Cultivate Winter 2019 by Virginia Farm Bureau

Cultivate WINTER 2019

Virginia Farm Bureau

Oooh, pretty! Orchids are a hot(house) commodity

Cultivate

PHOTO BY CLAIRE MILLS

Volume 12, Number 1 Winter 2019

Features 16

Orchids are a hot(house) commodity

Orchids have edged out poinsettias as the topselling potted flower. That’s allowed Virginia growers to branch out in the $288 million industry.

FDA studying issue of milk vs. “milk” beverages

Dairy farmers have taken issue with how plantbased beverages are marketed as “milk,” and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is taking a look. Cooking up opportunities

Maple syrup producers in Southwest Virginia are looking for the sweet spot to make commercial sales viable.

“One of the big selling points of orchids is how long they stay in bloom.”

— JANET CHERCHUCK, co-owner, Floradise Orchids, Orange County

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). 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

Departments 3

Did You Know?

For Your Benefit

Heart of the Home

Marketplace

WE’RE SOCIAL!

CORRECTION

The RFD-TV series Corn Warriors was incorrectly identified in a fall 2018 Cultivate article.

PUBLICATION SCHEDULE

ON THE COVER

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

Their origins are tropical, but orchids are successfully cultivated right here in Virginia (Photo by Color Orchids).

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? Feb. 9 is National Pizza Day, and the ingredients for your favorite pie are grown on many Virginia farms. They include winter wheat for dough flour; tomatoes for sauce; milk for cheese; pork for sausage, ham, bacon and pepperoni toppings; chicken; green peppers; garlic; and culinary herbs. Americans consume more than 3 billion pizzas annually, and the average family eats pizza at home 30 times a year. Survey findings released last year from more than 20 U.S. cities identified the following as the most popular pizza toppings other than cheese, extra cheese, tomatoes and tomato sauce: 1. Pepperoni 2. Sausage 3. Garlic 4. Olives

5. Mushrooms 6. Onions 7. Chicken 8. Oregano

WATCH US! > VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU WEEKLY TV PROGRAM

This month on Real Virginia: Cheesing it up, and helping families in need Featured this month on Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s weekly television program: • Get the facts on cheesemaking and Virginia-made cheeses. • Learn how Virginia’s agricultural community is making sure food banks have a steady supply of fresh milk. • Visit Prince William County, where agriculture is alive and well just outside the nation’s capital. 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.

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

800-919-FARM (3276) 4

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FarmCredit.com

Save the Date!

Virginia Horse Festival set for Kentucky Derby weekend The annual Virginia Horse Festival will take place May 3-5 at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County. Join some of the equine industry’s top experts for three days of clinics, demonstrations and exhibits of interest to horse enthusiasts of all ages. An indoor trade show will offer a wide range of horse-related supplies and services. The Meadow is the birthplace of Secretariat, and the festival will honor the Triple Crown winner with a special Kentucky Derby party. For festival details and ticket information visit VirginiaHorseFestival.com.

OPENING SEPT. 27!

Farm Bureau warehouse open house offers members big savings Farm Bureau members can save 10 percent on purchases from the Virginia Farm Bureau Service Corp. Products Division at its Feb. 22 open house in Henrico County. The open house will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Farm Bureau warehouse at 1541 Mary St. in Sandston. Refreshments will be available. Savings apply to tires, tubes, batteries, lubricants and a variety of farm equipment parts. For information on specific products, call the warehouse at 800-476-8473.

As of Feb. 1, there are exactly 239 days until the 2019 State Fair of Virginia opening on Sept. 27.

MAPLE TREES

40gal

Approximate amount of sap from maple trees needed to produce a gallon of maple syrup. To learn more about maple syrup production in Virginia, see Page 12.

State Fair countdown Fair fact:

The 2018 State Fair drew more than 3,500 entries in competitions for visual and culinary arts, horticulture and more. If you’d like to participate in fair competitions this fall, you’ve got all winter and spring to perfect that special recipe or move your handcrafted project toward completion. You’ll find the fair’s 2019 competition guidelines at StateFairVa.org this summer.

vafb.com / WINTER 2019

Your membership can help protect your property You can’t always watch every part of your property—and would-be thieves and vandals know it. But your Farm Bureau membership can help deter them. Members have access to free signs indicating participation in Farm Bureau’s Reward Protection Service. Once a sign is posted in public view, the service offers a $2,500 reward for information resulting in a conviction of persons responsible for theft, arson or vandalism on a member’s property. Participation is subject to all terms and conditions of the Farm Bureau Reward Protection Service. Ask for your sign and all the details at your county Farm Bureau office.

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For Your Benefit

No matter what you’re working on, 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 Farm 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 • Motors • Cleaning: Consumables • Cleaning: Other • Hand Tools • Manufacturing: Welding

• Plumbing: Pipe, Valves, Fittings • Plumbing: Other • Safety: Facility Safety • Safety: People Safety • Outdoor Equipment • Power Tools

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:

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Present the Virginia Farm Bureau organization account number at time of purchase. 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 eligible for health screening package Farm Bureau members can save on four non-invasive vascular health screenings— carotid artery, abdominal aneurysm, atrial fibrillation and peripheral arterial disease—and have a free osteoporosis screening to assess risk for stroke, heart attack and bone fractures. Life Line Screenings, the national leading provider of preventive screenings, offers these procedures to members at the discounted rate of $145. Watch for mailings about Life Line screenings in your area, or contact your county Farm Bureau for details.

Program offers members prescription drug discounts Virginia Farm Bureau’s free Prescription Drug Discount and Savings Program affords members an average savings of 25 percent on all FDAapproved name-brand and generic prescription drugs at more than 63,000 pharmacies nationwide. Members pay no fee to use the program, which is designed for individuals with no insurance coverage for prescription drugs. The Prescription Drug Discount and Savings Program works via what’s known as a “consumer care” or “point of sale card” that can be used by your entire household. There are no medical exams, no waiting periods, no claim forms to file and no exclusions for preexisting conditions. Your county Farm Bureau can provide starter card information and information on how to locate participating pharmacies near you and compare potential savings on generic and name-brand drugs.

John Deere program offers new 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 access to the John Deere Rewards program. That means deeper discounts on mowers, utility vehicles and tractors at John Deere dealerships. Get details and register today at johndeere.com/farmbureau. Farm Bureau members are eligible for the following discounts: • $200-$3,700 off Commercial Mowing; • $50-$250 off Residential Mowing; • $250-$450 off Utility Vehicles; • $150-$350 off Tractors; • $400-$4,600 off Golf and Sports Turf; and • 15 percent to 19 percent off MSRP for Commercial Worksite. vafb.com / WINTER 2019

FDA studying issue of milk vs. ‘milk,’ and products’ labeling BY SARA OWENS

S “Buy cow milk, not nut juices.” — SARAH WEAVER SHARPE, Virginia Cooperative Extension agent, Greene County

oy milk, almond milk, coconut milk—they’re all labeled as “milk” but are not, in fact, dairy products. By definition, milk is a nutrient-rich, white liquid food produced by the mammary glands of mammals. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is studying the wide variety of plant-based foods that are being positioned in the marketplace as substitutes for standardized dairy products. The FDA took public comment through Jan. 28 on regulations governing how dairy and non-dairy products, like almond “milk” are labeled. Many plant-based foods use traditional dairy terms in the name of the product, such as milk, yogurt and cheese. Those alternative products, however, are not the food that has been standardized under the 1938 Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act with the name “milk.” “Americans have learned that milk is a good source of proteins and nutrients, and until plant-based options became popularized they were buying and drinking real milk,” noted Tony Banks, senior assistant director of agriculture, development and innovation for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. “Mislabeling of non-dairy products is confusing consumers about nutritional equivalency, leading them to turn away from real milk and dairy products, which is hurting our state’s dairy farmers.” Sarah Weaver Sharpe, a Virginia Cooperative Extension agent in Greene County, said she has advised consumers to “buy cow milk, not nut juices.” Local foods are one of Sharpe’s specialties, and she tries to educate consumers about the mislabeling of non-dairy beverages. “If people knew the nutritional value of cow milk versus nut milk—one ingredient versus a dozen or more—they would buy cow milk.” Sharpe recounted a recent conversation with a veterinarian who predicted 25 percent of Virginia dairies will go out of business in the next year or so. “Central Virginia dairies are going out of business left and right,” she noted. “Prices farmers are getting for milk can’t cover their bills.” Banks explained that dairy farmers are struggling in a difficult economy. “Plant-based imitation dairy products are one of many factors weighing down farm milk prices,” he said. “Other factors include U.S. and global milk production increases outpacing demand for milk and dairy products. “In the United States, dairy farmers are producing more milk with fewer cows, thanks to improvements in herd genetics and management, and dairy exports have become significant. However, a relatively strong U.S. dollar in recent years makes U.S. dairy more expensive to buy in global markets. We’re also experiencing significant changes in the domestic farm-to-retail milk chain that have upset some long-standing regional market alliances and disrupted milk demand.” sara.owens@vafb.com

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THE DAIRY ALLIANCE

Virginia dairy farming Virginia is home to about 87,000 milk cows, on 586 dairy farms, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. • Each dairy cow produces an average of 2,320 gallons of milk per year— an average of 7.6 gallons per day— which is enough to make 6.5 pounds of cheese or 3.1 pounds of butter per day. • In 2017, a dairy cow in Virginia cost about $1,615. The average value of a day’s milk per cow was about $11.84. • Eighty-six percent of all milk produced in 2017 was used and consumed in the form of fluid milk.

• Virginia has six commercial milk processing plants, in Augusta, Rockingham and Franklin counties and the cities of Lynchburg, Newport News and Winchester. • The state’s top three milk-producing counties are Rockingham, Pittsylvania and Franklin.

was processed. “If it starts with a 51, it’s processed in Virginia. If the milk is processed in Virginia, there’s a really good chance it came from Virginia,” explained Virginia Cooperative Extension agent Sarah Weaver Sharpe.

Am I drinking local milk?

On Real Virginia

In addition to buying more cow’s milk products like yogurt, cheese and ice cream, consumers also can buy local milk. To find out if milk came from Virginia farms, look for the code on milk jugs. Visit whereismymilkfrom.com, and type in the code to find out where it

Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s weekly television program, shares one dairy farmer’s thoughts on real milk vs. plant-based “milk” at bit.ly/rv18milk.

vafb.com / WINTER 2019

PHOTO COURTESY OF APPALACHIAN MEATS

APPALACHIAN MEATS

Lebanon business began with a box BY KATHY DIXON

oxed cuts of meat that were originally sold to friends and family may now be offered in cyberspace. “I want to start offering online ordering and shipping of our meat boxes next year,” shared Victoria Gent, co-owner of Appalachian Meats in Russell County. The company’s collections of sausage, breakfast steak, pork belly and ground beef were what led to the start of the business in the middle of 2015. Gent’s husband, Brandon, had a load of cattle that were intended to be sold to a feedlot, but the deal fell through, and they needed to be sold. 10

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“I started calling people and retailing cuts of meat,” Victoria recalled. “I loaded up my car full of coolers and drove around to friends, family and businesspeople that I knew.” She also created a Facebook page and advertised beef and other meat products there. That fall, the Gents got the idea to sell a box containing a variety of meat cuts. “We called it the Christmas breakfast box and sold it for $25 each,” Victoria said. “We sold 300-plus boxes.” That was how Appalachian Meats began. The retail meat business officially opened in a cozy storefront in

Lebanon in March 2016. Since then, it has grown exponentially. In addition to a wide variety of beef cuts, Victoria sells chickens that she raises and butchers herself, and lamb and pork products from her animals. Ground beef remains the top seller. Customer Stewart Hancock said he has been buying from Appalachian Meats since the store opened. His wife regularly sends him to pick up chuck roast. “The quality is much better than what you get in stores,” he said. Shortly after the business started, Victoria began selling meat to Sugar Hill Brewing Co. in St. Paul’s. Brewery owner Greg Bailey met her while she

PHOTO COURTESY OF APPALACHIAN MEATS

Breakfast boxes (far left) were among the first products sold by Appalachian Meats. Today the Russell County operation’s customers include Sugar Hill Brewing Co. owner Greg Bailey (center, center photo), who buys beef weekly from Brandon and Victoria Gent (center photo, holding plates). He shares his brewing grains with the Gents, who feed it to their cattle. PHOTO BY KATHY DIXION

and a community focus “I started calling people and retailing cuts of meat. I loaded up my car full of coolers and drove around to friends, family and businesspeople that I knew.” » VICTORIA GENT co-owner, Appalachian Meats Russell County

was vending at the St. Paul’s farmers’ market. He now purchases 100 pounds of beef a week to make between 200 and 250 burgers for his customers.

Bailey said a local attorney whose wife is a judge in Richmond bought burgers from him for an event they were hosting. “She said she’s eaten

burgers all over the world and this was the best she’s ever had. And I agree.” The relationship between the brewery and the farm has proven beneficial for both parties. Bailey gives his spent brewing grains to the Gents, who feed them to their cattle. Victoria said one of her goals is to help other local businesses. In addition to meat, the store sells honey from a farmer in Castlewood, beef jerky made by a former coal miner in neighboring West Virginia and milk from nearby Goshen Homestead in Honaker. “It’s important to us,” she said, “to help other farmers.” kathy.dixon@vafb.com vafb.com / WINTER 2019

The Lawson family began making and selling homemade maple syrup at Mountainrose Vineyards last winter.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LAWSON FAMILY

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Cooking up opportunities Highland County is Virginia’s maple syrup capital, but production is flowing into southwestern localities BY KATHY DIXON

aple syrup production is becoming a sweet business for some enterprising farmers in Southwest Virginia. Although Highland County is known as the state’s hotbed of maple syrup production—its 60-year-old Highland Maple Festival was designated the state’s official maple festival by thenGov. Terry McAuliffe in 2014—people have been making it in other areas. “We have an abundance of red and sugar maple trees on our ridges, along with more than adequate slope to run sap lines,” noted Virginia Cooperative Extension agent Phil Meeks in Wise County. “A total of 14 Wise County families produced maple syrup last winter, and a handful of those families are taking it to a commercial level this year.” David Lawson, owner of Mountainrose Vineyards, is one of them. When his children were young, Lawson decided to tap the large silver maple tree that was growing in his yard. “Birds would peck on that tree,

and sap was just running out. That’s when I got the idea to tap it ourselves. I wanted my kids to see the process of how maple syrup is made,” he explained.

Kitchen disaster, business epiphany The next year he tapped all five maple trees in the yard, and eventually he bought 100 taps and started looking for more maples on his property. That third January he tapped about 30 trees and boiled the sap in his parents’ kitchen while they were on vacation. “I cooked so much that the condensation peeled the wallpaper off the wall,” Lawson recalled with a laugh. “That was when I got banned from cooking syrup inside.” The family decided to increase the amount of maple syrup they were making, bottle it and sell it commercially at the winery. That was in the winter of 2018, and they sold all 18 gallons that had been made from the sap of about 150 trees. Lawson said he would like to increase the amount of maple syrup he’s producing, but he is limited by the number of trees on his family’s land.

Alaskan experience, applied

David Lawson Mountainrose Vineyards

Michael and Lisa Martucci are another Wise County couple who want to increase maple syrup production on their Doghouse Farm. They previously lived in Alaska, where they operated a small farm and made birch syrup.

Lisa and Michael Martucci Doghouse Farm

After Michael retired from the Army they bought land in Wise, close to his family’s home in Pound. They reached out to Meeks, who visited their property and helped them mark trees with the potential for tapping. “We identified 400 to 500 trees we could potentially tap,” Michael said. Last year the Martuccis tapped 25 trees and either gave away or sold all the syrup they made from the sap. “We really want to expand this year,” Michael said. But they need a building in which to cook, an evaporator to help with the boiling process, and hoses and taps, all of which are expensive. But they will continue making maple syrup whether they expand or not. “It’s been proven that maple syrup is a healthy sweetener,” Michael said. “Ours is delicious,” Lisa noted. kathy.dixon@vafb.com vafb.com / WINTER 2019

Maple syrup production is an underappreciated and underdocumented segment of Virginia’s agriculture industry, according to Dr. Tom Hammett, a professor in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials at Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment. “There are lots of people flying under the radar producing syrup for friends and family, but there is a groundswell of opportunity for commercial production,” he noted. In 2018 Hammett received a Virginia Department of Agriculture grant for expanding livelihood options for Virginia landowners through tree syrup production. He and other Virginia Tech researchers will seek to increase the competitiveness of the state’s maple syrup sector by helping landowners and farmers begin production, create valueadded products and improve markets and related practices that increase awareness of syrup’s nutritional value. Data about Virginia syrup production is not officially captured, but Hammett estimated that in any one year there are up to 200 people producing syrup from tree sap; most are not commercial producers. The larger commercial producers are in Highland County, which he called the “nexus of maple syrup production.” Others are in Wise County and the Mount Rogers area, and he said there are smaller “but vibrant” operations in other areas such as Giles County. For information about maple syrup production and future syrup production workshops, call Hammett at 540-231-2716. 14

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PHOTO COURTESY OF LAWSON FAMILY

Va. maple production ‘underappreciated’

U.S. maple syrup production According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the nation’s maple syrup production in 2017 totaled 4.27 million gallons, up 2 percent from the previous year. On average, the sap flow season lasted 37 days, compared to 33 days in 2016. Top states for number of maple syrup taps 1. Vermont – 5.4 million 2. New York – 2.5 million 3. Maine – 1.89 million 4. Wisconsin – 735,000 5. Pennsylvania – 660,000 Top states for maple syrup production (gallons) 1. Vermont – 1.98 million 2. New York – 760,000 3. Maine – 709,000 4. Wisconsin – 200,000 5. Pennsylvania – 139,000

On Real Virginia Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s weekly television program, shares a look at maple syrup production in Highland County at bit.ly/rv17maple.

Got a taste for maple?

f all this maple syrup talk has your mouth watering, here’s a toasty winter entrée, courtesy of the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association. It should work just fine with Virginia-made syrup too. You’ll find lots of other maple recipes on the VMSMA website at vermontmaple.org.

Roast Lemon Maple Chicken INGREDIENTS

2 lemons, one quartered and one for juicing 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 4-pound chicken 6 cloves of garlic, peeled and halved 1 small onion, quartered

Preheat oven to 375°. Peel one of the lemons, removing long, thick strips of zest. Reserve the zest, and juice the lemon into a bowl. Add the maple syrup and olive oil to the lemon juice, and whisk to combine. Rub the chicken all over with the lemon zest and garlic. Place the quartered lemon, onion, garlic and lemon zest in the cavity of the chicken. Brush with the lemon juice-maple mixture, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put chicken in a roasting pan, and place in the oven. After 30 minutes, brush more of the lemon-maple mixture over the chicken; repeat after another 30 minutes. Continue roasting for an additional 20 minutes or until the juices run clear when cut between the thigh and the body. After removing the chicken from the oven, let it rest for 10 minutes.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LAWSON FAMILY

salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

vafb.com / WINTER 2019

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Virginia orchid growers dig into a thriving market BY CLAIRE MILLS

ove over poinsettias, because orchids are now the topselling potted flower in the U.S. That shift opens the door for Virginia nurseries and greenhouses to branch out in the $288 million orchid industry. In Virginia, the greenhouse/ nursery industry is ranked fifth among the state’s agricultural commodities, with nearly $300 million in cash receipts annually. The orchid family has more species than any other plant family in the world. Once rare and costly, orchids have become a mass-market commodity sold in garden centers and big-box and grocery stores. Phalaenopsis, with its elegant, arching sprays of blooms, is the most common potted orchid.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF COLOR ORCHIDS

Mother’s Day must-haves

Ben Van Wingerden, owner of Color Orchids in Culpeper County, sees a lot of potential in cultivating different varieties of phalaenopsis and has been building a brand around that focus since 2011. “Orchids are a pretty dynamic Phalaenopsis is the most common commercially produced orchid variety and a focus of Color Orchids. Owner Ben Van Wingerden is shown with his wife, Catherine, and their daughter, Elliot.

product,” remarked Van Wingerden. “There is a good marketing opportunity because of their appeal and different types of products you can create. The grower is able to control the blooming time. If you want to sell them during the holidays, you can actually know when they will be blooming.” Van Wingerden sells to high-end grocery retailers such as Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s and Wegmans and finds his location to be an asset. “Overall, demand in orchids has grown, and the quality we produce is superior. That has driven us as a company,” he said. “We are in a good spot in the middle of the East Coast, so that has given us advantages. We’ve been able to be a local producer to quite a few markets.” The majority of Color Orchids’ business is in the first six months of the year and represents 60 percent to 70 percent of the company’s revenue. Van Wingerden said Mother’s Day brings the most demand for orchids, followed by Valentine’s Day and Easter. The young entrepreneur, who has seen revenue increase about 25 percent each year, has an ambitious goal for continued business growth. By the end of 2019, he expects Color Orchids to reach annual sales of 2 million orchids out of 35 million nationwide.

vafb.com / WINTER 2019

PHOTOS BY CLAIRE MILLS

While Van Wingerden is driving a high-volume orchid business, Floradise Orchids in neighboring Orange County has built a following around personalized service to loyal customers and expert advice on its broad range of orchids produced in limited quantities. Husband and wife duo Janet Cherchuck and Stephen Shifflett grow hundreds of specimen and heirloom orchids in the farm’s 3,000-square-foot greenhouse. Their passion for the flowering gems has fueled nearly 40 years in the orchid business. “We were lucky to inherit a very prominent collection from a big orchid collector that formed the basis of our stock,” Cherchuck said. “We’ve had some plants in our collection for 35 to 40 years and sell divisions of that private stock.” One plant in Floradise’s collection, a lovely lady slipper, dates to 1869. Offshoots of that beauty have been blooming for more than 150 years. Today, Floradise trades mostly in direct sales from its greenhouse or markets in the Washington metropolitan area. The service of creating custom arrangements in unique containers is also flourishing. “More and more of our business is contract delivery. We provide orchid arrangements to restaurants, businesses and private homes,” Cherchuck said. Her customers seem to appreciate the advantage of orchids, some of which can bloom for up to three months. “One of the big selling points of orchids is how long they stay in bloom,” she explained. “Even the ones that bloom two or three weeks are still a better value than cut flowers anybody could buy.” claire.mills@vafb.com Floradise Orchids owners Janet Cherchuck and Stephen Shifflett have grown a variety of orchids over the past four decades.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF COLOR ORCHIDS

Offshoots of heirlooms

The orchid family has more species than any other plant family in the world.

On Real Virginia Chadwick & Son Orchids in Powhatan County offers a unique service for orchid owners. For a monthly fee, the greenhouse will board and care for out-of-bloom orchids until they re-bloom. Learn more from Virginia Farm Bureauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weekly television program, Real Virginia, at bit.ly/rv18orchids.

vafb.com / WINTER 2019

Drive Smart Virginia educates drivers

Drive Smart Virginia exists “solely to save lives on the roadways of Virginia,” said Executive Director Janet Brooking (above). The organization has operated a variety of safety campaigns and events

“

i, I was expecting your call. Let me take you off speakerphone, so people don’t think I’m sitting here talking to myself.” That’s how Drive Smart Virginia Executive Director Janet Brooking answered the phone from her parked car. As leader of an organization whose main message is “Buckle Up. Phone Down.” Brooking not only talks the talk, but also diligently walks the walk. Drive Smart Virginia is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1995 by six of Virginia’s insurance companies—Allstate, GEICO, Nationwide, State Farm, USAA and Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co.—to educate drivers about traffic safety. “We exist solely to save lives on the roadways of Virginia,” Brooking said. “We look at the ways to reach people, 20

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educate them and help change their behavior.” The organization has five employees and is led by a diverse board of directors that includes safety advocates, association and corporate representatives and law enforcement. “We have a very high-functioning team, and we rely heavily on our board and partners,” Brooking added. Drive Smart Virginia also has a Safe Driving Coalition of about 100 companies and organizations in Virginia. Member groups receive monthly newsletters, newspaper clippings and safety-related promotional materials. Brooking said the organization spent its first 10 years focusing on seat belt use and its benefits. “There’s a good number of people buckling up now,” she added. Drive Smart Virginia takes on any issue that can raise traffic safety

awareness among all road users to save lives and reduce injuries. Areas of particular interest have included speed, pedestrian fatalities and drinking and driving.

Distracted driving Preventing distracted driving has now become a major focus for Drive Smart Virginia, and Brooking said the organization was one of the first in the nation to highlight its importance. In the early 2000s a board member shared information about a distracted driving awareness event held at their workplace in hopes that Drive Smart Virginia would take the message statewide—and they did. “That’s how we came up with a Distracted Driving Awareness Day, which led to a week and now a whole month, which is April and is recognized nationally,” Brooking explained. It’s also how the Distracted Driving

on traffic safety

BY SARA OWENS

Virginia Farm Bureau employees (below) like health care account manager Jan Holder (above right) tested their road skills with a mobile impaired driving simulator last fall.

Summit got its start. Now in its seventh year, it is a highly-recognized event that is one of a kind nationwide. It brings together insurance professionals, law enforcement, automotive groups, safety professionals and others to share news and research findings. “We try hard to bring in a variety of top-notch speakers and provide many productive learning opportunities,” Brooking added. The 2019 summit will take place in Roanoke in late September.

Partnerships are key Drive Smart Virginia receives support from corporate partners and insurance companies, along with state agencies, including the Virginia State Police and the state Department of Transportation, Department of Education and Department of Motor Vehicles. “Our partnership with DMV, for example, allows us to reach some of our

largest audiences,” including spectators at NASCAR events and Virginia Tech football games, Brooking noted. Drive Smart Virginia partners with NASCAR for races in Richmond and Martinsville, as well as at four short tracks in the state. “We try to focus on reaching out to rural, pickup truck-driving males ages 21 to 34 at these events,” Brooking explained. The organization asks the important question “Who’s Your Driver?” and encourages race fans to choose a sober driver and buckle up. The organization also visits many high schools and workplaces to educate drivers, and it takes part in events like the State Fair of Virginia. For 2018, Drive Smart Virginia displayed “Buckle Up. Phone Down.” signs at fair exits, and more than 2,200 fairgoers signed safe driving pledges over the course of two days. Brooking said VFBMIC has been

a significant partner. Darlene Wells, VFBMIC executive vice president and general manager, serves on the Drive Smart Virginia board of directors, and David Tenembaum, VFBMIC’s actuarial manager, serves as the nonprofit’s treasurer. “Virginia Farm Bureau has helped us reach a lot of people, and we are currently partnering with them through a grant from DMV to produce a video on slow-moving vehicles [such as tractors and other farm equipment] on the roadway, which should come out in 2019,” Brooking said. sara.owens@vafb.com

Want to know more? Drive Smart Virginia’s website at drivesmartva.org is full of information on a variety of topics. The organization also has a presence on Twitter (@DriveSmartVA) and on Facebook. vafb.com / WINTER 2019

Using a handheld device while driving is a leading cause of distraction-related crashes.

Distracted driving has far-reaching, tragic effects

In 2017 it caused more than 200 deaths and nearly 15,000 injuries in Virginia alone

istracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on a phone, eating or drinking, talking to passengers in the vehicle, or operating a radio or navigation system. Distracted driving also is a fastgrowing epidemic in Virginia and nationwide. In 2017 more than 200 people were killed and more than 14,600 were injured in Virginia as a direct result of distracted driving, according to Shannon Valentine, the state’s secretary of transportation. Almost 40,000 people die annually in U.S. vehicle crashes related to distracted driving. 22

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According to Drive Smart Virginia, using a handheld device while driving is a leading cause of distraction-related crashes. Consequently, the nonprofit safety organization urges drivers to simply “put the phone down and just drive.” “Our insurance industry also is feeling the effects of this epidemic, as we continue to see claims increase as a result of distracted driving,” noted Darlene Wells, executive vice president and general manager of Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. VFBMIC is a founding member of Drive Smart Virginia, and Wells is a member of the Drive Smart Virginia board of directors. In December 2018, Gov. Ralph

Northam established an Executive Leadership Team on Highway Safety that is charged with reducing the rising number of fatalities on Virginia’s roadways. The commonwealth has established a highway safety portal at TZDVA.org, where Virginians are invited to participate in the YourSayVA Digital Town Hall on Distracted Driving by taking an anonymous survey. “The more our state leadership hears from the citizens of Virginia that we are concerned, the more likely changes will happen,” Wells said.

Want more information? Visit DriveSmartVa.org or TZDVA.org.

Endorsements available for equine boarding, riding instruction and training Do you have horses on your property because you board them or because you offer riding instruction or training? You may be eligible to add two new endorsements to your Farm Bureau farmowner policy that offer liability protection for those activities. Both optional endorsements became available Jan. 1. “We have listened to our equine customers and developed enhancements we believe meet many of their coverage needs,” said Scott DeNoon, farm product and underwriting manager for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. One of the endorsements provides liability coverage for equine operations engaged in certain types of riding instruction and horse training, as well as boarding activities. “Although we currently insure small-scale boarding operations in our farmowner program, this coverage allows us to accommodate larger boarding ventures as well as those customers offering specific riding instruction and training services,” DeNoon explained. A second endorsement for care, custody and control coverage also is available to protect a policyholder in the event a horse in their care sustains injury or death because of the insured’s negligence. Incidental coverage for

Your Farm Bureau insurance agent can provide details about new endorsements for specific equine services.

emergency medical treatment and related transportation expenses also is included, with a $2,000 limit. “There are some eligibility requirements and exclusions

associated with these coverages, so anyone interested in them should contact their Farm Bureau agent for additional information,” DeNoon added.

Personal auto loan/lease coverage available A new insurance product is available to help you pay off your personal auto loan or lease in the event of a covered total loss. Auto Loan/Lease coverage is designed to pay the difference between the unpaid amount due on a vehicle’s loan/lease agreement and the actual cash value of the covered vehicle at the time of a covered total loss. Coverage can be added on any

eligible new or used vehicle that has a loss payee for a loan or lease. The covered total loss must occur subsequent to the purchase of this coverage. “This coverage can really help in the event of a total loss when you still owe on a loan or lease,” explained Barry Light, product development manager for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. “Cars depreciate quickly,

so if you have a total loss and still owe money on a loan or lease, the actual cash value you receive may not cover the loan amount, and you’d owe the difference yourself. This coverage bridges that gap.” This new coverage is available for policies with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2019, and after. Restrictions may apply, so contact your insurance agent for details. vafb.com / WINTER 2019

2019 Medicare seminars being planned With approximately 92,000 Virginians turning 65 in 2019, in addition to people enrolling in Medicare due to a disability, chances are you or someone you know may have questions about Medicare. County Farm Bureaus will again host Medicare Educational Seminars in 2019. The seminars are set to begin across the state in April and will run through September. Dates and locations will be published in upcoming issues of Cultivate. Call or visit your county Farm Bureau office to see if they will be hosting a seminar in 2019. Additional information also is available from Tracy Cornatzer, sales manager of Farm Bureauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health insurance division, at tcorn@vafb.com or 804290-1115.

County Farm Bureaus statewide will host Medicare Educational Seminars this year. PAID ADVERTISEMENT

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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Missed open enrollment?

If you missed the 2019 deadline for open enrollment—Dec. 15, 2018—you may be in luck. There are policies available for purchase. For individuals who missed the open enrollment deadline, a short-term health insurance plan may be an option. Short-term health insurance plans help bridge gaps in coverage for individuals and families in times of transition. They give individuals the flexibility to drop the coverage at any time without penalty and the ability to apply for another term of coverage, with certain restrictions. The plans are based on the family’s or individual’s needs, with a range of available deductible amounts. “These policies are likely a good choice for applicants who need

coverage without a qualifying event, who are between jobs or are waiting for a new employer’s coverage to become effective,” explained Brett Denton, vice president of Experient Health. Short-term plans are not designed to cover everything, and typically will not cover routine office visits, maternity, mental health or preventative care. They also will not cover preexisting conditions. “If you’re healthy and just need temporary coverage until another plan begins, or you missed the last open enrollment, this may be a good option,” Denton said. “And often, plans will

start the next day; however, you will be required to answer a few medical questions to qualify for the plan.” For more information about shortterm health insurance plans, call 800229-7779, or visit vafb.com/quote.

Qualifying life events trigger special enrollment period If you experience a qualifying life event during the year, you may be able to enroll in a marketplace plan outside of open enrollment. According to healthcare.gov, examples of qualifying events that trigger a special enrollment period include, but are not limited to: • losing existing health coverage, including job-based, individual and student plans; • losing eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid or CHIP; • turning 26 and losing coverage through a parent’s plan; • getting married or divorced; • having a baby or adopting a child; • experiencing a death in the family; • moving to a different ZIP code or county; • moving as a student to or from the place you attend school; and • becoming a U.S. citizen. If you experience a qualifying life event, there are strict timeframes regarding when you can purchase a marketplace plan, so don’t delay. Call 800-229-7779, or visit vafb.com/ quote for details.

Medicare supplements available year-round

If you need a supplemental insurance plan to Medicare, Farm Bureau can assist with that 12 months out of the year. Call your county Farm Bureau office today for assistance, or call 800-229-7779 or visit vafb.com/ quote. A birth or adoption is one of the events that triggers a special enrollment period.

vafb.com / WINTER 2019

Consider surroundings when adding a fire pit to landscape

backyard fire pit can boost your property’s relaxation factor with a cozy space to enjoy with friends and family on cool nights. Mark McAuliffe, vice president of Cross Creek Nursery in Chesterfield County, said residential fire pit use has taken off in the past five years. “We’ve also seen a trend in fireplaces outside. There’s been an increase in outdoor living in the last seven to nine years since the recession,” McAuliffe explained. “People couldn’t move because home values dropped, so they thought to add things to their houses to make them more appealing.” When adding a fire pit, most homeowners take time and plan where they want to locate the feature, McAuliffe noted. “Rarely do you just throw a fire pit in a space. They’re usually incorporated into a patio space.” Fire pits are best-suited for stone, rock or paver patios. “Usually homeowners will want to base the shape of their fire pit on other aspects of their backyard,” McAuliffe said. “If a deck has angular lines or curves, or the patio space is curved, you may want to follow those lines. Or you can use the look of the fire pit to soften the back side of the house.” Fire pits can be built using materials similar to those of a patio, and can be simple or more decorative. They can be wood- or charcoal-burning or have a gas insert. 26

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Mark Viette of Viette Nurseries in Augusta County said propane fire pits are also an option. “Fire pits are wonderful, because they can be a focal point of the backyard and are great for entertaining,” Viette said. “You can make your own simple fire pit using a guide online, buy a small one that you can move around, or build a complex stationary fire pit to complement your landscape.” Viette noted that permanent fire pits require room, and he recommends a minimum of 36 square feet. The portable pits, he noted, afford some flexibility. “You can incorporate them into your landscape and move them throughout your garden as needed, depending on the season,” he said. Fire pits should be kept 10 feet away from the house and should not be put on a wood surface. “Any foliage or plants you want to place around the fire pit should be kept at a safe distance,” Viette said. He recommended placing shrubs or container plants closer to seating areas than to the actual burn area. Make sure seating is a safe distance from the fire and made with safe materials for use around an open fire. You can use patio chairs or build a seat or bench wall that surrounds the fire pit, McAuliffe noted.

Homeowners have found that fire pits add interest, value and more space to entertain to a home landscape.

DIY fire pits Home improvement chains Lowes and Home Depot have online videos that give step-bystep directions on how to build home fire pits: • homedepot.com/c/How_to_ Build_a_Firepit

CROSS CREEK NURSERY

• lowes.com/projects/ gardening-and-outdoor/ build-a-fire-pit/project

vafb.com / WINTER 2019

Heart of the Home

Cozy comfort cuisine cuts through

Whatever your protein preference, there’s a stew for every taste

1¾ cups chicken stock OR 14-ounce can reduced-sodium chicken broth 12-ounce bottle Mexican lager beer ½ teaspoon dried oregano 2 bay leaves 3 tablespoons flour 2 cups hot cooked rice (optional)

COURTESY OF NATIONAL PORK BOARD

DIRECTIONS Remove and discard skin and outer fat from cooked pork roast. Cut the meat into ¾”cubes (You should have about 4 cups cubed pork).

This chile-kissed stew delivers a double dose of warmth.

tews can be simmered on the stove, heated all day in a slow cooker, or even made quickly in a pressure cooker-slow cooker hybrid such as Instant Pot. The following three stew recipes—from the National Beef Checkoff, the American Lamb Board and the National Pork Board—will provide bowlfuls of nourishing goodness.

Mexican Pork Shoulder Stew

¼ teaspoon black pepper

INGREDIENTS

2 stalks celery, thinly sliced

1 pound boneless pork shoulder roast, cooked

1 medium onion, roughly chopped

2 tablespoons lime juice 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 large carrot, peeled, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced

1 tablespoon Mexican chili powder ½ teaspoon ground cumin

1 poblano chile, seeded and cut into ½” pieces

½ teaspoon salt

half of a large jalapeno, thinly sliced

6 cloves garlic, minced

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In a glass baking dish, arrange the pork in a single layer. Sprinkle with chili powder, garlic, cumin, salt and black pepper. Toss pork until evenly coated with seasonings. Drizzle with lime juice and 1 tablespoon oil; toss until evenly coated. Cover baking dish with plastic wrap, and marinate pork in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a 6-quart soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, warm the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Add celery, onion, carrot and poblano and jalapeño chiles.* Cook about 5 minutes or until onion is translucent and vegetables are crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. Add marinated pork mixture to vegetables in soup pot. Cook for 2 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Stir in chicken stock, beer, oregano and bay leaves. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Gently simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Stir together flour and ⅓ cup cold water in a small bowl until smooth. Slowly stir flour mixture into stew mixture. Increase heat to medium; cook and stir for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Serve stew in bowls or, if desired, over rice. * Because the oils from hot chile peppers can burn your skin and eyes, wear gloves so your skin doesn’t come in contact with the oils. Also be sure to wash your hands and nails thoroughly in hot, soapy water after handling chile peppers.

Heart of the Home

the cold Instant Pot Middle Eastern Lamb Stew

¼ cup raisins or dried apricots, chopped

The American Lamb Board shares the following for a savory stew, noting that it can be prepared in an Instant Pot or on the stove in a Dutch oven.

Italian parsley or cilantro for garnish DIRECTIONS Turn the Instant Pot on, and set it to the sauté function. Heat the butter or oil, and sauté the onion for 3-4 minutes, until fragrant. Add the lamb, garlic, salt and all the spices, and sauté an additional 5 minutes until fragrant. Add the vinegar, tomato paste, honey, stock, chickpeas and raisins or apricots, and stir until combined.

INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter 1 onion, diced 1½-1¾ pounds lamb stew meat, cut into 1½" cubes 4-6 coarsely chopped garlic cloves 1 teaspoon EACH: salt, pepper, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon and cumin seeds ½ teaspoon chili flakes, plus more for garnish ¼ cup apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar

COURTESY OF AMERICAN LAMB BOARD

15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

You have options when preparing this lamb stew.

French Country Beef Stew serves up everything that’s wonderful about meat-and-potato meals.

Cover, and set the Instant Pot to the “meat stew” setting, or pressure cook for 1 hour on normal/high.

8 ounces mushrooms, cut in half

Let the pressure release, and give stew a stir. The lamb should be tender and break apart easily.

2 tablespoons cornstarch, dissolved in ¼ cup water

Serve with cooked quinoa, couscous or basmati rice, and garnish with fresh Italian parsley or cilantro and extra chili flakes.

DIRECTIONS

If using a Dutch oven, preheat the oven to 325°. Brown the onions in butter, and then add the garlic, lamb, salt and spices, cooking for 5-6 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, except the raisins or apricots, and bring to a simmer. Cover, place in the oven and bake for 2 hours, adding the raisins or apricots about an hour into the baking time.

1¼ cups chicken stock or broth

COURTESY OF NATIONAL BEEF CHECKOFF

quinoa, couscous or basmati rice, cooked according to package directions

French Country Beef Stew

1 pound asparagus, cut into 2” pieces

salt and pepper

In a stockpot, combine beef, water and soup mix; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover tightly and simmer 1¾-2¼ hours or until beef is fork-tender. Add potatoes and mushrooms to stockpot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in asparagus; continue cooking, covered, 8-10 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in cornstarch mixture; bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper as desired.

INGREDIENTS 2½ pounds of stew beef, cut into 1” pieces 2 cups water 1 package (.9-1.68 ounces) dry vegetable soup mix 1 pound baby red-skinned potatoes, cut into quarters vafb.com / WINTER 2019

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. Ads of 16 to 30 words must be accompanied by payment of $20. 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. Ads with more than 30 words and ads from nonmembers will not be accepted. 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:

• Crops; • Farm equipment; • Hay/Straw; • Livestock; and • Livestock equipment. Classified ads will be published in the following issues: • April Virginia Farm Bureau News (mailed to producer members only); • May Cultivate (mailed to associate members only); • August Cultivate (mailed to associate members only); and • September Virginia Farm Bureau News (mailed to producer members only).

Finding your member number 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.

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REAL VIRGINIA A weekly television program produced by Virginia Farm Bureau

Agriculture touches your life every day! Meet the Virginia farmers who raise products for your table and your community. Learn how to prepare delicious Virginia foods and cultivate a lush landscape and edible garden. Real Virginia airs nationwide at 3:30 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month on RFD-TV on Dish Network and DirecTV, and on many cable outlets—check local listings. Watch anytime at vafb.com, and weekly on • WBRA Roanoke • WCVE Richmond • WHTJ Charlottesville • WHRO Norfolk

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FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com *Farm Bureau Bonus Cash is exclusively for active Farm Bureau members who are residents of the United States. This incentive is not available on Shelby GT350®, Shelby® GT350R, Mustang BULLITT,

• WTKR Norfolk • WVPT Harrisonburg • WVVA Bluefield

FARM BUREAU MEMBERS GET

Motor Company and Lincoln Motor Company private incentives or AXZD-Plans. Some customer and purchase eligibility restrictions apply. Must be a Farm Bureau member for 30 consecutive days prior to purchase. Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com or LincolnFarmBureauAdvantage.com or see your authorized Ford or Lincoln Dealer for qualifications and complete details.

1/11/19 10:01 AM

How to place your classified ad STEP 1

Use the form below to provide contact information and the text for your ad. • Ads will be accepted from Farm Bureau members only. • Classified ads are not transferable. • Please type or print. • Classified ads will not be accepted or cancelled over the phone.

STEP 2

Indicate the issues in which you want your ad to run.

STEP 3

Select the category in which you want your ad to run (Pick one only).

STEP 4

Your first ad of 15 words or less is free with your membership. Pricing for additional ads: 1–15 words $10/ad 16–30 words $20/ad Additional ads must be accompanied by a check (no cash) for each issue in which the ad is to appear. • Make check payable to: Virginia Farm Bureau. • Ads longer than 30 words will not be accepted.

Important: We are not responsible

• We do not invoice for classified ads or provide proofs or tearsheets. • Ads submitted without payment will be returned.

for typographical errors or errors due to illegible handwriting (No refunds available). Classified ads carried in Cultivate and Virginia Farm Bureau News do not constitute an endorsement by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation and its affiliated companies and organizations. We reserve the right to edit or reject ads, including ads that represent a business in competition with the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company or any of our affiliated or affinity partners. We reserve the right to edit or reject any advertisement that makes reference to any particular political party or group, religious belief or denomination, race, creed, color or national origin.

STEP 5

Mail your ad (and payment) to: Virginia Farm Bureau News/Cultivate Classifieds P.O. Box 27552 Richmond, VA 23261-7552 Or place it via the Virginia Farm Bureau website at vafb.com.

Deadlines Ads and cancellations must be received (not mailed) by the following deadlines: ISSUE DEADLINE Mailed to producer members April March 5 September August 2

Moving? If your address or phone

number has changed—or is about to—don’t forget to contact your county Farm Bureau office to ensure that your membership and subscription information stays current!

Mailed to associate members May April 5 August July 3

One free 15-word ad per membership per year; dues must be paid before placing ad.

NAME:___________________________________________________________________________________________ MEMBER NO.:______________________________________________________________________________________ COUNTY:_________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS:________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY: __________________________________________

STATE:________________________

ZIP:______________

DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER: __________________________________ E-MAIL ADDRESS: ________________________ Ads will not be accepted without the information above

ADVERTISEMENT (one word per space; please type or print):

Category in which ad should run (select only one): q Crops q Farm Equipment q Hay/Straw q Livestock q Livestock Equipment No other categories available

1.________________________ 2.______________________ 3._________________________ 4.________________________ 5. _____________________________ 6._______________________ 7.______________________ 8._________________________ 9.________________________ 10.______________________________ ( ) 11._______________________ 12._____________________ 13.________________________ 14._______________________ 15. _____________________________ phone number

ISSUE IN WHICH AD SHOULD RUN:* q April (mailed to producer members) qM ay (mailed to associate members) q August (mailed to associate members) q S eptember (mailed to producer members)

q This is my one free 15-word ad for 2019 q Payment enclosed: $ _____________ q Please place my ad in The Delmarva Farmer for 4 weeks at no additional cost to me. Your ad will automatically be included in the online VFB Marketplace for free. (Ads expire with membership). Ad placement available for these issues only

vafb.com / WINTER 2019