Virgnia VaFarmBureau.org
June 2011
Farm Bureau News
HIGH TUNNELS EXTEND SEASONS, EXPAND CROP OPTIONS
Contents 8
Virgnia g arm Bureau News
High tunnels extend seasons, expand crop options
High tunnel use on Virginia farms has resulted in extended growing seasons and Virginia-grown papayas. 16
Extension and its services remain a Farm Bureau priority
Farmers all over the state say they need and value the services of Virginia Cooperative Extension. That’s why Farm Bureau has been working to keep Extension sufficiently funded and viable. 22
Glass is always half-full for award-winning agency manager
“It’s about teamwork and family” an award-winning Virginia Farm Bureau insurance agency manager says of his work. In his spare time, it’s all about cooking from scratch.
Departments 5
In the Garden
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Good for You!
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Taste of Virginia
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Member Marketplace
Virginia Farm Bureau News (USPS 017-763) (ISSN 1525-528X) is published six times a year, January, March, May, June, August, September/October (combined issue). 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 $1.42 (included in membership dues). Postmaster: Please send changes of address to, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, Farm Bureau News, P.O. Box 27552, Richmond, VA 23261-7552; fax 804-290-1096. Editorial and business offices are located at 12580 West Creek Parkway, Richmond, VA 23238. Telephone 804-290-1000, fax 804-290-1096. E-mail address is virginiafarmbureaunews@vafb. com. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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. 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.
Your Membership Advantage
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Volume 70, Number 4 June 2011
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Member: Virginia Press Association
editorial team Greg Hicks Vice President, Communications Pam Wileyy Managing Editor Kathy Dixon Sr. Staff Writer/Photographer Sara Owens Staff Writer/Photographer Bill Altice Graphic Designer Maria La Lima Graphic Designer Cathy Vanderhofff Advertising
publication schedule Producer members will receive their next issue of Farm Bureau Newss in August. The magazine is published six times a year.
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virginia farm bureau federation
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Officers Wayne F. Pryor, President Edward A. Scharer, Vice President Board of Directors
On the Cover 8
Emmett Snead of Caroline County first began using high tunnel structures to grow tomatoes (Photo by Sara Owens).
director district Emily Edmondson 1 Archie B. Atwell 2 Evelyn H. Janney 3 Gordon R. Metz 4 Stephen L. Saufleyy 5 Peter A. Truban 6 Thomas E. Graves 7 H. Carl Tinder Sr. 8 Henry E. Wood 9 Joseph H. Williams 10 J. M. Jenkins 11 W. Ellis Walton 12 M. L. Everett Jr. 13 David L. Hickman 14 Janice R. Burton * Robert Harris **
county Tazewell Smyth Floyd Henry Rockingham Shenandoah Orange Albemarle Buckingham Pittsylvania Lunenburg Middlesex Southampton Accomack Halifax Pittsylvania *Women’s Committee Chairman **Young Farmers Committee Chairman
Thomas Sanford dies; was former Farm Bureau treasurer, accountant Thomas J. Sanford of Richmond, who worked for Virginia Farm Bureau for 39 years, died April 19. He was 87. Mr. Sanford was hired as director of accounting and treasurer for all of the Virginia Farm Bureau companies in 1950. In 1988 he assumed the role of director of fiscal services until he retired in 1989. He also served as director of the Information Services Department. During those years, his duties as treasurer Sanford included many other tasks that are performed today by other departments, said Peggy McClelland, assistant treasurer and financial reporting manager. McClelland worked with Mr. Sanford for 20 years. McClelland said Mr. Sanford loved the Farm Bureau federation and its mission. “Even though he was responsible for the financials of all of our companies, the one document he would request from me each year after his retirement was not the financials but the voting delegate handbook. I even provided him a copy just last year. He always wanted to stay on top of the resolutions.” Mr. Sanford is survived by four siblings, four children and 11 grandchildren.
Noteworthy Quote
“We can do everything we want to do to help protect the bay, and all it takes is
>> save the date
Annual Convention will start on Tuesday this year
one bigg incident like last Saturday, when you get 7 inches of rain. It’s like everything just goes down the drain, and you can’t control that. Yet it comes back to haunt us that we’rre not doing enough.” ∂ Augusta County dairyman Dan Da n Ho Hols lsin inge ger r, aft fter an April 19 meeting
Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention will return to Norfolk for the first time since 2005.
of S She hena nand ndoa oah h Va Vall lley ey dairy farmers and U.S.
The 2011 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention will run from Tuesday, Nov. 29, through Thursday, Dec. 1, reflecting a change from the Monday-throughWednesday schedule used in recent years. The event will be held at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott hotel. Agenda details and registration information will be available this fall.
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Environmental Protection Agen Ag ency cy o off ffic icia ials ls..
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>> save the date
YF Summer Expo will be in Southampton County Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers will gather July 29 and 30 in Southampton County for their annual Summer Expo. The event is open to anyone ages 18 to 35 and is geared toward people who support agriculture through production, education, promotion and leadership. This year’s event will include tours of farm equipment manufacturers Amadas Industries and the Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Suffolk. There also will be tours of Stihl’s plant in Virginia Beach and the Wakefield Peanut Co. There is no registration fee. Registration includes all program events and most meals. Participants are required to make and pay for their hotel arrangements and any optional tours. Agenda and registration information is available at VaFarmBureau.org/youngfarmers and from the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women and Young Farmers Department at 804-290-1032.
Farm Bureau- and food-related topics are focus of e-newsletter, video blog and social media presence If you haven’t signed up to receive Connections, Virginia Farm Bureau’s monthly e-newsletter for its Save Our Food campaign, look for sign-up links on many of the pages at SaveOurFood.org. Connections delivers a broad range of articles compiled by Farm Bureau staff about farming and food issues and their impact on the foods consumers choose for their families.
Also, get The Real Dirt Farm Bureau uses The Real Dirt, its video blog on YouTube (TheRealDirtVA) and VaFarmBureau.org, to share insights into issues of concern to the organization’s producer members.
Become a farm follower Keep up with Virginia’s largest farm advocacy group via Twitter ((twitter.com/VaFarmBureau) and Facebook (facebook.com/ VaFarmBureau), and get Farm Bureau’s latest articles, video of the week and more.
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Virginia Farm Bureau News
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Your Membership Advantage advertising
Farm Bureau members save at hotels all over North America Making travel plans for this summer? Your Farm Bureau membership gives you access to two programs offering significant savings at thousands of hotels in North America. Advance reservations are required, and blackout dates may apply.
Wyndham Hotel Group The Wyndham Hotel Group discount program covers stays at 7,000 Baymont Inn & Suites, Days Inn, Hawthorne Suites, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn, Microtel Inns & Suites, Ramada, Super 8 Motel, Travelodge, Wingate, and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts locations. The discounted rate of 10 percent less than the “Best Available Rate” publicly available on the Internet is subject to availability at participating locations. Simply call 877-670-7088 (or 800-8899707 for Super 8) to make your reservation, and give your Virginia Farm Bureau ID number—67496. Then, be prepared to show your current Farm Bureau member card when you check in. You also can visit Wyndham.com for reservations and other information.
Your membership helps Farm Bureau enhance members’ lives by promoting and supporting agriculture. It also affords you access to a variety of benefits and services available to members of your immediate household. For more information or details on all of your Farm Bureau member benefits, contact your county Farm Bureau office or visit VaFarmBureau.org/Benefits.
Choice Hotels The Choice Hotels discount program offers savings of 20 percent at more than 5,000 Clarion, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Econo Lodge, MainStay Suites, Quality Inn, Rodeway Inn, Sleep Inn, and Suburban locations. Simply call Choice Hotels International at 800-258-2847, and give your Virginia Farm Bureau ID number—00800605—when you make your reservation. Be prepared to show your Farm Bureau member card when you check in. You also can visit ChoiceHotels.com for reservations and other information.
VirginiaFarmBureau.com
Members get competitive grain prices, payment options and transportation Virginia Farm Bureau Federation has offered grain marketing services to producer members since 1972 and currently offers competitive options for barley, corn, oats, soybeans and wheat. The VFBF Grain Division is a fully licensed and bonded dealer. Producers have the option of cash sales, forward cash contracts, deferred-payment contracts, guaranteed minimum price contracts and basis contracts. Farm Bureau guarantees payment, and staff can arrange transportation for each sale. Dairy and livestock producers can purchase feed ingredients through the Grain Division. Products currently available are cottonseed, distillery grains, gluten feed, hominy, soyhulls and soybean meal, all delivered directly to the buyer’s farm. Members also can call the Grain Division during office hours to get market quotes. For more information call Grain Manager David Coleman at 800-233-8323.
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Get free concert tickets! Virginia Farm Bureau members have an opportunity to receive free tickets to seven different concerts at Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach, formerly the Virginia Beach Amphitheater. Details are available at FarmBureauLive.com. Tickets will be released on a firstcome, first-served basis and are limited to 1,000 tickets at each designated show. Additionally, members who buy lawn seating tickets to concerts at the amphitheater can get a free lawn chair rental simply by showing their membership cards. Farm Bureau’s Save Our Food campaign is the sponsor of the venue’s Country Megaticket—a series of six big-name country concerts. The Megaticket line-up features Brad Paisley on June 3, Rascal Flatts on June 19, Tim McGraw on July 9, Toby Keith on July 23, Kenny Chesney on Aug. 4 and Jason Aldean on Sept. 11. Special package pricing is available for the concerts, and tickets can be purchased at megaticket.com.
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Virginia Farm Bureau News
SaveOurFood.org
>> save the date
Save Our Food festival returns More than 5,000 people found Virginia Farm Bureau’s 2010 Save Our Food Summer Festival to be a cool family fun option on a scorching-hot day. This year, the festival will return, with a new name: the Virginia Food & Wine Festival. It will run from noon to 5 p.m. on July 24 in the air-conditioned Farm Bureau Center at The Meadow Event Park. Guests will be able to sample lots of Virginia foods and wines, enjoy live music and children’s activities and watch some of Virginia’s top barbecue teams compete. Details and driving directions are available at SaveOurFood.org, in the “Connect� section.
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june 2011
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HIGH TUNNELS
High tunnels extend seasons, expand crop options
S
By Sara Owens ome producers call them “tall tunnels.” Others call them “hoop houses.” While the structures’ name—and size—may vary, several Virginia producers have been using high tunnels for years to extend their growing seasons in a costeffective way.
full circle organic farm
Dennis Dove and his wife, Tenley Weaver, of Full Circle Organic Farm in Floyd County use “hoop houses” to raise organic produce. Dove purchased his first high tunnel at an auction in the early ’90s. “We didn’t know what to call them then. They’re just unheated structures that used sheets of plastic instead of glass, that had a hoop frame, like a greenhouse,” he said. By adding one layer of plastic, Dove said he can change the climate by 10 degrees. “If it’s 32 degrees outside, it’s 42 degrees inside the tunnel.” Dove said plant diseases are “almost nonexistent, because the high tunnel is wellventilated and the plants are not sprayed with water from above.” His trickle irrigation system operates with little labor and uses lines that run under the rows, keeping the plants’ leaves dry. “It gives me the capacity to slow trickle at the right time, the right place and using the right amount of water,” Dove said. For example, cherry tomatoes do not need a lot of water, and they bear sweeter fruit when water is withheld. Dove said it is important for new growers to look at what’s involved with high tunnels and determine what is needed for a successful crop. “Starting slower is definitely better,” he said. “You can’t keep up with it all if you do too much at first.” VirginiaFarmBureau.com
full circle organic farm
“If it’s 32 degrees outside, it’s 42 degrees inside”
Left page: Floyd County farmers Dennis Dove and Tenley Weaver use high tunnel structures to grow produce, herbs and edible flowers. Over the years they have learned how to rotate crops for good production 10 months out of the year. This page: Dove said using high tunnels will allow him to extend not only growing seasons but also his farming career. “Now I think I can push it to 80,” he noted.
Dove said he has learned a lot over the years, including how to rotate crops so that he has decent production 10 months out of the year. “People are hungry for greens during the cooler parts of the year, and this helps fill an increasing demand for local coldseason crops.” Farmers also are able to hold their place at farmers’ markets by having early and late produce. “If you bring your early or late crop,
people will recognize you and remember your quality during the peak season,” Dove said. He is enthusiastic about the future. “I’m not as nimble as I once was, and using high tunnels allows me to operate the farm a lot easier by myself and will help extend my farming career,” he said. “I used to say I would farm until I was 70—now I think I can push it to 80. It’s really a great thing.”
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Emmett Snead of Snead’s Farm in Caroline County started using high tunnels “for the love of tomatoes, and secondly to make money.” Anyone, he said, can build a high tunnel, “you just have to start.” Snead is able to get two tomato crops each year. He can harvest as many of his tomatoes off a high tunnel as he can off one acre planted outdoors. He typically harvests his early tomatoes in May and continues to harvest until the first hard freeze, sometimes into December. Snead plants the tomatoes with homemade cedar stakes and uses differentcolored plastic bed covers—red for early tomatoes and aluminum-colored for late tomatoes. White or aluminum plastic keeps plants cooler during warm weather and also reflects light, confusing some pests that fly to the top of the high tunnel and die from the extreme temperatures. Snead keeps bees in his tunnels to aid in pollination and uses a drip irrigation system. He typically waters 2 hours a day. “You decide when they drink, not nature,” he said. “Tomatoes that are grown outside, when they receive too much water they split open before they’re even ripe.” Snead said high tunnel farming is more work than growing outdoors, but it’s rewarding. “You really have to baby-sit a high tunnel. You can’t go off and leave it,” he said. “If you go away that will be the morning that it’s hot, and you’ll end up with fried green tomatoes.” Snead recommends new growers start slowly with high tunnels, putting up one small tunnel instead of two. “They’re a lot of work, but there are many benefits too.”
photos by sara owens
Easy to build, “but you can’t go off and leave it”
Upper photo: Producer Emmett Snead of Caroline County grows two crops of tomatoes each year in his high tunnels. Lower photo: Snead’s high tunnel environments include drip irrigation and bees to help with pollination.
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Virginia Farm Bureau News
SaveOurFood.org
HIGH TUNNELS
High tunnels are high priority at VSU’s Randolph Farm photos by sara owens
Greenhouse crops specialist Chris Mullins (left) and Dr. Reza Rafie, horticulture specialist, examine raspberry plants in a high tunnel at Virginia State University’s Randolph Farm.
V
irginia State University’s Randolph Farm is conducting extensive research for Virginia Cooperative Extension on high tunnels and their value to Virginia producers. “Growers are interested in extending their growing season, especially those with limited resources and smaller spaces,” said Chris Mullins, Extension greenhouse crops specialist at VSU. High tunnels can be utilized for a variety of different types of crops. “A grower may plant a perennial berry, annual tomato, collard greens or lettuce and grow those through the winter,” Mullins said. “Then they may grow something else in the spring and summer and keep the tunnel utilized all the time.”
VirginiaFarmBureau.com
Producers can easily get two production cycles a year from one tunnel, but “there is a learning curve involved in using any type of protective culture,” Mullins said. Growers also need to use creative marketing to make high tunnel growing successful, said Dr. Reza Rafie, an Extension horticulture specialist at VSU. “You will not make money if you aren’t aggressive or proactive,” he said. “You will get the best prices earlier or later in the year, but only if you understand how the market works.” VSU is always looking for alternative crops to assist growers in making more money. High tunnel structures open up new opportunities, Rafie said. High tunnels at Randolph Farm are being used
to experiment with subtropical fruits such as mango, papaya and lychee nuts. “Using a high tunnel structure, we were able to produce the first Virginia-grown papaya,” Rafie said. “It’s never been done before.” Rafie said that part of VSU’s research and Extension project is to test-market high tunnel-grown crops and see if earlyand late-season harvests can bring in premium prices for growers. Since 2009, VSU has obtained several grant projects to assist with the production and marketing of berry crops. The university is working with 20 small Virginia farms in producing and marketing crops that include high tunnel-grown blackberries and raspberries. june 2011
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Papayas are among experimental crops being grown in high tunnels at VSU. So are mangoes and lychee nuts.
HIGH TUNNELS
A closer look at high tunnels … Facts: • High tunnels cost on average $3 per square foot for materials and $1-$2 per square foot for construction. You can buy a high tunnel kit and have it installed or install it yourself, or you can build your own from scratch. • The average size of a high tunnel is 20 to 30 feet wide by 96 feet long. • To control the temperature in a high tunnel, open up or drop the sides to cool the tunnel and raise or cover the sides to warm it.
Why use high tunnels? • To extend growing seasons • To experiment with different crops • To save space • To pay less than the cost of a greenhouse • To avoid some plant disease and pest problems • As part of a best management plan because there is little to no pesticide or fertilizer runoff
• Some producers choose to use backup energy sources such as propane or electric heaters to get through cold snaps. VirginiaFarmBureau.com
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Viewing Virginia
Infrastructure helps state horse industry have $1.2 billion impact Virginia’s horse industry has an annual economic impact of $1.2 billion, according to study findings announced March 17 by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The study was prepared by the University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service and funded by the Virginia Horse Industry Board. Virginia has “a rich history and a long legacy of great horses, famous horsemen and horsewomen, ideal conditions and resources for raising horses and an established infrastructure for a variety of equine activities,” said Spencer Neale, a commodity marketing specialist for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. “All of this, coupled with our large population base, is what allows the industry to generate such significant economic activities.” The largest areas of economic impact continue to be in Northern Virginia, with more than 1,600 horse-related jobs in Fauquier and Loudoun counties. The largest employment impact is in Rockbridge Country, home to the Virginia Horse Center. The horse industry in Virginia generates $65.3 million in state and local taxes, with more than 50 percent of that figure representing state taxes. Nearly 1,200 horse shows and events were held in Virginia in 2010, generating $25 million in revenue, and about 939,000 people attended Virginia horse shows and competitions last year. Out-of-state participants spent an average of $3,100 per event. The commonwealth is ranked 12th nationwide for the number of horses. The 2007 Census of Agriculture found that, while the overall number of farms in Virginia decreased between 1997 and 2007, the number of farms with horses increased from 10,972 to 13,520. The post-2007 economic downturn has had an impact on the equine industry, both in Virginia and nationwide, Neale noted. “A large percentage of horses are owned and kept for pleasure, and many of the related expenses beyond feed, veterinary care and pasturing or stabling are somewhat discretionary. However, the Virginia horse industry is here to stay; it is an ingrained and important part of our economy and our agricultural heritage and— The most recent Census of Agriculture found more than 13,500 like all economic sectors— Virginia farms had horses. Equine events in the commonwealth generated $25 million in revenue in 2010. experiences cyclical ups and downs.”
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Virginia Farm Bureau News
Honeybees continue to struggle, state apiarist tells farmers One of Virginia’s most valuable agricultural assets, the honeybee, continues to struggle to survive. Disease problems, a syndrome called colony In 1950 Virginia had 83,000 commercial bee colonies. Last collapse year it had 5,000. disorder, and cold weather hit the state’s bee population hard again last winter. “This past year we’re probably seeing higher losses than the year before,” said Keith Tignor, state apiarist with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “We’re still surveying, and it will be a few months before we know exact results. But informally we’re hearing of lots of bee losses.” Winter honeybee losses have averaged 31 percent over the past decade, according to statistics reported by Tignor to the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Emerging Agricultural Enterprises Committee. A rapid decline in commercial honeybee operations has made it more difficult to maintain a viable honeybee population in Virginia, he said. In 1950 the state had 83,149 bee colonies, but in 2010 that number had declined to 5,000. VDACS and Virginia Cooperative Extension are working to change that through education and encouraging more Virginians to raise and keep bees. Beekeepers and people interested in raising bees are encouraged to visit the Virginia Pollinator website at vdacs.virginia. gov/plant&pest/pollinator.shtml. “We’re also encouraging beekeepers to look for local queen supplies and for local bees to start new colonies with,” Tignor said. “That will help us get bees that are acclimated to our climate, our winters and summers, our rainfall and droughts."
SaveOurFood.org
Tow trailers safely, securely There is a lot more to towing a trailer than just hitching it up and taking off. “It’s important that the hitch on the tow vehicle be connected to the frame of the trailer with the proper size ball mount and ball,” said Jimmy Maass, safety manager for Virginia Farm Bureau. “It’s equally as important to make sure the load you are hauling, such as hay, is tied down properly.” According to Virginia’s trailer laws, a fifth wheel, drawbar, trailer hitch or similar device must be structurally adequate for the weight being drawn and properly secured and mounted. It also should provide for adequate articulation at the connection without excessive slack, and have a locking device that prevents accidental separation of the trailer and passenger vehicle. Users also should use a padlock to secure a tongue-locking device; however, a pin and safety clip would work too, Maass said. Reflectors or reflective material are required to be displayed on the rear of a
trailer. Every utility trailer that does not require state inspection should have two or more reflectors or at least 100 square inches of solid reflective material. When transporting objects on a trailer it is important that the load be properly secured. To make sure you travel safely with hay, follow the following safety tips: • Check all straps and chains for frays, breaks and tears, and replace them if they are damaged. Straps are cheap compared to the loss of a load.
‘It’s important that the hitch on the tow vehicle be connected to the frame of the trailer with the proper size ball mount and ball.’
• Make sure you have enough straps or chains to hold the load you are carrying. • Be sure the points to which you tie or connect the straps or chains are strong enough to support the load if it moves.
— Jimmy Maass safety manager, Virginia Farm Bureau
• After driving a few miles, stop and check straps or chains to make sure they haven’t come loose. • If the bales are round, make sure they are strapped so they will not roll off the wagon or trailer.
Fire extinguisher program helps protect farm equipment When it’s hot and dry outside, conditions are ideal for machinery fires. Keeping all farm machinery equipped with a fire extinguisher could make the difference between saving the equipment and watching it burn. In addition, you’ll save insurance premium dollars and help keep your rates as low as possible. Virginia Farm Bureau Safety has a program to assist members in protecting certain pieces of farm equipment from loss by fire by providing, at no cost to members, one 10-pound ABCtype fire extinguisher with a mounting bracket for each piece of eligible equipment insured by Farm Bureau. Eligible equipment includes self-propelled grain combines; self-propelled haybines; self-propelled forage harvesters; self-propelled cotton pickers; self-propelled peanut combines; and track-type bulldozers. In addition, should the extinguisher be used, or leak down for any reason, Farm Bureau will have it recharged at no cost. Members also can purchase the following fire extinguishers and mounting brackets at a reduced rate: • 2½-pound ABC fire extinguisher with bracket; • 5-pound ABC fire extinguisher; • 10-pound ABC fire extinguisher with wall hanger; • 10-pound ABC fire extinguisher with mounting bracket; • 2½-gallon water fire extinguisher (empty); and • 2½-gallon water fire extinguisher mounting bracket; Contact your county Farm Bureau office to find out more and to be sure your equipment is properly insured. VirginiaFarmBureau.com
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Extension agents are integral part of agriculture By Kathy Dixon
T
here are farmers in Madison and Orange counties who say they couldn’t farm without the help of their Virginia Cooperative Extension agents. “Even though there’s a wealth of knowledge on the Internet, it’s all about saving time,” said Kevin Powell, cattle manager at Duck Farm Inc. in Madison County. “I can call Steve and Brad, and they can come out to my farm and identify problems; you can’t do that with a computer.” Powell and others say Extension agriculture and natural resources agents Brad Jarvis in Madison and Steve Hopkins in Orange are an integral part of the local ag community. The duo provides a snapshot of agriculture Extension work being done across the state. Graves Mountain Lodge in Madison County is a farm-to-table operation that uses Extension expertise for all aspects of the business, from orchard production to food safety. “We depend on their advice for everything,” said owner Jim Graves. “My father used Extension knowledge, I use Extension and my sons use Extension.” The farm has been the site of test plots for corn and fruits, and the Graves family has served as hosts for educational Extension programs on their property.
Agents help solve problems Extension agents are working with the Graveses on an integrated pest management program in their apple orchards. The focus last year was on oriental fruit moths, but this year it’s on brown marmorated stink bugs, said Lynn Graves, who manages the orchards. In order to improve the effectiveness of chemicals applied to the apples, it’s critical to spray only at certain stages of the insects’ life, Jarvis explained. Using weather data and information from pheromone traps, he can predict the best time to treat for the pests. 16
Virginia Farm Bureau News
The Graveses are among farm families that ANR Extension agents assist on a regular basis. “Both of these guys are programmed in my phone,” said Joe Johnson, owner of Clover Hill East, a beef cattle, grain and hay farm in Madison County. ““An Extension agent’s knowledge is invaluable.” When Johnson was having trouble growing orchardgrass, Jarvis found the problem—bill bugs—and told him how to treat them. Hopkins has helped him market his beef cattle through the Central Virginia Cattleman’s Association, which Hopkins formed in 1998. “We need local agents who understand the area and the farming that’s done there,” Johnson said.
“This research station provides independent testing that compares variety A with variety B. If they didn’t, the companies that produce the seed would skew the statistics,” said Ted Haberland, manager of Glenwood Agriculture Co. in Orange County. “We need the independent knowledge that Extension provides.”
“Definitely better off ” due to services In Orange County, dairyman Monk Sanford said Hopkins “has been excellent at helping me identify problems like noxious weeds and disease in my crops. “I am definitely better off because of my Extension agent.” When Sanford’s oat crop was being decimated by barley yellow dwarf, Hopkins discovered there were no other oat varieties resistant to the virus, so he suggested Sanford switch to wheat. “In the region where I live, Extension is an integral part of the farming community,” Sanford said.
Meetings help Extension reach many Since Extension agents can’t visit every farm in their county on a regular basis, they hold meetings periodically to reach a larger audience. “We do a lot of one-on-one work, but producer meetings allow us to reach more people,” Jarvis said. The topic of the meetings depends on current issues. At a late-April meeting at the Northern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Orange, farmers heard from a national expert on the advantages of crossbreeding beef cattle, and Jarvis shared the results of recent forage and orchardgrass trials at the AREC.
Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent Steve Hopkins (left) and Madison County producer Joe Johnson checked orchardgrass for bill bug damage. Johnson has speed dial numbers on his phone for both local agriculture Extension agents. “An Extension agent’s knowledge is invaluable,” he said.
SaveOurFood.org
“We need local agents who understand the area and the farming that’s done there.”
photos by kathy dixon
— Joe Johnson, Clover Hill East
Extension “is an integral part of the farming community,” said Orange County dairyman Monk Sanford (left), shown examining his wheat and crimson clover with Hopkins. When Sanford had trouble with weed and crop disease problems while growing oats, Hopkins recommended he switch to wheat. VirginiaFarmBureau.com
june 2011
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William Graves, 10, of Madison County, is training Dead Eye, his 4-H show pig, for the county fair. This is Williamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first year in 4-H, an Extension program that teaches youth a variety of leadership, citizenship and life skills. 18
Virginia Farm Bureau News
SaveOurFood.org
Extension provides numerous services to farmers and consumers By Kathy Dixon
C
ontrolling gray leaf spot disease on corn, predicting annual diesel fuel use and using GPS to fertilize a field are just drops in the bucket of services provided by Virginia Cooperative Extension. Through its county offices and specialized agents, Extension brings the resources of Virginia’s land-grant universities—Virginia Tech and Virginia State University—to farmers and consumers alike. “When Extension was established, it was created to address a spectrum of needs; from production on the farm to consumption at the table,” said Dr. Edwin Jones, director of Virginia Cooperative Extension and associate dean of Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “Extension was all about how to improve the lives of people, and it’s still about that.” The Hatch Act of 1887 created the agricultural experiment station program and authorized direct payment of federal grant funds to establish research centers at the state’s land-grant institutions. The first U.S. Extension agent, Seaman Knapp, visited Texas farmers in 1903 to discuss the spread of the cotton boll weevil and began demonstration farms to research how to combat the pest. Three years later, Knapp came to Virginia and asked T.O. Sandy of Burkeville to start a demonstration farm in Virginia. Today, Extension staff deliver educational programs to Virginia citizens through a network of 106 county and city offices, six 4-H educational centers and 12 Agricultural Research and Extension Centers. Extension is funded through the cooperative efforts of local, state and federal governments. There are four main program areas under the umbrella of Extension. Agriculture and natural resources is
VirginiaFarmBureau.com
are just two examples of volunteers who focused on helping farmers be more productive; family and consumer sciences extend the universities’ reach. The positions focuses on the health and nutrition of require little funding other than the cost of Virginia consumers; 4-H teaches youth initial training provided by the state. leadership skills; and community viability And now, in the atmosphere of funding concentrates on strengthening the cuts and re-allocations, maintaining an Extension presence in all Virginia localities economic viability of communities. is of high importance, Jones said. For farmers, research conducted at Virginia Tech and VSU and at the ARECs He has been the Extension director since April 1 and is looking forward to engaging can be vital to their operations. Extension’s many stakeholders “to ensure a “Research has to be translated into practical application,” Jones said. And that’s vibrant future for Extension in the new era what local Extension agents do for farmers. of constrained financial resources. Likewise, family and consumer science “We’re all in this together,” he said. Extension agents interpret ground-breaking nutrition and health research and apply it for those living in their communities. “Extension helps farmers be profitable, helps the community be healthy and helps youth with leadership development,” Jones said. “Local agents create trust in the knowledge that’s transmitted.” Many farmers get training from their local Extension agents on soil testing or pest identification. Some get financial planning or farm transition help from Extension as well. Young people ages 5 to 19 who participate in 4-H learn leadership, citizenship and an array of life skills. An important part of Extension’s ability to meet the needs of Virginians is through the use of trained volunteers, Jones said. The Virginia Association of Adult 4-H Volunteer Extension agent Brad Jarvis (left) recently helped Madison County Leaders Inc. and the producer Lynn Graves install a mate interruption trap to help prevent Virginia Master Gardeners orchard damage by pests.
june 2011
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Local Extension offices and agents are a Farm Bureau priority By Kathy Dixon
B
efore Tazewell County had its current Virginia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent, there were several years when the county’s farmers had no one to help diagnose production problems. Part-time farmer Eric Whitesell experienced that with a crop of grapes. Something was ruining the fruit, but he didn’t know what, and he didn’t have an Extension agent to help him identify the problem. “Without an examination, it is impossible to make a diagnosis, much less prescribe a treatment,” said Whitesell, president of the Tazewell County Farm Bureau. In order to realize the benefits of agricultural research that is conducted at Virginia’s Agricultural Extension Research Centers, “you need a human being who can come out to the farm and tell you how you can apply that research,” Whitesell said. That’s why Tazewell County pushed for an ANR Extension agent after that position was vacant for several years. It joined other counties and the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation in pressing the General Assembly for full funding for Virginia Cooperative Extension programs.
Virginia has 12 Agricultural and Extension Research Centers. They frequently are used for field days, demonstrations and other producer events.
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Virginia Farm Bureau News
Amidst threats to cut the number of agents, the Extension budget and the funding for various research programs, Farm Bureau lobbyists and members worked to convince legislators of the importance of local Extension agents and offices. “We have asked the General Assembly to ensure that local Extension offices house at least one agriculture Extension agent, one 4-H agent and one secretary and that those positions are funded,” said Martha Moore, VFBF vice president of governmental relations. “Extension helps farmers remain profitable, and the agents translate complex research information into practical, handson application for farmers.” In 2003, Extension and the ARECs faced a huge budget reduction, which has influenced the amount of staffing. Extension is treated as a separate agency for funding purposes and relies on dedicated state, federal and local support. It can’t be supported by student-generated revenues and falls under the direction of Virginia Tech’s board of visitors. The General Assembly has supported building back the losses, but state budget cuts in 2007 eliminated most of the gains that had been made, Moore said. In 2010, Virginia Tech proposed a restructuring plan for Extension, but Virginia farmers “felt the proposed plan abandoned the emphasis of the local delivery of service,” Moore said. Since then, Virginia Tech’s president has suspended the restructuring plan, committing to further engage internal and external stakeholders in developing a restructuring plan to meet the challenges of limited resources. Smyth County beef cattle producer C.W. Pratt said he uses Extension research on a daily basis. “My Extension agent was extremely instrumental in helping me develop a program stressing the importance of producing superior genetics through breeding, selection, record-keeping and performance testing in establishing my purebred Angus herd,” Pratt said.
He said Extension agents are helpful to beginning farmers as well as established farmers. “This is why I feel it is extremely important to have an Extension agent in every county.” Rob Hall, a Northumberland County corn and soybean farmer who recently lost his ANR Extension agent, agreed. “An Extension agent is someone close by who can provide information we need to farm more productively,” Hall said. “I live about a quarter-mile from the Northumberland Extension office, and I could go there and ask an agent to come out and look at a problem in the field.” If they don’t replace the Northumberland agent, someone from nearby Essex County will have to provide service, which “spreads them thin,” Hall said.
Virginia Farm Bureau has worked to impress upon elected officials the importance of maintaining local Extension agents and offices.
SaveOurFood.org
“Without an examination, it is impossible to make a diagnosis, much less prescribe a treatment.” — Eric Whitesell, Tazewell County farmer
Extension programs are funded through cooperative efforts of local, state and federal governments. VirginiaFarmBureau.com
june 2011
21
Ralph p Stokes Award
glass is always half-full for positive, award-winning agent By Sara Owens
Bureau’s Employee of the Year—one of only two agents who has received the award. After Hurricane Floyd in 1999, the Southampton County Farm Bureau office was out of commission. Without being asked, Francis took steps to run the office out of his home. “The office wasn’t flooded, but all around Franklin flooded and the office was without phone lines,” he said. “I lived in Capron, and our phone lines came through Emporia. They worked, so I ran the office out of my home by generator. “You have to be adaptable. It’s about teamwork and family. You don’t desert your children, and you don’t desert your employees or policyholders.” Francis holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Old Dominion University. He grew up in Capron and continues
photos by sara owens
The glass is always half-full for Clay Francis. “I’m not a worrier. I just get in and get the job done,” Francis said. The sales management team of Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. recently named Francis the winner of the 2011 Ralph Stokes Award. The award is the top recognition given annually to an insurance professional who has a high degree of integrity, offers Farm Bureau members excellent service and has earned the respect of his or her peers. “To be nominated by your peers, the people you work with, is kind of cool,” Francis said. “It never crossed my mind for one minute, one second, that I’d win. I am honored, but humbled.”
Ray Leonard, a regional sales manager, said that Francis “truly embodies the core values Ralph Stokes lived by—service and success. “While most think of Ralph as a dedicated agent who provided his members with superior service, Ralph was also a very competitive agent who was determined to be successful and to be a winner,” Leonard said. “For more than 25 years, Clay Francis has not only provided his members with great service, but he has also achieved a level of success that few others have been able to match.” Francis began his career at Farm Bureau in 1985 as an agent in Southampton County. He became an agency manger in 2000. Francis has always won professional awards—so many that he can’t keep track of them all. One in particular stands out, though. In 1999, he was named Virginia Farm
“I am honored, but humbled,” said Ralph Stokes Award winner Clay Francis of Southampton County. He’s shown with his wife, Maryanne, and Scarlett, their Yorkshire terrier. 22
Virginia Farm Bureau News
SaveOurFood.org
to live in Southampton with his wife, Maryanne, and their Yorkshire terrier, Scarlett. They have two adult children, Joshua and Lindsey. Daughter Lindsey Rush is a member service specialist for Henrico Farm Bureau Inc. When he isn’t in the office, Francis is hard at work in the kitchen. “I’m a good cook,” he said with a laugh. “I’m reasonably good.” During middle school and high school, Francis worked for a caterer. He now serves as a guest chef at Southern Sisters Bakery and Eatery in Courtland. “When someone’s sick or out for some reason, I step in. It’s a lot of fun. Everything there is made from scratch. It’s really great.” Another of his passions is antiquing. “I love to collect antiques and find good bargains at flea markets,” Francis said. “If someone I know is looking for a specific piece of furniture, I’ll find it.” Francis also enjoys working in his yard and garden and entertaining friends and family at home.
Award namesake died earlier this year Retired agent Ralph Stokes of Smyth County, for whom Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co.’s Ralph Stokes Award is named, Stokes died Feb. 28. Mr. Stokes sold Farm Bureau insurance for 32 years. “He was and will remain a Farm Bureau legend,” said Donnie Knowlson, senior vice president of sales and marketing. Farm Bureau established the annual Ralph Stokes Award for insurance professionals in 1986, the same year Mr. Stokes retired. Francis also enjoys cooking, and he sometimes subs for staff at a local café.
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Virginia Farm Bureau News
SaveOurFood.org
In the Garden
In Virginia, it’s easy to grow grapes in your backyard
“Grapes like full sun, and the existing clay soil in Virginia is excellent for growing grapes,” horticulturist Mark Viette said.
photos by sara owens
Virginia’s wine grape industry is booming, but you don’t need a commercial vineyard to grow grapes at home. “You only need a few grapevines to grow your own grapes,” said horticulturalist Mark Viette. “Grapes like full sun, and the existing clay soil in Virginia is excellent for growing grapes; however, you may still want to consider a soil test to make sure your soil is appropriate for grapes.” Grapes grow best on multi-strand trellises in an area 25 to 50 feet long with plants about 6 to 8 feet apart. “It is a good idea to install a drip irrigation system for your grapevines,” Viette said. “Drip irrigation only applies water to the grapes and only when they are dry.” To keep pests away, he said, use a rotating fake owl to scare away birds and environmentally-friendly sprays for insects. Grapes should be pruned in February. “They’ll be harder to cut back, since there will be more growth at that time, but do not overly whack—just prune— cutting back about 30 percent of the growth,” Viette said. The grapes’ sugar level should be checked with a Brix meter prior to harvesting in September. “The Brix meter tells you the exact sugar content so you harvest at the right time,” Viette said. “You will see the fruits of your labor in about three to five years, and once established the grapes should be easy to maintain.”
To find the station nearest you that airs Down Home Virginia, or to view the show online, visit VaFarmBureau.org.
Mark Viette appears on Down Home Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s monthly television program. Viette and his father operate the Andre Viette Farm and Nursery in Augusta County and have a live radio show broadcast by more than 60 mid-Atlantic stations each Saturday morning. They also are members of the Augusta County Farm Bureau. Andre Viette currently serves on the organization’s board of directors, and Mark Viette is a former board member. VirginiaFarmBureau.com
june 2011
25
Good for You!
Fresh, seasonal produce can help you stay hydrated By Kathy Dixon Everyone knows drinking water helps keep you hydrated, but that's not the only way to do it. Most fruits and vegetables contain as much as 90 percent water, said Crystal Barber, a registered dietitian and Virginia Cooperative Extension family and consumer sciences agent in Portsmouth. “Summer is the perfect opportunity to enjoy locally grown produce and stay hydrated all at the same time,” Barber said. Why is it so important to stay hydrated? “We could probably survive for weeks without food; however, we could live only a few days without water,” she said. Water constitutes about 65 percent of an adult’s body weight and a higher percentage of a child’s body weight. Muscle tissue is 75 percent water, and fat tissue contains 10 percent water. Water lubricates and cushions joints, carries nutrients and waste, regulates normal body temperature and maintains blood volume. Experts disagree on how much water people should drink daily, and an individual’s needs will vary depending on what he or she is doing. Farm work can be as intensive as a vigorous exercise workout, Barber noted, and require additional hydration. “My sources say men should get 3.7 quarts of liquids each day, which includes water, other liquids and food,” Barber said. “Women need 2.7 quarts, children need about 1.5 quarts and pregnant women should ingest 3 quarts of water a day.” Coffee, tea, sodas and alcohol are beverage options, but the caffeine and alcohol can dehydrate your body and should be consumed in moderation, Barber said. They increase fluid loss through increased urination and might not offer the best overall nutritional quality. Barber suggested lowfat milk, 100 percent fruit juices, diet sodas, sports drinks and water with a slice of lemon. Of those, water is still the best option, she said. Everyone loses water every day. If you don’t replace it, you can become dehydrated.
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Virginia Farm Bureau News
Fruits like watermelon, strawberries, grapes and grapefruit are excellent sources of water.
Additionally, the body’s internal temperature can rise when lost water is not replaced. That can lead to heatrelated disorders such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and even heatstroke. So drink or eat up. Approximately 81 percent of people’s daily water intake comes from beverages, with the remaining 19 percent coming from foods. Foods that are good sources of water include grapefruit, grapes, gelatin, lettuce, soups, strawberries and watermelon. “My favorite way to stay hydrated is to create and then eat various salads with fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs and then chill out under a huge shady tree,” Barber said. “I regularly eat apples as a snack and marvel how after each bite the water content hydrates my mouth and cleanses my teeth.” Additional benefits to staying hydrated are improved complexion and muscle definition. And if you’re trying to lose weight, water can help make you feel full and reduce the temptation to eat when you’re not hungry.
Symptoms of dehydration: • • • • • •
Confusion Dry mouth Extreme thirst Feeling dizzy or lightheaded Headache Little or no urine, or urine that is darker than usual
• No tears when crying • Sleepiness or fatigue Don’t wait until you notice symptoms of dehydration to act. It can be hard to recognize when you’re dehydrated, especially as you age. Actively prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of water.
SaveOurFood.org
T Taste of Virginia
PASTA PRIMAVERA CELEBRATES ? ONSET OF SEASON ? Primavera means “first of spring” or “best of spring.” This pasta dish uses the best of early-summer vegetables.
Pasta Primavera INGREDIENTS
6 ounces uncooked linguine or fettuccine 3 tablespoons butter
Chef John Maxwell suggests blanching the vegetables ahead of time and using whatever produce is in season when you make the recipe. He used Virginia asparagus, black-eyed peas, edamame (soybeans) and garden peas for the salad in the photo.
1 clove garlic, minced 1 medium onion, cut into thin wedges ¼ to ½ cup EACH of fresh seasonal vegetables (cherry tomatoes, edamame, black-eyed peas, garden peas, broccoli florets, asparagus, baby carrots) ¹⁄ ⁄8 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley 1 cup snow pea pods, blanched salt and pepper to taste ¼ cup dry white wine or chicken, vegetable or beef broth 1 sprig fresh thyme fresh basil leaves ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese ½ cup toasted pine nuts PREPARATION
Cook pasta for 8 to 10 minutes or until tender but still firm. Drain well. Meanwhile, in a large skillet melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Stir in garlic and onions. Cook and stir over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes. Add the blanched vegetables, and stir until heated through. Stir in the parsley and snow pea pods. Add pasta, the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, salt and pepper, wine or broth and herbs. Cover and cook 1 minute more. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and pine nuts before serving.
While named for its traditional spring ingredients, pasta primavera can include fresh seasonal vegetables from any time of the year.
To find the station nearest you that airs Down Home Virginia, or to view the show online, visit VaFarmBureau.org.
VirginiaFarmBureau.com
Chef John Maxwell appears each month on Down Home Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s monthly television program, courtesy of Virginia Grown, a program of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. He’s also director of the Food Service Management Program at the Culinary Institute of Virginia in Norfolk.
june 2011
27
Cows still don’t go to school— but that’s OK
AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM www.agintheclass.org
As the Agriculture in the Classroom campaign notes, cows don’t go to school, but AITC supporters and volunteers made sure lots of agriculture information found its way into Virginia classrooms. In the past 12 months, more than 2,000 teachers and pre-service teachers participated in AITC workshops; they have the potential to reach more than 68,000 children and their parents. “Our Virginia Agriculture Map remains AITC’s most-requested and –utilized teacher resource, and we are grateful to the Virginia Agricultural Council for their ongoing support for that,” noted Executive Director Karen Davis. AITC also provided support and information for Farm Bureau volunteer activities in local schools. Volunteers have begun sharing the book Ready, Set,GROW! W and other materials that feature the Farmer Ben character. They also have read other agriculture-related books to children, and county Farm Bureaus have donated more than 300 Learning Barns to schools in their communities. “Our fiscal year will end on June 30, and we want to thank everyone who has shared financial support or volunteer time,” Davis said. “You’ve helped make many, many children more aware of agriculture in their lives and their communities. And we all benefit from that.”
Agriculture Map of Virginia
Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom P.O. Box 27552, Richmond, VA 23261 www.agintheclass.org
N W
E S
Supporters help Agriculture in the Classroom provide educators with resources such as its popular Virginia Agriculture Map (left, top), and teachers who attend AITC workshops (left, bottom) learn about numerous hands-on classroom projects that reinforce lessons. Volunteers who read Ready, Set, GROW! to children during Agriculture Literacy Week include Dr. Charles Broaddus (right, top), a staff veterinarian for the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore (right, bottom). 28
Virginia Farm Bureau News
SaveOurFood.org
MemberMarketplace
MemberMarketplace 2011 magazine classified ad schedule and policies Members of Virginia Farm Bureau will receive one free 15-word classified ad per membership per year in Farm Bureau News, which is mailed to producer members, or in Cultivate, which is mailed to associate 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 form in this issue of Farm Bureau News or the online form at VaFarmBureau.org/Marketplace to place your ad. No ads or cancellations will be taken by phone. Ads will be accepted only from members whose 2011 dues are paid. Magazine classified ads can be placed in the following five categories only: • Crops; • Farm equipment; • Hay/Straw; • Livestock; and • Livestock equipment.
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Farm Bureau Membership #: _______________________________________ Name:________________________________________________________ Date of Birth:___________________________________________________ RxBin#: 009265 • RxPCN#: AG • Group#: VAFB • CARD VALID FOR ENTIRE FAMILY (Not Insurance)
For pharmacy use only: For additional information call Help Desk at 1-800-847-7147 Members: visit VaFarmBureau.org/benefits/health.htm or contact your county Farm Bureau office. Virginia Farm Bureau prescription discount card is not an insurance benefit and cannot be combined with any other discount or insurance programs. The prescription discount card can deliver significant savings on prescription drugs at CVS, Target, Kroger, K-Mart, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and hundreds of other pharmacies.
Classified ads will be published in the following issues: • April Cultivate (mailed to associate members only); • May Farm Bureau News (mailed to producer members only); • July Cultivate (mailed to associate members only); and • August 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 above your name on the mailing label of your copy of Farm Bureau News. All member numbers will be verified.
Are your membership records current? If you’ve moved or acquired a new telephone number, please call or visit your county Farm Bureau office to update your membership records. Email addresses and cellphone numbers help your Farm Bureau agent reach you in instances where prompt communication is important.
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29
MemberMarketplace
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
Important:
• Ads longer than 30 words will not be accepted.
We are not responsible for typographical errors or errors due to illegible handwriting (No refunds available). Classified ads carried in Virginia Farm Bureau News and Cultivate 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.
• We do not invoice for classified ads or provide proofs or tearsheets. • Ads submitted without payment will be returned.
Step 5 Mail your ad (and payment) to: Virginia Farm Bureau News / Cultivate Classifieds P.O. Box 27552 Richmond, VA 23261-7552 • You also can fax your ad to 804-290-1096.
Select the category in which you want your ad to run (Pick one only).
• Or place it via the Virginia Farm Bureau Web site at VaFarmBureau.org/ Marketplace.
Step 4
Deadlines
Your first ad of 15 words or less is free with your membership.
Ads and cancellations must be received (not mailed) by the following deadlines: Issue Deadline Mailed to producer members August July 1
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.
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!
One free 15-word ad per membership per year; 2011 dues must be paid before placing ad.
NAME: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ MEMBER NO.: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Category in which ad should run (select only one): ❑ Crops
COUNTY: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
❑ Farm Equipment
ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
❑ Hay/Straw
CITY: ______________________________________________________ STATE: ________________________________ ZIP: ___________________
❑ Livestock
DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER: ____________________________________________________ E-MAIL ADDRESS: ______________________________ Ads will not be accepted without the information above
ADVERTISEMENTT (one word per space; please type or print):
❑ Livestock Equipment
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1. ____________________________ 2.____________________________ 3. _______________________________ 4. ______________________________ 5. __________________________________ 6. ____________________________ 7. ____________________________ 8. _______________________________ 9. ______________________________ 10. _________________________________ ( ) 11. ___________________________ 12. ___________________________ 13. _______________________________ 14. _____________________________ 15. _________________________________ phone number
placement available for these issues only *❑AdAugust (mailed to producer members)
❑ This is my one free 15-word ad for 2011
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Virginia Farm Bureau News
❑ Payment enclosed: $_______________ ❑ Please place my ad online in the Virginia Farm Bureau Member Marketplace (Ads expire Dec. 31). ❑ Please place my ad in The Delmarva Farmer for 4 weeks at no additional cost to me
SaveOurFood.org
County Farm Bureau Offices Accomack
757-787-4208
Frederick
540-869-8650
Northumberland-Lancaster
Albemarle
434-293-5775
Giles
540-921-1777
Nottoway
804-435-0083
Alleghany
540-962-3961
Giles
540-626-3201
Orange
540-672-3447
Amelia
804-561-2169
Gloucester-Mathews
804-725-3555
Page
540-743-5082
Amherst
434-946-5336
Gloucester-Mathews
804-642-3602
Patrick
276-694-7108
Appomattox
434-352-7851
Goochland
804-556-4119
Pittsylvania
434-432-2381
Augusta
540-886-2353
Goochland
804-290-1502
Pittsylvania
434-792-7484
Augusta
540-943-9820
Grayson
276-773-3091
Powhatan
804-598-3081
Bedford
540-586-9103
Grayson
276-236-7210
Powhatan
804-897-4989
Bedford
434-385-5239
Greene
434-985-7057
Prince Edward
434-392-3050
Bland
276-688-4341
Greensville
434-634-9471
Prince George
804-541-0559
Botetourt
540-992-2062
Halifax
434-572-4529
Prince William-Fairfax
703-368-6813
Brunswick
434-848-3542
Hanover
804-798-6534
Pulaski
540-674-5119
Brunswick
434-584-0290
Hanover
804-730-8730
Rappahannock
540-987-8225
Buckingham
434-983-2583
Henrico
804-270-6400
Richmond
804-333-4410 540-342-2626
434-292-4389
Campbell
434-332-5411
Henrico
804-737-4999
Roanoke
Caroline
804-633-9825
Henry
276-638-7760
Roanoke
540-562-3710
Carroll
276-728-4103
Highland-Bath
540-468-2605
Rockbridge
540-463-3603
Carroll
276-236-7210
Isle Of Wight
757-242-6730
Rockingham
540-434-6778
Isle Of Wight
757-365-0400
Russell
276-889-1119
Charles City-James CityNew Kent-York
804-966-2310
King George
540-775-9650
Russell
276-596-9036
CC/JC/NK/YK
757-564-3929
King and Queen
804-769-2580
Scott
276-386-7411
CC/JC/NK/YK
757-595-7143
King and Queen
804-785-9431
Shenandoah
540-459-4019
Charlotte
434-542-5822
King William
804-769-2580
Smyth
276-783-6148
Chesapeake
757-546-8000
Lee
276-346-2363
Southampton
757-653-9341
Chesterfield
804-748-5467
Loudoun
540-751-1111
Spotsylvania
540-786-7575
Chesterfield
804-639-4070
Loudoun
703-858-0545
Stafford
540-899-9454
Clarke
540-869-8650
Louisa
540-967-1370
Surry
757-294-3285
Craig
540-864-6428
Lunenburg
434-676-2451
Sussex
434-246-3531
Culpeper
540-825-0682
Madison
540-948-3311
Tazewell
276-988-6556
Cumberland
804-492-4621
Mecklenburg
434-738-6141
Virginia Beach
757-426-6115
Dinwiddie
804-469-3726
Mecklenburg
434-584-0290
Virginia Beach
757-467-0603
Essex
804-443-3733
Middlesex
804-776-6886
Warren
540-635-4074
Fauquier
540-347-3172
Montgomery
540-382-8161
Washington
276-628-7135
Floyd
540-745-2021
Montgomery
540-961-4086
Washington
276-466-3987
Fluvanna
434-842-3411
Nansemond
757-934-2321
Westmoreland
804-493-8004
Franklin
540-483-9225
Nelson
434-263-8328
Wise-Dickenson
276-328-8274
Franklin
540-721-7047
Northampton
757-678-5158
Wythe
276-228-4042
Franklin
540-483-4708
Northumberland-Lancaster
804-580-4422
Your county Farm Bureau office is your first point of contact for information on services and programs included in Virginia Farm Bureau’s Membership Advantage.
Addresses for county Farm Bureau offices, along with contact information for individual Farm Bureau insurance agents, are available online at FarmBureauAdvantage.com.
Hoop houses and Extension services, on Down Home Virginia
Watch this!
To view Down Home Virginia, visit VaFarmBureau.org
VirginiaFarmBureau.com
Virginia farmers are adapting an old technology to extend their growing seasons. And Virginia Cooperative Extension programs offer education and benefits for everyone, not just farmers. Plus, horticulturist Mark Viette has tips on using shade plants in your garden, and chef John Maxwell shares a tasty recipe for summer picnics. Those stories and more will be featured in the June edition of Down Home Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s monthly cable and satellite television show. The award-winning show airs nationwide at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month on RFD-TV, as well as on 48 cable systems and three broadcast stations in Virginia. It’s also available online at VaFarmBureau.org. Check local cable listings for the show times in your area, or visit VaFarmBureau.org for a list of participating stations. june 2011
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