FBN Sept 2015 by Virginia Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau News

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

The Voice of Virginiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Agricultural Producers

VAFARMBUREAU.ORG

Veterans who farm get a boost

Farm Bureau News

Volume 74, Number 6 September/October 2015

Features 12

“Who puts in long hours and hard

Homegrown by Heroes helps veterans promote ag products

work? Veterans and

A new branding program by the Farmer Veteran Coalition is helping veteran farmers promote agricultural products.

VFBF AgPAC endorses candidates for General Assembly seats

Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC has endorsed 115 candidates for seats in the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates.

KATHY DIXON

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).

farmers.”

—DAVID HUDSON, Hudson Heritage Farm in Halifax County

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

Nursery cuts water, fertilizer use with evapotranspiration

Technology being studied by the University of Florida has helped a Nelson County nursery cut its water use by about two-thirds.

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 virginiafarmbureaunews@vafb.com. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Departments 9

Across America

10 Viewing Virginia

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

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Officers Wayne F. Pryor, President Scott E. Sink, Vice President

For Your Benefit

Board of Directors

A Pie for Every Season

Heart of the Home

Marketplace

Emily Edmondson 1 Tazewell Richard L. Sutherland 2 Grayson Evelyn H. Janney 3 Floyd Gordon R. Metz 4 Henry Stephen L. Saufley 5 Rockingham Peter A. Truban 6 Shenandoah Thomas E. Graves 7 Orange Leigh H. Pemberton 8 Hanover William F. Osl Jr. 9 Cumberland Robert J. Mills Jr. 10 Pittsylvania J. M. Jenkins Jr. 11 Lunenburg W. Ellis Walton 12 Middlesex M. L. Everett Jr. 13 Southampton David L. Hickman 14 Accomack Janice R. Burton * Halifax Grant A. Coffee ** Lunenburg

PUBLICATION SCHEDULE

ON THE COVER

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

David Hudson of Halifax County is a veteran and participant in the Homegrown by Heroes branding program (Photo by Kathy Dixon).

DIRECTOR

DISTRICT COUNTY

*Women’s Committee Chairman **Young Farmers Committee Chairman

Save the Date!

Last year’s winner in the giant pumpkin competition (on platform) set a State Fair record.

State Fair of Virginia serves up more agriculture, food and fun

64 Number of county Farm Bureaus in Virginia that awarded scholarships in 2014 (See related article on Page 21).

Agriculture, food, rides, attractions and fun will be in full swing when the 2015 Farm Bureau members can State Fair of Virginia opens Sept. 25 at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County. SAVE $5 ON TICKETS The event will run through Oct. 4. Farm Bureau members in Virginia Last year’s fair drew about 238,000 can save $5 off the regular price of guests. State Fair of Virginia tickets (up to Details can be found on the fair’s newly four tickets per current membership) redesigned website at StateFairVa.org and when they buy online before Sept. 25. on Facebook (Facebook.com/StateFairVa) Order tickets via the ticket purchase and Twitter (Twitter.com/StateFairVa). page at StateFairVa.org, use the New for 2015 will be several attractions, Discount Code FBDEALFAIR15 and including Agricadabra, a high-energy your membership number to enjoy interactive show for children that mixes this exclusive member savings. agriculture, education and magic; and The Birdman, the world’s largest traveling bird show, featuring giant trained cassowaries and condors. This year’s arts and crafts competitions include scrapbooking and gourd decorating. Fairy gardens have been added to this year’s horticulture judging. The crowd-pleasing weigh-ins for the annual giant pumpkin and watermelon contests will be held Sept. 26. Last year’s pumpkin and watermelon winners both broke State Fair records, weighing in at 1,203.2 and 218.5 pounds, respectively. All musical performances at this year’s fair will be on the Festival Stage. Among performers confirmed at press time were fairgoer favorites the Charlie Daniels Band, Australian rockers The Little River Band, progressive bluegrass band the Steep Canyon Rangers, and rising country artists Chris Janson and Josh Thompson.

VaFarmBureau.org / SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

Save the Date!

Annual Convention returning to Norfolk The 2015 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention will be held Dec. 1-3 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott. The opening luncheon will feature a keynote address by Darryl Jenkins, chairman of the American Aviation Institute and a Virginia farmowner. Jenkins is among the leading experts on drones and their potential impact on U.S. agriculture. Members will be able to learn about Farm Bureau membership and branding efforts; being an advocate for agriculture; and ways to address property security concerns during Tuesday workshops. There also will be a special workshop for first-time delegates. Back by popular demand will be the cruise and tour aboard the Spirit of Norfolk on the evening of Nov. 30. For more information or to view the agenda, visit events.SignUp4.com/AnnualConvention2015. Members can register to attend through their county Farm Bureaus. The Annual Convention was last held in Norfolk in 2011.

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

County Farm Bureaus ready to help clients with individual health insurance plans

Open enrollment for 2016 marketplace Open enrollment for the 2016 marketplace is Nov. 1, 2015, through Jan. 31, 2016. If you don’t enroll in a 2016 plan by Jan. 31, 2016, you can’t enroll in a health insurance plan unless you qualify for a special enrollment period. Special enrollment periods include job changes or retirement; turning 26 and no longer being included on a parent’s policy; and the birth of a child.

Important dates for 2016 enrollment:

When the Affordable Care Act went into effect, county Farm Bureaus saw an influx of business—and health insurance questions.

BY SARA OWENS

Purchasing a health insurance plan can be confusing. To help make the process easier, each county Farm Bureau office in Virginia employs a health insurance specialist to help consumers assess their health insurance options—whether they’re purchasing on the federal healthcare exchange during open enrollment or purchasing Medicare or Part D supplements. In each county Farm Bureau office, health insurance products are sold through member service specialists or county administrative assistants. Each MSS and CAA who sells health insurance is required to hold a property and casualty insurance license and life and health insurance license, acquire 24 continuing education credits every two years and hold certifications from America’s Health Insurance Plans and Wellpoint by Anthem. Once the Affordable Care Act went

into effect, county Farm Bureaus saw an influx of business that surges with each open enrollment period. “The majority of my clients are really confused with all the information that is out there, whether it is for ACA plans or Medicare supplements or Part D coverage,” said Rina Van Vactor, a CAA for Chesapeake Farm Bureau. She said her Medicare clients receive an overwhelming amount of health insurance-related mail when they turn 65, and some have found searching for a plan on healthcare.gov confusing. “I help all of my clients understand the terminology and know their

JUSTICE

Nov. 1, 2015 – open enrollment starts Jan. 1, 2016 – first date 2016 coverage can start Jan. 31, 2016 – open enrollment ends

options,” Van Vactor said. “When you look on healthcare.gov, there are a lot of charts with plans, and sometimes clients are not sure what they’re getting, so I help them do the legwork.” Amber Justice, a CAA at Orange County Farm Bureau, said she fields a variety of questions when reviewing ACA plans with clients. Many are routine, such as “Why do I have to have insurance?” “What is the fine or penalty (for being uninsured)?” and “What exactly is considered ‘routine’?” Justice said a couple of clients— including a man in his 50s—have asked her why they need maternity coverage.

VaFarmBureau.org / SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

“When you look on healthcare.gov, there are a lot of charts with plans, and sometimes clients are not sure what they’re getting, so I help them do the legwork.” —RINA VAN VACTOR, county administrative assistant, Chesapeake Farm Bureau

Multiple types of personal, group policies available through Farm Bureau Virginia Farm Bureau sells individual health insurance products for members and their families, as well as products for small businesses and Medicare Part D coverage through Anthem. Individual policies are available through: • Anthem

“People have a lot of questions, and we’re here to help them understand the answers,” she said. Nikki Wilson, senior MSS in Franklin County Farm Bureau’s Rocky Mount office, has sold health insurance for 16 years. “There is much more follow-up and customer service” today, Wilson said.

VAN VACTOR

“Prior to ACA, we rarely heard from our health clients. Now we constantly hear from them.” Wilson said she enjoys helping all of her clients understand their policies, especially her Medicare clients. “When

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

they come into my office, they’re often confused, stressed and nervous about going onto Medicare. It gives me such pride and joy watching (clients) leave my office with an understanding of the products and with less worry—just peace of mind.” Mark Khatib, executive vice president of Virginia Farm Bureau’s healthcare operations, said the health insurance markets became considerably more complicated with passage of ACA. “Our valued members and customers relied on and turned to our MSS and CAA teams for much-needed assistance, and they did a great job under very difficult circumstances,” he said. “Our team worked diligently to learn large amounts of information and gained the ability to explain complicated rules and regulations so our members could make informed decisions. We take great pride in our work and will continue to learn, grow and adapt to an ever-changing industry.”

• Aetna • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield • Humana • Innovation Health • Optima Health • United Healthcare Group policies are available through: • Anthem • Aetna • Cigna • CareFirst • Kaiser Permanente • Optima Health • United Healthcare Call your county Farm Bureau office with health insurance-related questions. Not all carriers are available in every county.

VFBF AgPAC endorses 115 candidates for General Assembly seats Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC, the political action committee of Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, announced Aug. 21 its endorsement of 28 candidates for the Virginia Senate and 87 candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates. The endorsements are based on the recommendations of local committees of farmers. Candidates who receive VFBF AgPAC endorsements “have demonstrated a clear understanding of the needs and challenges farmers are facing and/or have proven their support through their favorable voting records while holding positions in the General Assembly,” said Wayne F. Pryor, chairman of VFBF AgPAC and president of Virginia Farm Bureau. “We believe the endorsed candidates will help agriculture and forestry maintain its vitality as the No. 1 industry in Virginia.” The non-partisan VFBF AgPAC was created by Farm Bureau in 1999 and employs in-kind contributions to support candidates who can best support agriculture and Farm Bureau issues.

Endorsed for Virginia Senate 3rd District – Thomas K. Norment, Jr.*(R) 4th District – Ryan McDougle* (R) 5th District – Kenneth Alexander* (D) 6th District – Lynwood Lewis* (D)

33rd District – Jennifer Wexton* (D) 35th District – Richard L. “Dick” Saslaw* (D) 36th District – Gerald “Jerry” Foreman (R) 38th District – Ben Chafin* (R) 40th District – Charles W. “Bill” Carrico* (R)

7th District – Frank Wagner* (R) 8th District – Bill R. DeSteph, Jr. (R)

Endorsed for Virginia House

10th District – Glen Sturtevant (R)

of Delegates

11th District – Amanda Chase (R) 12th District – Siobhan Dunnavant (R) 14th District – John Cosgrove* (R) 15th District – Frank Ruff* (R) 16th District – Rosalyn Dance* (D) 17th District – Bryce Reeves* (R) 19th District – David R. Suetterlein (R) 20th District – William M. “Bill” Stanley, Jr* (R) 22nd District – Thomas A. Garrett Jr.* (R) 23rd District – Steve Newman* (R) 24th District – Emmett Hanger* (R) 25th District – Creigh Deeds* (D) 26th District – Mark Obenshain* (R) 27th District – Jill Vogel* (R) 28th District – Richard Stuart* (R) 29th District – Harry “Hal” Parrish (R)

1st District – Terry Kilgore* (R) 2nd District – Mark Dudenhefer (R) 3rd District – James W. “Will” Morefield* (R)

“We believe the endorsed candidates will help agriculture and forestry maintain its vitality as the No. 1 industry in Virginia.” —WAYNE F. PRYOR, chairman of VFBF AgPAC and president of Virginia Farm Bureau

4th District – Todd Pillion* (R) 5th District – Israel O’Quinn* (R) 6th District – Jeffery Campbell* (R) 7th District – Larry N. “Nick” Rush* (R)

17th District – Christopher Head* (R)

8th District – Greg Habeeb* (R)

18th District – Michael Webert* (R)

9th District – Charles Poindexter* (R)

19th District – Terry Austin* (R)

10th District – Randy Minchew* (R)

20th District – Richard P. “Dickie” Bell* (R)

11th District – Sam Rasoul* (D)

21st District – Ron Villanueva* (R)

12th District – Joseph Yost* (R)

22nd District – Kathy Byron* (R)

14th District – Danny Marshall* (R)

23rd District – Scott Garrett* (R)

15th District – Todd Gilbert* (R)

24th District – Ben Cline* (R)

16th District – Les Adams* (R)

25th District – Steve Landes* (R)

VaFarmBureau.org / SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

58th District – Rob Bell* (R) 59th District – Matt Fariss* (R) 60th District – James Edmunds* (R) 61st District – Thomas C. Wright, Jr.* (R) 62nd District – Riley Ingram* (R) 63rd District – Lashrecse Aird (D) 65th District – Lee Ware* (R) 66th District – Kirk Cox* (R) 67th District – James LeMunyon* (R) 68th District – Manoli Loupassi* (R) 69th District – Betsy Carr* (D) 70th District – Delores McQuinn* (D) 72nd District – Jimmie P. Massie* (R) 73rd District – John O’Bannon* (R) 74th District – Lamont Bagby (D) 75th District – Roslyn Tyler* (D) 76th District – Chris Jones* (R) 77th District – Lionell Spruill, Sr.* (D) 78th District – J. A. “Jay” Leftwich* (R) 79th District – Steve Heretick (D) 80th District – Matthew James* (D) 81st District – Barry Knight* (R) 82nd District – Jason Miyares (R) 83rd District – Chris Stolle* (R) 84th District – Glenn Davis* (R) 85th District – Scott Taylor* (R) 86th District – Raul “Danny” Vargas (R) 88th District – Mark Cole* (R) 89th District – Daun Hester* (D) 90th District – Joseph Lindsey* (D) 91st District – Gordon Helsel* (R) Oct. 13 is the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 3 general election in Virginia.

93rd District – T. “Monty” Mason* (D) 94th District – David Yancey* (R) 95th District – Pricillia Burnett (I) 96th District – Brenda Pogge* (R)

26th District – Tony Wilt* (R)

40th District – Tim Hugo* (R)

97th District – Christopher Peace* (R)

27th District – Roxann Robinson* (R)

41st District – Eileen Filler-Corn* (D)

98th District – Keith Hodges* (R)

28th District – William J. “Bill” Howell* (R)

42nd District – David Albo* (R)

99th District – Margaret Ransone* (R)

29th District – Christopher Collins (R)

47th District – Patrick Hope* (D)

100th District – Robert S. Bloxom* (R)

30th District – Nicholas Freitas (R)

48th District – R. C. “Rip” Sullivan* (D)

31st District – Scott Lingamfelter* (R)

50th District – Jackson Miller* (R)

32nd District – Thomas “Tag” Greason* (R)

51st District – Richard Anderson* (R)

33rd District – Dave LaRock* (R)

52nd District – Luke Torian* (D)

34th District – Kathleen Murphy* (D)

54th District – Robert “Bobby” Orrock* (R)

35th District – Mark Keam* (D)

55th District – H. F. “Buddy” Fowler* (R)

37th District – David Bulova* (D)

56th District – Peter Farrell* (R)

38th District – Kaye Kory* (D)

57th District – David Toscano* (D)

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

* indicates incumbent candidates

Across America

Bull, beef industry prices are up nationwide

one mature bull to breed 25 cows in a 60-day breeding season. If everyone needs one more bull per every additional 25 cattle they add to their herd, that’s a lot of bulls.” There are 30.5 million beef cattle in the United States, an increase of 3 percent from July 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s cattle inventory report. As of Jan. 1, Virginia had 637,000 head of beef cattle.

Farmers spent close to $400 billion on 2014 production costs

U.S. beef producers have been building up their herds.

While droughts in 2011 and 2012 decreased cattle herds across the country, the beef industry is now enjoying an increase in demand and price— particularly prices for breeding bulls. “In 2011 and 2012, cow herds were smaller, and feeder cattle prices increased in the wake of the drought. However, demand for beef did not decrease, so prices went up,” explained Robert Harper, who owns cow-calf operations in Goochland and Powhatan counties and is a commodity marketing specialist for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. The drought created a ripple effect across the beef industry, Harper said.

“Due to the demand for beef and the smaller size of beef cattle herds in the United States, we’ve seen an uptick in the value of breeding bulls. Seed stock producers are seeing an increase in price when selling their bulls, from 20 to 40 percent depending on their location and reputation.” Harper said the higher price of feeder cattle and good amounts of rainfall to grow pastures and hay since 2013 have encouraged cow-calf operations to add more cows, creating a need for more bulls and driving prices even higher. “There’s an increase in value and demand. Typically a farmer will use

U.S. farmers spent $397.6 billion on agricultural production in 2014, up 8.3 percent from 2013. That’s the largest increase since 2008, according to the Farm Production Expenditures Annual Summary, published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Feed, already the largest expenditure category for the nation’s farmers, saw the highest increase since 2013. In 2014, producers spent $63.7 billion on animal feed, up 16 percent from the previous year. Farm services, livestock, poultry and related expenses and labor were the other three major categories that saw an increase of 11.4 percent, 11.3 percent and 8.6 percent respectively. Per farm, average expenditures totaled $191,500 compared with $175,270 in 2013, up 9.3 percent. As in the previous year, crop farms accounted for the majority of production expenditures in 2014, although the gap between the sectors was significantly smaller than in previous years. The average expenditure per crop farm totaled $213,150 compared to $173,285 per livestock farm.

VaFarmBureau.org / SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

Viewing Virginia

Virginia apple production ranked sixth nationwide

Introduced in 2004, the MarketMaker portal is being used in 21 states. Most Virginia apples are grown for processing.

Virginia’s commercial orchards yielded about 4.6 million bushels of apples in 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Fresh market apples totaled 80 million pounds, while apples grown for processing accounted for 115 million pounds. Virginia is ranked sixth nationally for apple production. “While we are down from a 5.7 million-bushel crop in 2012, overall the last two years have been good for growers from a production standpoint,” said Spencer Neale, vice president of commodity marketing for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. The decline in production from 2012 can be attributed to fewer bearing acres of apples. Acreage dropped from 11,000 to 10,400 over the past three years. Neale said growers with whom he had talked this summer “feel good about the 2015 crop, although the final outcome won’t be known until the harvest is done.” 10

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

MarketMaker portal available in Virginia BY VERONICA ROBERTSON

hrough an online portal called MarketMaker, buyers can experience a virtual marketplace showcasing products from Virginia farms. MarketMaker, which is at va.foodmarketmaker.com, was established to increase access and acquisition of Virginia products and connect farmers with buyers who want their products. It has been introduced in 21 states since 2004. Virginia Cooperative Extension spearheaded the effort to bring it to Virginia. “Virginia Tech has been working on this project for some time,” said Julia Schlosser, Virginia Foundation for Agriculture Innovation and Rural Sustainability project manager. VA FAIRS, an affiliate of Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, along with Colonial Farm Credit, Farm Credit of

the Virginias, the Virginia Agribusiness Council and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, helped the state gain access to MarketMaker. “The program has met with success in other states, and it could be a valuable tool to Virginia producers,” Schlosser said. Meat, poultry, fish, fruits and vegetables and wines are all available on MarketMaker. The tool also provides producers with current information on what is selling and for how much. “The MarketMaker tool will serve as an online marketplace to buy, sell and trade local food and agriculture products to individuals, wholesalers and restaurateurs. Essentially it will provide farm-to-fork access to participants across the food supply chain,” Schlosser said.

Viewing Virginia

A V e t o V I m r a F #I Participants in the Young Farmers Summer Expo were among the first members to participate in the “I Farm I Vote” campaign.

New campaign encourages farmers to vote this fall

The best way for the concerns of rural communities to be recognized on the local, state and national levels is for farmers and other rural residents to get out and vote. To that end, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation has launched its “I Farm I Vote” campaign. “All 140 seats in the Virginia General Assembly are up for election this year. It’s crucial for farmers to let their voices be heard and elect people who will make decisions in agriculture’s

best interests,” said Kelly Pruitt, VFBF grassroots coordinator. This summer Farm Bureau will be encouraging rural voters to display “I Farm I Vote” signs on their property and take photos with their signs to post to social media with the hashtag #IFarmIVoteVA. To participate, visit VaFarmBureau. org/PolicyAction/IFarmIVote.aspx to print a sign, or contact a county Farm Bureau office for more information.

VaFarmBureau.org / SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

•

HUDSON HERITAGE FARM sites.google.com/site/hudsonheritagefarms VIRGINIA VEGETABLE COMPANY vafarmer.com

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

“I think if people see the label and know that they’re supporting veteran farmers, they will be inclined to buy that product,” said Homegrown by Heroes participant Paul Meyer.

• • HBH • •

Farmer Veterans

HOMEGROWN BY HEROES HELPS VETERANS PROMOTE AG PRODUCTS PHOTOS AND ARTICLE BY KATHY DIXON

ctor and activist Christopher Reeve said a hero “is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” And a military veteran turned farmer with no prior farming experience fits that definition. A new awareness program by the Farmer Veteran Coalition called “Homegrown By Heroes” is helping veteran farmers promote their agricultural products. “I don’t think the Homegrown by Heroes program is that well-known yet, but I think if people see the label and know they’re supporting veteran farmers, they will be inclined to buy that product,” said Paul Meyer, one of a half-dozen Virginia farmers participating in the program. He owns and operates the Virginia Vegetable Company in Powhatan County, where he grows everything from basil to heirloom tomatoes. He offers community-supported agriculture memberships and sells produce at local farmers’ markets and to restaurants. He recently began preserving some of his produce and plans to market those products using the HBH labels. Other HBH farmers, David and Denise Hudson, sell meat products from their Halifax County Hudson Heritage Farm and promote the fact that they are veterans every chance they get. They said participating in the HBH program gives them a label to support that. “Consumers want to understand where their food comes from, and they like to support certain things—like veterans— age Farm • • Hudson Herit so this is one way they can do both,” David Hudson said. D HUDSON DENISE AND DAVI

VaFarmBureau.org / SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

• • HBH • •

“Consumers want to understand where their food comes from, and they like to support certain things—like Denise Hudson shows the Homegrown by Heroes product label and sign she and her husband display on their products and Halifax County farm.

A similar work ethic Neither Meyer nor the Hudsons had agricultural backgrounds, but they chose to farm. David Hudson said there is a natural affinity between farming and military service. “Who puts in long hours and hard work? Veterans and farmers. Veterans don’t make a lot of money; neither do farmers. And veterans and farmers both support people.” The Hudsons both served in the Air Force and the Army Guard. David Hudson remained active with the Air Force Reserve and then the Alaska Army National Guard before retiring in 2012. The couple established their farm in 2009. Meyer went from self-proclaimed “Virginia Beach surfer boy” to a member of the U.S. Coast Guard before he began his farming operation two years ago. He is

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

veterans.” —DAVID HUDSON, Hudson Heritage Farm in Halifax County

• • HBH • •

currently growing organic vegetables inside a re-purposed chicken house. The Hudsons had a single goat in 2010 but now have about 80 Boer, Myotonic and Spanish goats, 20 Large Black and Tamworth hogs, Highland cattle, Jersey milk cows and 70 Dorset horned sheep. They also teach classes on how to make butter, cheese and pasta, how to break down a side of beef, how to can foods, and other traditional food practices. The couple recently purchased an old country store in the town of Elmo that was a boys’ academy in 1790. They are converting it to a farmstead brewery and tasting room called Ruminant Brewery, and they plan to make it a community gathering place and serve farm-to-table dinners. Meyer also is planning to expand his operation to include farm-to-table dinners. He’s currently building a deck and pergola overlooking a koi pond. Below: Paul Meyer, who served in the Coast Guard, grows produce in Powhatan County.

• Virginia Vegetable Company •

PAUL MEYER

VETERAN PROGRAM INCLUDES LABELS AND SIGNAGE TO SELL AG PRODUCTS Homegrown by Heroes is a program of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, which was formed in 2007 to promote veteran farmers in every sector of the farming industry. By 2013, the FVC had entered into agreements with the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Farm Credit Council and the National Farmers Union. That same year the Kentucky Department of Agriculture launched the HBH campaign to give that state’s farmer veterans recognition in the marketplace for their military service. On Veterans Day 2013, the FVC was given the license to promote and certify HBH in all 50 states. The Farm Credit Council gave the coalition $250,000 to launch the campaign. Participating farmers receive an HBH sign and product labels. Find out more at

farmvetco.org/ homegrown-by-heroes.

VaFarmBureau.org / SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

Cutting-edge technology:

Evapotranspiration reduces water, fertilizer use at Nelson County nursery BY KATHY DIXON

Data collected first year After agreeing to a five-year trial period, Saunders started implementing the system. The first year required some experimentation to collect data to determine irrigation requirements for the nursery’s summer plants. Using their software, University of Florida researchers remotely irrigated five different types of container plants at the nursery. At

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

the same time, Saunders Brothers employees irrigated the same five types of plants using traditional methods. “At the end of that year, we lost less of the plants they watered remotely, and it was so much easier,” Saunders said. After analyzing the crops to see how much water was leaching out of the containers, “we found we had been over-irrigating our crops,” Saunders said. And after another year of experimenting, he discovered that he could grow the same crops and have higher-quality plants with less fertilizer and less water.

Weather data required To gather weather information, Saunders installed a station that monitors the four most important weather variables that dictate ET levels for his crops: solar radiation, temperature, relative humidity and wind. University of Florida professors used the weather information to tweak the ET software and wirelessly irrigate three test crops in the nursery. Then they needed a control system that would take the remote data and wirelessly bypass the traditional controllers to irrigate the plants.

Pennsylvania developer builds hardware Saunders and his team met with companies that build control systems, but none were quite right. Then one of Saunders’ irrigation system vendors told him about a man in Erie, Pa., who could manufacture the hardware for their ET system. “In the summer of 2012 we met in a Food Lion parking lot and bought pizza for dinner,” Saunders recalled. And the deal was sealed. Russ Illig customized a Fralo control system to work with the university software using information from the weather station. “It’s automated and wireless,” Saunders explained. “And the improved plant quality will generate enough revenue to pay for the system.”

PHOTOS BY KATHY DIXON

Automated waterers in the greenhouses are controlled by a remote system, which Saunders Brothers employees Lindsay Day (left) and June Stanley monitor on a regular basis.

Over the past five years, Saunders Brothers Nursery has cut its water consumption from 220 million gallons per year to less than 70 million gallons. “The water conservation has been phenomenal,” said Tom Saunders, the company’s container nursery manager. “And we’ve cut our fertilizer usage as much as a third on some crops! This technology makes us ecofriendly, and I just think it’s a no-brainer.” The technology to which Saunders referred is an evapotranspiration, or ET, system that traditionally has been used on row crops. ET is a measurement of the amount of water required for plant growth. It measures the quantity of water transpired from plants and evaporated from the surface of surrounding soil. ET is based on temperature, precipitation, cloud cover and plant type. Saunders was attending a professional development conference in 2010 when he heard that the University of Florida was developing software to apply ET technology for use with container plants. The university needed a guinea pig, and Saunders readily volunteered. The nursery operates 400 greenhouses, and 65 percent of the plants are grown in containers, so there were plenty of plants with which to experiment. “Tom is very, very committed to ensuring the system is working appropriately to determine and satisfy plant water needs,” said Tom Yeager, who worked with another University of Florida representative, Jeff Million, on the program.

Tom Saunders and employees Stanley and Day checked container boxwoods to ensure the evapotranspiration system was providing adequate water.

VaFarmBureau.org / SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

Expo ‘shore’ offered Young Farmers About 175 participants from 48 counties took part in the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Summer Expo July 24-26 on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The family-friendly event was held in several locations on Virginia’s eastern-most edge. And it drew Young Farmers from some of its western-most points, like Lee, Russell, Tazewell and Washington counties. It was hosted by the VFBF Young Farmers Committee and the relatively new Eastern Shore Young Farmers group, comprised of members in Northampton and Accomack counties. The agenda included judging for annual awards, policy discussion and opportunities to network and socialize in a relaxed setting. There also were tours of numerous local farms and other points of interest, as well as opportuni18

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

ties for a beach outing and a stop on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.

Young Farmers take part in emerging Farm Bureau discussions The Young Farmers are a congenial bunch, but for an hour or so, things got downright confrontational. Event participants were asked to confront—and discuss—issues that Virginia Farm Bureau Federation is asking producer members statewide to talk about in the interest of policy development. Nicknamed “Confronting the Issues,” the dialogue focused on emerging issues and those that elicit a variety of opinions among members: • unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, their implications for agriculture and how they should be regulated; • production and regulation of legalized marijuana;

• migratory birds and the current programs to curb damage they do; • unpasteurized milk and how—or whether—it should be distributed and regulated; and • unregistered farm vehicles and current state rules for their use. Expo participants divided into smaller groups to talk about the issues. Wilmer Stoneman, VFBF associate director of governmental relations, encouraged open, honest discussions. In the discussion on unpasteurized milk, Young Farmers and dairy producers Casey Phillips of Montgomery County and Coley Jones Drinkwater of Dinwiddie County began by sharing their opinions. Then they asked for others’ thoughts. “It’s OK to disagree. That’s why we’re here—to hash this out,” Phillips said. “Because it starts from the ground up.”

PHOTOS BY PAM WILEY

Young Farmers Summer Expo participants saw the wild and cultivated sides of Virginia's Eastern Shore. They also had opportunities to socialize and enjoy some local seafood.

lots of options “I Farm I Vote” launched at event Young Farmers also were introduced to the VFBF “I Farm I Vote” campaign (See related article, Page 11). They were given laminated “I Farm I Vote” signs and encouraged to post selfies with the signs to help remind candidates that rural Virginians still vote and rural votes still have value. When asked who among them used various social media platforms to communicate about their farms, nearly everyone indicated he or she uses at least one. Stoneman encouraged them to step up their communication on the industry’s behalf. “Feel free to respond to some of these articles where they portray agriculture as the big bad dog, environmentally or with regard to animal welfare.”

Va. winners to compete for national Young Farmers honors, prizes Winners of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Excellence in Agriculture Award, Discussion Meet and Achievement Award will compete on the national level at the 2016 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention, Jan. 10-13 in Orlando, Fla. The winners of the AFBF Excellence in Agriculture Award, Discussion Meet and Achievement Award will get their choice of a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado or 2016 GMC Sierra, courtesy of GM, and paid registration to the 2016 AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference, Feb. 12-15 in Kansas City, Mo. The three finalists for the Excellence in Agriculture Award, Discussion Meet and Achievement Award will receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor, courtesy of Case IH, and a $2,500 cash prize and $500 in Stihl merchandise, courtesy of Stihl. *In the event any of the above awards are unavailable, AFBF reserves the right to substitute a prize of comparable or greater value at its sole discretion.

VaFarmBureau.org / SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

Young Farmers honored by their peers

She will receive a Kubota RTV utility vehicle, courtesy of Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Services and Experient Health, and a Stihl chain saw from Mid-Atlantic Stihl. She also will receive a travel package to the 2016 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla., where she will compete for the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award. Chris Van Vlack of Loudoun County is this year’s runner-up. Van Vlack is an urban/ag conservationist for the Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District and operates Hanging Rock Hay and Bush Hog, which offers custom hay baling and mowing services. He also will receive a travel package to the AFBF Annual Convention.

MCCROSKEY

Washington County educator wins Excellence in Agriculture Award Mindy McCroskey of Washington County is this year’s Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Excellence in Agriculture Award winner. The award recognizes individuals for involvement in agriculture, leadership ability and involvement and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations. McCroskey is an agricultural educator and FFA advisor at Abingdon High School. She grew up on her family’s beef cattle and tobacco farm and began showing cattle at age 9. She owns a herd of registered Simmental cattle and remains involved in her family’s farm. McCroskey chairs the Washington County Farm Bureau Young Farmers Committee and also serves on that organization’s budget, scholarship and membership promotions committees. Additionally, she is a member of the VFBF Young Farmers Committee. She holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education and a master’s degree in career and technical education from Virginia Tech. 20

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

He is a recent graduate of Randolph Henry High School and Virginia state FFA president for 2015-1016. During his senior year of high school he served as president of his school’s FFA chapter and was employed by the county school system to manage the high school’s 165acre land lab. In addition to his FFA involvement, he has volunteered for the Southside SPCA and has been active in his church’s community service projects. He plans to attend Virginia Tech and pursue a degree in agribusiness. Vaughan will receive a $1,500 scholarship, courtesy of Farm Credit, VFBF’s Member Benefits programs and the VFBF Young Farmers and Women’s committees. First runner-up was Ben Garber of Augusta County, who will receive $500, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Co. Other finalists were Carrie Cromer of Augusta County, Brooke Fletcher of Frederick County, Bethany Gochenour of Shenandoah County, Randall Gray of Frederick County, Cole Leonard of Augusta County and Hunter Watkins of Louisa County. Each will receive $250, courtesy of Farm Credit, VFBF’s Member Benefits programs and the VFBF Young Farmers and Women’s committees.

Finalists named for Discussion Meet VAUGHAN

Charlotte County student named Outstanding Young Agriculturalist Chandler Vaughan of Charlotte County was named this year’s VFBF Outstanding Young Agriculturalist. The award, co-sponsored by the VFBF Young Farmers Committee and Women’s Committee, recognizes high school juniors and seniors for academic, community and agribusiness achievement. Vaughan is the son of Richard and Lisa Vaughan of Keysville and has worked on his family’s beef cattle farm.

Semifinals for this year’s Young Farmers Discussion Meet took place July 25 at the Young Farmers Summer Expo, and four participants will compete for the state title in December. Finalists are Nathaniel Dirting of Shenandoah County, Jacob Gilley of Madison County, Kyle Sturgis of Northampton County and Chris Van Vlack of Loudoun County. The final Discussion Meet round will be held Dec. 1 at the VFBF Annual Convention in Norfolk.

Many county Farm Bureaus award local scholarships BY VERONICA ROBERTSON

Each year students across Virginia pursue goals in higher education with the help of county Farm Bureaus and other Virginia Farm Bureau Federation affiliates. Farm Bureaus in 64 counties collectively awarded more than $171,000 in scholarship money in 2014. “This is one way that county Farm Bureaus invest—literally—in their communities and in the future of agriculture and other key industries,” said VFBF President Wayne F. Pryor. The importance of education, especially in the agricultural sector, “is such an integral part of Farm Bureau that we want to support it as much as possible,” said Leigh Pemberton, president of Hanover County Farm Bureau and a member of the VFBF board of directors. “We also use the scholarships as a marketing tool for memberships.” Hanover Farm Bureau awarded $12,000 in scholarship funds last year. An annual process Bruce Stanger, president of Montgomery County Farm Bureau, said that organization sends scholarship applications to local high schools each spring. Completed applications are reviewed by the county Farm Bureau scholarship committee, “and after making a decision the committee presents its top choices to the county board for final approval,” Stanger said. Montgomery Farm Bureau awarded $4,000 in scholarships last year. Other county Farm Bureaus use a similar process; some place emphasis on supporting students who plan agriculture-related fields of study. Chesterfield Farm Bureau uses membership and community involvement as criteria for its scholarships. Students from member families submit essays on “How I Can Serve My Community” with their applications for the Mrs. Mary Stratton Scholarship. In 2014, the

county Farm Bureau awarded $4,000 in scholarships. “I believe it’s important to help these young people pursue higher education and to remember the importance of giving back to your community,” said Lucy Clark-Nester, who chairs the Chesterfield Farm Bureau Women’s Committee. In addition to county Farm Bureau scholarships, the VFBF Rural Health Advisory Committee sponsors the annual Rural Health Essay Scholarship Contest for youth who want to pursue health-related careers in rural Virginia. The contest awards up to $3,000 and is

funded by the Farm Bureau Health Care Consultants Department. State Fair scholarships The State Fair of Virginia also encourages students to pursue higher education and in 2014 awarded nearly $60,000 in scholarship money. The fair awards scholarship funds to winners in 4-H, FFA and vocational competitions and specific equine, fine arts and horticulture competitions. Participants in the Miss State Fair of Virginia Scholarship Program, an affiliate of the Miss Virginia and compete for scholarship funds as well.

County Farm Bureaus that awarded scholarships in 2014 • Albemarle County Farm Bureau, $1,000 • Amelia County Farm Bureau, $1,000 • Amherst County Farm Bureau, $6,500 • Appomattox County Farm Bureau, $1,000 • Augusta County Farm Bureau, $2,444.70 • Bedford County Farm Bureau, $6,900 • Botetourt County Farm Bureau, $3,000 • Brunswick County Farm Bureau, $500 • Caroline County Farm Bureau, $1,000 • Carroll County Farm Bureau, $3,000 • Charles City-James City-New Kent-York Farm Bureau, $13,670 • Chesterfield Farm Bureau, $4,000 • Craig County Farm Bureau, $500 • Culpeper County Farm Bureau Federation, $1,000 • Cumberland County Farm Bureau, $2,000 • Dinwiddie County Farm Bureau, $1,500 • Essex County Farm Bureau, $1,000 • Fauquier County Farm Bureau, $6,250 • Floyd County Farm Bureau, $1,000 • Fluvanna County Farm Bureau, $1,000 • Franklin County Farm Bureau, $4,000 • Frederick/Clarke County Farm Bureau, $2,000 • Giles County Farm Bureau, $400 • Gloucester-Mathews Farm Bureau, $5,000 • Goochland County Farm Bureau, $4,500 • Grayson County Farm Bureau, $1,000 • Greene County Farm Bureau, $3,000 • Halifax Farm Bureau, $2,000 • Hanover County Farm Bureau, $12,000 • Henrico Farm Bureau, $8,250 • Henry County Farm Bureau, $1,000 • Highland-Bath County Farm Bureau, $500

• Isle of Wight County Farm Bureau, $750 • King and Queen County Farm Bureau, $1,500 • King George Farm Bureau, $500 • King William County Farm Bureau, $3,500 • Lee County Farm Bureau, $1,000 • Loudoun County Farm Bureau, $3,000 • Madison County Farm Bureau, $3,000 • Mecklenburg County Farm Bureau, $500 • Middlesex County Farm Bureau, $3,500 • Montgomery County Farm Bureau, $4,000 • Nelson County Farm Bureau, $2,000 • Northumberland-Lancaster County Farm Bureau, $1,250 • Orange County Farm Bureau, $750 • Page County Farm Bureau, $1,000 • Patrick County Farm Bureau, $500 • Pittsylvania County Farm Bureau, $1,000 • Powhatan County Farm Bureau, $1,500 • Prince William-Fairfax Farm Bureau, $500 • Pulaski County Farm Bureau, $1,500 • Richmond County Farm Bureau, $4,000 • Roanoke County Farm Bureau, $6,500 • Rockbridge County Farm Bureau, $6,250 • Rockingham Farm Bureau Association, $3,500 • Russell County Farm Bureau, $665 • Scott County Farm Bureau, $3,000 • Smyth County Farm Bureau, $2,500 • Spotsylvania Farm Bureau, $2,000 • Stafford County Farm Bureau, $4,000 • Surry County Farm Bureau, $1,000 • Tazewell County Farm Bureau, $4,000 • Washington County Farm Bureau, $300 • Wise-Dickenson County Farm Bureau, $325

VaFarmBureau.org / SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

For Your Benefit

Enjoy even more savings through Member Deals Plus Farm Bureau members in Virginia now have access to hundreds of new discounts through the Member Deals Plus benefit. New participating merchants have been added in the following categories: • Services • Home and garden • Health and beauty; and • Car rentals. Member Deals Plus uses the nation’s largest private discount network to offer savings on meals, clothing, vehicle care and other goods and services. It uses “show your phone” mobile deals that can be accessed anywhere and redeemed from a smartphone at the point of sale or printed from a home computer. Members can register online using the Member Deals Plus link at VaFarmBureau.org. (Have your

membership number at hand when registering). When shopping, dining out or traveling, you can search for

participating merchants you frequent, or search for all participating merchants in a specific ZIP Code.

Got an equipment wish list? Farm Bureau members in Virginia are eligible for a manufacturer's incentive discount of $300 to $500 on qualifying Case IH products and equipment from participating dealerships. Visit FBAdvantage/com/Deals/Case to obtain a membership verification certificate to present to your Case IH dealer in advance of product delivery. The discount is stackable, so it can be used with other discounts, promotions, rebates or offers provided by Case IH or a Case IH dealership. Eligible individual, family or business members will receive the following

manufacturer discount on purchases of: •F armall Compact tractors (A & B) – $300; •F armall Utilities – C, U & J series – $500; •M axxum Series and Farmall 100A series – $500; •S elf-propelled windrowers – $500; • Large square balers – $500; • Round balers – $300; • Small square balers – $300; •D isc mower conditioners – $300; •S ickle mower conditioners – $300; and • Case IH Scout – $300 per unit.

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VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

Insurance issues to consider when purchasing a new vehicle or farm equipment Make sure you have the proper insurance coverage to protect your property Most insurance contracts provide some limited coverage for newly acquired property. “The limitations can be in terms of time frame for notifying your insurance company of the purchase, a dollar limitation on coverage, or both,” said Nancy Wilson, underwriting manager for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. For auto policies, the insurance company needs to be notified within 30 days of purchasing a vehicle. “This is important for two reasons,” Wilson said. “For one, you want to ensure you have coverage in the event of an accident. And two, you want to make sure you do not receive a fine from the Department of Motor

Vehicles, because insurance is required for all registered or licensed vehicles.” For farm equipment purchases, under the farmowner contract, the extension of coverage for newly acquired equipment (or livestock) is dependent upon the type of coverage already on the policy. “As a general rule, it is best to speak with your insurance agent as soon as you know you will be acquiring new farm equipment—or livestock—so they can make sure you have adequate protection,” Wilson said. All-terrain and utility vehicles can be insured under an auto, homeowner or farmowner policy, depending on how they will be used, Wilson said. “It

isn’t a simple answer, so it’s best to call your agent.” The most important takeaway, she said, is not to rely on automobile or equipment dealers to notify your insurance company of your new purchase. “For your protection and privacy, we can only make changes to a policy at the request of the named insured or their legally authorized representative,” Wilson said. “Additionally, a dealer may forget to notify your insurance company. Always call them yourself. Do not rely on a third party when it comes to protecting your most valuable assets.”

VaFarmBureau.org / SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

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VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

7/3/13 10:30 AM

AITC accepting applications for Teacher of the Year The Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom program wants to recognize Virginia teachers who successfully incorporate agriculture into their core curricula. Teachers who feel they have a unique or innovative way of introducing agriculture in their classrooms are encouraged to apply to be the 2016 Virginia AITC Teacher of the Year. “Agriculture forms the foundation of our daily lives, and Agriculture in the Classroom wants to celebrate those teachers who effectively integrate agriculture into their classrooms and their students’ lives,” said Tammy Maxey, Virginia AITC

senior education program coordinator. State-licensed pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers who are integrating agricultural concepts into non-vocational, core subject areas such as language arts, social studies, science or mathematics are eligible. Virginia AITC will recognize regional winners in addition to a state winner. The state winner will receive a scholarship to attend the 2016 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in June in Phoenix, Ariz. The scholarship will cover full registration as well as lodging, meals and a stipend. The state-level winner also will be encouraged to apply to the National Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year recognition program. The deadline to apply is Dec. 1. For details, visit AgInTheClass.org or contact Maxey at 804-290-1143 or aitc@vafb.com.

We Built Our Name On

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Melons and popcorn farming highlighted on Real Virginia Featured this month on Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s weekly television program: • The Sale of Champions returns to the State Fair of Virginia • Raising popcorn in the Old Dominion • Growing watermelons in the home garden Real Virginia airs nationwide at 3:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month on

RFD-TV on Dish Network and DirecTV. It airs weekly on WVPT Harrisonburg, WBRA Roanoke, WCVE Richmond, WHRO Norfolk, WVVA Bluefield and WTKR Norfolk, as well as on cable systems across the state. It’s available online at VaFarmBureau.org.

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A Pie for Every Season

Virginia apples feed a tradition

October is National Apple Month, and what’s more American than apple pie?

Virginia is ranked sixth nationwide for apple production.

Apple pie varieties are as diverse as the apples that go into them. Virginia-grown apples include more than a dozen varieties, including Red and Golden Delicious, Rome, Gala, Granny Smith and Fuji. The state’s apples are grown in more than 100 orchards, on 16,000 acres of land. Virginia’s apple country includes the northern Shenandoah Valley through the Roanoke Valley, the rich countryside of the Piedmont and the southwestern counties of Patrick and Carroll. The majority of apples are grown in Frederick County. Historically, most Virginia apples have been sold for processing, but more growers are producing apples for the fresh fruit market. The following is a classic apple pie recipe from Mrs. R.C. Hill of King William County, published in Country Treasures from Virginia Farm Bureau Kitchens.

Apple Pie INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1½ cups flour

Mix sugar and flour together; add eggs, and beat well. Add melted margarine, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla; mix well. Stir in chopped apples; pour mixture into pie shell. Bake at 350° for about 30 minutes or until apples are done. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

3 tablespoons sugar 2 eggs ½ cup margarine, melted ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg ½ teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 cups chopped raw apples 10" unbaked pie shell

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

A Pie for Every Season

And if you’re not a traditionalist, here’s a twist on an apple pie from Judith Havasy in Louisa County, published in Cooking Virginia Style with Farm Bureau Women.

Berry Apple Pie INGREDIENTS

1 cup sugar 3 tablespoons tapioca 3 cups peeled, chopped apples 3 cups berries of your choice 2 tablespoons butter 2 unbaked 8" pie crusts DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, combine sugar, tapioca, apples and berries. Toss until fruit is coated, and let stand for 15 minutes. Put one pie crust in a pie pan. Spoon in the filling. Dot filling with butter, and cover with the top crust. Seal the edges. Cut slits in the top crust, and bake for 50-55 minutes or until crust is brown. European settlers introduced apples to North America. The first recorded planting was in 1629.

VaFarmBureau.org / SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

Heart of the Home

Pork packs a powerful protein punch For many families, fall means back to school and back to rushing around and figuring out what to fix for dinner. As we celebrate National Pork Month in October, “the other white meat” offers some healthy, easy options for meals. The National Pork Board said consumers have returned to eating pork because of renewed interest in the role that protein plays in human diets and how meat can provide that protein. According to a recent Purdue University study, researchers found that

steaks or roasts from the leg. The vast majority of U.S. pork is produced in the upper Midwest or Corn Belt states, but Virginia is ranked 20th nationwide for number of hogs raised in the state, according to a 2013 National Agricultural Statistics Service report. The National Pork Board provided the following recipes for easy everyday cooking. The Smoky Ham with Strawberry Chipotle Sauce would work well when you plan to feed a crowd or just want leftovers.

including protein from lean pork in your diet can help you lose weight while maintaining more lean tissue, including muscle. And the U.S. Department of Agriculture says pork tenderloin contains the same amount of fat and slightly less calories than the same serving of skinless chicken breast. The same analysis found there are six cuts of pork that are considered either extra-lean or lean by labeling standards. Those include cuts from the loin like pork chops and pork roast, as well as pork

Perfect Day Pork and Black Bean Nachos

NATIONAL PORK BOARD

DIRECTIONS

INGREDIENTS

12 ounces ground pork

15-ounce can black beans, drained

1 teaspoon chili powder

4 scallions, sliced

salt to taste

½ cup sour cream

8 cups unsalted tortilla chips

1 can of chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, minced

8 ounces Mexican four-cheese blend, shredded

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

½ cup salsa, plus more for serving

Preheat oven to 350°. In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook the pork, stirring and breaking it up into bite-sized pieces, until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes. Remove from heat, add chili powder and salt to taste, then set aside. Arrange ¼ of the chips on a large ovenproof platter or a 2- to 3-quart baking dish, then use a slotted spoon to arrange ¼ of the pork on top. Top with ¼ of cheese, ¼ of beans, and ¼ of the scallions. Repeat three times, making four layers. Bake until the cheese is melted and the nachos are heated through; about 30 minutes (If the top gets too brown, cover it loosely with foil). While the nachos are baking, in a small bowl, combine sour cream and chipotle peppers. Add more chipotles to taste, and set aside. Top the nachos with the sour cream mixture and salsa. Serve hot, with additional salsa on the side. Serves 6.

NATIONAL PORK BOARD

Heart of the Home

Smoky Ham with Strawberry Chipotle Sauce INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

6- to 8-pound fully-cooked bone-in ham

Preheat oven to 325°. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Line the bottom of a shallow roasting pan bottom with aluminum foil. Score a diamond pattern into the ham, about ⅓" deep. Place the ham flat-sidedown in the pan, and bake until internal temperature reaches 140° on a meat thermometer, 15 to 18 minutes per pound. Remove from oven, and increase the heat to 400°. In a small bowl, mix the agave or honey and smoked paprika. Brush over the ham (not on the flat side), return it to the oven and bake until glazed, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven, transfer to a cutting board, and let rest 10 minutes. The sauce can be made up to two days ahead of serving. In a large nonreactive saucepan, mix strawberries and sugar.

⅓ cup agave nectar, preferably dark OR honey 2 teaspoons smoked paprika SAUCE INGREDIENTS

2 pounds strawberries, hulled and halved lengthwise (about 6 cups) ⅔ cup sugar 2 canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, or more to taste 2 teaspoons adobo sauce (from chilies), or more to taste 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons minced fresh sage OR 1 teaspoon minced dried sage

Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until strawberries give off their juices, about 3 minutes. Using a potato masher or a large slotted spoon, crush strawberries in the saucepan to make a chunky sauce. Stir in chipotle, adobo sauce and lemon juice. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in sage. Transfer to a medium bowl placed in a larger bowl of iced water. Let sauce stand, stirring occasionally, until chilled. In a blender, pulse the sauce until coarsely pureed. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Slice ham and serve with sauce. Makes 15-20 4-ounce servings.

VaFarmBureau.org / SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

Heart of the Home

Is there a holiday ham in your future?

Virginia ham was among the first agricultural products exported from North America, according to a Virginia Cooperative Extension publication titled Dry Curing Virginia-Style Ham (pubs.ext. vt.edu/458/458-223/458-223.html). More than three centuries later, Virginia ham is a desirable product in many parts of the world. But preparing a ham can still be a mystery to some. The report offers the following tips:

2. Place the ham in a large container, cover with cold water and allow it to stand 10 to 12 hours or overnight.

1. Wash the ham with a stiff-bristled brush, removing as much of the mold and salt as possible.

5. Heat the oven to 375째.

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

3. Lift the ham from the water, and place it skin-side-up in a deep kettle. Cover with fresh, cold water. Cover the kettle, and heat to a boil but reduce the heat as soon as the water boils. Simmer 20-25 minutes per pound. 4. Lift the ham from the kettle, and remove the skin. 6. Sprinkle ham with brown sugar, and brown lightly in the oven.

Alternate method 1. Soak and scrub the ham 2. Preheat oven to 325째. 3. Place ham fat-side-up in a covered roaster. Pour 2" of water into the roaster, and place it in oven. Roast about 20-25 minutes per pound, basting frequently, until it reaches an internal temperature of 155째 as indicated on a meat thermometer placed in the thickest part of the ham.

Marketplace

2016 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 2016 issue of Virginia 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 Virginia Farm Bureau News (mailed to producer members only); • July Cultivate (mailed to associate members only); and • August Virginia Farm Bureau News (mailed to producer members only).

Finding your member number When placing your ad, be sure to include your Farm Bureau member number, which can be found on your membership card and above your name on the mailing label of your copy of Virginia Farm Bureau News. All member numbers will be verified.

Notice of Annual Meeting Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company The annual meeting of policyholders of Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company will be held at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, December 3, 2015, at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott, Norfolk, Virginia, for the following purposes: 1. To receive and act upon the reports of the officers of the Company. 2. To elect a Board of Directors, each to serve for the term of one year. 3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof. Dated this 1st day of October, 2015. Jonathan S. Shouse, Secretary

Notice of Annual Meeting Virginia Farm Bureau Marketing Association The annual meeting of members of the Virginia Farm Bureau Marketing Association will be held at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, December 3, 2015, at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott, Norfolk, Virginia, for the following purposes: 1. To receive and act upon the reports of the officers of the Association. 2. To elect a Board of Directors, each to serve for the term of one year. 3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof. Dated this 1st day of October, 2015. Jonathan S. Shouse, Secretary

VaFarmBureau.org / SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

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