft, Amazon Flex or Grubhub may have gaps in their auto insurance coverage. Virginia Farm Bureau offers Rideshare Coverage, which is an endorsement for personal auto policies. “This endorsement helps fill the gaps in insurance policies offered by transportation network companies,” explained Barry Light, Farm Bureau product development manager. “The coverage begins when you turn on your rideshare app and ends when you turn the app off again. If you were in an accident, it could save you thousands of dollars.” Benefits of Rideshare Coverage protect you during all parts of your rideshare journey, including: • App on and waiting: This is the biggest coverage gap. A transportation

Rideshare Coverage is available to members who drive for transportation network companies.

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network company’s policy provides minimal coverage during this period, usually less than personal auto policy limits. • On the way: Once you’re on the clock, the TNC policy will offer higher limits to drivers, and Rideshare Coverage will be there to back you up. • Pickup and drop-off: If you are in an accident, TNC coverage may cover damages and injuries, but higher deductibles can set you back. Rideshare Coverage can reimburse you up to $2,500 to cover the difference between your TNC and personal auto policy deductibles. “Rideshare Coverage gives you coverage that is always on, even if there isn’t a passenger in your vehicle. This can help fill the gaps at every state of the ride and help reduce the total deductible payment,” Light added. Because it is an extension of your personal auto policy, you know what is

covered, and it could cost as little as $5 a month. For more information about this endorsement visit vafb.com or contact your Farm Bureau insurance agent.

Insurance Q & A

I keep hearing about renter’s insurance. Is it really that important? Even if you do not own the structure you live in, you still need insurance for the items you own. If something happened to the home you are living in—such as a fire, flood or break-in—who would replace the items that are damaged or stolen? If you have renter’s insurance, you are covered. It isn’t very expensive, but it could save you a lot in the long run. Contact a Farm Bureau insurance agent near you for information on protecting your personal property.

Coverage under the umbrella

CAR

rotecting yourself, your family and the lifestyle you’ve worked hard for often means going the extra mile. An umbrella insurance policy offers protection that goes above and beyond standard auto and home policies. “An umbrella policy assures that your family and your assets such as college funds, retirement savings, emergency funds and even your home are protected against incidents that may exceed your current coverage,” explained Gerald Gardner, director of sales for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. “Having an umbrella policy can help against personal injury and personal liability claims and the legal costs associated with those claims.” An umbrella policy is available for

LIFE

HOME

personal policies, farm policies and commercial policies. “The plans can be customized so you get the best protection needed for you and your family,” Gardner added. “To sum it up, an umbrella policy puts everything

H E A LT H

under one big umbrella to help protect your family’s financial future and provide peace of mind at a very low cost.” For more information visit vafb. com/insurance/umbrella.

A scenario in which an umbrella policy would be helpful Imagine that, tragically, you are at fault in an auto accident that injures another driver. Your regular automobile insurance may cover the other driver up to the limit you selected, in this case $300,000. But what happens if that limit is not enough to cover the other driver's resulting medical bills? If his or her injuries are severe, you may be legally responsible for damages beyond the $300,000 your

auto insurance policy covers. If you are sued for $1 million, in this situation your automobile policy's liability coverage may pay for up to the $300,000. But where would you come up with the remaining $700,000? An umbrella policy helps cover the additional costs when your standard insurance policy isn't enough. And that protection can keep you from having to jeopardize your family’s assets.

vafb.com / SUMMER 2018

Free Medicare seminars available

f you’re on or soon to be on disability, nearing retirement age, or are age 65 and still working, you may have Medicare on your mind. If you have questions about Medicare and want to know more, whether you are enrolled already or nearing enrollment, there may be a local Medicare seminar available, sponsored by your county Farm Bureau. The following seminars have been scheduled and will be held at the county Farm Bureau office unless otherwise noted: • Aug. 13, Pittsylvania County Farm Bureau at Olde Dominion Ag Complex • Aug. 15 and 16, Charles City-James City-New Kent-York Farm Bureau at Providence Forge office

• Aug. 16, Craig County Farm Bureau • Aug. 20, Pulaski County Farm Bureau • Aug. 22, Smyth County Farm Bureau • August 23, Lunenburg County Farm Bureau at Victoria Public Library • Aug. 23, Nottoway County Farm Bureau at Victoria Public Library • Aug. 28, Warren County Farm Bureau at Samuels Public Library • Sept. 6, Westmoreland County Farm Bureau at Central Rappahannock Regional Library

• Sept. 11, Floyd County Farm Bureau • Sept. 19, Montgomery County Farm Bureau • Sept. 20, Prince Edward County Farm Bureau • Sept. 25 and 26, Albemarle County Farm Bureau at Jefferson-Madison Regional Library • Oct. 2, Franklin County Farm Bureau at Franklin County Library Each seminar is available at no cost. To register, call your county Farm Bureau office, even if the seminar is held at a neighboring office.

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Have questions about Medicare Supplements? Call today!

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. AADVOTH006M(15)-VA 55681VASENABS 24

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Annual checkups can help address many health issues in their early stages.

Annual checkups Part of preventive care is seeing your doctor for an annual checkup and bloodwork. For women, this also should include a yearly visit with a gynecologist. Well visits also are covered for infants and children.

Vision care • Many eye and vision conditions exhibit no obvious symptoms, so often individuals are unaware there is a problem.

Take advantage of preventive care

reventive care consists of measures taken to prevent illnesses rather than curing them or treating their symptoms. Most health insurance plans include coverage of preventive care, which benefits both the consumer and health care companies through early detection and reduced health care spending. There is significant research demonstrating that increased use of effective preventive services results in less suffering from illnesses that could have been prevented had they been detected and treated early on. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seven out of 10 Americans die each year from chronic diseases, many of which are preventable. Medical services such as immunizations, screening tests, medications and any other services that would prevent disease, injury and premature death fall under the umbrella of preventive care. “The purpose of preventive care is

to shift the focus of health care from treating sickness to maintaining wellness and good health,” explained Tracy Cornatzer, sales manager for Virginia Farm Bureau’s health insurance division. “By taking advantage of regular preventive care services you can stay healthier and get more effective treatment and pay less for medical expenses.” Preventive care saves money in two ways:

It helps lower the long-term cost of managing disease, because it helps catch problems in the early stages when most diseases are more treatable. The cost of early treatment or a diet or lifestyle change is less than that of treating and managing a full-blown chronic disease or serious illness.

Many preventive services are covered in full, which means there is no cost when using your insurance plan. For many of these services you will not have a deductible, co-pay, co-insurance or other out-ofpocket expenses.

• Early diagnosis and treatment of cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration are important for maintaining good vision and preventing permanent vision loss. Yearly eye exams should be part of your routine preventive health care.

Dental care • Poor oral health can lead to many medical conditions. In fact, oral bacteria and disease have been linked to a variety of serious illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke and pregnancy complications. • Visiting your dentist twice a year can help prevent oral diseases from creating problems, as can good oral hygiene at home. • Most insurance plans cover two cleanings a year—and sometimes more if you are pregnant or have certain health conditions.

vafb.com / SUMMER 2018

RIGHT TREE; RIGHT PLACE

lanting the right tree in the right place is important when planning your yard or garden. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, a healthy community forest begins with careful planning. Researching and pre-planning a layout can produce a landscape that will provide coolness in the summer and tame winter winds. Trees should be well-acclimated for the soil and moisture of your neighborhood. They also should be properly placed to avoid collisions with power lines and buildings. The following are questions to consider when making a landscape plan for trees: • Height: Will the tree bump into anything when it is fully grown? • Canopy spread: How wide will the tree grow? • Deciduous, or evergreen: Will the tree lose its leaves in the winter? • Form or shape: A columnar tree will take up less space, whereas round or v-shaped species provide the most shade. • Growth rate: How long will it take for the tree to reach full height? Slow-growing species often live longer than fastergrowing ones. • Soil, sun and moisture requirements: Will the tree thrive in this location? • Fruit: No one wants messy fruit droppings on sidewalks. • Hardiness zone: The hardiness zone indicates the temperature extremes in which a tree can be expected to grow, so find a list of trees suitable for planting in your specific zone. Information on hardiness zones, sizing and shape guides, as well as illustrations and more information can be found at arborday. org/trees/righttreeandplace.

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Trees are a long-term investment in your home landscape, so careful plant and site selection are key.

vafb.com / SUMMER 2018

Heart of the Home

MELON MANIA:

Savor summer’s sweetness

here couldn’t be a better time than right now to grab a slice of ripe, juicy melon and enjoy it al fresco—or use it in one of these mouthwatering recipes. The watermelon recipes are from the National Watermelon Promotion Board, and the sweet cantaloupe recipe comes from the Eastern Cantaloupe Growers Association.

WATERMELON.ORG

Cantaloupe Sherbet INGREDIENTS

1 large ripe cantaloupe, peeled and finely chopped (about 5 cups) ⅓ cup calorie-free sweetener 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin ¼ cup cold water 8-ounce carton vanilla fat-free yogurt cantaloupe wedges for garnish DIRECTIONS

Combine cantaloupe, sweetener and lemon juice in a blender or food processor; pulse until smooth. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl.

Watermelon and cucumber create a light, cool summer salad.

Sweet and Sour Watermelon Salad INGREDIENTS

½ cup cider vinegar 1 cup water ½ cup sugar, to taste 1 tablespoon poppy seeds dash of salt and pepper, to taste

In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let stand for 1 minute. Cook over low heat, stirring until gelatin dissolves, about 4 minutes. Add to cantaloupe mixture, stirring well. Add yogurt, and stir until smooth.

bunch of scallions, trimmed and chopped

Pour mixture into an 8" square pan; freeze until almost firm. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and beat with a mixer at high speed until fluffy. Spoon mixture back into pan; freeze until firm.

DIRECTIONS

Scoop into individual dishes to serve, and garnish each portion with a cantaloupe wedge. Serves 5. 28

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3 cups seedless watermelon balls or small watermelon chunks 2 English cucumbers, peeled, seeded and sliced In a small bowl, mix the vinegar, water, sugar and poppy seeds, and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the chopped scallions. Place the watermelon and cucumber in a serving bowl, and pour the dressing over the top. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate a couple of hours. Toss gently before serving.

WATERMELON.ORG

Heart of the Home

With its festive look and creative blend of flavors, Savory Watermelon Pizza is well-suited for entertaining.

Savory Watermelon Pizza

balsamic vinegar pepper, to taste

INGREDIENTS

watermelon rounds, cut 1" thick (for pizza â&#x20AC;&#x153;crustâ&#x20AC;?) goat cheese greens of choice, such as arugula prosciutto, thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS

On each watermelon round, spread goat cheese over the fleshy part of the melon. Sprinkle the entire surface with greens, top with prosciutto, then drizzle with balsamic vinegar and season with pepper. Cut into wedges before serving.

vafb.com / SUMMER 2018

Farm Bureau website helps you maximize your membership As a registered member at vafb.com, you’ll be the first to gain access to new content, convenient account features, membership information and insurance policy details. Once registered, members can: • Get access codes and information for all member benefits. • Update your contact information to ensure you receive Farm Bureau’s monthly e-newsletters. Virginia Farm Bureau insurance policyholders can: • View policy information 24/7, and easily find your insurance agent or county Farm Bureau office.

Follow us at VaFarmBureau and Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance on Facebook and @VaFarmBureau and @VFBInsurance on Twitter to learn more about Virginia agriculture and get tips to help avoid costly insurance claims.

• Request policy changes and pay premiums online. • Download auto insurance ID cards.

Grind Away ANY Size Stump FAST!

Don’t miss out on this offer. Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com today!

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BONUS CASH

The DR® STUMP GRINDER uses carbide-tipped cutting teeth (taking 360 “bites” per second) to reduce any stump to a pile of woodchips. Grinds stumps below ground level so they are gone forever!

Don’t forget about the Built Ford Tough F-150 Sweepstakes!** Text the word SWEEPS to 46786*** to enter!

• New, more powerful and lowerpriced models.

*Program 36238: $500 Bonus Cash offer exclusively for active AL, AR, AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MI, MS, MO, NE, NM, NC, ND, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA Farm Bureau members who are residents of the United States. Offer is valid through 1/2/2019 for the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2017/2018/2019 model year Ford vehicle. Not available on Shelby GT350®, Shelby® GT350R, Mustang BULLITT, Ford GT, Focus RS, F-150 Raptor and F-150 Diesel. 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 member for 30 consecutive days prior to purchase. Limit one Bonus Cash offer per vehicle purchase or lease. Limit of five new eligible vehicle purchases or leases per Farm Bureau member during program period. Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com or see your Ford Dealer for complete details and qualifications.

• Now towable with your riding mower or ATV.

NEW Self-Propelled Model Available!

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• Faster, safer and easier than digging, burning, or using chemicals.

**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 BUREAU MEMBER. ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes ends 9/30/2018. For entry and official rules with complete eligibility, prize description and other details, visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com. Sponsored by Ford Motor Company, One American Road, Dearborn, MI 48126. ***Autodialed marketing messages will be sent to the number provided. Consent is not a condition of purchase or entry. Message and data rates may apply.

2019 magazine classified ad schedule and policies Members of Virginia Farm Bureau are eligible to place one free 15-word classified ad per membership per year in Cultivate, which is mailed to associate members, or in Virginia Farm Bureau News, which is mailed to producer members.

• Crops;

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

• Livestock; and

• Farm equipment; • Hay/Straw;

• Livestock equipment.

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

Classified ads will be published in the following issues: • April Virginia Farm Bureau News (mailed to producer members only);

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

• May Cultivate (mailed to associate members only); • August Cultivate (mailed to associate members only); and

Use the online form at vafb.com/membership-at-work/ membership/benefits/marketplace to place your ad. No ads or cancellations will be taken by phone. Ads will be accepted only from members whose membership is current. Magazine classified ads can be placed in the following five categories only:

rin ers, sha

rm Real fa

arm n real f o , s ie r o real st

REAL VIRGINIA

DEER AND RABBIT REPELLENT – $13.95 makes 10 gallons. Safe, effective, long-lasting, guaranteed. 540-464-1969.

LIVESTOCK

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.

• WTKR Norfolk

• WCVE Richmond

• WVPT Harrisonburg

• WHRO Norfolk

• WVVA Bluefield

Real Virginia Promo Ad.indd 1

When placing your ad, be sure to include your Farm Bureau member number, which can be found on your membership card and above your name on the mailing label of your copy of Cultivate. All member numbers will be verified.

JOHN DEERE – 1560 no-till drill, 15-ft. foam or disk markers. $18,500. 540-847-6143.

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.

• WBRA Roanoke

Finding your member number

CROPS

A weekly television program produced by Virginia Farm Bureau

Watch anytime at vafb.com, and weekly on

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

ANIMAL COMMUNICATOR – Do you need help with understanding your four-legged friend? Bill Northern, 804-366-1994. REGISTERED ANGUS BULLS – Calving ease, semen tested, excellent bloodlines. Reasonably priced, good selection. C-Stock Farm, Scottsville. 434-286-2743 or 434-981-1397. CHAROLAIS BULLS – High quality and easy calving. Veterinarian owned, $1,500 to $3,500. Abingdon, 276-628-9543.

7/2/18 10:50 AM

vafb.com / SUMMER 2018