Cultivate Fall 2019

Cultivate FALL 2019

Virginia Farm Bureau

Local distilleries

benefit from farm-fresh ingredients

Cultivate Volume 12, Number 4 Fall 2019

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Features 7

Relationships form foundation for award winner

Insurance agent Jim Jervey said relationships with

customers and community led to his receiving

Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co.’s top award.

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Tobacco barns embedded in rural landscape

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Distilleries join Virginia’s trails

Southside Virginia’s historic tobacco barns

are being preserved through a dedicated statewide organization.

By the end of 2019, Preservation Virginia will have repaired 63 historic tobacco barns in Southside Virginia.

Local spirits have joined the ever-growing list of Virginia craft beverages, and many source ingredients from local farmers.

For Your Benefit

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Heart of the Home

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Marketplace

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 Pam Wiley Director, Communications Kathy Dixon Managing Editor Sara Owens Staff Writer/Photographer Patricia Hooten Graphic Designer Maria La Lima Graphic Designer Alice Kemp Staff Writer/Advertising Coordinator

WE’RE SOCIAL!

MEMBERS — Address change? If your address or phone number has changed, or is about to change, contact your county Farm Bureau. They will update your membership and subscription information.

PUBLICATION SCHEDULE

Associate members will receive their next issue of Cultivate in February 2020. The magazine is published quarterly, and back issues can be viewed at issuu.com/virginiafarmbureau.

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.

VISIT US ONLINE vafb.com

Departments 18

KATHY DIXON

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 $1.31 (included in membership dues).

ON THE COVER Dr. John Davenport said his 250-gallon still helped make over 3,000 bottles of whiskey last year.

(Photo by Kathy Dixon)

Did you know?

October is National Popcorn Poppin’ Month Americans eat about 43 quarts of popcorn apiece over the course of a year, most of it at home, according to The Popcorn Board.

The board is a nonprofit organization funded by U.S. popcorn processing companies.

For more kernels of popcorn knowledge, along with two tasty popcorn recipes, see Pages 22 and 28.

Candy corn!

Oct. 30 is National Candy Corn Day, and real corn—in the form of corn syrup—is an ingredient in this seasonal favorite.

Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. named to Ward’s 50 Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. was named among the 2019 Property-Casualty Ward’s 50 Companies. This marks the second year in a row that the company has received this recognition.

The list is compiled by Ward Group, a consulting firm specializing in the insurance industry and a leading provider of industry benchmarking.

“To be named one of the 50 top property and casualty companies in the country for two consecutive years is an incredible honor,” said Darlene Wells, VFBMIC executive vice president and general manager.

“This recognition is made possible by the tremendous work ethic of our employees, whose contributions

toward creating a financially strong and growing insurance company are top-notch. Continuing to grow our premiums, and building a stronger financial base, allows our companies to better serve our policyholders for the long term.”

Each year Ward Group analyzes the financial performance of nearly 3,000 property and casualty insurance companies in the United States and identifies the top performers. Each company named to Ward’s Top 50 has passed all safety and consistency screens and achieved superior performance over the five years it was analyzed. VFBMIC was one of only two Virginia-based insurance companies on the list.

The Ward’s 50 property-casualty group of insurance companies produced an 11.6% statutory return on average equity from 2014 to 2018, compared to 7.6% for the propertycasualty industry overall.

“In selecting the Ward’s 50, we identified companies that pass financial stability requirements and measure their ability to grow while maintaining strong capital positions and underwriting results,” said Jeff Rieder, partner and head of Ward benchmarking at Aon, a leading global professional services firm. The Ward’s 50 benchmark group also continues to achieve lower expense ratios.

County Farm Bureaus offered more than $150,000 in scholarships in 2018 County Farm Bureaus in Virginia continue to invest in their communities’ future by offering scholarships to local students. In 2018, 65 county Farm Bureaus offered $150,590 through their own scholarship funds, and many Farm Bureaus also contributed to other organizations’ scholarships.

State Fair scholarships The State Fair of Virginia offers more than $70,000 in scholarships annually to winners in 4-H, FFA and vocational competitions, as well as equine, fine arts and horticulture competitions. The fair’s Applied Youth Livestock Scholarship Program awarded $22,255 in scholarships to 12 youth who exhibited beef cattle, sheep, meat goats and swine at the 2018 fair.

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Hay Bale Decorating Contest entries welcome The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Committee will accept entries through Nov. 1 for its annual Hay Bale Decorating Contest.

The competition is open to county Farm Bureaus, farmers markets, farm supply businesses, student groups, community associations and others.

Guidelines and an entry form are available at bit.ly/vfbfhaybale19. Trophies will be awarded in four display categories: best promotional display; most creative; best agricultural theme; and best agribusiness, FFA, 4-H or school display.

Winners will be recognized Dec. 3 at the VFBF Annual Convention in Norfolk.

WATCH US! > VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU WEEKLY TV PROGRAM

This month on Real Virginia: Savoring ciders and shellfish, and saving historic barns Featured this month on Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s weekly television program: • The market for craft beverages has fermented opportunities for hard cider.

• Oyster fans have bushels of reasons to visit the Virginia Oyster Trail.

• Historic barns are the focus of a preservation effort in Shenandoah County.

• “Fall” into autumn agricultural activity in Frederick County.

Real Virginia airs nationwide at 3:30 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month on RFD-TV on Dish Network and DirecTV, and on selected cable outlets around the state. It airs weekly on WVPT Harrisonburg, WBRA Roanoke, WCVE Richmond, WVVA Bluefield and WTKR Norfolk.

Watch Real Virginia anytime online at vafb.com.

SCHOLARSHIPS

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Number of county Farm Bureaus that awarded college scholarships in 2018. The $150,590 they offered demonstrates their commitment to investing in their respective communities.

vafb.com / FALL 2019

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about 10 varieties of apples on his Frederick County farm. He sells fresh apples to packing sheds for resale.

“I think growers in Virginia have a fair crop this year,” McDonald said.

“There are plenty of apples for people to pick or buy at local markets.”

Fall décor second only to Christmas

Apples, mums and more provide fall flavor and décor Juicy Virginia apples are ripe for picking October is prime apple-picking month in Virginia.

Cynthia Chiles, who helps operate her family’s Carter Mountain Orchard and Chiles Peach Orchard near Charlottesville, said fall is the perfect time to visit a Virginia orchard.

Fall apple season began after Labor Day and will last well into November, with the majority of the harvest in October.

There are more than a dozen apple varieties grown in the state, including Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Gala, Granny Smith, Jonathan and Ginger Gold.

Consumers can explore the orchards and pick their own, or simply purchase already-picked apples at the farm market. “Pick-your-own is really popular with families with young kids and college students,” Chiles said.

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“Empty nesters are happy buying fresh, already-picked apples.

“There truly is something for everyone.”

According to the Virginia Apple Growers Association, Virginia ranks sixth among U.S. appleproducing states, with production from Southwest Virginia through the central region and up to the Shenandoah Valley. The state’s apples are grown in over 100 commercial orchards on more than 16,000 acres.

The estimated yield per acre is 700 bushels.

Virginia farmers grow apples for fresh consumption, and sell 70 percent for processing into products like applesauce, apple juice, apple butter and cider. On average, 5 to 6 million bushels of Virginia apples are harvested annually.

Jason McDonald, vice chairman of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Apple Advisory Committee, grows

When temperatures start to cool, home décor heats up— often using Virginiagrown products like chrysanthemums, cornstalks, pumpkins and gourds.

“Fall decorating is serious business, second only to the Christmas season,” said Sonya Westervelt, sales manager for Saunders Brothers Nursery in Nelson County.

Decorative plants are part of the state’s green industry, a major sector in Virginia’s $70 billion farm economy.

The 2017 Census of Agriculture collectively ranked nursery, greenhouse, floriculture and sod businesses as the state’s fifth-largest agricultural sector, generating a total of $328 million.

Last year 2.8 million hardy garden chrysanthemums were raised in Virginia, with a wholesale value of $6.4 million. Another $9 million worth of pansies and violas were sold by producers to retail outlets like garden centers, according to the 2018 floriculture report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Growers are always trying to attract more buyers, so mums are being bred for different flower shapes, colors and even blooming times. “You can find a mum variety in bloom from August through November if you hunt for them,” Westervelt said.

Other fall decoration products raised by Virginia farmers include pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, dried cornstalks and straw bales.

CLAIRE MILLS

Jim Jervey, center, gets by with a little help from his coworkers, including, from left, Sherry Lee, Jenna Story, Brenda Eure, Lori Vasser and Michelle Cleaton.

Relationships form the foundation for agent in work, community

BY CLAIRE MILLS

W

hen Jim Jervey, a Virginia Farm Bureau insurance agent in Southampton County, received the Ralph Stokes Award, it was one of the few times in his life he can recall being rendered speechless.

“When I heard my name, I just felt humbled, honored and proud,” he recalled.

Jervey celebrated 25 years with the company the month before he received the top recognition given to agents by Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. After graduating from Franklin High School and Hampden-Sydney College, Jervey taught math and coached football, basketball, volleyball and track from 1980 to 1994 in several schools, including his high school alma mater.

In 1994, he decided to make a career move into the insurance world.

“Gail Parker, also a Ralph Stokes Award winner, was my high school counselor and football coach. Later, when he was an agency manager, he

was the one who hired me to work for Farm Bureau insurance,” Jervey noted.

As a teacher and coach or as Farm Bureau’s top agent, Jervey has been a devoted leader in building relationships and teamwork.

“Life is about relationships – relationships with family, friends and God. Each time I meet a client, it is about developing a better relationship, but it takes time,” Jervey said.

When he started getting referrals, Jervey knew those positive relationships had helped to establish him in his new vocation.

The Ralph Stokes Award is given annually to a Farm Bureau agent who supports company policies; is highly respected by peers; supports the agency force; and fosters a high degree of client loyalty.

This year’s recipient and avid sports fan enjoys the opportunity to guide his clients with a good measure of “bubbly personality” and coaching mindset.

“In my work, if some things are not working at halftime, we had better

make adjustments so that we can succeed,” he remarked. “I often remind myself to make necessary adjustments in the third or fourth quarter.”

As for his family, Jervey and his wife, Glenda, have two children, James and Jennifer, who grew up in the extended Farm Bureau family.

In addition to Jervey’s outstanding contributions to Farm Bureau, he is involved in the Franklin community.

For 18 years he chaired the area Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, and he is a longtime Sunday school leader at High Street United Methodist Church.

Even after 25 years in the insurance world, Jervey continues to support the mission of providing educational opportunities to local students.

Since 2002 he has been president of the Franklin City Educational Foundation, which funds teacher grants and student scholarships. He also chairs his local Ruritan club’s student scholarship committee. Until 2014 he volunteered as a part-time football coach at Franklin High School. vafb.com / FALL 2019

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PAID ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Virginia zip codes turn up silver for residents Sealed Vault Bags full of heavy silver bars are actually being handed over to the first Virginia residents who find their zip code listed in today’s publication and call before the 7 day order deadline ends to claim the bags full of valuable silver NATIONWIDE – Operators at the National Silver Hotline are struggling to keep up with all the calls.

That’s because Silver Vault Bags loaded with a small fortune of .999 pure Silver Bars are now being handed over to everyone who beats the 7-day order deadline.

“It’s like a modern day Gold Rush. Virginia residents will be hoarding all the silver bars they can get their hands on for the next 7 days.

This comes as no surprise after the standard State Minimum set by the Federated Mint dropped 42%, going from $50 per bar to just $29 making these Silver Vault Bags a real steal,” said Mary Ellen Withrow, the emeritus 40th Treasurer of the United States of America.

“As executive advisor to the private Federated Mint, I get paid to deliver breaking news. And here’s the best part. This is great news for Virginia residents because it’s the lowest ever State Minimum set by the Federated Mint,” said Withrow.

The only thing residents need to do is find the first 3 digits of their zip code on the Distribution List printed in today’s publication. If their zip code is on the list, they need to immediately call the National Silver Hotline before the 7-day order deadline ends.

Residents who do are cashing in on the record low State Minimum set by the Federated Mint. This is a real steal ■ VIRGINIA RESIDENTS CASH IN: It’s like a modern day Gold Rush. Everyone’s scrambling to get their hands on the heavy, for residents because each Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bags pictured above before they’re all gone. That’s because residents who find the first 3 digits of their zip code Silver Vault Bag loaded with printed in today’s publication are cashing in on the lowest ever State Minimum price set for the next 7 days by the Federated Mint.

10 Virginia State Silver Bars is normally set at $500 which Who gets the Silver Vault Bags: Listed below are the Virginia zip codes that get the Silver Vault is the standard $50 per heavy half ounce bar State MinBags. If you find the first 3 digits of your zip code immediately call: 1-800-239-7648 EXT. FMM2056 imum set by the Federated Mint. But here’s the good news. Residents who call to201 225 231 237 243 249 255 261 267 day get the lowest ever State Minimum set by the Feder220 226 232 238 244 250 256 262 268 ated Mint of just $290 for 221 227 233 239 245 251 257 263 each Virginia Silver Vault Bag which is just $29 per 222 228 234 240 246 252 258 264 bar as long as they call the 223 229 235 241 247 253 259 265 National Silver Hotline at; 1-800-239-7648 EXT. FMM2056 224 230 236 242 248 254 260 266 before the deadline ends.

Phone lines open at pre(Continued on next page)

PAID ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE (Continued from previous page)

cisely 8:30 A.M. this morning and are expected to be f looded by residents looking to cash in on the lowest ever State Minimum set by the Federated Mint to date.

That’s why Virg inia residents who find their zip code on the distribution list today are being urged to call immediately.

Since this special advertising announcement can’t stop dealers and collectors from hoarding all the new 2019 Edition Virginia State Silver Bars they can get their ha nds on, the Federat ed Mint had to set a strict limit of three Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bags per resident – these are the bags everyone’s trying to get because they cont a i n 10 i nd iv idu a l Si lver Vault Bags each. Everyone who gets these will feel like they just hit the jackpot.

“Residents who want to cash in on the lowest ever State Minimum set by the private Federated Mint better hurry. That’s because in 7 days, the State Minimum for these heav y half ounce Virginia State Silver Bars returns to the normal State Minimum set by the Federated Mint of $50 per bar,” Withrow said.

“We’re bracing for all the calls and doing the best we can, but with just hours left before the deadline ends, residents lucky enough to find the first 3 digits of their zip code listed in today’s publication need to immediately call the National Silver Hotline," Withrow said. ■

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If you find your zip code on the distribution list printed in today’s publication read below then immediately call: 1-800-239-7648 EXT. FMM2056 I keep calling and can’t get through: Keep trying. Right now everyone’s looking to cash in on the lowest State Minimum ever set by the Federated Mint. In fact, tens of thousands of residents are expected to order up as many Silver Vault Bags as they can get their hands on before the deadline ends. That’s because the State Minimum set by the Federated Mint has been slashed from $50 per heavy half ounce to just $29 for the next 7 days. And since each Silver Vault Bag contains 10 valuable State Silver Bars for just $290 nearly everyone is taking at least three bags before they’re all gone. But all those who really want to cash in are taking the Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bags containing 100 State Silver Bars before the State Minimum set by the Federated Mint goes back up to $500 per Vault Bag. So if lines are busy keep trying.

How much are the Silver Vault Bags worth: It’s hard to tell how much these Silver Vault Bags could be worth since they are highly collectible, but those who get in on this now will be the really smart ones. That’s because the State Minimum set by the Federated Mint goes back up to $500 per bag after the deadline ends. So you better believe that at just $290 the Silver Vault bags are a real steal for everyone who beats the deadline.

Can I buy one State Silver Bar: Yes. But, the lowest ever State Minimum set by the Federated Mint of just $29 per bar applies only to residents who purchase a Silver Vault Bag(s). That means only those residents who order a Silver Vault Bag(s) or the heavy, Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bag(s) get the $29 per bar State Minimum set by the Federated Mint. All single bar purchases, orders placed after the 7-day deadline and all non-state residents must pay the standard $50 per heavy half ounce Bar State Minimum set by the Federated Mint.

Why is the State Minimum set by the Federated Mint so low now: Thousands of U.S. residents stand to miss the deadline to get the silver at the lowest ever State Minimum set by the private Federated Mint. Now all residents who find the first 3 digits of their zip code on the Distribution List printed in today’s publication are getting the Silver Vault Bags for themselves and all the solid .999 pure State Silver Bars found inside.

The price for each Silver Vault Bag is normally set at $500 which is the standard $50 per bar State Minimum set by the Federated Mint, but residents who beat the 7-day deadline only cover the lowest ever State Minimum set by the Federated Mint of just $290 for each State Silver Vault Bag which is just $29 per bar as long as they call the National Silver Hotline before the deadline ends at: 1-800-239-7648 EXT. FMM2056.

Hotlines open at 8:30 A.M. FRONT VIEW

BACK VIEW INDEPENDENCE: 1776 signifies the year America declared independence proclaiming inalienable rights including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

SIGNIFICANT: Numbered in the order of which the state ratified the Constitution and was admitted into the Union.

HISTORIC 13 STARS: Each star represents one of the original 13 Colonies arranged in a circle to symbolize the perpetuity of the union as depicted in the “Betsy Ross” flag.

■ SILVER HITS ROCK BOTTOM:

Everyone’s scrambling to get the Silver Vault Bags each loaded with 10 solid .999 pure Silver State Bars before they are all gone. That’s because the standard State Minimum set by the private Federated Mint dropped 42%, going from $50 per bar to just $29, which is a real steal.

ONLY EXISTING: Silver bars struck with the double forged state proclamation.

LOWEST EVER: State minimum set by the Federated Mint drops to just $29.

VALUABLE: Solid .999 pure fine silver.

PHOTO ENLARGEMENT SHOWS ENGRAVING DETAIL OF SOLID HALF OUNCE STATE SILVER BARS

FEDERATED MINT, LLC IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE VIRGINIA GOVERNMENT, A BANK OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. IF FOR ANY REASON WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM SHIPMENT YOU ARE DISSATISFIED, RETURN THE PRODUCT FOR A REFUND LESS SHIPPING AND RETURN POSTAGE. THIS SAME OFFER MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE AT A LATER DATE OR IN A DIFFERENT P7190A OF21319R-1 GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION. OH RESIDENTS ADD 6.5% SALES TAX. FEDERATED MINT 7600 SUPREME AVE. NW, NORTH CANTON, OH 44720 ©2019 FEDERATED MINT

AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM

WIN-WIN! AITC + YOU

Raffle will benefit agriculture literacy 10

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The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Committee, county Farm Bureau women’s committees and county Farm Bureaus are selling raffle tickets for a custom golf cart and cash prizes.

The raffle will benefit Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom. Tickets will be sold through Dec. 3 at $10 for one or $25 for three, for three prizes: • First place: Custom golf cart from River City Golf Carts, sponsored by Emporia Self-Service Storage, Hoober Inc., Hubner Seed and TopHand Foundation.

• Second place: $500 cash.

• Third place: $250 cash.

Tickets may be purchased at participating county Farm Bureau offices, at AgInTheClass.org or by mailing a check payable to Agriculture in the Classroom with the purchaser’s name, address, phone number and email address to AITC, P.O. Box 27552, Richmond, VA 23261.

The drawing will take place Dec. 4. All winnings are subject to IRS guidelines.

Automotive technology changing driver habits Automotive technology is rapidly changing, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is researching what is working—and what is not.

“New technology is changing for the good but can sometimes have negatively intended consequences,” said Jessica Cicchino, vice president of research for IIHS. “The technology changes driving tasks.”

The institute is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing losses from crashes on the nation’s roads. It is supported by auto insurers and insurance associations, including the Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. IIHS has studied how crash avoidance systems and driving automation change driving habits and have the potential for unintended consequences like driver distraction. The institute has conducted studies on how drivers are using advanced vehicle technologies such as adaptive cruise control, safe following distance and pilot assist or lane assist.

“Drivers still need to watch hills, hazards and curves; that’s an issue with these automated technologies,” said David Harkey, IIHS president.

Technology can improve driver behavior, but researchers aren’t sure how it affects safety. There have been positive changes with crash avoidance technology, and the organization is working to address issues to reduce forward collisions and lane drift.

Teen drivers are the highest-risk driving group, and technology can help cut some of the risk, noted Becca Weast, IIHS research scientist.

The institute has studied

National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 6-12

technologies that allow parents to remotely monitor their teens’ driving.

When a teen isn’t wearing his or her seatbelt, is speeding or hard breaking or accelerating, he or she may receive an alert, and a parent may receive the same alert. In most cases, it is making a difference, Weast said.

Cicchino noted that new technologies have not decreased the number of crashes.

“The perceived notion is that you hear ‘automation’ and think it can be hands-off, and that the technology is more capable than it is,” she said.

Additionally, safety technology is useful only when it is used. Studies have found that some drivers find it annoying and are turning it off. In a study of 1,000 cars, only 52 percent had safety features such as lane assist turned on.

For more information about IIHS and research studies visit iihs.org.

“Not every hero wears a cape.

Plan and practice your escape!”

That’s the slogan for this year’s Fire Prevention Week, which was celebrated earlier this month.

The event goal is to educate people about small, but important, actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.

It’s important to plan a home escape strategy and practice it as a family.

During a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely after your smoke alarm sounds.

Escape planning and practice can help make the most of that time, giving everyone a chance to get out.

Fire Prevention Week is a great occasion to make sure everyone in your household—children and adults—understand how to stay safe in case of a fire.

For more information, visit firepreventionweek.org.

vafb.com / FALL 2019

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Historic tobacco barns: Organization believes they’re worth saving

BY SARA OWENS

T

obacco is an important part of Virginia’s history, and historic tobacco barns are an integral part of Southside Virginia’s landscape.

Despite their importance, these barns have been quickly disappearing.

Preservation Virginia, a privately funded statewide organization founded more than 100 years ago, has been working since 2009 to preserve historic tobacco barns and educate the public about their significance.

Preservation Virginia launched the Tobacco Barn Preservation Project to raise awareness. Their research focused on two main types of barns: curing barns where tobacco was hung to dry; and pack barns where tobacco leaves were stored until they were taken to market.

The organization added tobacco barns to its “Most Endangered Historic Places” list, and the group received an outpouring of regional support.

“It struck a nerve with people,” said Sonja Ingram, Preservation Virginia’s field services manager. “And that’s how this turned into its own program. We are focused on raising awareness about historic tobacco barns and their heritage.”

Ingram said the group began creating awareness by hosting public workshops on barn repair, sponsoring a middle school poster contest, and creating an oral history project to record stories from tobacco farmers. “We received over 60 tobacco barn posters, and 12 farmers were interviewed through the oral history project.”

Partnership for preservation In 2013 Preservation Virginia partnered with JTI Leaf Services LLC in Danville to provide mini-grants for repairing historic tobacco barns in Pittsylvania and Halifax counties and Caswell County, N.C. JTI buys and processes U.S. leaf tobacco.

“Preserving the barns has been a focus since 2013,” Ingram said. “JTI has provided us with the grants for the program to be really successful in these three counties.” JTI chose the three localities because that’s where most of its tobacco growers are located.

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Ingram said 50 tobacco barns have been repaired so far, and by the end of the 2019 grant season Preservation Virginia will have repaired 63 barns.

“We’re hoping to continue to receive funds to preserve these barns. We’re also considering partnering with Halifax County Tourism to link the repaired tobacco barns to its barn quilt trail,” Ingram added. “We also hope this will be a step in the creation of a larger, multi-county tobacco heritage driving trail in the future.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF PRESERVATION VIRGINIA

Joe Graves, Halifax County Along state Route 119 in Alton is a 20th century log-built curing barn at Brandon-on-the-Dan farm, which has been owned by the family of Joe Graves and his brother, Clark, since 1915.

“It’s a modest log curing barn, built in the late 1950s,” Graves said. One hundred acres of tobacco are still grown on the farm in rotation with wheat and soybeans.

Graves heard an advertisement about Preservation Virginia’s project, attended a meeting about it and submitted his barn for consideration in 2014. It was one of five in Halifax County selected for repair.

Preservation Virginia’s program repaired the roof and restored the chinking and daubing between the logs on the barn.

A.J. Nuckols, Pittsylvania County

PHOTO COURTESY OF PRESERVATION VIRGINIA

A.J. Nuckols’ family built the 19th century timber-framed curing and packing barn in Pittsylvania County.

Preservation Virginia repaired it in 2014.

The barn, which was built in the 1820s, had a rotten wooden timber sill stabilized through the program, and cosmetic fixes were made as well.

“We use it mainly for storage and wanted to preserve it because it’s important to our family,” Nuckols said. “But it is also a very unique barn historically. Most barns have four or five vertical rooms—spaces where tobacco is hung—but this barn has six. It’s unlike others in the state.”

Want to know more?

The book Tobacco Barns, Preserving History in the Old Belt illustrates the JTI/ Preservation Virginia Tobacco Barns MiniGrants Project that has repaired more than 60 historic tobacco barns in a three-county region of Virginia and North Carolina.

To order the book, visit: preservationvirginia.org/our-work/tobaccobarn-preservation.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PRESERVATION VIRGINIA

vafb.com / FALL 2019

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Virginia has a trail for just about everything—beer, fruit, history, oysters and wine—and now distilleries have been added to the map.

LOCAL GRAINS

CREATE

FLAVORFUL

SPIRITS STORY AND PHOTOS BY KATHY DIXON

The Virginia Spirits Trail was formed by the Virginia Distillers Association and comprises 28 distillers from southwestern to northern Virginia. The Shenandoah Spirits Trail was created by the Virginia Tourism Board and includes breweries, cideries, distilleries and wineries from Harrisonburg to Winchester. The Blue Ridge Whisky Wine Loop is managed by the Discover Shenandoah program and includes distilleries as well as other tourist attractions in the Shenandoah Valley. The Virginia’s Blue Ridge Cheers Trail is a collection of breweries, wineries and craft beverages in the Roanoke Valley.

W

hen visitors to River Hill Distillery ask Fred Foley how he learned to make whiskey, he winks and tells them it’s a family recipe.

The Page County farm where the distillery is located has been in the Foley family for almost 100 years, and corn has always been a staple crop. In addition to growing corn, Foley and his wife, Amy, manage a horse-boarding service called River Hill Stables. They also raise their own beef and sell it direct from the farm.

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Winchester Brew Works Broken Window Brewing

WINERIES BREWERiES

DISTILLERIES CIDERIES

THE ULTIMATE PATH TO BEVERAGE ENLIGHTENMENT...

ONE SIP AT A TIME. shenandoahspiritstrail.com

Cedar Creek Winery

Ridge Runner Farms and Brewing Company

Woodstock Brewhouse

Castle Vineyards

Cave Ridge Vineyard

legend Winery Brewery Distillery Cidery

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The Friendly Fermenter Pale Fire Brewing Co.

Restless Moons Brewing Co.

Three Notch’d Valley Collab House Brix & Columns Vineyards

DISTILLERY USES LOCAL GRAINS

think it’s the local grains and personal touch that make the difference.”

Trail leads people to distillery

Visitors come to River Hill’s distillery and tasting room because they’ve heard about it on the Blue Ridge Whisky Wine Loop, the Shenandoah Spirits Trail or the Virginia Spirits Trail. The distillery is part of all three.

Craft began with birthday gift

The Army veteran never dreamed he’d be distilling for a living. Several years ago his wife, Michelle, bought him a 1-gallon copper still as a birthday gift. That led to a 5-gallon one and then a 10-gallon one. Davenport said

THREE CROSSES SELLS POWHATAN'S FIRST LEGAL CORN LIQUOR

Fred Foley uses his own corn to make three types of whiskey.

“Some of the corn is used to feed the cows, and some of it we use to make our whiskey,” Foley said. The business has been licensed to sell whiskey on the farm and in ABC stores since March 2014. In addition to the corn he grows, Foley sometimes buys barley from a neighboring farm as an added ingredient for his spirits.

“I think most distilleries in Virginia buy local grains,” he shared.

River Hill produces three types of whiskey: corn whiskey that’s made with 100% corn; bourbon whiskey that’s made with 51% corn and smoked barley; and bourbon whiskey with

River Hill Distillery is on a family farm that’s operated for almost 100 years.

100% corn, called River Hill 100, that’s aged in oak barrels for a year.

“Sometimes people will come in and say that our bourbon is as good as some name brands,” Foley said proudly. “I

Dr. John Davenport and his staff create unique cocktails with the spirits brewed on site.

The former Southern States store where some Powhatan County residents might once have shopped for corn and other ingredients to make illegal moonshine is now the site of Three Crosses Distillery, so it’s come full circle.

“We’re making Powhatan’s first legal corn liquor,” said Dr. John Davenport, head distiller and co-founder. And although he hadn’t planned on making moonshine, friends told him he “had” to make it.

So Davenport added small batches to his list of spirits. He was familiar with that liquor because his great uncle was a bootlegger in South Carolina. “I kind of grew up with it,” Davenport shared.

Three Crosses is located in a former Southern States store in Powhatan.

he began reading about the history of moonshine in Appalachia and got interested in making it.

Now he and co-owner Michelle— one of only a few female distillers in Virginia—use 150- and 250-gallon stainless steel stills for their libations.

Three Crosses opened in August 2018, and the couple prides themselves on using as many local ingredients as possible.

Corn for their Route 13 Moonshine, Black Chevron Vodka and Three Crosses American Whiskey is purchased from Engel Family Farms in Powhatan. They buy rye for their Three Crosses American Whiskey from Three Monkeys Farm in Loudoun County.

For cocktails made in the tasting room, they source mint from a local school garden, limes from a Powhatan resident and cucumbers from Davenport’s garden.

The distillery donates its spent grains to a cattle farmer in Powhatan.

“As much as possible, we like to keep our ingredients local or from Virginia,” Davenport said.

vafb.com / FALL 2019

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For Your Benefit

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 FDA-approved name-brand and generic prescription drugs at more than 67,000 pharmacies nationwide.

Members pay no fee to use the program, which is for individuals with no insurance coverage for prescription drugs.

The Prescription Drug Discount and Savings Program

works via what’s known as a “consumer card” 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 pre-existing 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 brand-name drugs.

Virginia’s Harvest treats make tasty gifts

You don’t have to wonder about health risks with Life Line Screenings

Farm Bureau members can share tasty, traditional Virginia foods with the Virginia’s Harvest gift collection, available exclusively from the organization’s products division.

Among this year’s products are the ever-popular gourmet peanuts and chocolate-covered peanut brittle and peanut squares. For your next tailgate party or oyster roast, there are 2-pound bags of salted peanuts in the shell.

Also available are uncooked 14- to 15-pound salt-cured, bone-in Virginia hams. For details and prices, visit vafb.com/benefits, and click on the “Virginia’s Harvest Gifts” link.

For an additional charge, Virginia’s Harvest products can be shipped via United Parcel Service with a personalized gift card.

Call the Virginia Farm Bureau Products Division at 800-476-8473.

Members can save on four non-invasive vascular health screenings—for carotid artery, abdominal aortic aneurysm, atrial fibrillation and peripheral arterial disease—and have a free osteoporosis screening and bone density test to assess risk for stroke, heart attack and bone fractures.

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

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

FARM BUREAU MEMBERS RECEIVE

500 BONUS CASH +$500 CONQUEST CASH $

*

*

FORD F-150

BUY NOW, SAVE NOW. FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com

* Farm Bureau Ford Bonus Cash $500 offer exclusively for active Farm Bureau members who are residents of the United States. Must be a Farm Bureau member for 30 consecutive days prior to purchase and take new retail delivery from dealer by January 2, 2020. Offer is valid through 1/2/2020 for the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2018/2019/2020 model year Ford vehicle. Program 37264: Additional $500 Conquest Bonus Cash offer exclusively for active Farm Bureau members valid for a purchase or lease from 7/2/19 through 9/30/19 of an eligible new 2018/2019/2020 model year Ford vehicle. Customer must have a registered 1995 or newer non-Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicle in their name for at least 30 days, to be eligible for this additional $500 incentive.

Not available on Shelby GT350®, Shelby® GT350R, Mustang BULLITT, Ford GT, Focus RS, and F-150 Raptor. This offer may not be used in conjunction with most other Ford Motor Company private incentives or AXZD-Plans. Some customer and purchase eligibility restrictions apply. Limit one Bonus Cash and Conquest offer per vehicle purchase or lease. Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com or see your authorized Ford Dealer for qualifications and complete details.

Ford Dealers please claim #36816 for Farm Bureau Program and #37264 for additional $500 Conquest Bonus Cash in Smart VINCENT.

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24446_FD_FB_3.6875x4.8125_VA_Ad.indd 1

6/27/19 2:50 PM

Smart Start Program available online

H

elp your teenager drive smart while you save money.

Virginia Farm Bureau’s Smart Start Program can save customers money on auto insurance premiums when they have a teen driver enrolled in the program.

Teens may enroll starting at age 16, but to qualify they must be enrolled before age 18 and be accident- and conviction-free. A premium discount will be applied up to age 25, as long as drivers continue to meet the program requirements.

To enroll, teen drivers must complete the following three steps online: • Watch the Smart Start video.

• Review the Smart Start program booklet and keep it for reference.

• Take a 12-question quiz after watching the video and reviewing the booklet.

When teens enroll in the Smart Start Program, they have incentive to drive safely and save money.

Once enrolled, to maintain the discount, the teen driver must:

• Stay listed on a Virginia Farm Bureau personal auto policy.

•M aintain a valid Virginia driver’s license.

•M aintain an accident-and conviction-free driving record.

For more information or to enroll in the program online, visit vafb.com/smart-start.

Be mindful of deer on roadways Fall ushers in more than a change of seasons—it’s also the time when drivers encounter additional deer on roadways.

The deer migration and mating season runs from October through December, causing an increase in movement of Virginia’s deer population and resulting in more collisions, with the heaviest amount in November.

In 2018 Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. received 2,923 auto insurance claims related to collisions with deer, out of 105,203 personal,

commercial and fleet auto policies. This is an increase from 2017, when there were 2,749 claims related to collisions with deer.

claims for VFBMIC. “But it’s important to remember that deer are a year-round problem and to stay watchful all year long.”

The claims led to more than $9.4 million in losses, with an average loss of $3,245 per claim. There were $8.1 million in losses in 2017.

VFBMIC claims data matches the October-through-December pattern, with the highest number of deer collision claims occurring in November.

In 2018 there were 373 collisions with deer in October, 515 in November and 367 in December, totaling 1,255 claims for the final quarter—almost half of all deer collisions claims for the year.

“In the insurance industry, we continue to see more claims related to collisions with deer each year, especially during the fall and early winter,” said Rick Mattox, senior vice president of

vafb.com / FALL 2019

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HOME WATER DAMAGE IS UNWELCOME

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Rising waters from storms can lead to home damage that may – or may not – be covered by a homeowner insurance policy.

aving a house full of water—where you don’t want it—can be an unwelcome surprise.

Water can cause damage to your home through leaks from a water heater, a washing machine and its hoses, an ice maker supply line, toilet and sink supply lines and valves, the dishwasher and anywhere else water is used.

It also can be caused by water lines coming into your home.

“The tricky thing about water is that it can come from so many different areas. Where insurance is concerned, you may not be automatically covered,” said Sam Rooks, vice president of underwriting and policy services for Virginia Farm Bureau 20

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Mutual Insurance Co. “Water damage can be very expensive, especially with mold issues that may come up, and the cost to remediate water losses.”

Under a homeowner or business owner policy, if a storm removed shingles, caused a roof to leak and created interior damage, a structure would be covered. However, there is no coverage for water damage related to deferred maintenance.

Coverage also is provided for sudden and accidental events, such as a burst water heater or an overflowing dishwasher or washing machine, but there is no coverage available for damage that resulted from poorly maintained plumbing.

assume the costs yourself.

“Some people assume that FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) or some entity will step in and cover the cleanup and repairs,” Rooks explained. “The reality is if you don’t have flood insurance, you will be faced with making the repairs out of your own pocket.”

Business and home owners must purchase flood insurance through an insurance agent; they cannot buy it directly from the National Flood Insurance Program, as it is an insurance policy and not an endorsement.

Flood insurance is available to homeowners, renters, condo owners and renters, and commercial owners and renters.

Flood insurance is the best way to protect yourself from devastating financial loss, because without it you are left to assume the costs yourself.

“You can insure both your buildings and the contents of them for flood coverage,” Rooks said. “Your business or home does not have to be located in a flood plain to purchase flood insurance.”

There’s typically a 30-day waiting period from the date of flood insurance purchase before your policy goes into effect. “Policies cannot be purchased before a big storm or hurricane—it takes at least 30 days before your policy will go into effect,” Rooks explained.

Not all water damage is preventable, but to help prevent some types of water damage, consider these steps:

Water damage caused by the following issues needs a separate insurance policy endorsement: • Water or sewer pipe backups • Flood

Water damage caused by a flood is handled differently

If your home or business was damaged due to a flood— regardless of whether it is in a flood zone —you must have flood insurance.

Flood insurance is the best way to protect yourself from devastating financial loss, because without it you are left to

•T urn the main water supply off when away for an extended period of time. Turn off the water heater using the electrical panel breaker to keep it from overheating.

•C heck the ice maker supply line to make sure there isn’t a kink in the line. When pulling out the refrigerator for any reason, and then pushing it back in place, take care not to damage the supply line.

•C heck all supply lines to toilets, sinks, washing machines and other items regularly, and replace those that are showing signs of wear. When replacing hoses and supply lines, consider using steel braided hoses, which offer more protection than plastic or rubber ones.

•C onsider installing a passive alarm system on water heaters or other parts of the plumbing system that will sound an alarm if a leak is detected. There also are active alarm systems that will cut off the water supply if a leak is detected.

Contact your insurance agent if you have questions about what’s covered in your policy. vafb.com / FALL 2019

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Popcorn provides alternative for Virginia farmers Uncertainty in the tobacco market has forced Virginia growers to look at different types of crops. Some are taking advantage of the ability to grow hemp commercially, while others are growing alternative crops.

Jim Jennings, who owns and operates Jennings Farm in Mecklenburg County with his son, Jay, is branching out with hemp and a lesser-known crop— popcorn.

Jennings, who serves as president of the Mecklenburg County Farm Bureau, began growing popcorn three years ago, following a discussion with Scott Sink at Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting.

“Jim had researched that there was no commercially grown popcorn in Virginia,” explained Sink, who owns Hethwood Market in Blacksburg and is VFBF vice president. That led to a

follow-up conversation.

Jennings asked Sink if he would like to have some Virginia-grown popcorn and that he was willing to try growing it. Sink sells popcorn at Virginia Tech home football games and also provides catering services through Hethwood Market. “It’s always been our goal to buy local and support local businesses,” Sink said. Virginia-grown popcorn is

part of that philosophy.

“The corn we grow is what they call mushroom corn,” Jennings said. “It’s specifically bred to make kettle corn.

It’s not the corn that they get in a movie theater. It’s more of a round ball, and it’s a little tougher because of the coating process. It’s better suited for that.”

Popcorn’s agricultural history is long, but its commercial history is relatively short, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It was first mentioned in farm papers and seed trade catalogs around 1880, but once the American public discovered it, popcorn’s popularity quickly grew.

Nearly all the world’s popcorn production is in the U.S., with 25 states growing the crop.

In Virginia, seven farm operations are growing popcorn, according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture.

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 22

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Health Care reform open enrollment for 2020

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his year’s open enrollment comes with great news— Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield has returned to 20 more localities in Virginia on the Affordable Care Act’s Individual Marketplace.

Health care insurance open enrollment for 2020 will begin Nov. 1 and run through Dec. 15. The window to purchase coverage is only 45 days long.

Flu vaccines are the best defense against seasonal influenza viruses.

Protect yourself from seasonal flu viruses When fall and winter roll around, so does the flu.

While seasonal flu viruses are detected year-round in the U.S., flu activity begins to increase in October. Most of the time that activity peaks between December and February, although it can continue as late as May. When it comes to fighting the flu, the best defense is getting a flu shot, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended since February 2010 that everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu vaccine every season. It was during that winter that the committee voted for “universal” flu vaccination in the U.S. to expand protection to more people.

Most health insurance plans have 100% coverage for the flu vaccine. Check with your health care provider or insurance company for more information.

It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu virus. That’s why, according to the CDC, it is best to get vaccinated by the end of October, before the flu season really gets underway.

Flu vaccines can reduce flu illnesses, doctor’s visits and missed days of work and school, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. Flu vaccines also have been shown to significantly reduce a child’s risk of dying from the flu. There is data to suggest that even if someone gets sick after vaccination, their illness may be milder.

If you don’t enroll in a 2020 health insurance plan by Dec. 15, 2019, you can’t enroll unless you qualify for a special enrollment period. Special enrollment periods include, but are not limited to, job changes or retirement; turning 26 and no longer being included on a parent’s policy; and the birth of a child. For a list of qualifying events, visit healthcare.gov and click on “See If I Can Enroll.”

Important dates for 2020 enrollment: • Nov. 1, 2019 – open enrollment starts • Dec. 15, 2019 – open enrollment ends • Jan. 1, 2020 – first date 2020 coverage can start Contact your county Farm Bureau office for assistance.

Medicare customers: AEP, Medicare’s Annual Election Period, runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. For Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans, this is the time to sign up for, change or unenroll from a plan. Anthem will be adding a third Medicare Part D plan to their list of plan options. Contact your county Farm Bureau beginning Oct. 15 for more information. vafb.com / FALL 2019

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Farm Bureau website helps you maximize your membership As a registered member at vafb.com, you’ll be the first to gain access to new content, convenient account features, membership information and insurance policy details.

Once registered, members can: • Get access codes and information for all member benefits.

• Update your contact information to ensure you receive Farm Bureau’s monthly e-newsletters.

Virginia Farm Bureau insurance policyholders can: • View policy information 24/7, and easily find your insurance agent or county Farm Bureau office.

• Request policy changes and pay premiums online.

• Download auto insurance ID cards.

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

Are your membership records current?

Farm Bureau needs your updated contact information, including email address If you’ve moved, acquired a new telephone number, or changed your name or email address, it’s important that your new information is reflected in your membership and insurance records.

Email addresses and cell phone numbers are especially important; they help your Farm Bureau agent reach you in instances where prompt communication is essential.

If you need to update your records, email your current contact information to membership@vafb.com, and our staff will handle the update. You’re also welcome to call or visit your county Farm Bureau office to update your records.

Holiday plant care can be tricky Holiday plant care can be tricky

T

he holidays are rapidly approaching, and specialty potted plants make great gifts!

Caring for holiday plants can sometimes be a challenge, but Virginia Cooperative Extension Service has some helpful tips.

According to Extension, seasonal plants may not last, and should be enjoyed while in season. When caring for them, keep in mind that these plants are typically grown in greenhouses, where temperatures are cool at night, light is

adequate and air is moist.

Improper water and light and excessive heat are the leading causes of failure in caring for gifted plants.

Poinsettias

Poinsettias require bright light, and should be kept away from drafts. The ideal temperature should be between 65 and 70 degrees.

Plants should be well-watered, but not overwatered. The soil should be dry between waterings.

To keep poinsettias flowering, try these tips: • After the showy flowers fade or fall, place the

Poinsettias need full light during the day, but darkness at night. vafb.com / FALL 2019

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plant where it will receive indirect light and temperatures around 55 to 60 degrees.

• Water sparingly—just enough to keep the stems from shriveling.

• Cut the plant back to within 5 inches of the soil surface and re-pot in fresh soil. As soon as new growth begins, place the plant in a welllit window.

• After the danger of frost, place the pot outdoors in a partially shaded spot.

• Pinch the new growth back to produce a plant with several stems. Do not pinch after Sept. 1.

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• As nights grow cool, bring the plant indoors.

Continue to grow it in a sunny room with a night temperature of about 65 degrees.

Poinsettias bloom only during short days, so exclude artificial light, either by covering the plant with a light-proof box each evening or placing it in a dark room or closet for a minimum of 12 hours daily.

Plants need full light during the day, so return them to a sunny window. Start the shortday treatment in midSeptember to have blooms between Dec. 1 and Christmas.

Amaryllis

To grow an amaryllis, keep the plant actively growing after it blooms. Plants should be placed in full sun, with a nighttime temperature above 60 degrees. When the danger of frost passes, place the plants in the garden in a semi-shaded spot and continue to water.

Amaryllis should be brought indoors during the first part of September. Stop watering to allow old growth to die back, and store in a cool, dark place to rest.

Around Nov. 1, place it in a warm, well-lighted room and water moderately to produce a new growth and flowering cycle.

There are at least 500 varieties of amaryllis flowers. Red is one of the most popular colors.

Christmas cacti grow best when planted snugly in a container.

Christmas cacti

Christmas cacti are budding in popularity thanks to their colorful, tubular flowers and relatively easy care.

Christmas cacti will develop buds and bloom if given bright light, short days and night temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees.

They also bloom best when kept in a pot. Repotting is necessary about once every three years.

Full sunlight is beneficial in midwinter, but excessively bright light during summer months can make plants look pale and yellow.

Christmas cacti require less water from October through March than they do when actively growing from April to September. A rest period is important if plants are to bloom abundantly.

Dormancy should be started about midSeptember and continued for eight weeks. Be careful not to over-water the soil during the short days of winter.

vafb.com / FALL 2019

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Heart of the Home

Popcorn’s popularity is popping

P

opcorn is a versatile, satisfying, low-calorie snack, and Americans eat 14 billion quarts of it each year, according to The Popcorn Board, a nonprofit checkoff organization funded by U.S. popcorn processors.

Of that amount, 70% is eaten at home, and the remainder is munched at entertainment venues.

Popcorn is a type of maize (or corn), but differs from other varieties in that it has a thicker hull. That hull allows pressure from the heated water inside to build, heating each kernel’s starch until it becomes gelatinous. When the hull bursts, the starch spills out and cools.

Popcorn’s agricultural history is long, but its commercial history is relatively short, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It was first mentioned in farm papers and seed trade catalogs around 1880, but its popularity quickly grew.

Nearly all of the world’s popcorn production is in the U.S., with 25 states growing the crop. Virginia has a handful of popcorn growers.

Bacon and Cheese Popcorn INGREDIENTS

4 quarts popped corn ⅓ cup butter or margarine ¼ teaspoon hickory smoke seasoning, such as Liquid Smoke ⅓ cup bacon bits or soy “bacon” bits ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon seasoned salt or kosher salt

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Popcorn pops up fluffy because kernels’ thick hulls hold in water while the corn is heated.

Heart of the Home

DIRECTIONS

Place popcorn in a large serving bowl.

In a small bowl, melt butter in microwave, about 20 seconds. Stir hickory smoke seasoning into butter.

Pour butter mixture over popcorn, and toss to distribute evenly. Sprinkle bacon bits, Parmesan cheese and salt over buttered popcorn.

Toss and serve immediately.

Source: The Popcorn Board

Mini Popcorn Balls INGREDIENTS

10 cups popped corn 1-pound bag miniature marshmallows Âź cup (half a stick) butter or margarine 1 cup diced dried fruit (papaya, mango or peaches) 1 cup butterscotch chips orange food coloring DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl, combine popcorn, dried fruit and butterscotch chips; set aside.

In a large saucepan over low heat, melt marshmallows and butter, stirring until smooth. Stir in several drops of food coloring.

Mini Popcorn Balls (upper right) are a sweet fall treat for celebrations or simply snacking.

Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn mixture, tossing to coat evenly. Cool 5 minutes. With greased hands, shape into 3� balls.

Source: The Popcorn Board

vafb.com / FALL 2019

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2020 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 (You will need to register as a member and log in first). No ads or cancellations will be taken by phone. You also may use the classified ad form on Page 31. 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.

LEGAL NOTICE of ANNUAL MEETING Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company The annual meeting of policyholders of Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company will be held at 8:45 a.m., Thursday, December 5, 2019 at Hilton Norfolk The Main, Norfolk, Virginia for the following purposes: 1. To receive and act upon the reports of the officers of the Company.

2. To elect a Board of Directors, each to serve for the term of one year.

3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

Dated this 1st day of October, 2019.

Kathleen M. Early, Secretary

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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 / FALL 2019

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