— VISHALI MOGULLA, co-owner of Sprouting Roots Farm in Loudoun County
Volume 17, Number 3
Summer 2024
Cultivate (USPS 025051) (ISSN 1946-8121) is published four times a year. February, May, August, October. It is published by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, 12580 West Creek Parkway, Richmond, VA 23238. Periodicals postage rate is paid at Richmond, VA and additional mailing offices. The annual Subscription Rate is $1.13 (included in membership dues).
Postmaster: Please send changes of address to, Cultivate, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, P.O. Box 27552, Richmond, VA 23261; fax 804-290-1096. Editorial and business offices are located at 12580 West Creek Parkway, Richmond, VA 23238. Telephone 804-290-1000, fax 804-290-1096. Email address is Cultivate@vafb.com. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. All advertising is accepted subject to the publisher’s approval. Advertisers must assume liability for the content of their advertising. The publisher assumes no liability for products or services advertised. The publisher maintains the right to cancel advertising for non-payment or reader complaints about services or products.
Member: Virginia Press Association
EDITORIAL TEAM
Pam Wiley Vice President, Communications
Kathy Dixon Managing Editor
Nicole Zema Sr. Staff Writer/Photographer
Alice Kemp Sr. Staff Writer/Advertising Coordinator
Christina Amano Dolan Staff Writer/Photographer
Eleanor Stickley Graphic Designer
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.
Did you know?
Watermelon, an age-old summertime treat, once quenched the thirst of tribes crossing the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa.
The first recorded watermelon harvest was 5,000 years ago in Egypt, and is depicted in hieroglyphics on walls of ancient buildings, according to the National Watermelon Board.
From there, watermelons were brought to countries along the Mediterranean Sea by merchant ships. By the 10th century,
watermelons found their way to China, which is now the world’s top watermelon producer.
The U.S. is currently ranked seventh in worldwide watermelon production. American Cookery by Amelia Simmons, the first cookbook published in the U.S., in 1796, contained a recipe for watermelon rind pickles.
In Virginia, watermelons are grown on 241 farms on 595 acres, according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture.
Watermelons continue to nourish and delight us during the hot summer months. Consisting of about 92% water, the melons are packed with vitamins A, B and C,
magnesium and potassium. And you may not know, but 1 ounce of shelled, dried watermelon seeds contains 10 grams of protein. So don’t spit out the seeds!
To choose a ripe watermelon, look for a firm, symmetrical melon free from cuts or dents. Turn it over, and look for a creamy yellow spot on the underside of the watermelon. This is where it sat on the ground and ripened in the sun.
3,633
That’s how many acres of sweet corn are harvested in Virginia, according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture. See related article on page 14.
Produce auction provides a hub for farmers to sell fruits, vegetables, flowers and more, on Real Virginia
Featured this month on Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s weekly television program:
• Find out how the Shenandoah Valley Produce Auction provides a central location for farmers to sell their harvest to wholesale buyers like roadside stands and farm markets.
• Learn how farmers are beginning to incorporate artificial intelligence to improve on-farm record keeping.
• Discover the historic agriculture in Lunenburg County in this month’s County Closeup.
Real Virginia airs nationwide at 3:30 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month on RFD-TV on Dish Network and DirecTV, and on selected cable outlets around the state. It airs weekly on WBRA digital channel 15.2, the WHRO World Channel, WVVA Bluefield and WTKR Norfolk, and on the first and third weekends of each month on WVIR Charlottesville, WHSV Harrisonburg, WRLH Richmond and WSLS Roanoke.
Take in the sights, tastes and thrills of the State Fair of Virginia
“Where Home Grown Happens” is a fitting theme for the State Fair of Virginia, the event that celebrates the best of what’s grown, made and raised in the Old Dominion.
When crowds visit the State Fair Sept. 27 through Oct. 6 at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County, they will be treated to a variety of attractions, entertainment, shopping and mouthwatering food, alongside plenty of Virginia agriculture.
Exciting new amusements will feature lawnmower racing on opening Saturday; chainsaw carver Chad Gainey, who will craft one-of-a-kind sculptures; and the Strolling Piano and Belmont Festival of Magic. Returning fair favorites are the famed racing pigs of Rosaire’s Royal Racers and performances by Triple Crown Circus.
The Main Stage Concert Series will showcase a variety of genres. Some of the performances include the Brencore Allstars Band featuring Motown hits, the Caribbean Bomba and Plana Orchestra with Latin music, rock band Hinder, Lone Star country star Lee Roy Parnell & Great Southern, and “King of
the Twist” Chubby Checker.
Virginia bakers, creators and makers will engage in friendly rivalry for blue ribbons in State Fair contests.
Contestants also will face off during the fair’s first live grilled cheese sandwich competition, creating their own flavorful combinations. Other live culinary competitions are a potato recipe contest and a peanut snack recipe contest.
And speaking of food, fairgoers can feast on classics like corn dogs and funnel cakes as well as new savory and sweet treats. Food vendors abound, including a new spot that will serve gluten-free and vegan options, with tasty dishes like chickpea tacos and jalapeno mozzarella kabobs.
Virginia’s largest classroom continues to offer myriad agricultural activities, with milking demonstrations, the Young MacDonald’s Farm exhibit, a horticulture tent, and equine and livestock exhibits.
New this year are two fun-filled Alpaca Days on Sept. 28 and 29. Fairgoers can learn about the friendly furry animals up close, watch live
demonstrations, feel soft alpaca fleece and shop for alpaca products.
The Black Tie & Boots Gala will return to Meadow Hall on Sept. 27 for a glamorous evening of fellowship and fundraising. Also returning is the Second Annual Taste of Virginia fundraising event on Oct. 3. The culinary event offers tastings of some of Virginia’s finest foods and beverages prepared by featured chefs, wineries, distilleries and breweries. Proceeds from both events will benefit fair scholarships and youth programming.
Mark your calendar, and make it a fair to remember! For ticket and entertainment information, visit StateFairVa.org. Additional live updates can be found by following the fair on Facebook at Facebook.com/ StateFairVa and Instagram @statefairva.
The State Fair is held each fall and attracts 200,000 fairgoers. In 2023, the fair was among 182 diverse events that drew more than 530,000 visitors to The Meadow. The venue had an overall regional economic impact of $41.5 million.
New benefits help members save on cell service, apparel and hotels
Affinity Cellular
Affinity Cellular operates on the nation’s largest and most dependable network, and has been providing service to membership organizations since 2011.
Affinity Cellular offers a wide array of plans and phones with a focus on talk and text only, with lower data consumption. You select the phone and plan that best fit your needs!
Virginia Farm Bureau members enjoy exclusive benefits, including a $75 airtime credit, free activation ($35 value) and free shipping. Members have the option to keep their current phones (subject to network compatibility), select from the latest iPhone or Android devices, or choose a simple flip phone. They also may keep their existing cell phone numbers.
To set up a plan with Affinity Cellular, visit vafb.com/benefits, log in as a Virginia Farm Bureau member, and go to the Affinity Cellular tab. Use the dedicated website link or phone number provided.
Drury Hotels
Virginia Farm Bureau members receive a 15% discount off best available rates at Drury Hotels, where extras aren’t extra.
The discount is valid at more than 150 Drury Hotels locations in 26 states, including one in Richmond. See a full list of locations here.
All overnight guests will enjoy free hot breakfast; free 5:30-7 p.m.
appetizers and cold beverages; free internet access; and free stays for kids in their parents’ room.
To make a reservation, visit vafb. com/benefits, log into your account, and go to the Drury Hotels tab. The corporate code should populate automatically.
*Discount subject to availability and cannot be used with other discounts, offers or promotions. Discounts cannot be used with other programs. Advance reservations are required, and blackout dates apply.
KEY Apparel
KEY Apparel saves members up to 20% off, plus free shipping
Since 1908, KEY Apparel has crafted quality workwear at an affordable price. KEY Apparel provides comfortable office wear and rugged workwear, all shipped from its headquarters in Fort Scott, Kansas. Virginia Farm Bureau has partnered with KEY to provide members with apparel they can rely on.
Virginia Farm Bureau members will receive a 10%-20% discount on all merchandise, plus free shipping on orders over $75. Members can customize garments with state or county Farm Bureau logos, or add personal graphics like sports team and organizational logos.
To use this Virginia Farm Bureau benefit, visit vafb.com/benefits, log in as a Virginia Farm Bureau member, and go to the KEY Apparel tab and follow
the link to Virginia’s exclusive site.
Great Hearing Benefits
Great Hearing Benefits works to improve hearing health, which is essential to overall health. The company is comprised of thousands of credentialed hearing care professionals in a nationwide network, providing the latest technology with affordable pricing, award-winning care and record-breaking patient satisfaction.
And now, Virginia Farm Bureau members can save up to 50% on top hearing aids provided through companies like Beltone, ReSound and Jabra.
Members get:
• Discounted pricing in today’s top hearing technology
• A free 60-day trial
• 3-year warranty and service
• 5,000+ hearing care locations nationwide
• In-person or virtual appointments
• The benefit of sharing discounts with up to three immediate family members
• A 25% discount off Jabra consumer audio and headsets, plus office teleconference products.
To access your savings, visit vafb.com/benefits, log in as a Virginia Farm Bureau member, and go to the Great Hearing Benefits tab to start saving.
Educate. Donate. Innovate. Virginia food bank opens a groundbreaking aquaponics facility
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN
Anew aquaponics production facility is fighting food insecurity with innovation.
The Healthy Harvest Fresh educational center and aquaponics production facility officially opened its doors this winter. It is adjacent to Healthy Harvest Food Bank in Warsaw, which serves six counties in Virginia’s Northern Neck and Upper Middle Peninsula.
The still-growing HHF team works to bring healthy food options year-round to families near and far.
Aquaponics unlike the rest
Fusing large-scale aquaponics with educational and philanthropic endeavors, the operation is “one-of-a-kind” in Virginia, noted Tammy Cole, HHF director of operations.
Aquaponics combines fish culture and hydroponics in a sustainable, symbiotic recirculating system. The plants harvest the nutrients in the water generated by the fish, following a multi-step filtration process.
The 11,700-square-foot production space houses six fish tanks, two floating raft systems and living filter beds growing premium-quality vegetables. Virginia State University donated the first tilapia fingerlings—a freshwater fish that reaches harvestable size in just nine months.
Requiring only two water pumps and about 1% replacement water daily to operate, the complex system is “beautiful for education”—taking ingenuity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to “a whole new level,” Cole remarked.
“That’s one of the reasons why we’re here—to educate other people in the community to embrace this type of food production.”
The HHF team invites school systems to visit the facility. They’ve already hosted local culinary arts and horticulture students to help with seeding and harvesting.
The facility’s 2,500-square-foot state-of-the-art classroom will be used to educate visitors of all ages on the importance of fresh food and sustainable agriculture—carrying on the cycle of enrichment beyond its doors.
Growing to give back
From her very first walk-through of HHF during its construction, Healthy Harvest Food Bank president and CEO Cindy Balderson knew the new endeavor was “destined for greatness.
“We believe that this is bigger than we can even begin to imagine, and I am confident in our work and our ability to turn hunger into hope—not only for this generation but those to follow,” she said.
The innovative facility is bringing hope to Middlesex County—where around 500 families rely on the local food pantry every month for fresh food.
From top: The aquaponics system includes six fish production tanks and two raft tanks in which plants are grown. Ben Lewis of Healthy Harvest Fresh harvests herbs from the living filter beds.
“We have one grocery store chain in the whole county, which can be difficult to get to,” said Dave Cryer, the pantry’s leader and food bank board member.
One in eight neighbors in need struggle with food insecurity nationally. The food bank served 10,458 people monthly in 2023.
Largely run by Cole and new production manager Ben Lewis, the HHF team currently supplies over 150 pounds of lettuce weekly to the food bank’s 34 affiliate pantries. They hope to eventually supply 140,000 pounds of protein and vegetables year-round to schools and food banks across Virginia.
“I have never lost sight of the value this program will bring to our schools and students, many of whom have grown up in a cycle of inescapable generational poverty but will now have the opportunity to learn, grow and break that cycle,” Balderson remarked.
While generations have relied on fast food in Cryer’s community, the facility’s selection of leafy greens has enthralled pantry recipients.
“Everyone has remarked how beautiful it all is,” he marveled. “It’s so much easier to talk our clients into using it.”
HHF’s vibrant greens and herbs have even caught the attention of local chefs—resulting in several partnerships with nearby restaurants.
With big plans on the horizon, the HHF team works toward optimizing their space—experimenting with what plants work best with the system and hiring some helping hands.
“As we add more fish to the system and our beneficial bacteria colony and nutrient load grows, some things are performing a little better,” Cole noted.
“It keeps us on our toes,” said Lewis. From volunteering at the food bank over the years to recently assuming his new role, he’s enjoyed building up the operation.
Feeding the future
With a strong background in traditional farming and education, Cole has learned that “you’re never too old to learn something new.
“While I believe in traditional agriculture, I also believe that agriculture like this is absolutely a necessity to embrace—to the point that I would say it’s a matter of national security.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service reported a sharp increase in food insecurity in 2022—jumping from 13.5 million food-insecure households in 2021 to 17 million in 2022.
With hunger on the rise, Cole’s passion for teaching others only intensifies.
To learn more or follow the facility’s progress, visit hhfresh.org.
From top: Ben Lewis transfers plants from a germination chamber into a float raft. Educational signs are placed throughout the facility. The lettuce is grown using a Deep Water Culture Aquaponics raft system.
EDIBLE FLOWERS: Reawaken the art of elegant eating
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN
The beautiful blossoms that decorate Nancy Dowling’s backyard oasis offer much more than kaleidoscopic splendor.
Living in Arlington, the Northern Virginia Master Gardener makes the most out of limited outdoor space. Along with offering habitat to her frequent bird and butterfly visitors, she paints her floral canvas with colorful culinary possibilities.
“Working outside, you build an appetite,” she laughed. If there’s a vibrant nasturtium blooming nearby, she can’t help but indulge in her favorite flowery snack.
Dowling is not the first to appreciate the flower’s refreshing, nutty bite, or savor the sundry flavors of her blooming marigold, calendula and borage plants. She’s among the many gardeners and growers who are rediscovering the lost art of edible flowers.
Cultivated by ancient civilizations for myriad medicinal and culinary purposes, flowers have long inspired creativity in those living off the land. Today they are finding their place in a
reawakening movement.
“More people are interested in using their space as productively as possible, and what’s more productive than eating your own plants?”
Dowling remarked.
Botanicals offer bountiful benefits
When wandering around Great Day Gardens in Bedford County, owner Arden Jones finds a rainbow of edible blossoms gracing fencerows and other unexpected places.
“That’s one thing I like about flowers—they’re so productive and don’t need a lot of care,” she said.
Because Jones already was growing cut flowers, herbs and mixed greens for direct sale, it only made sense to venture into the edible flower market.
“A lot of flowers are edible, and it’s actually more common than you think,” she noted.
Her cornflower, nasturtium, calendula and rose petals set her salad mixes apart at the farmers market, enticing shoppers with bursts of color and unique tastes. The business also grows edible flowers for bakery breads and custom-ordered wedding
cake décor.
For nighttime relaxation, Jones sips on her soothing tea mix of chamomile, lavender, calendula, elderflower, fennel and bee balm.
Praised for their medicinal benefits throughout history, many edible flowers contain antioxidants and other useful properties. Rose petals and rose hips were promoted during World War II as an excellent source of vitamin C when food was scarce, according to Mary Toth, curator of herbaceous plants at Norfolk Botanical Garden.
“It’s kind of dependent on the flower and what it may offer you, but a good amount of them have some sort of beneficial medicinal value,” Toth explained.
She added that incorporating edible flowers in a garden can provide habitat for pollinators and other insects.
Exercise caution before eating
While many flowers are edible, it’s important to study up before ingesting one.
“There’s a lot of flowers you cannot eat that are poisonous, so you have to
CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN
Great Day Gardens employees, from left, Allison Franklin with baby Joseph Bruno, Jenna Morris, Marcia Smith and Arden Jones grow a rainbow of edible flowers on their Bedford County farm.
be careful,” Dowling warned. Ingesting flowers like peonies, hydrangeas and hellebores can prove fatal.
Sometimes the same plant can contain both edible and poisonous parts, and some parts are too bitter to eat.
“The petals are usually the best
part of the flower, so I’d recommend removing the heel at the base of the petal—your stamen, pistil and calyx,” Toth advised.
Before foraging flowers from roadsides, neighborhoods or out in the wild, ensure that they’re properly identified and pesticide-free. When in
doubt, don’t eat it.
Toth recommends picking flowers early in the morning, and avoiding any “faded, dusty or discolored flowers” for optimal freshness. Store them in the fridge for up to three days, and rinse in a bowl of water right before eating.
Clockwise from top left: Marigold, chamomile, lavender, edible flower salad mix, elderflower and nasturtiums.
Edible flowers to plant in a garden
NASTURTIUM – Tropaeolum majus
Flowers: May to June; blooms into November with weekly deadheading
Edible parts: Buds, flowers, seeds and leaves
Taste: Peppery bite, similar to watercress
Recipes: Mince flowers into butter or salad dressings, or use to infuse a mustard-like flavor into oils and vinegars. Use leaves to make pesto or add peppery flavor to salads.
CALENDUL – Calendula officinalis
Flowers: May to June
Edible parts: Petals, removed from flower head
Taste: Mildly spicy, nut-like flavor
Recipes: Use in soups, rice dishes, muffins, biscuits, omelets or frittatas or sprinkle over greens.
BORAGE – Borago officinalis
Flowers: June to October
Edible parts: Flower, with sepals removed; leaves, when harvested young
Taste: Slight cucumber flavor
Recipes: Toss in salads. Freeze flowers in ice cubes for iced tea, or crystallize and use for cake decorations.
MARIGOLD – Tagetes
Flowers: Late March to June; blooms into November with weekly deadheading
Edible parts: Petals, removed from flower head
Taste: Citrusy flavor, reminiscent of an orange soda or fresh tangerine
Recipes: Sprinkle petals over green vegetables like beans or broccoli for color.
For cultivation tips, visit the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia website: mgnv.org. For more edible flower recipes, visit the Norfolk Botanical Garden website: norfolkbotanicalgarden.org
From top, multicolored nasturiums are served in mixed greens; edible flowers are used in a custom tea blend; and cornflower is one of the varieties grown at Great Day Gardens in Bedford County.
Sweet summertime crop reigns supreme
Virginia-grown sweet corn basks in its glory
ARTICLE AND
BY NICOLE ZEMA
Field corn may be king of Virginia’s summer season, but his sweet little sister is the beloved princess sought and adored by consumers throughout the commonwealth.
The crown jewel of a summer feast— sweet corn is grown on 390 Virginia farms on 3,633 harvested acres, according to the 2022 agriculture census. Most acreage is grown in Rockingham County, followed by Loudoun and Halifax counties.
This is compared to about 454,000 acres of Virginia field corn harvested for livestock feed and silage.
“Directly or indirectly, all that corn ends up on the table,” said Robert Harper, marketing specialist for
Virginia Farm Bureau Federation
Grain Marketing Division. “Field corn nourishes the livestock that produces our milk, poultry and meat.”
Short and sweet
Field and sweet corn are siblings with two sets of traits, he continued.
“Sweet corn is bred for the sugar content and harvested with much higher moisture,” Harper said. “Field corn dries down and is like eating a rock. It will break your tooth off!”
To clench peak juiciness, Dwight and Ronnie Forrester of Holyoke Farm in Lancaster County prefer to harvest ears early in the day.
“When sweet corn is picked in the afternoon, there’s a difference,” Ronnie said. “In the morning, it’s juicer.”
The Forresters grow 2.5 acres of bicolor sweet corn called Obsession II. The variety boasts high yields, easy picking and majestic sweetness.
“I’ll eat sweet corn raw,” Dwight noted. “Right out of the field!”
Those rows are grown adjacent to 600 acres of field corn. Ronnie said compared to field corn, sweet corn is more delicate, with shorter stalks.
“People brag this is the best sweet corn,” he said. “And everyone wants corn on the Fourth of July, but that doesn’t always happen in time. It depends on the weather.”
Golden opportunities
The farm’s sweet corn isn’t a cash crop. Cultivating those rows is a noble effort, intended to feed neighbors,
PHOTOS
Ronnie Forrester and his son Dwight of Holyoke Farm in Lancaster County grow 2.5 acres of sweet corn called Obsession II.
family, friends and business partners, while addressing local food insecurity.
“We’re so blessed and fortunate,” Dwight continued. “We planted some for the Healthy Harvest Food Bank and harvested about 7,000 pounds! It’s our way of giving back.”
Bobby Bradley of Rolling Acres Farm in Charlotte County is led to do the same. In addition to field corn, he grows a patch of the Incredible sweet corn variety, hailed for its large ears and 18 rows of golden kernels.
When harvest time approaches, a pick-your-own announcement is printed in the church bulletin and posted on Facebook.
“Why not?” Bradley asked. “The widow ladies at church sure do
appreciate it. Anybody who wants corn can sure help themselves. It’s good neighbor relations!”
Some local ministries also gather his sweet corn for food banks.
“I don’t want any money,” Bradley insisted. “I want people to just enjoy the corn. We look after our neighbors, who look after us!”
Butter royale
Perhaps there is no wrong way to enjoy sweet corn, but preparation preferences sometimes differ at the same dinner table.
“I prefer leaving it in the husk, throwing it on the grill, charring the husk a little,” Dwight said. “If you’re grilling steaks or burgers, just move them to the top rack and rotate. Or, cut
CORNY FACTS
Corn is a cereal crop that is part of the grass family. An ear or cob of corn is actually part of the flower, and an individual kernel is a seed.
Corn will always have an even number of rows on each cob.
On average, an ear of corn has 800 kernels on 16 rows.
A bushel of corn can sweeten 400 cans of soft drink.
- Iowa Farm Bureau
Virginia-grown sweet corn typically appears in farmers markets and grocery stores in June, available up to mid-October. To find growers and sellers near you, visit Virginia Grown at vdacs.virginia.gov/vagrown.
the top with scissors and pull the silks, and microwave for a few minutes if you want it hot.”
His dad prefers boiled sweet corn.
“With some butter, salt and pepper on top,” Ronnie said. “We also freeze and vacuum seal it. Throw that on the grill and it’s almost as good as when it came from the field!”
County fairs have been in existence in the U.S. since the 1700s, but today’s agricultural-focused fairs are credited to Elkanah Watson, a New England farmer.
He earned the title of “Father of U.S. agricultural fairs” by organizing the Berkshire Agricultural Society, which started a cattle show in Massachusetts in 1811. According to the International Association of Fairs and Expos, it was a competition with prize money paid for the best exhibits of oxen, cattle, sheep and swine. The core elements of that event are at the heart of county fairs in North America today.
These featured county fairs in Virginia have been dedicated to promoting agriculture through competitions and providing an annual celebration for communities.
Eastern Shore fairs celebrated local agriculture and Black heritage BY
NICOLE ZEMA
KELLER FAIR – Accomack County, 1880-1956
A showcase of local produce and livestock in 1878 became an annual event known as the Eastern Shore Keller Fair. The Eastern Shore Grange Society secured fairgrounds and established the fair in 1880; the property included a 2,000-seat grandstand for harness racing.
“My grandparents used to talk about going to the Keller Fair,” said David Hickman, whose family has a multi-generational potato farm in Accomack County. “It was quite a big deal in their time, particularly during the ‘30 and ‘40s.”
Agriculture was central to fair attractions.
“At that time, potatoes were the largest acreage crop on the Eastern Shore,” Hickman continued. “There was lots of competition—who had the biggest potato and pumpkin.”
Shore History has several programs from the Keller Fair in its archive, filled with advertisements from local businesses and the lineups for harness races.
James E. Mears penned his recollections of the fair from the late 1890s.
“Horse racing was ‘bred in the bone’ on the Eastern Shore,” he wrote, and he described memories of Keller Fair baseball games, music and hot-air balloon ascensions.
With declining attendance and growing expenses, the Keller Fair closed in 1956. The fairground is now a field on Keller Fair Road.
TASLEY FAIR – Accomack County, 1891 to late 1960s
Established in 1891 for Black residents, the Tasley Fair celebrated agriculture and drew crowds for harness races. Its homecomings also strengthened community bonds.
The Onawa Social Union formed the fair, later operated by the Central Agricultural Fair Association. In the 1930s, J. Edgar Thomas became manager of the event, operating it with family for decades.
With a 2,000-seat grandstand and half-mile racetrack, the Tasley fair grew to include carnival rides, side shows, games and fireworks. Thursday homecomings were joyous reunions, when former Eastern Shore residents came home to celebrate with friends and family.
The Tasley Fair closed in the late 1960s, a few years after Thomas died. Today the fairground is a field alongside Fairgrounds Road and Edgar Thomas Road.
WEIRWOOD FAIR – Northampton County, 1926-1960s
The Weirwood Fair was established in 1926 for Black citizens of Northampton County by the Central Northampton Agricultural and Industrial Fair Association Inc. Located off Bayford Road, the Weirwood Fair featured a harness racing track and grandstand, concessions, novelties, rides and agricultural exhibits. The fair closed in the 1960s.
EASTERN SHORE AGRICULTURAL FAIR – Northampton County, ongoing
The celebration of agriculture and community continues today on the Eastern Shore. Operated by the Eastern Shore Virginia Chamber of Commerce, this year’s Eastern Shore Agricultural Fair will be Oct. 5.
Held annually at the former Machipongo Middle School, the fair includes competitions for skillet throwing, oyster shucking and keg rolling; baking and photography contests; and a parade featuring antique tractors.
Keller Fair grandstand in the 1930s.
Five County Fair celebrates collaboration, agricultural traditions
BY ALICE KEMP
Settled just outside the town of Farmville, the Five County Fair has been a cherished local tradition for generations.
“We were incorporated in the 1930s, but there’s been a fair in Farmville for over 100 years,” said fair manager Auburn Estes. “Other than during World War II and in 2020, we’ve had a fair every year.”
The fair’s story is one of collaboration and resilience. Formally established during the Great Depression, it was a collective effort between five contiguous counties—Appomattox, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland and Prince Edward. They combined resources to create a larger fair that could weather economic burdens of the time, host more attractions and draw greater crowds to better support area farmers and merchants.
Billed as one of the “biggest events that happened all year,” the fair rotated among local landowners’ properties until permanent fairgrounds were purchased in the 1950s. Electricity was installed, and exhibit buildings were constructed.
“When I first started volunteering with the fair, everything was still under a tent,” Estes reminisced about his 50-plus years with the fair. “It’s been special watching it develop through the years.”
Attractions changed from lively amusements of the past like high divers, contortionists and elephant shows. Today, the fair’s 15,000 visitors each year enjoy midway rides, live music and wrestling matches.
But throughout its run, one thing remained constant.
“Ours has always been an agricultural fair,” Estes said. “Mainly for the youth. It’s all about agriculture and education.”
From its founding to the present, the fair celebrates the counties’ agricultural production. Fairgoers can see animals, crops and “most things on a farm.”
Young competitors show cattle, goats, poultry, rabbits and sheep to win prizes and practice their showmanship. Growers bring corn, tobacco and other area crops for judging.
Home cooks and crafters enter for chances at blue ribbons, and pageant contestants compete for a crown. Commodity groups, agricultural organizations and conservation associations exhibit and host demonstrations about farming practices and land stewardship.
After a day at the Five County Fair, guests depart with an appreciation for the area’s farming traditions. The fair will be held Sept. 24-28. For more information, visit fivecountyfair.com
Top photo: Attractions at the Keller Fair in Accomack County included harness racing. This 1930s newspaper clipping indicated fairgoers could look forward to seeing motorcylce stunt riders and an air circus at the Five County Fair near Farmville.
Virginia’s ‘longest continuously running fair’
BY CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN
Through world wars, downpours and economic uncertainty, the Tazewell County Fair has long been known for its tenacity—returning year after year, no matter the size of the storm.
The 152-year-old annual event is a local point of pride. From its inception in 1872 through the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Tazewell County Fair made history as the longest continuously running fair in Virginia.
By the late 19th century, the fair drew visitors from all walks of life with promises of adventure, amazement and light-hearted fun.
Heralded on the front page of The Tazewell Republican’s Sept. 13, 1906, issue as “The Great Tazewell Fair,” the annual exhibition is described to be “the fairest in all the fair Clinch Valley.
“From all sides come reports of horses and people … cousins and strangers, businessmen and sports, men, women and children, for everyone will find something to interest and amuse him.”
The paper advertised the fair’s anticipated “first-class” attractions, including traveling performers, horse racing, cattle and horse exhibitions, and “razzle-dazzle machines and hobby horses” to “delight the youngsters.”
Promoted throughout the Sept. 13, 1912, edition of Clinch Valley News, the fair was called a “great social event” accompanied by “amusements, exhibitions and educational features every hour of the three days.
“One of its chief features is the opportunity it affords the people to meet and shake hands with each other—renew old acquaintanceships and form new ones.”
Nearly 112 years later, the Tazewell County Fair continues its legacy as an energetic celebration of community and agriculture—featuring homegrown exhibits, demonstrations, delicious fair food, carnival rides and various hands-on learning opportunities.
The Tazewell community celebrated the fair’s 150th anniversary in 2022— enjoying a full week of concerts; arena events; exhibits; horse, livestock and magic shows; pageants; and a grand fireworks finale.
This year’s fair was scheduled for Aug. 6-10. Visit tazewellcountyfair.com for more information.
The State Fair of Virginia has always been a family friendly event, and top-notch produce was one of the featured attractions, just like it is today. The fair in 1887 included a military parade.
LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA
Tazewell County Fair was started in 1872 and is still operating today.
The State Fair of Virginia’s lasting legacy
The State Fair of Virginia dates back to 1854, when the first State Fair was organized by the Virginia State Agricultural Society and was held at Monroe Park in Richmond. Much like today, farmers, merchants and residents gathered to witness agricultural shows, daring attractions and friendly competitions.
Persevering through world events and economic turmoil, the state fair moved locations multiple times over its long history, including a brief appearance on West Broad Street near the Science Museum of Virginia’s current location. It also was held at what is now The Diamond baseball park in Richmond and at Henrico County’s Strawberry Hill until relocating to its permanent home in 2009 at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County.
Situated amongst local farms and on the pastures of Secretariat’s birthplace, the new location allowed the fair to expand. The fair and The Meadow were purchased in 2012 by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation and a partner organization. Farm Bureau became sole owner in 2013. The fair now boasts one of the largest midways on the East Coast and has been the setting for popular giant produce weigh-ins that yielded world-record butternut squash in 2022 and 2023.
The State Fair of Virginia has woven a tapestry of the commonwealth’s diverse agricultural heritage. Traditions and innovations are showcased through farm exhibits, youth livestock shows, horticultural displays and more—all acting as a hub of agricultural education.
The fair’s mission is to nurture, preserve and celebrate the best of Virginia’s culture, past, present and future. Since 2013, the fair’s scholarship program has awarded over $870,000 to support youth education.
‘America’s oldest agricultural fair’
BY CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN
First applauded as the “Oldest Fair in the Old Dominion,” the Fredericksburg Agricultural Fair has since garnered praise as a true tradition trailblazer.
Started 286 years ago, the Fredericksburg Agricultural Fair is believed to be the oldest in the country. It was established in 1738 when the Virginia House of Burgesses authorized and directed that “fairs should be held in Fredericksburg twice a year for the sale of cattle, provisions, goods, wares, and all kinds of merchandise.”
Like today’s annual extravaganza, the biannual agricultural fair had added sporting events and entertainment by 1752 to bolster the public’s interest. A company of comedians from the new Theatre of Williamsburg performed at the June fair that year, and the Fredericksburg Jockey Club started holding races during the fairs in 1774.
After a brief pause from 1881-1886, the Fredericksburg fair returned in greater grandeur—boasting circuses and hot air balloons by the turn of the century.
But the long-held tradition began to fall on hard times in the 1920s and paused for 16 years. Its glory days had become a distant memory by the late 1940s—until a few passionate farmers and Jaycees jumped in to save it.
Like the fair’s first organizers, the association’s leader, J.E. Rowell, started from scratch—laying the foundation of today’s Fredericksburg Agricultural Fair.
In the September 16, 1949, edition of Westmoreland News, Rowell declared the fair’s return to be “the biggest spectacle in the fields of agricultural exhibits and entertainment that has ever been presented” within a 50-mile radius of Fredericksburg.
Anticipating 25,000 attendees during the six-day celebration, the article touted ground-breaking entertainment like “high class” theatrical shows; “the latest rides;” and a grand parade along the streets of Fredericksburg. It also promised traditional livestock, farm products and home-making exhibits, along with commercial displays.
Seventy-five years later, the Fredericksburg community carries on the cherished celebration. This year’s fair, held July 26-Aug. 4, featured live music, carnival rides, sporting spectacles, the historic Miss Fredericksburg Fair Pageant and more.
Visit fredericksburgfair.org for more information.
Virginia farmers revisit their roots by growing produce specific to their native countries to meet local
BY NICOLE ZEMA
Vishali and Sree Mogulla left their farming community in India only to rediscover their roots 8,000 miles away in Loudoun County.
While working as information technology professionals and exploring the region, they came to appreciate Northern Virginia’s ecosystem, with a climate that may support their favorite vegetables enjoyed back home.
“We did not have access to the vegetables we were used to eating,” Vishali recalled. “Indian grocery stories started popping up around 2010. There were so many families like ours excited to see these vegetables in stores. Store-bought vegetables are convenient, but can lack the flavor and nutrition that you get from fresh produce.”
The Mogullas both grew up in generational farm families. Craving the fresh-picked Indian produce from home, they ordered seeds and started a backyard plot growing varieties that don’t require a ninemonth growing window.
They learned through trial and error, sharing their bounty of beans, gourds, herbs, tomatoes and peppers with
friends and family. It became a small enterprise as word spread, and they needed more space.
“We knew the community wanted access to this kind of food,” Vishali said. “But it’s getting really hard to find farmland we can afford.”
With 25 acres bordering a rolling vineyard and charming winery, local farmer Doug Fabbioli of Fabbioli Cellars offered the Mogullas a “cooperative-collaborative” landlordtenant agreement. He understands the barriers to land access for beginning and minority farmers.
“I already had key infrastructure like irrigation and a deer fence,” he said. “There are older, gray people like me with land that is underutilized, and people who want to farm.”
The Mogullas established Sprouting Roots Farm, representing new beginnings while celebrating their origins. Now their farm stand is open at the winery Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon during peak season through late September.
Rows of Indian squash, sorghum, and an array of melon, gourd and eggplant varieties were taking shape by
demand
late spring.
The farm’s bitter gourds are vining vegetables. Their fruit and leaves are juiced for medicinal properties.
A customer made bitter gourd curry and told Vishali, “They were so tasty; my kids never tasted it before and liked it!”
Plantings of Indian tomato varieties are staggered to extend the season and meet high demand.
“Indians want sour tomatoes and use them in every dish they make, just like onion,” Vishali noted.
The Mogullas welcome customers of all ethnic backgrounds to experience the farm, and discover new favorites.
“Come, try this!” she said.
For more information, visit sproutingroots.farm.
NICOLE
Vishali Mogulla of Sprouting Roots Farm grows Indian vegetables like dark green short bitter gourd and curry cucumber Dosakaya.
Snake gourd Potlakaya
Cameroon-born educator cultivates tastes of home
BY ALICE KEMP
When talking with Patience Fielding about her farm, you quickly realize the conversation goes beyond growing produce.
It’s a conversation about growing community, cultivating connections and introducing new foods and cultures while providing tastes of home and comfort.
“Food is the great unifier,” Fielding said. “Everybody eats, and we can connect with each other through food.”
Fielding didn’t set out to become a farmer. Working in international development, the Cameroon-born educator lived in Washington, D.C., with her family when she decided to tour the quiet Virginia countryside during the pandemic. The open farmland evoked memories of her grandmother’s farm in Cameroon where meals were prepared from freshly harvested food. After reflecting on the food supply shortages of the time, and the lack of indigenous African produce in stores, she grew inspired. That’s when Fielding purchased
10 acres in Hanover County to begin Esther Manor Farm.
“I wanted to do something to help,” she explained. “I wanted to grow West African produce.”
Sourcing seeds “from the motherland,” Fielding grows njama njama, a nutrient-rich vegetable that’s sauteed with tomatoes and onion. She also grows bitter leaf, a plant known for its antioxidants that is used in soups and herbal medicine. And waterleaf, another leafy green typically enjoyed in salads and eru—a dish common in Cameroon and Nigeria.
“These are the most popular,” she noted. “Foods we eat every day.”
Over the past four years, Fielding has learned Virginia’s climate and growing season, and how to work the land and supplement the soil. So far, everything she’s planted “has grown really well.”
As with many beginning and small farmers, she faced a steep learning curve and challenges with funding for equipment and supplies. She partnered
with organizations like Virginia State University’s Small Farm Outreach Program to help prepare the land, and local growers and community members offered advice.
In return, she hosts farm-to-table dinners featuring traditional African cuisine, gives farm tours to local clubs and groups, and creates diverse, inclusive spaces for conversation and building relationships.
“Cameroon has a rich food culture that I am hoping to introduce to mainstream America,” she said. “I grow food to serve my community and also to build a resilient, cross-cultural community.”
Through her community-supported agriculture subscriptions, she delivers vegetables to community centers and restaurants in Northern Virginia and D.C. As her vision grows, she plants new produce varieties—catering to diverse audiences and adding to the state’s rich agricultural landscape.
For more information, visit esthermanorfarm.com
Patience Fielding cultivates bitter leaf and waterleaf, two greens used for cooking in her native Cameroon. She grows the leafy greens along with other vegetables on Esther Manor Farm in Hanover County.
ALICE KEMP
Fauquier farmer brings a taste of South Asia to Northern Virginia
BY CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN
Swathi Gaddam of Happy Vibes Farm is finding success in doing things differently.
Gaddam has embarked on many ambitious excursions throughout her life—from leaving India at 18 years old to leaving a career in information technology 21 years later.
Boldly pursuing her calling to farm, she started her business three years ago by growing what she knows. Using the seeds she saved from home to support a self-sufficient vegetarian lifestyle, she began a new journey: opening her world to the community.
“The underlying value for me is always sustainability—how do we grow veggies that we eat at home?”
She wasn’t sure if her South Asian friends and neighbors would find value in her homegrown vegetables, as many live within a few miles of an
Asian supermarket. What she found was unexpected.
“I realized that my audience is beyond South Asian now—everybody is appreciating the quality of food,” she marveled. “Even someone who lives right next to an Asian grocery store prefers our veggies because they taste better; they’re local and fresh.”
Her community-supported agriculture program now serves 20 members weekly—many are South Asian families.
With extra land through the Fauquier Education Farm’s New Farmer Incubator Program, Gaddam was able to experiment with “100 different varieties” last year.
Growing up with tropical vegetables “that love the heat,” she found that most of her favorite Indian varieties like green sorrel and Malabar spinach
thrive in Virginia summers— filling a void at the Warrenton Farmers Market.
“People want to try something new,” she remarked. “We have regulars of all ages that want Asian greens like sorrel or roselle every week. They tried it, they loved it, and they keep coming back.”
She delights in sharing her culture with marketgoers and even provides recipe cards. She was especially ecstatic to see a high demand for bitter melon—a staple food in her household. She is now focusing on streamlining her operation and offering greens year-round to her local customers. She also plans to experiment with more plant varieties like radish tail, hyacinth beans and amaranth.
Visit happyvibesfarm.square.site for more information.
SWATHI GADDAM
CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN
Swathi Gaddam of Happy Vibes Farm in Fauquier County is growing Kajari melon, roselle-gongura plants and sorrel - all plants from her native India, which she left at the age of 18.
An agriculture-focused law that will affect consumers is one that created a farm-to-school program task force. Its aim is to increase student access to high-quality farm-to-school programs throughout Virginia.
Agriculture-focused laws enacted in July may affect some consumers
BY NICOLE ZEMA
Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s grassroots advocates are celebrating the advancement of agricultural legislation to support the commonwealth’s farmers in generating high-quality food and fiber to sustain the global population.
Some of that legislation will have an impact on rural Virginians and other residents as well. Bills and amendments addressed in 2024 include verified meat labeling, streamlining farm-to-school food opportunities and studying largeanimal veterinarian shortages.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed legislation allowing for the creation of a Virginia Verified Meat certification, which prohibits labeling products as Virginia Verified Meat if it does not meet the definition of that term in the bill.
“This label is intended to help consumers to readily identify meat from livestock born, bred, raised and processed in Virginia,” said Martha Moore, senior vice president of VFBF
governmental relations. In addition, she said, “it will also help our school systems to identify local meat products when making purchasing decisions.”
Youngkin also signed a bill establishing a farm-to-school program task force, which will aim to increase student access to high-quality farmto-school programs throughout the commonwealth. Farm-to-school programs strive to increase student access to school meals prepared with locally produced foods. They also involve experiential learning opportunities relating to local food and agriculture, including school and community garden programs and farm visits.
“This program update will go a long way in getting locally grown food into Virginia schools, and exposing more youth to agricultural production,” Moore noted.
A nationwide downward trend in large animal veterinarians also persists in Virginia, causing
concern for a safe food supply, and contributing to a decline in the economic vitality of rural communities. A joint resolution to study the shortage of large animal veterinarians is intended to result in recommendations for appropriate legislation over the next two General Assembly sessions.
The farm veterinarian shortage, exacerbated by soaring tuition costs and low pay in rural regions, affects livestock farmers as well as rural economies.
“The state veterinarian has identified areas in the state that are in part veterinary deserts,” Moore continued. “For horse and livestock owners in those areas, they may not be able to wait for a vet to travel three hours depending on the medical condition of their animal. And because agriculture is the foundation of many rural economies, farmers not having access to large veterinarians means that local food sources are in danger of not existing.”
Confounding puzzle of symptoms linked to tick-borne illness
Virginia families learn to manage allergic reactions associated with Lyme disease and Alpha-gal syndrome
BY NICOLE ZEMA
After enjoying an unseasonably warm winter day outside in 2022, Jessica and Wes Gwaltney diligently checked their young daughters for ticks.
Yet, days later, their 3-year-old Ella felt one attached to the nape of her neck.
“Surely enough it was a female blacklegged deer tick,” Jessica said. “A Lyme-carrying tick.”
The Giles County family called their doctor, who advised keeping an eye on the bite zone, which never developed the tell-tale “bullseye” rash.
A month later, Ella complained of sore knees. Wes was alarmed.
“A symptom of Lyme is sore joints,” he said. “We asked the pediatrician to test her specifically for Lyme, and it was positive.”
Antibiotics were prescribed following the early detection, but then came random headaches, stomach pain and night terrors. Ella was prescribed a more aggressive antibiotic.
“And then I woke up one night not really breathing,” Ella said.
That snowballed into a frightening situation, Jessica remembered.
“Her kidney function was bad,” she said. “She was tachycardic and confused. She was crashing.”
An allergist helped the Gwaltneys navigate Lyme disease. Ella was prescribed a steroid nebulizer for flare-ups, which helped.
She had intermittent episodes of low appetite, grogginess and fevers until last year. While her condition is considered chronic, the family has learned how to help alleviate the episodes related to overactive immune response.
The Gwaltneys are both educators with farm backgrounds. While the couple is informed on tick bite awareness and do things “by the book,” Lyme disease happened to them.
“This taught us how to be more of an advocate for our children,” Jessica noted. “We don’t want other families to experience this. Take tick bites seriously.”
Alpha-gal syndrome can present range of symptoms
Charles Green’s lunchtime cheeseburger triggered a mild heart attack by dinnertime.
Though the connection wasn’t clear, “I knew something was really wrong,” said Green, deputy commissioner for the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “I had this horrible burning in the center of my chest and stomach.”
It took five months for Green and multiple doctors to realize the symptoms were an allergic reaction to red meat
The Gwaltney family, with Ella insett.
and dairy from a molecule transmitted by the Lone Star tick.
Alpha-gal syndrome wasn’t high on Charles Green’s “worry radar” as he carried out tasks on his King William County family farm in 2022.
“I was dressing for the summer weather,” he said. “But not dressing to avoid tick bites.”
Initial blood tests revealed elevated troponin, which is a protein marker suggestive of cardiac stress. His workup included multiple procedures including heart catheterization, echocardiograms, scans and x-rays, plus stress tests, heart monitoring, an endoscopy and gastric study.
“Then I began to experience increasingly frequent episodes of severe illness,” Green said. “Often, I would wake in the middle of the night drenched in cold sweat with my heart racing. I also experienced significant abdominal pain, a burning stomach, lightheadedness, nausea and general anxiety.”
In retrospect, Green said those were likely signs of anaphylactic episodes.
“In a last-ditch effort, I asked my primary care physicians to run oddball tests,” he said. “Luckily we included alpha-gal.”
The diagnosis was a game changer. An allergist advised food journaling.
“If you don’t feel good some afternoon, you can look back at what you consumed six hours ago and find the trigger,” he said.
Aside from avoiding red meat and dairy, mammalian derivatives used in everyday products like gel caps and lanolin lotions also can cause sensitivity.
Subsequent tick bites can worsen or awaken the condition, Green noted, so he now wears layers and tucks in permethrin-treated clothing while working outside.
“It took months to figure out what was going on with me, while others go years without an answer,” he said. “If any person has unexplained symptoms, this awareness may help find a path forward.”
Prevent tick bites:
The following prevention methods are recommended by the Virginia Department of Health:
• Ticks in Virginia are commonly found in forests and forest edges, especially where leaf litter has accumulated.
• Walk in the center of trails, and avoid brushing against weeds and tall grass.
• Keep grass and underbrush cut down. Place a 3-foot-wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas to restrict tick migration into recreational areas.
• Wear light-colored clothing so ticks can be seen easily, and tuck pant legs into socks. Treat clothes with permethrin, following all label precautions.
• Conduct tick checks on children and pets every four hours when staying outside. Utilize tick controls for pets.
• Apply insect repellents containing active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, oil of eucalyptus, Bio-UD or IR3535 to exposed skin.
• Check armpits, ears and hair, belly button, backs of knees and groin.
If bitten by a tick:
1. A single dose of certain antibiotics may reduce the frequency of Lyme disease after a high-risk tick bite, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
2. Virginia Cooperative Extension recommends using tweezers to grasp the tick as close as possible to the skin and pull slowly with even pressure. Do not use nail polish, petroleum jelly, alcohol or hot matches to remove it. Wash the bite wound with antiseptic.
3. Drop the tick in rubbing alcohol, and keep it for a few months to identify it in case any disease symptoms develop.
4. Get help with tick identification through the VDH website at vdh.virginia.gov/ticks. Those bitten can submit pictures and information to the site to help build a comprehensive profile of Virginia’s tick ecology.
Among the 20 tick species in Virginia, four are major human-biting tick species associated with the following disease:
• Lone Star tick—alpha-gal syndrome; Bourbon and Heartland viruses
– 2022 Virgina Cooperative Extension reports
LONE STAR TICK
BLACKLEGGED TICK
MEWA plans help small businesses with affordable health coverage
BY ALICE KEMP
What did a tire shop and a small farm have in common?
They both faced the same problem—the owners wanted group health insurance for their employees. But traditional options were too expensive, putting employer-provided coverage beyond reach.
Until the WiseChoice Healthcare Alliance became available.
“When this new product came out, I thought, ‘Maybe this would be beneficial for them,’” reflected Meagan Vickery, VAFB Health Insurance Solutions senior account executive. “And the rates came back literally in half.”
That substantial savings allowed the businesses to purchase health coverage, providing additional employee benefits and peace of mind. It also allowed the farm owner’s wife, who carried the family insurance through a previous job, to start working on the farm full time.
An alternative to traditional group insurance, the WiseChoice Healthcare Alliance is a Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement—a group of businesses that form an association to offer health benefits plans. Created by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the alliance partnered with Anthem to provide a portfolio of health coverage options.
The WiseChoice Healthcare Alliance offers small businesses with two to 50 employees opportunities to save by pooling their resources together as one larger self-funded group, ensuring protection and comprehensive benefits.
Businesses that join the group share overall claims risk with other small businesses and are backed by the financial protection of Anthem’s stop-loss coverage, as well as strict federal and state regulations. Plans are medically underwritten upon entry into the group plan, meaning participants with better-than-average health can enjoy lower, predictable costs.
Like traditional plans, WiseChoice plans cover preexisting conditions and preventive care. They have maximum out-ofpockets and copays, and offer Anthem’s broad network of doctors and health professionals.
To be eligible, businesses must be headquartered in Virginia and be a member of a participating chamber of commerce, Virginia Farm Bureau or another association affiliated with the WiseChoice Healthcare Alliance.
To learn more, visit vafb.com/health/insurance-forbusinesses, or call 800-229-7779.
Set teens up for success with safe driving tools
BY CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN
From what seems like taking their first steps one day to getting behind the wheel the next, watching your child reach another milestone can be an emotional—and nerve-racking—experience.
There’s a lot of anxiety that comes with sending your teen off to drive. Fortunately, there are plenty of tools available for helping teens achieve a safe and successful driving career.
Establish safe driving habits with the Smart Start Program
The riskiest time for a teen driver is often at the start of their driving career.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, the fatal crash rate per mile driven for 16-year-olds is 40% higher than for 18-year-olds.
Parents can help their teen driver get off to a smart start by enrolling in Virginia Farm Bureau’s Smart Start Program.
“It’s all about starting off with good driving habits,” explained Barry Light, Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. senior product development manager.
The program takes about 30 minutes to complete and includes a video, booklet and quiz on covered materials. Participants will find helpful tips on Virginia driving laws and a review of safe driving habits, as well as a pledge to drive smart.
New drivers under 18 who successfully complete the course can receive an extra 5% off auto insurance premiums.
Teens may enroll online or through their Farm Bureau agent starting at age 16, but they must be accident- and conviction-free to qualify for the discount. Enrolled drivers also must maintain a valid Virginia driver’s license and stay listed on a VFB personal auto policy.
To learn more, visit vafb.com/insurance/Information-center/ smart-start-program. To enroll, contact your local Farm Bureau insurance agent.
Access apps that reinforce safe driving habits
Evaluating teens’ driving habits has gotten much easier, thanks to a wealth of no-hassle safe driving mobile apps.
VFB’s Drive2Save program offers extra incentives for downloading the Routely app, which helps users assess their driving habits in real time. Customers can receive a 10% discount on their auto insurance for enrolling in the program, and the safest drivers can save up to 30% at their next renewal.
“Safer drivers make safer roads,” Light noted. “Drive2Save is a great tool to supplement creating those good habits.”
Routely detects distracted driving, high speeds, sudden braking and time of day. Once the app is set up, it will automatically assess trips and provide tips to improve driving scores. Rates will be adjusted automatically at renewal.
Contact a VFB agent to enroll in Drive2Save and request an activation code. Visit vafb.com/drive2save for more information.
Other free-to-download mobile apps for assessing teens’ driving habits include:
Life360: Includes real time location sharing, crash detection, SOS alerts and roadside assistance. Individual driver reports can include phone usage, hard braking, high speeds and rapid accelerations.
Safest Driver: Measures driving behaviors by detecting stops and starts, phone distractions, and speeding and braking. Users can access safety feedback on every trip, collect stars and compete against friends and family
Safe 2 Save: Offers rewards for driving undistracted. Drivers who put away their phones while driving are awarded points that can be redeemed at Starbucks, McDonald’s and other local retailers.
Chill Out!
Homemade ice cream, frozen yogurt and more
There’s no better way to indulge on a sunny Virginia day than to enjoy a cool ice cream, frozen yogurt or sorbet. And while going out for ice cream and frozen yogurt is a favorite summer pastime, those who don’t want to leave the house can easily create these refreshing delights right in their own kitchens.
It’s a fun DIY summer project, and people can get their frozen fix using just a few simple ingredients and techniques. Don’t have an ice cream maker? No problem! These cool confections also can be made with a food processor, blender or hand mixer, in a mason jar or even in a plastic bag, using ice and salt.
Whether making ice cream infused with Virginia watermelon or a creamy frozen yogurt with locally harvested berries, the commonwealth offers a bounty of seasonal ingredients. Experiment with flavors and fresh herbs like basil, lavender, mint and thyme to add a bright, unique twist to your cool creations.
WatermelonLavender Sorbet
INGREDIENTS
4½ cups pureed watermelon pulp, divided (create pulp by processing chunks of fresh watermelon)
½ cup sugar
1 tablespoon culinary lavender flowers
⅛ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons watermelon- or citrus-flavored vodka, optional* (See tip)
DIRECTIONS
In a small saucepan over medium high heat, add ½ cup watermelon pulp, sugar, lavender and salt. Bring to a slow boil, then simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and cover for 10 minutes.
Place a strainer over a large bowl, and pour syrup mixture through, straining
Fragrant lavender and juicy watermelon create a refreshing summer sorbet.
out lavender flowers. Add the remaining 4 cups of watermelon, lemon juice and vodka, if using. Stir until blended.
Pour into a container, cover, and place in a freezer. When semi-solid, mash up the sorbet with a fork, and freeze again. When frozen, place sorbet mixture into a blender or food processor and process until smooth. Scoop desired amount into a small bowl or parfait dish, garnish with a small wedge of watermelon and a lavender sprig.
*Tip: Vodka helps prevent sorbet from setting too firm. If not using alcohol, remove the frozen sorbet from the freezer about 15 minutes or so before serving.
—Recipe adapted from the National Watermelon Promotion Board
Salted Caramel Pecan No-Churn
Ice Cream
INGREDIENTS – PECANS:
½ cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons water
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup pecans
INGREDIENTS – SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE:
1 cup sugar
¼ cup water
½ cup butter
¾ cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
INGREDIENTS – ICE CREAM:
2 cups heavy whipping cream
14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
DIRECTIONS:
For sugared pecans: Using a non-stick skillet, add the brown sugar, water and salt, and cook for 2 minutes. Add the pecans, and stir constantly for 4 minutes. Pour onto a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper, and let cool completely. Break into small pieces, and set aside.
For the salted caramel sauce: Using a heavy saucepan, heat the sugar and water until completely melted and clear. Add the butter, and continue cooking over medium heat until the butter starts to turn a caramel color. Whisk in the heavy cream until thickened and smooth. Remove from heat, and add the salt and vanilla. Cool completely.
For the ice cream: In the bowl of a mixer, use the whisk attachment to beat cream on high speed until it forms stiff peaks, about 3-5 minutes. In a separate bowl, combine the condensed milk and vanilla.
When mixture is completely blended, gently fold in the whipped cream.
Line a large, freezer-safe loaf pan or a 9 x 13 pan with plastic wrap. Fold the sugared pecans into the whipped cream mixture, then pour a third of the mixture into the pan. Drizzle half of the caramel sauce on the top, and add another third of the cream mixture. Drizzle the remaining caramel sauce on top, then finish with the remaining cream mixture.
Cover with plastic wrap, and place in the freezer for at least 6 hours or until fully frozen. Scoop, and enjoy!
—Recipe adapted from the Southwest and Southland Dairy Farmers
Blackberry Fro-Yo
INGREDIENTS
3 cups fresh blackberries
1 can sweetened condensed milk
3 cups Greek or well-strained yogurt mint for garnish
DIRECTIONS
In a blender, puree the blackberries and sweetened condensed milk.
In a medium bowl, mix the puree with the yogurt.
Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker (2-quart capacity, or split the batches), and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Top with a smattering of fresh, whole berries and a sprig of fresh mint.
—Recipe courtesy of Agriberry Farm
Caramel and pecans up your ice cream game.
SOUTHWEST AND
‘Peace of mind 24/7/365’
Access reliable roadside assistance with towing and labor coverage
BY CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN
Whether stranded on the roadside or stuck in a ditch, you want to know who to call for help.
The odds of unexpected car troubles interrupting your commute may be higher than you think. According to a 2019 Agero Insights study, 69 million vehicle breakdowns occur in the U.S. every year— affecting about 1 in every 3 drivers.
Being stuck on the side of the road can be a traumatic experience—especially when accompanied by children or other passengers, noted Barry Light, Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. senior product development manager.
“It’s nice to be able to just call a number and have someone say, ‘Okay, we’ve got it taken care of.’ That’s the beauty of roadside assistance,” Light remarked.
VFBMIC auto insurance policyholders with towing and labor coverage will automatically receive roadside assistance, powered by Nation Safe Drivers. With towing and labor coverage, expenses incurred for automobile
disablements such as towing, lockouts, jump starts, tire changes and winching will be reimbursed.
The extra coverage offers “pure convenience and peace of mind for the driver 24/7/365,” Light added.
No matter where or when help is needed, customers can access roadside assistance by calling the Farm Bureau claims number on their auto ID card and dialing 2 to connect with VFBMIC’s partner. Nation Safe Drivers will handle the rest, including identifying the member’s location and coordinating help with nearby vendors.
VFBMIC will cover the cost of services up to the covered vehicle’s limit. Customers can increase their coverage limit up to $300 for both commercial and personal vehicles.
If you don’t have this coverage on your vehicles, or would like to select a higher benefit limit, call 888-236-7716 or contact your county Farm Bureau office. Visit vafb.com/ roadside for more information.
