FBN Aug 2012 by Virginia Farm Bureau

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August 2012

Farm Bureau News

‘Talk to your neighbors’

Contents 6

Virgnia Farm Bureau News

‘Talk to your neighbors’: Voters can protect property rights

On Nov. 6, Virginia voters will have an opportunity to amend the state constitution to curb eminent domain abuse and protect landowners’ rights. 16

Mecklenburg man works to help hospital patients’ families

Injured in a farm-related accident 14 years ago, J.F. “Jeff” Gill Jr. was hospitalized for nearly three months. Ever since his amazing recovery, he’s been working to help families of other hospital patients. 12

Farm Bureau ‘concerned’ about health care ruling

Farm Bureau officials at the state and national levels have voiced apprehension over the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Departments 10

In the Garden

Washington Watch

Viewing Virginia

Good for You!

Heart of the Home

Marketplace

Volume 71, Number 5 August 2012 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. Email 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.

Member: Virginia Press Association

editorial team Greg Hicks Vice President, Communications Pam Wiley Managing Editor Kathy Dixon Sr. Staff Writer/Photographer Sara Owens Staff Writer/Photographer Bill Altice Graphic Designer Maria La Lima Graphic Designer Cathy Vanderhoff Advertising

publication schedule Producer members will receive their next issue of Virginia Farm Bureau News in September. The magazine is published six times a year.

virginia farm bureau federation

12 6 On the Cover Orange County cattle producer Thomas E. Graves is among supporters of a proposed property rights amendment to Virginia’s constitution (Photo by Kathy Dixon).

Officers Wayne F. Pryor, President Edward A. Scharer, Vice President Board of Directors director district Emily Edmondson 1 Archie B. Atwell 2 Evelyn H. Janney 3 Gordon R. Metz 4 Stephen L. Saufley 5 Peter A. Truban 6 Thomas E. Graves 7 H. Carl Tinder Sr. 8 Henry E. Wood Jr. 9 Robert J. Mills Jr. 10 J. M. Jenkins Jr. 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

The fair is on! Partnership between Farm Bureau and Universal Fairs will help build State Fair of Virginia To help preserve the tradition of the State Fair of Virginia, the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation entered on July 6 into a formal partnership with Universal Fairs LLC of Cordova, Tenn. Farm Bureau will be involved in developing the agricultural component of the fair, which Universal Fairs purchased at auction in May. The fair’s former operators declared Chapter 7 bankruptcy earlier in the spring. Called Commonwealth Fairs & Events LLC, the new partnership will run the state fair as well as other shows and events at the 331acre property in Caroline County. The first order of business will be to hold the 2012 fair from Sept. 28 through Oct. 7. “Virginia Farm Bureau Federation and Universal Fairs have put together a partnership that we feel will help retain and grow the agricultural component of the fair,” said VFBF President Wayne F. Pryor. “Universal Fairs has a proven track record of putting on successful fairs in several locations around the country. We are very excited and look forward to working with them for many years.” Universal Fairs “has extensive experience in running familyfriendly, entertaining fairs, and Virginia Farm Bureau brings an exciting agricultural component to the mix,” said Universal Fairs President Mark Lovell. “We are new to Virginia, but we know how to run a fair. With Virginia Farm Bureau, a trusted organization that has been around for more than 85 years, we will be able to bring together the best of both worlds. I think that by working together we can help strengthen Virginia’s agricultural stature and visibility through various shows, events and exhibits.” Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell extended congratulations to Farm Bureau on the partnership, which he said “will guarantee that agriculture, Virginia’s largest industry, will be featured prominently—as it should be—at the fair for years to come.” As the state’s largest farm organization, and having as a mission the preservation of agriculture, “we felt it was paramount to step up to the plate and assist with the fair,” Pryor said. “It is a vital tool for helping the public understand the importance of the agriculture industry. We plan to carry this out through teaching exhibits, shows and competitive events that include livestock, poultry, fiber and produce.

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The 2012 State Fair of Virginia will be held Sept. 28 through Oct. 7 at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County. On July 6 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation entered into a partnership with Tennessee-based Universal Fairs LLC.

“Equally important to us is restoring the scholarship programs for youth who compete in livestock and equine shows through the FFA and 4-H organizations,” Pryor added. “We also plan to continue competitions in photography, arts and crafts and other disciplines.” Caroline County Board of Supervisors Chairman Wayne Acors said the county “is gratified that its months-long recruitment of the Farm Bureau to participate in the State Fair of Virginia has resulted in the announced partnership. The Farm Bureau is the premier agricultural organization in the commonwealth and brings with it stability, integrity and a large membership that will be welcome in Caroline County at the state fair and at many other events.”

august 2012

Freedom to farm will be theme of Farm Bureau convention, scheduled for Nov. 27–29 in Chantilly This year’s Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention will have as its theme “Freedom to Farm: Cultivating the American Dream.” The event will be held Nov. 27–29 at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly. At workshops on Tuesday, participants will learn how American agriculture is affected by world economics, and how they can effectively share agriculture’s story with the rest of the nation. Dr. David Kohl, president of AgriVisions LLC, an agricultural consulting business, will lead a workshop titled “The Wild World of Global Economics.” He will focus on how world economies are influencing land values, commodities and agricultural input costs.

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Kohl, who taught for 25 years as a professor of agricultural finance and small business management and entrepreneurship at Virginia Tech and is currently a professor emeritus there, said there are many challenges for the agriculture industry now and in the near future. “This type of economic environment can offer many opportunities as well for producers in their businesses, decisionmaking and personal lives,” he said. “Don’t miss this session, as it will increase your economic literacy, which is critical to managing your businesses and households.” A second workshop will introduce attendees to the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers

Alliance and why it was formed to spark national conversations between families and farmers. The workshop will divulge research that indicates consumers want more information about their food supply and want to hear about farmers’ continuous improvement efforts. The workshop leader also will give participants suggestions on how they can get involved in national conversations about U.S. farming and U.S.-grown food. On Wednesday morning, American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman will speak to convention participants. The Texas rice and cattle producer has served as AFBF president since 2000. He previously served as president of the Texas Farm Bureau.

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Freedom to Farm: Cultivating the American ] Dream ^

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION 2012 Annual Convention | Westfields Marriott Hotel November 27 – 29

Wednesday’s lunch speaker will be Jolene Brown, an Iowa corn and soybean farmer, author and family business consultant. She will present “Wrinkles of Wit and Wisdom,” an inspirational presentation based on old-fashioned words of insight such as “Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched” and “Keep your fences mended.” Voting delegates from each county Farm Bureau will help shape the organization’s state and federal policies for the coming year. Delegates also will elect members of the VFBF board of directors to represent Districts 2, 5, 8, 11 and 14. Also up for election are the offices of VFBF president, vice president, Women’s Committee chairman and Young Farmers Committee chairman. The convention is open to voting delegates and any other interested Farm Bureau members. Details and registration forms will be available at county Farm Bureau offices and online this fall.

William Lyle Pugh, Chesapeake Farm Bureau president, passes William Lyle Pugh Sr., president of Chesapeake County Farm Bureau, died July 6. Mr. Pugh, who was 76, had served as Chesapeake Farm Bureau’s president since Wm. Lyle Pugh Sr. 2008 and had held that office previously as well. He also served on the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC board of trustees. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Gates Pugh; four children; and six grandchildren. Memorial contributions to the Lyle Pugh Sr. Agriculture Scholarship can be made care of Monarch Bank, 1034 S. Battlefield Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23322 or any Monarch Bank branch.

GM IS PROUD TO PARTNER WITH FARM BUREAU TO BRING YOU THIS VALUABLE OFFER.1 ®

Farm Bureau members can get a $5001 private offer toward the purchase or lease of most new GM vehicles, including the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD lineup. Visit fbverify.com for more details. They get tough jobs done with a maximum payload of up to 6,635 lbs.2 and a conventional towing capacity of up to 17,000 lbs.3 And through the GM Business Choice Program,4 business owners receive even more when purchasing or leasing an eligible Chevrolet or GMC truck or van for business use. Visit gmbusinesschoice.com for details. Place your Farm Bureau Logo here.

Place your Dealer Logo here.

| CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1

Offer valid toward the purchase or lease of new 2011, 2012 and 2013 Buick, Chevrolet and GMC models excluding Chevrolet Camaro Convertible and Volt. Not available with some other offers. Not valid on prior purchases. Program subject to change without notice. See dealer for complete details. Customer must take delivery by 4/1/2014. Must be a member of a participating state Farm Bureau for at least 60 days prior to date of delivery to be eligible. Not available in all states. Member must provide a valid membership veriﬁcation certiﬁcate prior to vehicle purchase or lease. Go to www.fbverify.com. 2 Requires Regular Cab model and gas engine. Maximum payload capacity includes weight of driver, passengers, optional equipment and cargo. 3 Requires available 6.6L Duramax® diesel engine. Maximum trailer ratings assume a properly equipped base vehicle plus driver. See dealer for details. 4 To qualify, vehicles must be used in the day-to-day operation of the business and not solely for transportation purposes. Must provide proof of business. This program may not be compatible with other offers or incentive programs. Consult your local Chevrolet or GMC dealer or visit gmbusinesschoice.com for program compatibility and other restrictions. Take delivery by 9/30/2012. Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation® are registered service marks owned by the American Farm Bureau Federation, and are used herein (or by GM) under license. ©2012 General Motors. All rights reserved.

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august 2012

P Voters have the power to protect private property rights

By Kathy Dixon

Vote yes on Question 1.

That’s what the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation is urging voters to do on Nov. 6 when they go to the polls. Question 1 proposes amending Virginia’s constitution to protect private property owners from eminent domain abuse. “Say ‘Yes’ to Question 1 and ‘No’ to condemners who want to take private property for private gain,” said Thomas E. Graves, an Orange County cattleman and member of the VFBF board of directors. “We think it’s very important to get this passed, not just for farmers and rural landowners but for anyone who owns private property.” Rockingham County cattleman and VFBF board member Stephen L. Saufley agreed. “I’ve talked to quite a few people, and most everybody believes that we need this constitutional amendment to keep the government from making decisions about our private property,” he said. The proposed amendment would ensure that no more private property may be taken than is necessary to achieve a stated public use, and it would require the condemner to prove that the use is public. The amendment also ensures that fair compensation is given to the property owner. “If private property is taken correctly using eminent domain, that property owner deserves just compensation,” Saufley said. Condemning entities such as highway departments or utility companies would

Virginia Farm Bureau News

not be able to exercise eminent domain if the primary use for taken land is for private gain, private benefit, private enterprise, increasing jobs, or boosting tax revenue or economic development, said Trey Davis, VFBF assistant director of governmental relations. “This amendment to the constitution in no way prohibits localities, states or utilities from using eminent domain for building roads, schools or hospitals, but it will ensure that if land is taken for a legitimate public use, the property owner will receive fair compensation,” Davis said. “Under no circumstances can private property be taken for private revenue, employment or economic growth.”

Often, when voters go to the polls and see referendums on the ballot, they are quite wordy. “Voters get confused and are not sure what it means,” Graves said. “Some don’t vote because of that. We want to make sure that before they get to the polling places, they understand the importance of voting ‘Yes’ on Question 1.” Farm Bureau is asking its members to be advocates for the issue in their localities. “Talk to your neighbors, put up signs and educate other voters at county meetings, fairs and other community events,” Graves said. Davis called the ballot initiative “a great chance to be active and take ownership of an issue and see direct results on Nov. 6.”

Voters get confused and sometimes are not sure what a wordy referendum means. ‘Some don’t vote because of that. We want to make sure that before they get to the polling places, they understand the importance of voting “Yes” on Question 1.’ »

Thomas E. Graves, Orange County beef cattle producer and member of the VFBF board of directors

VaFarmBureau.org

KATHY DIXON

“We think it’s very important to get this passed, not just for farmers and rural landowners but for anyone who owns private property,” said Orange County cattle producer Thomas E. Graves. VirginiaFarmBureau.com

august 2012

2005 court decision added urgency to property rights fight It’s been seven years since a U.S. Supreme Court decision that made people realize their American dreams literally could be snatched right out from under them. In Kelo et al. v. City of New London, Conn., et al., the Supreme Court ruled that the governmental taking of property from a private owner to give to another private owner is acceptable if a state’s laws allow economic development as permissible “public use” under the Fifth Amendment. Nine property owners were forced to move out of their homes so the city could sell their 15 lots, along with 100 others, to a commercial developer who promised to redevelop the area. Then-Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who voted against the ruling, said the decision transferred property from “those with fewer resources to those with more. The Founders cannot have intended this perverse result.” The Kelo decision unleashed a wave of eminent domain takings. In the first year after Kelo, more than 5,700 properties nationwide were threatened by or taken with eminent domain for private development, according to the Institute for Justice, a civil liberties law firm that represented the Kelo homeowners. There were more than 10,000 such instances in the five years before the decision. Since the summer of 2005, more than 40 states have passed laws increasing protections against eminent domain takings, and some states have passed constitutional amendments protecting private property rights. In 2007, Virginia Farm Bureau helped pass a law that strictly defined public use. However, without its protection in the constitution, state and local governments can interpret public use as they see fit.

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Coalition launches campaign for ‘Yes’ votes

ipartisan legislation was signed by Gov. Bob McDonnell on July 16 to place a proposed constitutional amendment on this fall’s ballot to protect the private property rights of Virginia’s farmers, small businesses and individuals. The “Private Property Rights” amendment and companion legislation was supported by Attorney Gen. Ken Cuccinelli and patroned by Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg; Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle; and Del. Johnny Joannou, D-Portsmouth. At the bill signing, a coalition of private property rights advocates announced the launch of a campaign encouraging Virginians to “Vote Yes for Private Property Rights.” “Our members are excited about the opportunity that this constitutional amendment will provide. No longer will our farms, homes or businesses be taken and given to another private property owner under Kelo-type eminent domain abuses,” said Wayne F. Pryor, president of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. “Our members are grateful to Gov. McDonnell, Attorney Gen. Cuccinelli and the General Assembly for understanding that, while sometimes the government may want someone’s property for a well-agreed public use, taking someone’s home, farm or business so someone else can develop the land is just plain wrong,” said Nicole Riley, state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses. “This amendment ensures that, if property is taken for a legitimate public use, private property owners will be justly compensated.” Elected officials “have given Virginians the opportunity to approve this historical measure,” added Katie K. Frazier, president of the Virginia Agribusiness Council. “Our job now is to educate the public on what this constitutional amendment does and why it is important to them. We’ll be doing so through grassroots activism and communication.” The “Vote Yes for Private Property Rights” campaign is supported by Farm Bureau, the NFIB, the Virginia Agribusiness Council, the Virginia Forestry Association, the Virginia Poultry Federation, Americans for Prosperity, the Family Foundation of Virginia and other advocacy groups. The coalition will be posting campaign signs, distributing literature and organizing other activities through the fall.

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DON’T GET LEFT ON THE SIDELINES OF NATIONAL CONVERSATION

National search launched for ‘The Faces of Farming’

By Kathy Dixon Get involved. That’s what the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance is asking farmers to do. There are so many options for involvement, it’s just a matter of deciding how you can participate. USFRA was formed in early 2011 by farmers and agricultural groups to spearhead a national dialogue between families and farmers. The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation is a member of the alliance. Since USFRA was formed, a website and Facebook page have been launched, town hall meetings have been held, and four events in Los Angeles sought to connect consumers, entertainers and farmers. The dialogues are meant to inform Americans about modern farming and to connect farmers and ranchers with their customers. The following are some ways individual farmers can get involved in conversations about today’s food supply: • Share misleading or inaccurate information that’s been published about agriculture with the “Grow What You Know” program at fooddialogues.com. USFRA will provide a response. • Join the Farmer and Rancher Mobilization Team. Members of the FARM team will be asked for their expertise on different agriculture topics, offering a farmer’s perspective. • Participate in a “Conversations with EASE” training Nov. 27 at the VFBF Annual Convention in Chantilly. • Visit fooddialogues.com, and share stories of continuous improvement on your farm, or take virtual tours of other farms.

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VFBF to host virtual tours of six farms VFBF will hold its own virtual farm tour this fall. The Real Virginia Virtual Farm Tour will feature video footage from six different Virginia farms during an Oct. 3 Web event at the State Fair of Virginia. “The average Virginian is pretty farremoved from agriculture. And we believe that getting accurate information about farming operations will help them understand and appreciate the importance of this industry in their daily lives,” explained Greg Hicks, VFBF vice president of communications. “We realize that not everyone has access to a farm or has time to personally visit one. That’s why we’ve sent our staff out to a variety of Virginia farms to report the farmers’ stories to the public. “This way, people can visit six different farms in one hour.” You can participate several different ways, including attending the event live at the State Fair, watching the live feed at VaFarmBureau.org or submitting questions to realvirginia@vafb.com. The virtual farm tours include a Rockbridge County beef cattle business, a Hanover County dairy and an Eastern Shore vegetable farm. The locations of all six farms on the tour will be announced later. During the event, viewers will be able to ask questions, and a panel of farmers and agricultural experts will be on hand to provide answers. This event is one way VFBF is trying to engage Virginia families in the national conversation.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association had Jerry Lewis, and Christie Brinkley was once the face of Cover Girl, but who do farmers have to represent them? No one yet, but the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance is hoping to change that. USFRA has kicked off a nationwide search for farmers and ranchers who are proud of what they do and are eager to share their stories with others. “Many voices are leading conversations about food—and often leaving the people who grow and raise our food out,” said Bob Stallman, USFRA chairman and president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. “We need to find the best people to be part of these conversations and represent the real farmers and ranchers of America.” The Faces of Farming and Ranching finalists will serve in high-visibility roles on behalf of USFRA, participating in national media interviews, advertising and public appearances. For their time, they will receive $10,000 stipends as well as $5,000 donations to the agriculturerelated charities of their choice. They also will receive professional speaker/media training. “We want America to see the real faces of farming and ranching,” Stallman said. “This is an excellent way for those within agriculture to step up and showcase to the country what these hard-working farmers and ranchers are really all about.” Entries will be accepted through Sept. 8 at fooddialogues.com. Entrants will be required to submit an online application and include a short home video that describes themselves and their farms or ranches. Ten to 15 semifinalists will be announced during a November Food Dialogues event in New York City. The public will then vote online for their favorites. Based on votes and a panel of judges, the top four to five finalists will become The Faces of Farming and Ranching in January 2013.

august 2012

In the Garden

When the heat breaks, break out the lawn maintenance plan Spring may be the best time for cleaning, but fall is the best time to fertilize your lawn and prepare it for grass seed. Most grasses in Virginia are cool-season grasses, said horticulturalist Mark Viette. “You don’t have to have a perfect lawn,” Viette said. “A few weeds and clover are just fine, but a well-rooted lawn helps prevent erosion and run-off of sediment into streams and waterways.” Before fertilizing, perform a soil test so that you do not needlessly waste nutrients. It’s also important to determine the size of your lawn. Use a tape measure to measure your lawn in one direction and then in another and multiply the measurements to determine the square footage. That will help determine the appropriate amount of products to apply. Apply fertilizer and lime in September or October, and use a slow-release fertilizer, Viette said. “It should say on the bag that it releases for 60 days or two months. Fertilizers such as 10-10-10 release too quickly,” he said. Using lime or gypsum can help raise the pH of your soil. “If you have trouble spots in your lawn or it isn’t well-rooted, you may want to consider using a mineralizer every couple of years,” Viette said. “Mineralizers have 50 to 100 different minerals and nutrient complexes that can help some lawns.” Distribute your fertilizer using a spreader, applying it in two different directions. Viette said he prefers a broadcast spreader, which throws fertilizer out in a pattern. A newer kind of spreader on the market uses fertilizer in a bag that locks onto the equipment. “Sometimes it is hard to determine how much fertilizer you need, and with this system, there are no calculations to do,” Viette said. “You just lock it in, walk across the lawn and you’re done.” If your lawn isn’t filling in properly, consider aerating. Core aerating opens up the lawn and airs it out. You can then apply grass seed.

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To patch missing or brown spots, overseed little sections by loosening the surface with a rake and then tossing grass seed over the spot. Viette recommends putting weed-free straw on top of seed to keep it from drying out. There also are products on the market that help make spot repair easier. “Just sprinkle the grass seed product on the dead

spots,” Viette said. “Some have materials that negate urine from dogs or other animals, and some have seed mixed in with organic matter that absorbs up to eight times its size and weight.” It can take four to six weeks for seeds to germinate. Viette suggests mowing grass to 3 or 4 inches tall to help prevent weed problems.

Measuring your lawn before applying fertilizer, seed and other products will help you be sure of the appropriate amount to apply.

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In the Garden

Just like farms, home gardens need specific preparation s for winter. If you have plants, such as peonies, that have had disease or pest problems, remove all of the old foliage and stems and throw it away, said horticulturalist Mark Viette. “Do not use the diseased foliage in a compost pile,” he said. “Keep in mind you can still feed the birds with seeds from peonies, and also can use the stems and seed pods for decorating.” It’s important, however, not to break the foliage and scatter it to the ground. “Some of the disease problems will stay on the foliage, and in the moist spring months that disease can affect more plants. So you want to prune back the entire plant without mashing or crunching the foliage and dropping it to the ground in the process,” Viette said. He recommended using hand shears unless you have a large area to cover; that’s when hedge shears come in handy. Some people don’t like to look at dead seed pods on plants during the winter. It’s not necessary, but you can deadhead certain shrubs, such as the crapemyrtle and blackeyed Susan. “Just tip off the old flower pods,” Viette said. “You don’t want to prune too much, especially in colder climates.” You can also use hedge shears to remove any hostas that are browning. “Hostas can be pruned to the ground, and the foliage can be used in a compost pile,” Viette said. To remove weeds from the garden, use a swing hoe, and push all the weeds out. You can take them away or leave them to die. Make sure you have a good amount of

To find the station nearest you that airs Real Virginia, or to view the show online, visit VaFarmBureau.org.

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soil in your garden and some mulch. You will want to add 1 to 1½ inches of mulch, but no more than 3 inches. To save money, you can transplant plants such as lantana that need warmer conditions to survive. The plants can be stored in a basement or garage that is at least 45 degrees or warmer. Dig up the entire plant, and store it in a pot. If you have several plants, store them in crates with holes, and put loose soil in the crate between each plant. You can deadhead the plants in February and replant them once the threat of frost has passed.

SARA OWENS

Preparing a garden for winter

The remains of this summer’s hostas (upper photo) can be pruned to the ground once the leaves start to turn brown. Use hand shears (lower photo) to remove dried seed pods on crapemyrtles and other plants if you like a tidier winter garden.

Mark Viette appears on Real 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 on the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Ornamental Horticulture Advisory Committee, and Mark Viette is a former Augusta Farm Bureau board member. august 2012

Washington Watch

Farm Bureau ‘concerned’ about court ruling on health care legislation

Both Virginia Farm Bureau Federation and its national affiliate have expressed concerns about the June 28 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

By Kathy Dixon

he U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 ruling June 28 upholding President Obama’s health care legislation, which includes a requirement that all people have health insurance. That same day the nation’s largest agricultural organization voiced its apprehension. “Farmers, ranchers and rural residents need affordable and accessible health care. We remain concerned that mandating individuals and businesses to buy insurance will impose an expense that creates economic hardship, particularly for self-employed individuals and small businesses,” said Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. 12

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Stallman noted that Farm Bureau historically has supported market-based reforms as the best way to control costs and increase options for individuals and businesses that purchase health insurance. “The plan reviewed by the Supreme Court would impose a new financial burden on our members,” he said. “As the legal and political interpretation of this ruling is further analyzed and debated in the weeks and months ahead, it is important to remember that access to affordable health care eludes many American families across the country.” Virginia Farm Bureau Federation has in recent years monitored developments in federal health care legislation and shared them with its members. “While the Patient Protection and

Affordable Care Act does have provisions that will benefit rural Virginians, such as increased funding for rural hospitals, Virginia Farm Bureau has remained opposed to the legislation,” said Trey Davis, VFBF assistant director of governmental relations. “It does not get to the root of the health care problem for our producer members, which is a need for price controls on skyrocketing out-ofpocket costs and a need for more doctors in rural areas.” In the coming year, Davis said, “we look forward to engaging our representatives in the General Assembly to ensure that Virginia farmers’ health care needs are addressed in the implementation of the PPACA.”

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Washington Watch

Farm Bureau applauds Senate version of the 2012 Farm Bill By Norm Hyde The nation’s largest farm organization is pleased that the U.S. Senate approved its version of the 2012 Farm Bill 64-35. “There is still a lot of hard work ahead to fully secure the kind of policy we believe our farm and ranch families need, but we applaud the Senate for approving a workable bill and moving this process forward,” said Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. The vote “is most definitely the first step in getting the farm bill passed,” said Wilmer Stoneman, associate director of governmental relations for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. “The House has written previous farm bills, so for the Senate to take action shows they’re interested and willing to be in the ballgame.” The Senate “has provided us solid footing by approving a bill that stands firm on $23 billion in savings, yet protects and strengthens the federal crop insurance program and provides a commodity title that attempts to encourage producers to follow market signals rather than make planting decisions in anticipation of government payments,” Stallman said. The federal farm bill also funds nutrition and food assistance programs. “The farm bill is basically the blueprint for U.S. Department of Agriculture funding for the next five to six years,” Stoneman said. “So the farm bill touches everyone each and every day, because everybody eats or uses something from the farm or benefits from a USDA program.” Farm Bureau was successful in opposing an amendment that would have prohibited a checkoff program for specific agricultural commodities from being mandatory. The organization was also successful in opposing an amendment that would have eliminated a $4 billion cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, previously known as the Food Stamp Program, and added $50 million annually to the Fresh VirginiaFarmBureau.com

Fruit and Vegetable Program. Farm Bureau also was successful in opposing an amendment that would have imposed a $250,000 adjusted gross income means test for all programs in the farm bill, including conservation. Farm Bureau was not successful in its efforts to oppose an amendment requiring conservation compliance as a requirement for crop insurance. Once the House approves a version of the farm bill, a committee will convene and make final changes. The actual bill could be passed this summer or, more likely, after November’s election, Stoneman said. “This is a marathon, not a sprint.”

USDA holds roundtable at Farm Bureau on new producer loan opportunities By Pam Wiley Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced May 23 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture was seeking comments on a new microloan program to help small and family farm operations progress through their start-up years. “By leveraging USDA’s lending programs for beginning farmers and ranchers and smaller producers, we’re helping to rebuild and revitalize our rural communities,” Vilsack said after a meeting with producers at Virginia Farm Bureau’s headquarters in Goochland County. Under the microloan proposal, producers who need a loan for less than $35,000 can apply using simplified and streamlined procedures. The program will cut the current required paperwork in half, and its goal is to better meet the credit needs of small farm operations. Smaller-scale farmers often rely on credit cards or personal loans to finance their operations. “We obviously as a country have gone through a difficult time,” economically,

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced plans for a microloan program to help farms through their start-up years.

Vilsack said. As Americans look to rebuild the economy, “the key to that and the key to recovery is agricultural production. … Central to all of this is people being in the farming business, and that involves credit.” USDA farm loans can be used to purchase land, livestock, equipment, feed, seed and supplies, or to construct buildings or make farm improvements. In the past three years, USDA has provided 103,000 loans totaling $14.6 billion to family farms. Vilsack said the microloan program stands to benefit new and socially disadvantaged farmers and veterans in particular. Since 2008, the number of loans to beginning farmers and ranchers has climbed from 11,000 to 15,000. More than 40 percent of USDA’s farm loans now go to beginning farmers, and more than 50 percent to beginning and socially disadvantaged producers. USDA has increased lending to socially disadvantaged producers by nearly 50 percent since 2008; the total value of loans in what it identifies as “persistent-poverty counties” is 60 percent higher today than in 2010. Vilsack said the microloans will be funded from USDA’s existing pool for direct producer loans, and he estimated the agency will be able to offer “roughly 5,000 loans” under the microloan program. The proposed rule can be viewed on the FSA website at fsa.usda.gov.

august 2012

Viewing Virginia

Easing of China’s ban on logs is good news for Va. timber owners China has agreed to re-open its market to imports of Virginia logs, reversing a yearlong trade barrier. Bans by the Chinese government on poultry and logs from Virginia have proven to be ongoing challenges for the state’s agriculture, forestry and shipping sectors. “China is our second-largest agricultural trade partner, and the ban was negatively impacting both Virginia’s exporters and our valued customers in China,” said Gov. Bob McDonnell on May 23 when he announced a six-month pilot project to reopen the Chinese market to Virginia’s hardwood and softwood log exporters. “My administration will continue working with all involved parties to see that this pilot program is successful and eventually leads to full open-market access.” In April 2011, China banned log exports from Virginia and South Carolina, claiming insects were found in some shipments. The McDonnell administration worked with federal agencies involved in trade negotiations with China, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, to lift the ban. The groups were able to demonstrate the effectiveness of treatment, tracing and inspection protocols to guard against unwanted pests in log shipments. Last year, the value of Virginia’s log exports was estimated at nearly $57 million, down $10 million from 2010. Prior to the ban, Virginia was a major East Coast supplier to China, the world’s top log importer. J.J. Keever, Virginia Port Authority senior deputy executive director for external affairs, estimated that the ban was stopping the export of 4,000 to 5,000 shipping containers a month from Virginia during logging season. Under the terms of the new agreement, Virginia logs were allowed to enter China beginning June 1 via designated ports, with enhanced pest treatment and testing protocols.

pam wiley

By Kathy Dixon

The 2011 estimated value of Virginia’s log exports was $57 million, down $10 million from 2010.

Hairston named dean of VSU’s School of Agriculture Dr. Jewel E. Hairston has been appointed dean of Virginia State University’s School of Agriculture. Hairston had been serving as the school’s interim dean. She will continue to lead the school’s efforts to develop a strategic plan for its extension and research divisions and for VSU’s academic departments of agriculture, family and consumer services and hospitality management. She holds doctoral and master’s degrees from Virginia Tech

Virginia Farm Bureau News

and previously served as associate administrator for Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and as a 4-H youth development specialist at VSU. She also is a former assistant professor at Bowling Green State University and worked as a marketing teacher and adult education coordinator in Roanoke. Dr. W. Weldon Hill, provost and vice president for academic affairs, called Hairston “a lifelong member of our community who has served VSU’s stakeholders with distinction.”

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McDonnell signs bills that will benefit agriculture, forestry By Kathy Dixon Two agriculture-friendly bills were signed into state law during a May 9 ceremony. Both will provide opportunities for producers to grow their businesses. HB 766 and SB 128 created the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund, an economic development grant program. Grants will support localities' efforts to attract value-added or processing facilities that will use Virginia-grown products. “We are extremely thankful that Gov. McDonnell, his administration and the General Assembly are actively looking for new opportunities for farmers in Virginia,” said Trey Davis, assistant director of governmental relations for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.

“The Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund will allow our members to partner with localities and use funds to support facilities using Virginia-grown products. We’re excited to see this mechanism moving forward and encouraging new ways that entrepreneurs can utilize products grown right here in the commonwealth.” Virginia’s current economic development incentive and assistance programs “are ill-suited for agriculture and forestry,” said Travis Hill, Virginia’s deputy secretary of agriculture and forestry. “The thresholds for investment and job creation are so high in these programs that they miss great opportunities in the agriculture and forestry industries.

“Rather than focusing on the number of jobs created or the amount of money invested, this fund looks to the impact the project will have on the community and emphasizes the use of Virginia products in the project’s operations. Farm income should increase as demand for Virginia products increases as a result of the project. Ideally, what we will have are more projects in rural parts of the state providing jobs for local residents while at the same time using products that are also being grown in Virginia.” HB 292 and SB 405 make Virginia’s secretary of agriculture and forestry and secretary of technology voting members of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority board of directors.

Extension ‘on the rebound,’ director tells farmers By Pam Wiley The director of Virginia Cooperative Extension said that agency is steadily rebuilding its presence in county offices across Virginia after staffing cuts in recent years. “I think we’re on the rebound, and good things are starting to happen,” Dr. Edwin Jones, an associate dean at Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, told the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation board of directors at their May 24 meeting. Farm Bureau has for some time maintained that localities in Virginia need at minimum one agriculture Extension agent, one 4-H agent and one administrative employee. The 2012 Virginia General Assembly appropriated an additional $500,000 for Extension funding for each of the fiscal years in the biennium, for a total of $1 million. VirginiaFarmBureau.com

Last July, Extension had 179 agents statewide. Jones said 68 agents have been hired since January, though not all are filling new positions. “We’ll be filling about another 10 with recent appropriations from the General Assembly,” he said. Current staffing is nearly 220 agents— at least 90 agricultural and natural resources agents and at least 90 4-H agents. The others are family and consumer sciences agents. “I’m thinking if we get around 230, we’ll have a pretty solid base,” Jones said. “I think the pressure will be off many of those who are trying to do more than they can do.” Through its local offices and specialized agents, Extension brings the resources of Virginia’s land-grant universities—Virginia Tech and Virginia State University—to consumers and farmers alike. Extension

staff deliver programs through a network of 106 local, county and city offices, six 4-H educational centers and 12 Agricultural Research and Extension Centers. In some counties, Jones noted, more than one ANR agent is needed, and when working with youth programs, “it’s really hard (for one agent) to do 4-H on a multicounty basis.” The FCS agents tend to serve four or five counties each, working with programs related to nutrition, parenting and family finances, among other topics. On average, Jones said Extension covers two-thirds of an agent’s salary, and the other third is paid by the locality or localities that agent serves. In most instances, he said, counties share the cost of an agent position, “and in some cases the county bears the entire cost of the agent.”

august 2012

Back on his feet after injury, Mecklenburg man works to help hospital patients’ families Article and photography by Sara Owens ON APRIL 25, 1998, J.F. “Jeff” Gill Jr. of Mecklenburg County was using a bulldozer to free a piece of equipment that was stuck in the mud when a C-clamp he was using bent and projected through the windshield of his tractor. The clamp struck Gill, then 26, on the left side of his head, shattering his skull. Gill, who lives in South Hill, was airlifted to the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center in Richmond for treatment of a traumatic brain injury. His parents, Frank and Barbara Gill, wanted to stay near their son but lived too far away to travel back and forth to the hospital every day. They found they were eligible for lodging at the Hospital Hospitality House in Richmond. “It was a huge relief knowing we had somewhere to stay,” Frank Gill said. “We felt so blessed that we could be there with Jeff.”

‘Amazing’ recovery

J.F. “Jeff” Gill Jr. has mobilized volunteers to collect nearly 4 tons of aluminum drink can tabs in the past decade to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Virginia Farm Bureau News

The Hospital Hospitality House offers housing for families of pediatric or adult patients at any Richmond-area hospital. Families may stay for one night, one week or, in the Gills’ case, 88 days. “We were cared for from head to toe,” Barbara Gill said. “We were under a lot of stress worrying about Jeff’s injury, and having a place to stay was one less thing we had to worry about. We were very fortunate. The cost of a hotel stay for 88 days would have been very expensive.” The Gills believe staying near their son helped with his recovery. “The doctors really weren’t sure that Jeff would ever be off the respirator or would walk or talk again,” Barbara Gill said. “We were in the hospital every day, caring for Jeff. Frank decided to move Jeff’s joints every two hours, and I really think this is what enabled him to get better.” Marie Walker, Jeff Gill’s sister, said her parents lovingly pushed her brother every step of the way.

VaFarmBureau.org

“He pushed himself harder than anyone thought possible. It was not easy, nor was it instant, but Jeff was determined. Now, 14 years later, he’s not only walking and talking, but he’s paying it forward.” — Marie Walker, Jeff Gill's sister

“His progress was amazing, and his attitude was infectious,” Walker said. “He pushed himself harder than anyone thought possible. It was not easy, nor was it instant, but Jeff was determined. Now, 14 years later, he’s not only walking and talking, but he’s paying it forward.”

from our location, Jeff has been an advocate for the Roanoke house in his community,” said the charity’s executive director, Laney Mofield. “Through the years, Jeff has stayed in touch with me regularly and has made it a priority to speak to different groups about collecting can tabs. He is truly one of the heroes of our house and our heart.”

Helping other families

Gill said. “With that action you can help keep a family together who is caring for a loved one, and help change a life.” Many of the can tabs he collects are donated to the Ronald McDonald house in Roanoke, which recycles 2.5 tons of tabs annually, providing enough funds to cover the facility’s entire annual food budget. “Although he lives quite a distance

The Gills’ experience with the Hospital Hospitality House inspired their son to help other families in similar situations. The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Committee and county Farm Bureau women’s committees across the state have actively supported Ronald McDonald House Charities for many years through monetary donations and the donation of nonperishable food and pull tabs from aluminum cans. Ronald McDonald Houses provide lodging for the families of children being treated at local hospitals. Gill decided to collect can tabs and donate them to Farm Bureau to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities in honor of Betty Hall, a family friend and co-chairman of Mecklenburg County Farm Bureau’s Women’s Committee. “The Ronald McDonald House brings families together who otherwise wouldn’t be able to stay near their loved ones,” Gill said. “So I decided to collect can tabs to benefit those who need it. I wanted to be able to help others who have had the same experience as me.” He solicited help from members of his community, including businesses, organizations and students at Park View Middle School. Together, they’ve collected nearly 4 tons of tabs in about 10 years. In addition, Gill and his volunteers also donate aluminum cans to a South Hill Boy Scout troop and plastic bottle tops to the Toys for Tots program of the U.S. Marine Corps. “It takes five to 10 minutes to finish a drink, but it only takes a few back-andforth motions to get the tab off the can,”

Gill’s parents, Barbara and Frank Gill, stayed in Richmond for more than 80 days when their son was hospitalized in 1998. They’ve compiled scrapbooks that document his recovery and the community support their family received.

VirginiaFarmBureau.com

august 2012

Scrap metal prices prompt farmers to CLEAN UP, CASH IN By Norm Hyde

SPRING IS PLANTING SEASON, but some Virginia farmers also used the spring months to harvest profits from old junk that had been lying around their buildings and fields, sometimes for decades. Producers have been selling scrap metal to recycling businesses and earning cash while cleaning up their farms. “We’ve just got so much metal lying around,” said Dennis Baker, a Shenandoah County corn grower. “It’s been accumulating for years and years, and every day you find something that’s got to be thrown away. Right now, with the price of metal, it just pays a little extra income from the farm.” Baker bought his current farm about seven years ago and discovered all manner of metal items tucked away in outbuildings. “There’s a building down there stuffed full of stuff; most of it would probably fit equipment from the 1920s. It’s been there for years and years and years,” he said. That’s typical of many farms in the Shenandoah Valley and across Virginia, said Eugene Bare, marketing director for Recycle Management LLC. Many farmers were raised to be thrifty, or their parents lived through the Great Depression and never threw anything away. “There’s old equipment, there’s buildings that are falling down just because of the age or because of a storm,” Bare said. “Most of these buildings have metal siding, metal roofs. And a lot of these things aren’t steel, they’re aluminum, and aluminum is a lot more valuable than steel. ... Farmers can cash in big right now.”

When scrap metal prices began to climb, some Virginia farmers began recycling.

Recycle Management is one of many metal recycling firms across the state. The business caters to farmers by offering to leave large trash containers on their property for a fee. A typical container-load of scrap steel and iron can bring up to $1,000 at current prices, and scrap copper and aluminum are worth more. “We like to think that recycling is a win for everybody. It’s a win for our business, of course, it’s a win for the environment, and it’s also a win for our customers. If it’s

a farmer, he can put that money back into his operation,” Bare said. Many farmers are eager to clean up their properties, Baker said. “If you’ve got old equipment out in your field, cattle can get caught in it, and snakes love it. And the weeds just grow up around them.” In some instances, “you’re losing a quarter-acre of ground from a piece of machinery sitting around. Besides, it looks bad.”

Take steps to prevent metal theft on farms With the attractive market for scrap metal, farmers are not the only people interested in the metal that’s on their property. In recent years, thieves have taken refrigerators and other appliances out of temporary worker housing, stripped electrical wires from irrigation systems, pulled up copper piping from propane tanks and made off with brass gate valves and other hardware. Property owners can help prevent theft and vandalism by locking outbuildings and being vigilant.

Virginia Farm Bureau News

Farm Bureau members in Virginia can get free signs and window decals indicating participation in Farm Bureau’s property protection service. The program offers a $1,000 reward for information that results in a conviction in the event of theft or vandalism. Signs and decals and more information on the Reward Protection Service are available from county Farm Bureau offices. The signs and decals should be posted in conspicuous places on all owned and leased properties.

VaFarmBureau.org

Choose the right respirator for the job FARMS ARE FULL OF RESPIRATORY HAZARDS, including pesticide vapors, dusty fields, hydrogen sulfide accumulations in manure pits and pump sumps, and nitrogen dioxide in conventional silos. Exposure can lead to temporary discomfort caused by allergic reactions or even fatal asphyxiation. While many of the hazards cannot be avoided entirely while farming, the risk of serious lung damage can be decreased significantly by using respiratory protection. “Choosing the correct respirator can be difficult, because there are so many options out there,” said Jimmy Maass, safety manager for Virginia Farm Bureau. “But choosing the proper respirator—and wearing it— can significantly reduce the likelihood of having a farming-related respiratory illness.” There are two types of respirators, available from safety equipment suppliers, farm supply stores and agricultural chemical suppliers. Respirators like this air-purifying model have filters but do not supply oxygen. They’re bestsuited for dusty work areas.

AIR-PURIFYING RESPIRATORS Air-purifying respirators are equipped with filters through which the wearer breathes. They do not supply oxygen and are not for use in areas considered immediately dangerous to life or health, such as oxygen-limited silos or manure storage pits. They are best used in areas such as barn lofts with moldy hay; fields during tilling or pesticide application; or construction sites where fiberglass or wood dusts are likely to be found. Anyone who suffers from asthma or lung or cardiovascular disease should consult a doctor before using an airpurifying respirator. “Wearers of this type of respirator must pull air through the filter, so the respirator will put added stress on you,” Maass said. “For that reason, it’s important to get a doctor’s OK before using one.” Air-purifying respirators include mechanical filter respirators, chemical cartridge respirators, gas masks and power air-purifying respirators. Power air-purifying products make breathing easier and might be best for someone with a respiratory illness.

SUPPLIED-AIR RESPIRATORS Supplied-air respirators are the only type of respirator to use in areas considered immediately dangerous to life or health. They are appropriate for manure pits, sealed silos and fumigated bins containing high-moisture grain. They supply the wearer with fresh, clean air from an outside source. Types of supplied-air respirators include air line respirators and self-contained breathing apparatus. It is important to make sure those varieties of respirators fits properly, so do a fit check before purchasing one. The respirator works best when the wearer is clean-shaven, because it can form a tighter seal. For more information on wearing a respirator or selecting the right one, contact a local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.

“Choosing the correct respirator can be difficult, because there are so many options out there, but choosing the proper respirator—and wearing it—can significantly reduce the likelihood of having a farming-related respiratory illness.” — Jimmy Maass, safety manager for Virginia Farm Bureau

VirginiaFarmBureau.com

august 2012

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By Kathy Dixon RESEARCH HAS SHOWN that the No. 1 reason people refuse to evacuate their homes during an emergency is that they don’t want to leave pets behind. “If a hurricane comes and you have to evacuate or a tornado rips through town unexpectedly, what do you do with your animals?” asked Tony Banks, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation commodity marketing specialist and co-chairman of the Virginia State Animal Response Team, or VASART. In 1999, Hurricane Floyd claimed the lives of millions of animals in North Carolina, and thousands of pets and livestock were separated from their owners. Many of the animals could have been saved by a coordinated response plan. Out of this tragedy grew the SART concept. Virginia adopted the concept in 2006, and the VASART is encouraging development of local organizations called Community Animal Response Teams, or CARTs.

storm season “Ideally, with CARTs, people are trained to deal with emergency animal issues and can work with local emergency management officials,” Banks said. “We want to empower these local groups, because that takes some of the pressure off of localities’ resources.” The VASART was created through a private-public partnership to serve as a unifying network of organizations, businesses, federal and state government agencies and individuals that support prevention, preparedness, response and recovery for emergencies affecting animals. The state and county groups are focused primarily on companion animals but “are starting to put more emphasis on large livestock animals,” Banks said.

Neighbors can make plans to help care for one another’s animals in the event of a sudden emergency.

Getting a plan in place for your livestock Emergency planning tips from the Pennsylvania State Animal Response Team include the following:

• Identify the best place on your property for your animals in each type of disaster for which you can plan. Make arrangements with a trustworthy neighbor for horse and livestock care and/or evacuation procedures in the event that a disaster occurs when you are not home. This person should have access to your animals and be familiar with them.

• Check for alternate water sources in case a disaster causes power outages. Test-run backup generators and make sure they are full of fuel. • Have enough fresh water and feed for 48 to 72 hours. • Prepare for the possibility that you might have to evacuate your horses or livestock from your property. Find several alternative locations and check the entry requirements for each. During an emergency, your local or county Office of Emergency Management may be able to provide you with a list of available animal shelters or locations.

• Logistically plan how, and with what, you will relocate your animals. Keep trailers and vans well-maintained, full of fuel and ready to move at all times.

• Permanently identify each animal by tattoo, microchip, brand, tag, photographs and/or drawing.

VirginiaFarmBureau.com

august 2012

Medical alert benefit can give peace of mind Help is always within reach for Virginia Farm Bureau members who use the Member’s Medical Alert benefit. Powered by national provider LifeStation, the service makes it easy for members or their loved ones to summon assistance to their homes in an emergency. The equipment is easy to install; simply plug it into an existing phone line. LifeStation maintains a state-of-the-art, 24-hour call center with care specialists users can reach via a tabletop console or a help button that can be mounted on a wall, worn around the neck or wrist or clipped to a belt. The care specialists will contact

local emergency services professionals and designated family members or friends. All Member’s Medical Alert equipment will be shipped at no charge. Farm Bureau members pay a special monthly rate of $25.95 and are eligible for a 30-day money-back trial. The service involves no long-term contract, and members may cancel at any time. Your county Farm Bureau can provide you with contact information for getting details on the Member’s Medical Alert.

Members can enjoy savings on prescription drugs Virginia Farm Bureau’s free Prescription Drug Discount and Savings Program affords members an average savings of 25 percent on more than 12,000 name-brand and generic prescription drugs at more than 53,000 pharmacies. Members pay no fee to use the program, which is designed for individuals with no insurance coverage for prescription drugs. The Prescription Drug Discount and Savings Program is not insurance. Rather, it 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. Simply present your card at a participating pharmacy when you have your prescription filled, or use it when ordering medicines through the mail-order program of Agelity Inc. 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.

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Virginia Farm Bureau News

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Two students win Rural Health Essay Scholarship Contest Margo Deihl of Spotsylvania County and Molly Hilt of Tazewell County will receive $1,000 for their winning entries in the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation 2012 Rural Health Essay Scholarship Contest. Second place winners Meredith Ellis of Isle of Wight County and Brian Yeary of Russell County will receive $500. The contest was sponsored by the VFBF Rural Health Advisory Committee and funded by the Farm Bureau Health Care Consultants Department to help benefit young members’ career interests in rural health care. High school and college students from Farm Bureau member families submitted essays on “My Future Career in Rural Health in Virginia.” Deihl, daughter of Walter and Crystal Deihl of Spotsylvania, attends James Madison University. In her essay, she noted that, due to a medical condition, much of her childhood “was spent going to doctors’ visits and occupational and physical therapies, and as a result, a passion began to light within me to make a difference in the lives of others.

“Many of my family’s days were spent on the road traveling hours at a time to the doctor or therapist since my rural community did not have the resources to help my condition. At the age of 9, I made the announcement to my rheumatologist that I wanted to be a doctor when I grew up.” Hilt attends Tazewell High School and is the daughter of Ralph and Sandra Hilt of Tannersville. She said in her essay that she is discouraged by the lack of adequate medical care in her community. “The medical care providers in Southwest Virginia are few and far between,” she wrote. “Many high school graduates leave for college, never to return or bring their skills back to the area.” Hilt believes there are “amazing opportunities for a resident of rural Southwest Virginia” and she plans to return home after graduating from college to devote her skills to a medical practice or facility. “I have a strong love for my community and would like to see better medical care available in this area,” she wrote.

Mini-grants to help county Farm Bureaus promote agriculture Three county Farm Bureaus in Virginia will be working to educate elementary school students about agriculture with the help of 2012 White-Reinhardt Fund for Education mini-grants. Farm Bureaus in Bedford, Carroll and Smyth counties competed with county and state Farm Bureaus across the nation for the grants, awarded annually by the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture and the American Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Leadership Committee. White-Reinhardt mini-grant funding provides as much as $500 to county or state Farm Bureaus to support new or existing projects that share information about farming. The Bedford County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee will use its grant money for a school garden, where local second-graders will plant, grow and harvest vegetables. Committee members will assist with the garden, and once the vegetables are harvested, they will be included on the school lunch menu. The Carroll County Farm Bureau has used its grant to purchase books that volunteers read in 81 elementary school classrooms and then donated during Agriculture Literacy Week in March. The Smyth County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee plans to use its grant money to purchase Virginia farm product puzzles for all fourth-grade classrooms in the county school system. The puzzles depict various Virginia products and where they are grown in the state. VirginiaFarmBureau.com

Farm Bureau communications staff wins national award for 10th time The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation earned the nation’s highest honor among Farm Bureau communicators this summer when it claimed the 2012 Dave Lane Award for Media Relations Excellence, given by the American Farm Bureau Federation. This is the 10th time VFBF has received the award, which is presented each year at the annual AFBF public relations conference. The award recognizes a state Farm Bureau PR or communications staff that exhibits a strong, ongoing, comprehensive and focused effort to work with news media and share Farm Bureau’s story. “[Their] efforts to identify target audiences for media relations efforts—and to recognize the differences in their needs” was commendable, the judges wrote. VFBF uses a number of tools to convey messages to mainstream and farm media, including an electronic weekly tip sheet that keeps reporters and editors abreast of farm issues; the annual VFBF Journalism Award; the News & Features section on its website; Facebook and YouTube postings; a video and print blog; and other techniques. “This award is a testament to those at Farm Bureau who possess the dedication, knowledge of media and willingness to make sure reporters have the information they need to generate balanced, accurate stories,” said Greg Hicks, VFBF vice president of communications. “While this award is given to our Communications Department, it is shared by other staff and our volunteer leadership. Their combined efforts are why Farm Bureau has a positive image among legislators, the media, members and the public.” The judges also praised VFBF’s “comprehensive planning of campaign strategies and tracking results.” Each year, state Farm Bureau communicators submit their organizations’ news stories, publications, photos, advertising campaigns, websites and other communications projects for national recognition at the AFBF conference. august 2012

AITC sets record for workshop participation

sara owens

Virginia’s Agriculture in the Classroom program set a record for workshop participation when 2,188 educators attended 102 workshops during the 2011-2012 school year. Many more educators utilized lesson plans on the AITC website. “We enjoyed working with a record-setting number of educators and hope that through our program, they received many new ideas

These elementary school teachers recently participated in an AITC workshop at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Henrico County.

AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM www.agintheclass.org

for incorporating the study of agriculture into their classrooms,” said Lynn Black, AITC education program coordinator. “We look forward to working with even more education professionals and helping them teach their students about where food and fiber come from.” The workshops help preschool and elementary school teachers earn credit hours toward their recertification. Elementary education students also attend workshops as part of their coursework at 13 universities across the state. The final four workshops in AITC’s summer Sprouting Success series were scheduled for Aug. 2 at Morven Park in Leesburg, Aug. 7 at Roanoke’s Science Museum of Western Virginia, Aug. 10 at historic Stratford Hall in Westmoreland County and Sept. 14 at the Children’s Museum of Richmond. Other unique venues used for workshops this summer have included Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, Henricus Historical Park on the James River in Chesterfield County and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Henrico County. Virginia agriculture plays a role in the Science Museum of Western Virginia’s “Healthy Earth” exhibit, which is being enhanced for 2013. The Sprouting Success workshop series has been made possible with support from Dominion Resources.

Farm Bureau Women, Young Farmers among top donors

AITC SUPPORTERS

AITC workshops and teacher resources were made possible by more than $300,000 in donations during the organization’s fiscal year that ended June 30. “These contributions were made by individuals, corporations, agricultural organizations and private foundations, and the generosity of their support enables AITC to provide quality programs and continue to develop new and interesting resources that meet the needs of educators across Virginia,” said Karen Davis, executive director. “All workshops and lesson plans are provided at no cost to teachers and school divisions, and we’re continually able to offer teachers more and more each year, thanks to an increase in giving.” Preliminary reports show donations increased by at least 5 percent over the past 12 months, and support for an annual golf tournament that benefits AITC increased by 41 percent. “We also saw positive growth among individual giving, county Farm Bureaus and corporations,” Davis said, “but Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Program participants remain AITC's most generous supporters, giving a record $46,888 through state and county women’s committees." The VFBF Young Farmers Program contributed more than $5,000—proceeds from it annual benefit auction at the organization's 2011 annual convention.

Founder Level ($9,999 or more)

Virginia Farm Bureau News

In addition to many individuals who contributed, these organizations made contributions to the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom between May 15 and June 30.

A Founder Level contribution was received from Philip Morris International.

Leader Level ($1,000 to $9,999) • • • • • • • • • • • • •

BB&T Bedford County Farm Bureau Birdsong Foundation Old Dominion Electric Cooperative Smithfield Foods Inc. Southern States Treakle Foundation Universal Leaf Foundation Virginia Agricultural Council Board Virginia Corn Board Virginia Cotton Board Virginia Soybean Board Virginia State Feed Association

Builder Level ($500 to $999) • Goochland County Farm Bureau • King and Queen County Farm Bureau • Mecklenburg County Farm Bureau VaFarmBureau.org

Ambassador program open to anyone who loves agriculture The annual Virginia Farm Bureau Ambassador competition is open to young adults who want to be a spokesperson for agriculture and represent Farm Bureau. To enter, applicants must be: Farm Bureau members who are at least 18 years old and have not reached their 26th birthdays by Dec. 31. They also must nominated by Oct. 15 and complete an application signed by their county Farm Bureau women’s committee chairman. Taylor Fix Applications are due Dec. 31. The state-level winner will be announced at the 2013 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Conference in March. He or she will receive a $3,000 scholarship from the Women’s Committee, and the runner-up will receive $500.

The winner will make public appearances across the state as a representative of agriculture and Farm Bureau. This year’s winner, Taylor Fix of Augusta County, developed a passion for agriculture by participating in FFA and other agriculture-related clubs. She recently earned an associate’s degree at Blue Ridge Community College and will attend Virginia Tech in the fall to pursue degrees in animal science and agricultural and applied economics. She hopes to eventually earn a master’s degree in cattle genetics. “Entering the Farm Bureau Ambassador contest really made me more aware of key issues facing the agriculture industry and helped prepare me to develop that message and be a better speaker,” Fix said. “The contest is a great opportunity for anyone with a passion for agriculture to speak out and express that passion and to give back to the agricultural community.” For more information about the Virginia Farm Bureau Ambassador program, visit VaFarmBureau.org/contests.

Students can get involved in Farm Bureau while attending college Students interested in becoming active Farm Bureau members can get an early start through Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s Collegiate Young Farmers program. The program provides an opportunity for students to interact with others who share an interest in agriculture. The student-led program continues to expand, reflecting an enthusiasm for agriculture among young adults. Chapters have been established at Blue Ridge Community College, Bridgewater College, Ferrum College, James Madison University, New River Community College, Virginia State University and Virginia Tech.

Programs are in the works for Southside Virginia Community College and the College of William & Mary. For more information about the Collegiate Young Farmers Program or to establish a chapter at a school in Virginia, contact Ron Saacke, VFBF director of Women and Young Farmers at 804-290-1032 or ron.saacke@vafb.com.

At national level, Young Farmers will compete for sponsored prize packages At press time, young producer members were competing for top honors in the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Achievement Award, Excellence in Agriculture Award and Discussion Meet programs. The state-level winners will compete on the national level in January at the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Nashville, Tenn. The winner of the AFBF Achievement Award, Excellence in Agriculture Award and Discussion Meet will receive their choices of a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado or 2013 GMC Sierra, courtesy of GM, and paid registration to the AFBF 2013 Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference in Phoenix.

VirginiaFarmBureau.com

Three Achievement Award runners-up will receive a Case IH Farmall 65A, courtesy of Case IH, and a $2,500 cash prize and Stihl Farm Boss chain saw, courtesy of Stihl. Three Excellence in Agriculture Award runners-up will receive a Case IH Farmall 45A, courtesy of Case IH, and a $2,500 cash prize and Stihl Farm Boss, courtesy of Stihl. Three Discussion Meet runners-up will receive a Case IH Farmall 55A, courtesy of Case IH, and a $2,500 cash prize and Stihl Farm Boss, courtesy of Stihl.

august 2012

Good for You!

Melon mania: Honey, do try some flavorful melon this summer ‘If you have a good ear, you can check a watermelon’s ripeness by thumping it. If you hear a ringing sound when the melon is thumped, it’s not ripe. A dull thud indicates ripeness.’ >> Nancy Stegon registered dietitian and Virginia Cooperative Extension agent Melons can be ripened at room temperature—two days for honeydews, three days for cantaloupes and seven days for watermelons.

by kathy dixon Melons are in the same family as squash, and their nutritive value ranks right up there with their cousins. “Melons are chock-full of vitamin C and potassium, and as an added benefit, they are low-calorie and fat- and cholesterolfree,” said Nancy Stegon, a registered dietitian and family and consumer sciences agent for Virginia Cooperative Extension in Prince William County. “Summer is melon season, and it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy these healthy fruits.” There are many varieties of melons, but the kind with deep orange flesh, such as cantaloupes, are good sources of beta carotene or vitamin A, Stegon explained. “Vitamin A is important, because it boosts immune function and vision and supports cell growth, which plays a critical role in the maintenance of the heart, lungs, kidneys and other organs.” 26

Virginia Farm Bureau News

A cup of cantaloupe provides half of an adult’s daily vitamin A requirement. “Instead of taking a daily supplement to get enough vitamin A, eat fruits and vegetables high in this nutrient throughout the year,” Stegon said. Melons won’t get sweeter after harvesting. So when selecting a melon, choose those that are symmetrical and free of cracks, bruises or soft spots; it should have just a slight softness to the touch. A sweet smell is not always the best indicator of melon quality, because those that have been chilled won’t have much smell, Stegon said. When shopping for cantaloupes and other melons with a netted rind, she said, look at the color below the netting. If it is golden, then the melon is ripe. To find a ripe watermelon, look for a spot where the melon rested on the soil. If the

spot is greenish or white, then the melon isn’t ripe, Stegon said. As watermelons ripen, the spot will turn a cream or yellowish color. “If you have a good ear, you can check a watermelon’s ripeness by thumping it,” she said. “If you hear a ringing sound when the melon is thumped, it’s not ripe. A dull thud indicates ripeness.” Melons can be ripened at room temperature for days: honeydew for two, cantaloupe for three and watermelon for seven. To enhance the flavor, some people like to sprinkle their melons with a slight dash of sea salt, Stegon said. Sea salt has the same sodium content of regular salt, but larger grains make a little bit go a long way. A squeeze of lime juice also boosts melon flavor. Stegon said she enjoys making fruit kabobs and pureeing melons into chilled soup. “Melon season only lasts a couple of months, so enjoy it while you can.” VaFarmBureau.org

Good for You!

Melon varieties: Try the traditional, or the exotic While cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon are the most well-known melon varieties, there are others out there. Look for them at your local grocery store or farmers’ market. Cantaloupe Also called a muskmelon, this familiar fruit with orange flesh and khaki-colored skin provides the most betacarotene in the entire melon family. Select melons that are slightly golden.

Melon Salsa INGREDIENTS

2 cups seeded and chopped fresh melon (honeydew, cantaloupe, watermelon or combination)

Casaba Unlike the other melons, casabas do not have an

1 cup peeled, seeded, chopped cucumber

aroma. The large melons are pale yellow when ripe and have white flesh with a sweet taste. They peak in the fall but start showing up in markets in July.

¼ cup chopped onion

Crenshaw These melons can weigh up to 10 pounds and

½ to 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped

deliver a unique sweet and spicy flavor. They are a hybrid cross of casaba and Persian melons, with a yellowish skin and salmoncolored flesh.

Honeydew The sweetest of all the melons and averaging 5 to 6 pounds, honeydews have a creamy yellow rind when ripe and pale green flesh. Persian This melon is similar to the cantaloupe but slightly larger; it has a greener rind and a finer outer netting. Persian melons peak in August and September.

Santa Claus This melon is also known as the Christmas melon because it peaks during December. With its green and gold stripes, it’s similar to the watermelon but is about a foot long and not as sweet as other melons.

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or mint

¼ cup lime juice 1 tablespoon sugar DIRECTIONS

In a medium bowl, stir together all ingredients. Cover and chill at least 30 minutes. Serve with grilled or broiled fish or chicken or with tortilla chips. Source: Montana State University Extension Service

Cantaloupe-Mango Soup INGREDIENTS

3 cups cubed cantaloupe (about 1 small)

Sharlyn This melon tastes like cantaloupe and honeydew combined. Sharlyn melons are sweet with a netted outer layer, greenish-orange rind and white flesh.

1¼ cups chopped mango (1 small) 1½ cups orange juice 3

cup low-fat vanilla yogurt

2½ teaspoons honey ¼ teaspoon ground ginger 8 teaspoon

ground nutmeg

DIRECTIONS

In blender, combine all ingredients and puree. Pour into a large serving bowl or tureen, and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. Source: American Institute for Cancer Research VirginiaFarmBureau.com

august 2012

To find the station nearest you that airs Real Virginia, or to view the show online, visit VaFarmBureau.org. photo by kathy dixon

Heart of the Home

SWEET AND SPICY SAUCE GIVES KICK TO BBQ RIBS Fresh raspberries add a nice sweet-tart taste to a traditional barbecue sauce; add a hint of spice, and you’ve got some snazzy summer ribs. “It’s a little bit different than what most people are used to,” said food writer Kendra Bailey Morris, “but the berries are really, really good with barbecued ribs.” She added that the sauce is also “excellent” with grilled chicken, pork chops or pork loin. For this recipe, Morris uses a dry rub then roasts the ribs in the oven before grilling and basting them.

Grilled Ribs with Raspberry Sorghum Sauce INGREDIENTS

2 medium racks of spareribs or baby back ribs, trimmed FOR THE DRY RUB:

1 tablespoon salt ½ tablespoon black pepper 1½ tablespoons onion powder 1½ tablespoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon chili powder ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon dry mustard FOR THE SAUCE:

1½ cups fresh raspberries 2 small cloves garlic, chopped 1 small onion, chopped ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup sorghum (or molasses) ½ cup ketchup 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 1 teaspoon powdered ginger ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS

Mix all dry rub ingredients together, and rub ribs all over. Cover and refrigerate at least an hour, but preferably overnight. VirginiaFarmBureau.com

Heat oven to 275°. Arrange ribs in a single layer in a large roasting pan. Cover tightly with foil, and roast for 2 to 2½ hours until meat is tender but not falling off the bone. Meanwhile, in a blender, puree the sauce ingredients—except salt and pepper, strain the sauce through a sieve—pressing it out well—and then pour into a saucepan and cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and set aside. Preheat a grill to medium-high. Baste the ribs generously with the sauce, and grill them until nice and crispy, being careful not to burn them. Remove the ribs to a cutting board, and cut into quarters. Serve warm with any extra sauce on the side, and lots of napkins.

MIDDLE EASTERN SALAD MIXES WELL WITH VIRGINIA PRODUCE Fattoush is a traditional Lebanese salad made with fresh, seasonal vegetables— often greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and herbs—and crunchy pita pieces. The salad is served with a garlicky dressing containing sumac, a pungent, lemonytasting spice that can be purchased online or in Middle Eastern groceries. Lemon zest is an acceptable sumac substitute. “This is a good mix of in-season vegetables and herbs, and the lemony dressing adds a nice, tart zing,” said food writer Kendra Bailey Morris. “But the best part of this salad is the crispy pita pieces.” She noted that the salad is great alongside a bowl of fresh hummus and some stuffed grape leaves.

Heirloom Tomato Fattoush Salad with Toasted Pita Bread INGREDIENTS

2 whole pita breads, sliced open 1 tablespoon olive oil salt and pepper 2 small cloves garlic, smashed or pressed pinch of salt 8 cup fresh lemon juice 8 cup red wine vinegar 1 teaspoon ground sumac OR lemon zest ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil 2 medium heirloom tomatoes, chopped 1 large cucumber, chopped 1 green pepper, chopped 1 small onion, chopped 2 cups lettuce, chopped (Romaine, arugula or mixed greens) ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves ¼ cup fresh mint leaves DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375°. Brush pita slices with olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Place pitas on a baking sheet and bake until crunchy. Break pitas into small pieces and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the crushed garlic with a pinch of salt. Add lemon juice, red wine vinegar and sumac or lemon zest, then slowly whisk in the olive oil (You also can place all the dressing ingredients in a lidded glass jar and shake vigorously). Season with salt and pepper. In a large bowl, mix the tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, onion, lettuce and herbs. Add the broken pita pieces, and toss with part of the dressing to coat. Serve the salad immediately. Extra pita pieces and any additional dressing can be served on the side.

Kendra Bailey Morris appears each month on Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s monthly television program, courtesy of Virginia Grown, a program of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Morris is an author and culinary instructor whose work appears in Better Homes and Gardens, Food Republic, Virginia Living, Chile Pepper and other publications and is a former food columnist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Her blog is at fatbackandfoiegras.blogspot.com. august 2012

Marketplace CROPS

FARM EQUIPMENT

DEER AND RABBIT REPELLENT – $12.95 Makes 10 gallons. Safe, effective, long-lasting, guaranteed. www.repels.net. 540-586-6798.

DR FIELD BRUSH MOWER – 13-hp. plus snow blower, new condition, extra new parts, $2,200. 703-241-9667.

CUT YOUR OWN – Christmas tree. Thanksgiving weekend until Christmas, 9 am-5 pm, Dolphin. Call 434-532-5285. AZOMITE – Mineral supplement with over 70 trace elements. www. Azomite.com for Va. dealers. DF International 540-373-3276. ANTIQUE APPLE TREES – Summer Rambo, Wolf River, Virginia Beauty, Yellow Transparent. Over 100 different varieties available for planting. Catalog $3. Write Urban Homestead, 818-A Cumberland Street, Bristol, VA 24201. 276-466-2931. www.OldVaApples.com FRUIT TREES – Apple, Pear, Pawpaw and Fig. Volume discount for quantity available. Named cultivars. 804-598-3856.

CENTER TOP LINK – For 6420JD like new for sale, $200 plus freight. 540-651-3535. TRANSMISSION – C-6 for 6.9 Ford/IH diesel with torque converter, 5k since overhaul, $495. 276-694-6211.

FOR SALE – 11-ft. Perfecta-II field cultivator with rollers, excellent condition. 434-447-4714.

HAY AND STRAW Low sugar, low starch Teff hay for insulin resistant or founder prone horses. Nutrition tested small square bales. Call (757) 287-7285 or see our website. www.threecedarsfarm.com

LIVESTOCK

SQUARE BALER – New Holland 570, hyd. tensioner Hoelscher bale accumulator, grapple. Bailed 2,000 bales. 276-608-0884.

ANGUS BULLS – Calving ease, semen tested, excellent bloodlines, reasonably priced and good selection. Delivery available, C-Stock farm, Scottsville. Day 434-286-2743 after 7 p.m. 434-981-1397 or 434-286-2423.

FOR SALE – 620 John Deere hay tedder, 630 round baler and more. 540-872-3323.

BARN CATS – Need homes, all medical done, some friendly, some feral. AARF 804-355-1357.

TWO – Trailer frames, 60-ft. 8-inch I-beam, 6 axles, 12 tires each, pintle hitches $2,000 OBO. 276-682-4256.

ALPACAS – For sale. All registered and good for breeding, fleece or pets. 540-421-7510.

WANTED – Tractor tires used 7:50/16 and 14,9/28 for Ford 3400. 540-885-3008.

CHAROLAIS BULLS – High quality and easy calving, veterinarian owned. $1,075 to $1,875. Abingdon, Va. 276-628-9543.

FOR SALE – Ford mounted corn picker, barn kept. 434-922-7158.

TEXAS LONGHORNS – Registered steers and breeding stock available. www.lakecountrylonghorns.com. 757-460-2088. MADISON COUNTY – Raised all natural, 100% pastured, grain finished Angus, Angus x beef. Wholesale whole, 1/2, 1/4 sides. Retail by pound, select packs via USPS shipping. Purchases at farm call 540-923-4036. www.Ridersbackfieldfarmbeef.com. REGISTERED – Black Angus seed stock; fall born; bulls and heifers; AI sire. Sammy Smith 434-664-8767. BLACK PERCHERON MARE – Two years old registered $800, black registered yearling stud $900 nice. 804-837-9613.

LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT MANUAL – Cattle headgate, two round bale feeders, two 10-ft. bulk feeders, all for $475. 434-392-7451.

2013 magazine classified ad schedule and policies Members of Virginia Farm Bureau will receive one free 15-word classified ad per membership per year in Virginia 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 the January 2013 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 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 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).

Watch this!

To view Finding your member number Real Virginia , visit VaFarmBureau.org 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 Virginia Farm Bureau News. All member numbers will be verified. 30

Virginia Farm Bureau News

VaFarmBureau.org

Marketplace NEW MEMBER SERVICE:

Find the summer’s freshest farm products near you, with Farm Bureau Fresh Farm Bureau Fresh, based on the Virginia Farm Bureau website at VaFarmBureau.org/ marketplace, lets members who farm place free, searchable listings for local foods and other farm products. Consumers can use Farm Bureau Fresh to search for products in any of 11 categories (New categories are being developed this summer as well), or use a ZIP code to locate all producers in an area who sell to the public. In addition to addresses, phone numbers and farm websites, Farm Bureau Fresh provides a map and Google travel directions.

Products currently are being listed in the following categories:

• agritourism; • aquaculture; • bees and honey; • Christmas trees; • CSAs; • flowers; • fruit; • mushrooms; • pick-your-own; • pumpkins; and • vegetables.

FARM BUREAU FRESH listings are available exclusively to Farm Bureau producer members in Virginia, and you can list your products in as many applicable categories as you like. To see how Farm Bureau Fresh works—and then list your farm products for interested buyers—visit VaFarmBureau.org/ marketplace. Fresh vegetables and fruits, pick-your-own venues, pumpkins and cut flowers are among the products consumers can find with Farm Bureau Fresh.

State fair, Virginia-grown produce featured in August’s Real Virginia

Watch this!

To view Real Virginia, visit VaFarmBureau.org

VirginiaFarmBureau.com

A new partnership is paving the way for an agricultural emphasis at the State Fair of Virginia, and produce farmers statewide are doing their best to turn out blue-ribbon fruits and vegetables. Food writer Kendra Bailey Morris shares a Middle Eastern salad recipe that’s tasty when made with Virginia-grown tomatoes, and Andy Hankins shares some information on growing heirloom tomato varieties. It’s all on Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s monthly television program. Real Virginia airs nationwide at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month on RFD-TV, as well as on 41 cable systems and five broadcast stations in Virginia. It’s also available online at VaFarmBureau.org. Check local cable listings, or visit VaFarmBureau.org for a list of participating stations.

august 2012

Land. The best investment on earth.

Financing for: r Building or buying a home r Farms, lots & home sites r Small or large tracts of land 速 r Timber & recreational tracts r Hunting & fishing properties

If you are interested in owning your own land, Farm Credit can help. We have been providing financing for land and farms to people just like you for 95 years.

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