January 2012 FBN

VirgniaFarm Bureau News January 2012

VaFarmBureau.org

Eminent domain victory: ‘We didn’t sue them for money’

Departments 12 ViewingVirginia

26 IntheGarden

27 GoodforYou!

28 HeartoftheHome

29 MemberMarketplace

Contents 8 “We didn’t sue them for money” in eminent domain case EminentdomainhasbeenusedmorethanadozentimestotakepartsofEdd Jennings’family’slandinWytheCounty.Herecentlywonalawsuitbrought overdamagestohisproperty.

18 Convention included news about growing markets for ag trade TheVirginiaFarmBureauFederation2011AnnualConventioninNorfolk includedupdatesfromthestateandtheVirginiaPortAuthorityonagtradeissues.

16 Photo contest winners framed life on Virginia farms WinningphotosinFarmBureau’sannualphotocontestshowcasedthevisual appealoffarmcountry.

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 [email protected]. 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 non-payment or reader complaints about services or products. The publisher assumes no liability for products or services advertised.

Member: Virginia Press Association

editorial teamGreg 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

On the CoverEminentdomain“hasbeenathemeallmylife,”saidWytheCountyfarmerEddJennings.HerecentlywonalawsuitagainsttheVirginiaDepartmentofTransportationregardingdamagetohispropertywhileVDOTrepairedpartofInterstate77in2002 (Photo by Kathy Dixon).

8

virginia farm bureau federationOfficers Wayne F. Pryor, President Edward A. Scharer, Vice President

Board of Directorsdirector district countyEmily Edmondson 1 TazewellArchie B. Atwell 2 SmythEvelyn H. Janney 3 FloydGordon R. Metz 4 HenryStephen L. Saufley 5 RockinghamPeter A. Truban 6 ShenandoahThomas E. Graves 7 OrangeH. Carl Tinder Sr. 8 AlbemarleHenry E. Wood 9 BuckinghamRobert Mills Jr. 10 PittsylvaniaJ. M. Jenkins 11 LunenburgW. Ellis Walton 12 MiddlesexM. L. Everett Jr. 13 SouthamptonDavid L. Hickman 14 AccomackJanice R. Burton * HalifaxRobert Harris ** Pittsylvania

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

VirgniaFarm Bureau News

Volume 71, Number 1 January 2012

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publication scheduleProducermemberswillreceivetheirnextissueofFarm Bureau NewsinMarch.Themagazineispublishedsixtimesayear.

VirginiaFarmBureau.com january 2012 3

to bringing this issue to a statewide referendum next fall.

You’re probably already familiar with this battle through the “Stand Our Ground: Property Rights” campaign. Members have signed nearly 14,000 postcards to their legislators in support of this amendment.

In Washington we have other policy battles to fight. In at least one case, the die already will have been cast. I believe we’ve reached the point where Congress may cut direct payments to farmers in the next farm bill. So as we fine-tune the 2012 Farm Bill, it’s essential that we work to keep federal crop insurance. This is the last line of defense for many farmers; without it, we are totally at the whim of Mother Nature.

Farm bills are not written for times of excess; rather, they are written for times of distress. While commodity prices have been good this year, we’ve seen how weather can destroy crops in just a few hours. This country cannot thrive without a sound food security policy, and the 2012 Farm Bill is the main vehicle for that.

We risk serious damage to our own economy if we remove the entire federal farm safety net, and this is one instance where we must truly “Stand Our Ground.”

Looking back over last year, our record membership was just one of the many milestones we reached. We also took the historic step of purchasing an out-of-state insurance company, Countryway, based in Syracuse, N.Y.

This was an acquisition that should be a win-win for both Farm Bureau and Countryway. They gain access to resources and technology they need,

Despite an earthquake, a hurricane and a flood, Farm Bureau came through 2011 with some major

accomplishments. Teamwork and hard work made it possible for us to reach some significant milestones, including a record membership year.

Congratulations to all of you for reaching our highest-ever membership level: 150,830 member families in 2011!

On the down side, our insurance company suffered its second-largest loss ever in August, when Hurricane Irene blew through the state, resulting in almost $30 million in losses. Combined with the spring tornadoes, our members had $57.7 million in storm losses this year. In addition to all the property damage, many of our farmers lost valuable crops.

Turning to politics, I’m pleased to report your work at the local level paid big dividends at the state capitol and in Washington. We started 2011 strong, prevailing on most of our policy issues in the General Assembly. We won more funding for agriculture best management practices, cost-share programs and technical assistance for farmers to protect water quality. The legislature also passed a law to define standards of care for agricultural animals.

Our greatest victory was the first-year passage of a Virginia constitutional amendment to better protect private property rights. This was not an easy win, and gaining passage for a second consecutive year in 2012 is essential

Farm Bureau weathered storms in 2011, but there’s still work ahead

and we gain a chance to spread our insurance risks and income across a number of states.

Our grain division had another profitable year, and our risk management program continues to assist and educate farmers. We also helped pull down $2.1 million in value-added producer grants for our members.

One tremendous example of Farm Bureau teamwork was last spring’s National Agriculture Week, when volunteers across the state read to 54,000 children in 1,700 classrooms.

If you follow Farm Bureau on Facebook or Twitter, you’ve seen an increased presence there as well. We have new Facebook pages, weekly Web videos and special sections on our website for Stand Our Ground campaigns.

Also in the area of public relations, Virginia Farm Bureau has joined the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, and we’re participating in efforts to reach out and engage the public in a conversation about agriculture.

I am blessed to have been your president last year and am excited to begin 2012. We made it through some tough storms and, looking forward, I’m sure we’ll be just as successful this year, as long as we all continue to work together.

Wayne F. Pryor, a Goochland County beef and grain producer, is president of Virginia Farm Bureau.

P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S A G E

Your Membership Advantage-- SAVING YOU MONEY

>> For more information about all of the services included in your Membership Advantage, call your county Farm Bureau office today or visit VaFarmBureau.org.

P A I D A D V E R T I S E M E N T

>> Your Farm Bureau membership helps support the farmers who grow our nation’s food. It also gives you access to a wide variety of benefits and services, and it can pay for itself quickly in savings and convenience!

travel advantages

AvisSave up to 25% on daily and weekly rates. Visit Avis.com/vafb, or call 800-331-1212 and use Avis Worldwide Discount #A298846 when scheduling a rental.

Budget Truck RentalSave 15% on truck rentals. Visit BudgetTruckRental.com/virginia or call 800-566-8422 to make a reservation. Use Budget Truck Discount #56000132266.

Choice HotelsUse Choice Hotels’ Significant Organization Savings plan and get a 20% discount at participating locations.

Visit ChoiceHotels.com, or call 800-258-2847 and use ID #0220000. Advance reservations required.

Wyndham Hotel GroupGet 20% off “best available rates” at participating locations. Call 877-670-7088, and use ID #67496 (or #1000000513 for Wyndham). Advance reservations required.

Children’s Museum of Richmond membershipsSave 25% on any annual museum membership purchased at the museum or its satellite location. Visit C-mor.org/membership.

Travel Counsellors, Inc.Enjoy exclusive escorted tours for Farm Bureau members. Visit TravelTCI.com, or call 800-572-4049.

healthy advantages

Member’s Medical AlertHelp ensure that your or a loved one can summon help at home in an emergency. Get free shipping, a 30-day, money-back trial and no long-term contract. Visit MembersMedicalAlert.com or call 877-288-4958, and use code FB102.

Prescription Drug DiscountSave on more than 12,000 prescription drug products, at more than 53,000 pharmacies nationwide. Obtain a discount card from your county Farm Bureau, and find a participating pharmacy near you at VaFarmBureau.org/benefits/health.htm.

QualSight LASIKSave up to 50 percent off the national average cost of LASIK vision correction. Visit QualSight.com/-vafb, or call 866-979-9575 to schedule an initial appointment with a participating doctor near you.

ClearValue HearingSave up to 25% on Starkey hearing instruments. To learn more and find a ClearValue provider near you, visit ClearValueHearing.com or call 888-497-7447.

Financial Advantages

Farm Bureau BankFull member banking services. Contact your county Farm Bureau office, visit FarmBureauBank.com or call 800-492-FARM for more information.

Home and Business Advantages

CDW Member Purchase ProgramPurchase selected electronics at cost and any other product at cost plus 3%; also, get free ground shipping on one order per year. Visit CDW.com/epp or call 877-813-4435, and reference EPP Access #F1F4D954.

GraingerGet 10% off any item in the Grainger industrial supply catalog. Order online at Grainger.com and qualify for free shipping, or call 877-202-2594. Reference Discount #809039274.

Producer AdvantagesProducer members also have access to these benefits and services:

• Commodity marketing representation• Grain marketing services• Risk management assistance• Farm tires and parts

MemberBenefit


To recognize the contributions of agriculture, National Agriculture Day will be celebrated on March 8 and is part of National Agriculture Week, March 11-17.

Every year, producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and others across the country join together to celebrate all that agriculture provides for consumers.

The National Ag Day program encourages Americans to understand how food and fiber are produced and to value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.

County Farm Bureau women’s committees will mark the occasion by donating nonperishable food items, along with timely information about eating healthy, to regional food banks, food pantries and Ronald McDonald Houses across the state.

Agriculture Literacy WeekFarm Bureau volunteers and other members of Virginia’s agricultural community will

participate in the second Agriculture Literacy Week March 4-10.This year’s activities will feature the book From Our Fields … To You by Kellie Worrell,

a Carroll County teacher and farmer. The book is Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom’s Farmer Ben Book of the Year and details the process of growing fresh produce and making it available to consumers.

“We’re hoping to build on the success of last year’s inaugural Agriculture Literacy Week this year as we encourage even more volunteers to participate,” said Lynn Black, AITC education program coordinator. “It’s a great opportunity for those within the agricultural community to make connections with their local schools and to share agriculture’s story.”

National Agriculture Day, Agriculture Literacy Week to be celebrated in March Noteworthy

Quote

“Well, as long as

I can keep farming,

I’m OK.”

∂

Howard Buffett,WarrenBuffett’sson,

aNebraskacornandsoybeanproducerandheir-apparent

tothechairmanshipofBerkshireHathaway,onCBS’

60 Minuteslastmonth.

Former Women’s Committee chairman passesHelen M. Neese, a former Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s

Committee chairman and board member, died Nov. 7.Mrs. Neese, who was 83, served on the VFBF Women’s Committee

from 1983 through 2002. She also was a past chairman of the Shenandoah County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee.

In 1986 she represented Farm Bureau women across the country at the Triennial Conference of the Associated Country Women of the World in Ireland. In 1987 she was elected Southern Region representative to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Women’s

Committee and was named Farm Woman of the Year by Country Women magazine. She is a past secretary of the national Country Women’s Council, representing the AFBF Women’s Committee.

“Helen was my friend and my mentor. She taught me how to support agriculture, and her deep passion and love for agriculture showed through everything she did,” said Janice Burton, current VFBF Women’s Committee chairman. “It was a pleasure serving on the Women’s Committee with Helen. She was instrumental in getting Agriculture in the Classroom started in Virginia, and I appreciate her leadership and how much she carried the Women’s Program forward.”

Mrs. Neese and her late husband, John, were retired dairy farmers. They became Farm Bureau members in 1950 and were the New Market Area Chamber of Commerce’s 1972 Outstanding Farm Family.

She is survived by her four children, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Helen Neese

6 Virginia Farm Bureau News SaveOurFood.org

Ag trade conference planned for March 13 and 14The Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade will be held

March 13 and 14 at the Omni Richmond hotel.For details or to register, visit VaFarmBureau.org/Agriculture/

AgTradeConference.The event is being organized by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation,

the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Virginia Port Authority and the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics.

The Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade is the fourth such annual conference in which Farm Bureau has been involved.

Members can save at Feb. 24 Farm Bureau warehouse event

In need of parts for your car, truck or farm machinery? Farm Bureau members can save 10 percent on purchases from the Virginia Farm Bureau Service Corp. Products Division at its Feb. 24 open house in Henrico County.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the warehouse, located at 1541 Mary St. in Sandston. Refreshments will be available.

Members can save on tires, batteries and oil and grease products, as well as on disk blades, plow parts, chisel teeth, roller chains and cutting parts for hay equipment and combines. The discount is available for all products except baler twine, which already will be specially priced.

Since 1965, the Products Division has provided farmers with a variety of quality supplies, through both the warehouse and numerous Farm Bureau-certified local dealers statewide.

The warehouse is a 53,000-square-foot facility with a daily inventory typically valued at $1.2 million. It serves about 400 dealers throughout Virginia, Maryland and northern North Carolina, as well as a handful in West Virginia and Delaware.

For information on specific products, call the warehouse at 800-476-8473.

Risk management meetings gearing up for 2012

The following meetings for farmers with an interest in risk management opportunities have been scheduled, and more are being planned for this winter:

• Jan. 10–11, Eastern Shore Ag Expo in Accomack County;

• Jan. 17, Tri-County Ag Conference in Sussex County;

• Jan. 17, Four Rivers Ag Conference in New Kent County;

• Jan. 18, Five County Ag Conference in King and Queen County;

• Jan. 18, Middle Peninsula Ag Conference in Gloucester County;

• Jan. 19, Northern Neck Ag Conference in Westmoreland County; and

• Feb. 2, Southeast Virginia Field Conference in Chesapeake.

All meetings are free, but reservations are required.

The meetings are offered by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation in cooperation with Virginia Cooperative Extension and other organizations.

For more information or to arrange a risk management meeting in another area, contact Jonah Bowles, VFBF agriculture market analyst, at 804-290-1117 or [email protected].

>> save the dates

A 10 percent discount is available on all Farm Bureau warehouse products except baler twine, which already is specially priced for members who need to re-stock.


Farm Bureau membership hits all-time high

The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation has reached a record-high number of members.

“I am ecstatic,” said VFBF President Wayne F. Pryor, who reported that as of last year’s cutoff date, Oct. 14, the organization had reached a record-setting 150,000 members—99 more than last year’s record 149,901. As of Nov. 1, that total was 150,830.

“Not only are our membership numbers at a record level, but our retention is just over 93 percent,” Pryor said. “With the economy the way it is, that’s almost as good as the high membership numbers.

“It’s not always about how many members you have, but to have a record number is the result of what we do for our members. They obviously see the value of their membership.”

Nationally, the new figures mean the organization exceeded its membership goal of 149,902, set by the American Farm Bureau Federation, two weeks ahead of the AFBF membership year-end.

A total of 10,597 new members joined the organization this past year, and 93.05 percent of existing memberships were renewed, making this the ninth consecutive year the organization has held a retention percentage of more than 92.5 percent.

Majority of Farm Bureau-endorsed candidates elected

Ninety-seven of 100 candidates endorsed for General Assembly seats last fall by the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC were successful in their respective races.

Among the 27 endorsed state Senate candidates who were elected, all were incumbents except Republicans Thomas Garrett Jr. in the 22nd District and Bill Carrico in the 40th District.

Sixty-one of the 71 candidates endorsed for House of Delegates seats were incumbents. Newly elected candidates endorsed by VFBF AgPAC were Republicans Israel D. O’Quinn in the 5th District, Nick Rush in the 7th District, Randy Minchew in the 10th District, Joseph Yost in the 12th District, Christopher Head in the 17th District, Michael Webert in the 18th District, Peter Farrell in the 56th District, Matt Fariss in the 59th District, Keith Hodges in the 98th District and Margaret Ransone in the 99th District.

Eighty-four of 88 county Farm Bureaus in Virginia chose to participate in VFBF AgPAC last year. They provided representatives for local evaluation committees that interviewed candidates and provided input to the VFBF AgPAC board of trustees.

“Farm Bureau’s political action committee has afforded the organization a tremendous opportunity to build and maintain relationships with state legislators,” said Andrew Smith, VFBF senior assistant director of governmental relations. “Our members take an active interest in who represents them, and members who serve on the local evaluation committees give candidates very careful consideration.

“They frequently also serve as a resource when officials need to know how specific issues stand to affect Virginia’s farmers.”

Membership in — recent years —

2001 132,719

2002 136,424

2003 143,069

2004 146,812

2005 148,193

2006 148,031

2007 146,934

2008 147,454

2009 149,857

2010 149,901

2011 150,830

Virginia Farm Bureau’s monthly television program will get a new name and new content starting in January.

Down Home Virginia, now in its 11th year, will become Real Virginia and feature a new chef and a vegetable gardening expert.

Todd Schneider, the executive chef at Virginia’s Executive Mansion, will replace John Maxwell and will share recipes in a segment called “Heart of the Home,” some of which will be taped at the governor’s mansion.

Andy Hankins, a longtime professor and Virginia Cooperative Extension alternative crops specialist at Virginia State University, will be featured in a new monthly segment on vegetable gardening called “From the Ground Up.”

Landscape gardening expert Mark Viette and his “In the Garden” segments will remain on the program.

Down Home Virginia to become Real Virginia in 2012


photos by kathy dixon

Eminent domain has been invoked to take parts of Edd Jennings’ farm in Wythe County more than a dozen times over the years.

Wythe County farmer favored in eminent domain case

ByKathyDixon

S ometimescourtbattlesaremoreaboutprinciplesthanmoney.

EddJennings’recentlawsuitagainsttheVirginiaDepartmentofTransportationwasaboutmakingthedepartmentthinktwicebeforetakinglandundereminentdomain.

AsJenningstraversedthepatchworkpiecesofhisfamilyfarmonanall-terrainutilityvehicle,hetalkedabouthisrecentvictoryoverVDOT.

“IthoughttherulingwasgreatandshowedgreatcourageonthepartofJudgeShowalter,”hesaid.

CircuitJudgeJoeyShowalterruledthatVDOTtookanddamagedJennings’propertyduringrepairstotheInterstate77bridge,whichloomsoverhishouseandcutsthe300-acrefarminhalf.AjuryeventuallywillbeimpaneledtodeterminehowmuchcompensationVDOTshouldpayJennings.

“Moneyisnottheissue,”Jenningssaid.“Wedidn’tsuethemformoney.Wewanttomakecondemningauthoritiesthinkbeforetakingotherpeople’sproperty.”

Jenningsdoesn’twanttogiveuptherightstohislandandcontinuestofighteventhoughpartsofthefarmhavebeentakenundereminentdomainmorethanadozentimesbyfourdifferentutilitycompanies.

“It’sbeenathemeallmylife,”Jenningssaid.“AndIknowI’llbedealingwiththistherestofmylife.”

TherecentcaseagainstVDOTwasthesecondlawsuitthatJenningshaswon,butprevioustakingsoccurredbecausehisgrandparentsdidn’tthinktheycouldrefuse.

“Eddlearnedthat,despitetheoldsaying‘Youcan’tfightcityhall,’youactuallycan,”saidattorneyJosephWaldo,presidentofthelawfirmWaldo&Lyle.ThefirmhasrepresentedJenningsinhissuitagainstVDOTforthepastsixyears.“Thisshouldteachfarmersthattheycanfighteminentdomain.”

Jenningssaidfarmershavesomanyissuestodealwiththatit’shardforthemtofocusonlandownership.“Butifyoudon’thaveprotectedrightstoyourland,youhavenothing,”hesaid.

ThejudgeruledthatVDOT’suseofJennings’landadverselyaffectedaccesstohisproperty.BetweenJennings’grandparents’houseandhisparents’houseisamoundofconstructiondebris,coveredbydirt,thatVDOTleftundertheI-77bridgefollowinga2002repairproject.

Healsoruledthatstormwaterrunofffromthebridge,whichhasleftditches6to15inchesdeeponJennings’property,amountstoatakingbythestate.

Condemningauthoritiessuchaslocalgovernments,stateagenciesorutilities,canexercisetherightofeminentdomaintotakeprivatepropertyforapublicuse.

Theymustcompensatelandowners.InmostofthetakingsonJennings’land,includinganaturalgaspipeline,electricpowerlines,aninterstatehighway,acabletelevisionline,anoverheadbridgeandacountyroad,thefamilyhasbeencompensated.JenningsgotnothingfortheI-77bridgerepairs.

ApreviouslawsuithefiledagainstDukeEnergyforpumpingwaterunderhislandandruiningpartofitgarneredasettlementthatwassosuccessfulJenningsisprohibitedfromdisclosingtheamounthereceived,Waldosaid.

“Theselasttwocases,Eddduginandfoughtandwon,andotherscantoo.”

Years of fighting

EddJennings’eminentdomainwoesweredetailedinanApril2008 Farm Bureau News article.

Eminent domain law reform:Farm Bureau still working for change

www.vafb.comVirgniaFarm Bureau News

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Washington Watch



Sen. Phillip Puckett (right), D-Tazewell, was among state legislators who met with Farm Bureau leaders during the 2011 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Legislative Day. Among producer members from Southwest Virginia who talked with him last January were Della Osborne of Washington County and O.B. Lockhart of Russell County.

Bill Faris of Washington County shared information about Farm Bureau’s 2011 legislative priorities with Puckett.

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAUmemberswillstandtheirgroundonimportantissuesaffectingVirginiaagricultureduringtheorganization’sannualLegislativeDay.

Thefocusduringthisyear’sGeneralAssemblyisonastateconstitutionalamendmenttoprotectprivatepropertyrightsfromeminentdomainabuse.OnJan.24,FarmBureauleaderswillvisitelectedofficialsatthestatecapitoltosharetheirconcerns.

“Itissoimportantforourmemberstomeetfacetofacewiththeirlegislatorsabouttheissuesaffectingtheirlivesandbusinesses,”saidKellyPruitt,VFBFgovernmentalrelationsgrassrootscoordinator.“LegislativeDaygivesustheopportunitytoeducateourrepresentativesaboutVirginiaagriculturesothattheywillmakebetter-informeddecisionsinthissession.”

FarmBureau’s2012criticallegislativeissuesincludeanimalcare,ChesapeakeBayregulations,privatepropertyrights,fundingforVirginiaCooperativeExtensionandwildlifedamage.

AfterlunchattheRichmondMarriottandabriefingsessionwithFarmBureaustaff,memberswillhaveappointmentswiththeirrespectivestatesenatorsanddelegates.

Duringthoseappointments,theywillpresenttheirrepresentativeswithcopiesofthechildren’sbookFrom Our Fields ... to YoubyKellieWorrell,toencouragetheirparticipationinAgricultureLiteracyWeekMarch4-10attheirlocalelementaryschools.

TheVFBFWomen’sCommitteewillhostalegislativereceptionthatevening,whichwillallowFarmBureauleaderstotalkwiththeirrepresentativesinaninformalsetting.

sara

ow

ens

FARM BUREAU TO STAND ITS GROUND ON

BEHALF OF AGRICULTURE

AT JAN. 24 LEGISLATIVE

DAY


Join grassroots efforts online with alerts, blog, website

» InternetaccessplusinterestinVirginiaFarmBureau’spoliciesequalsparticipationintheorganization’sgrassrootslobbyingefforts.

TheCapitalConnectionActionCenterisanonlinenetworkforproducermemberstogetthelatestupdatesonFarmBureaupolicies.Tostartgettingautomatic“ActionAlerts”fromthesite,contactKellyPruitt,governmentalrelationsgrassrootscoordinator,[email protected].

Inadditionanewblogcalled“Plows&Politics”givesmembersthelatestupdatesonFarmBureaupriorityissuesandotherlegislativeactivities.Theblogcanbeaccessedatvfbplowsandpolitics.blogspot.comorinthe“Policy&Action”sectionoftheFarmBureauwebsiteatVaFarmBureau.org.

“We’reworkingonmoreonlinemethodstogetup-to-dateinformationtoourmembersquickly,”saidPruitt.“Sometimesissuescomeupunexpectedly,andweneedourmemberstocontacttheirlegislatorsimmediately.

“It’smuchquickerforustosendanautomatedActionAlertandpostontheblogthanitistosendlettersorindividualemails.”

BothInternetvehiclesenablememberstogetmoreinvolvedbyexpandingthewayinformationisdeliveredtothem.

MembersalsocanusetheCapitalConnectionActionCentertoviewthelatestActionAlerts,copysampleletters,emailtheirlegislators,andhighlightcertainissuestotheirlocalmedia.

InformationonFarmBureau’scriticalissues,includingtalkingpoints,articlesandvideocoverage,alsoisavailableinthe“Policy&Action”sectionofVaFarmBureau.org.

� It’s much quicker for us to send an automated Action Alert and post on the blog than it is to send letters or individual emails.�

— KELLY PRUITT Governmental relations grassroots coordinator

The “Policy & Action” section of VaFarmBureau.org includes information on Farm Bureau’s legislative priorities.


Viewing Virginia

Fall vegetable transplants offer new market

Growingfallvegetablestarterplantsisavirtuallyuntappedmarketforsmaller-scaleVirginiafarmers.

“Youcoulddoasgoodonahalf-acreassomepeopledoon20,”saidCliftonSlade,aSurryCountyfarmerandagriculturemanagementagentatVirginiaStateUniversity’sRandolphFarm.“There’sawonderfulmarketforsomeonewhowantstogrowtransplants.”

SladetoldparticipantsatVSU’s2011AgricultureFieldDaythattherearefewplacestofindfallvegetablestarterplantsinVirginia.Farmerswithasmallamountoflandcaneasilygrowstarterbroccoli,collardgreens,kale,lettuce,spinach,sweetpotatoesandSwisschardandsellthemfor$2each.Ononeacreofland,thatcouldnetupto$20,000.

Ideally,fallvegetablesshouldbeplantedinmid-summersothattheyarereadyforThanksgiving,Sladesaid.ButthoseplantedslightlylaterwillbereadyfortheChristmasseason.

Thebeautyoffallvegetableproductionisthatnatureoffersweedcontrolintheformoffrost,hesaid.

“Oncethefirstfrosthits,usuallyinOctober,yourweedcontrolistakencareof.Soyougetalotfromtheseplantswithoutalotofextraweeding.”

Plantingtheseedsforfallvegetableplantscanbedonewithahand-pushedseeder.Sladecomparedthreedifferentkindsofseedersandgotthebestresultsfroma$400model.“Theextraincomeyoucangetfromsellingtransplantswould

makeupforthecostoftheseederthefirstyear,”hesaid.

Traditionally,produceplantsaresetinrowsabout3feetapart,butiftheyarebeinggrownfortransplants,lessroomisneeded.

Sladegrewbokchoy,cabbage,romainelettuceandspinachina500-square-footgardenwithonly12inchesinbetweenrowslastyear.Hefertilizedwithorganiccompostandchickenmanureandsaidhe“beateveryonetomarket.”

Hesoldstarterplantsatafarmers’marketfor$2each.“There’snowhereelseIknowofwhereyoucanget$400forgrowingsomethingin500squarefeetofspace,”hesaid.

Clifton Slade (right, inset) shared his experience in growing fall vegetable starter plants (background). “Once the frost hits, usually in October, your weed control is taken care of,” he noted.


Viewing Virginia

VSU specialist: Value-added producers need to be in the know

Forsmallvalue-addedagriculturalproducers,effectivelabelingcanmakethedifferencebetweensuccessandfailure.

TheresaNartea,VirginiaStateUniversityCooperativeExtensionmarketingandagribusinessspecialist,recalledworkingwithaproducerwhodidn’tmarkethisproductfortwoyearsbecausehewaswaitingtoputnutritionalinformationontheproductlabel—eventhoughitwasn’tnecessary.

“Someproducersareatastandstillbecausetheydon’tunderstandtheregulations,”Narteasaid.

Sherecommendsthatsmall-scaleproducerscontacttheVirginiaDepartmentofAgricultureandConsumerServicestofindoutwhichregulationsaffectthemandwhichonesdon’t.

“ItellthemthatVDACSistheirfriend,”Narteasaid.

Bywayofexample,shenotedthatanyonewhowantstomakeandsellproductslikejamorsalsamustsupplycertaininformationtoVDACSpriortooperating.Thatincludesingredientsoftheproposedproduct,adiagramoftheprocessingareaandsamplelabels.

Intheareaofnutritionlabeling,thereareexemptionsforsmallerproducers.Thosewithgrosssalesoflessthan$500,000orwithannualgrosssalesoffoodlessthan$50,000canfileforanexemption.Andbusinesseswithfewerthan10employeesandfewerthan10,000unitsofaproductsolddon’tevenhavetofileforanexemption.

Fornewproducerswhohaveavalue-addedproducttheywanttomarket,NarteasuggestedcheckingVDACS’VirginiaGrownwebsiteatvirginiagrown.comtoseeifthatproductalreadyisbeingsold.

“Peoplethinktheyarebeingoriginal,butmanyaren’t,”shesaid.

Shealsorecommendedattendingspecialtyfoodsconferencestoseewhatpeopleareinterestedinandtolookfornewanduniqueproductstoenticeconsumers.Ecopackaging—likesauceinareusableglasscarafe—isatrendinwhichconsumersarecurrentlyinterested.“Newanduniqueproductsinitiatepurchases,”Narteasaid.

This is the first ginger crop Charlie and Miriam Maloney of King and Queen County have planted.

Ginger provides niche market for high tunnel usersCharlieandMiriamMaloneyareproving

thatgingercanbegrownsuccessfullyinVirginia.

Lastyeartheyplaced225oftheplantsinahightunnelgreenhouseattheirDayspringFarminKingandQueenCountyandharvestedtheirfirstgingerrootsinOctober.

Thetropicalplantisahigh-valuecropthatuntilrecentlyhasbeenimportedfromoutsidetheUnitedStates,saidDr.RezaRafie,whoisworkingwiththeMaloneysontheirgingertrial.RafieisaVirginiaCooperativeExtensionhorticulturespecialistatVirginiaStateUniversity.AgrantfromtheVirginiaDepartmentofAgricultureandConsumerServicesenabledVSUandtheMaloneystogrowgingerinahightunnel.

“Itisaconsiderablenichemarketopportunity,”Rafiesaidatagingerfieldday.“FifteentotwentydollarsperpoundisthegoingrateforfreshVirginiaginger.”

GingerseedsneedtobeplantedinearlyFebruaryinaheatedenvironmentandcan

betransplantedattheendofAprilintoahightunnel.TheplantsmaturebythefollowingJanuarybutcanbeharvestedearlierasbabyginger,whichhasamoredelicatetastepreferredbysomechefs,Rafiesaid.Theyieldis2to3poundsofbabygingerperplant,comparedto5to7poundsfromamatureplant.Thematuregingeristhetypeusuallyfoundingrocerystores,anditprovidesseedrhizomesforfuturecrops.

Inadditiontosellingfreshginger,therearemanyvalue-addedproductsthatcanbemadewithit,saidTheresaNartea,VSUExtensionmarketingandgribusinessspecialist.Theyincludetea,candyandspaproducts.

“Themarketisthereforasmallproducertosellfreshorvalue-addedgingerproducts,”Narteasaid.Shesaidfarmersshoulddeterminefivethingsbeforetheystartgrowingit:whatformofgingertheywillsell;theirtargetconsumers;asellingprice;wherethegingerwillbesold;andhowitwillbepromoted.

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Joint Young Farmers event will take place in Leesburg

The 2012 Young Farmers Winter Expo will take place Feb. 3-5 at the National Convention Center in Leesburg.

This year’s event will be held with the Maryland Farm Bureau Young Farmers and will focus on direct to-consumer marketing and making the most of large populations that live within easy reach of farmers in both states. The theme will be “Loading Up on Local Markets – Farming on the Urban Edge!”

The expo will open with a winery tour and social at Fabbioli Cellars in Leesburg. There will be a variety of speakers, including Dr. Alex White, an agricultural and applied economics instructor at Virginia Tech, and a panel discussion with farmers and chefs who have reached out successfully to local markets. Tours of farms and agricultural businesses will take place in both Maryland and Virginia.

To register, visit vafbyoungfarmers.com or contact the VFBF Women and Young Farmers Department at 804-514-4202 or [email protected].

Women’s Conference will be held at The Homestead

The 2012 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Conference will take place March 23-25 at The Homestead in Hot Springs.

The theme of the conference is “Nurturing a New Horizon.” Workshops will include information about bridging generation gaps, using social media effectively, and herbal vinegars. There also will be informative sessions on meal etiquette, how to save money by couponing and Farmer Ben’s Farm Day Fun.

The keynote speaker will be LaDonna Gatlin, sister of the members of country music group the Gatlin Brothers.

Participants in the 2012 Virginia Farm Bureau Ambassador and VFBF Farm Woman of the Year programs will be judged at the conference, and state-level winners will be announced.

Members can register at county Farm Bureau offices beginning in late January.


By Sara Owens

If you recently suffered a loss due to a storm or other event, you know the potential value of an insurance policy. But what if that loss wasn’t covered? There are some losses that are not automatically included on a homeowner or business policy.

“It’s important to review your policy and talk to your insurance agent to make sure you have all the coverage you need,” said Sam Rooks, vice president of underwriting for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. “No one wants to find out they’re not covered when it’s time to file a claim.”

These are some occurrences that can damage a home or other building but are not automatically included on an insurance policy. If you are not covered and would like to be, your Farm Bureau agent can help.

• Earthquake: Any home or building could be damaged in an earthquake, and even just a few cracks in drywall can be costly to repair, Rooks said.

• Flood: Flood insurance must be purchased separately. The flood endorsement includes any rising water from creeks or rivers that creep into your home or other building and cause damage.

• Water and sewer back-up: This coverage is for damage if an out-going water or sewer line backs up into your home or other building.

• Building ordinance: Every Farm Bureau policyholder receives notice about this endorsement with his or her policy renewal, Rooks said. The building ordinance endorsement covers changes that must be made when repairing damage to older homes to bring them up to code.

• Common items: Policies have a limited amount of coverage for items such as guns and jewelry. If the items are stolen, they are covered only up to $2,500. Policyholders can schedule those items to secure additional coverage.

• Food spoilage: Policies cover only up to $500 worth of food spoilage. If you generally keep more than $500 worth of food in your refrigerator of freezer, you may want to consider adding this endorsement, Rooks said.

Additionally, if you operate your own business and work from home, your agent can help make sure you are properly insured.

Make sure you have the insurance you need when it counts most

Hurricane Irene leads to $30 million in Farm Bureau claims

Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. received nearly 6,200 storm damage claims after Hurricane Irene caused extensive damage to homes, farms and other property on Aug. 27, 2011. The storm was the costliest to hit Virginia since Hurricane Isabel in September 2003.

The total damage from claims received from Hurricane Irene now exceeds $30 million.

“The damage from Irene extended over most of the eastern third of the state,” said Rick Mattox, VFBMIC vice president of claims. “With a tremendous effort from our Farm Bureau claims adjusters and help from about 30 independent adjusters, we were able to close almost 95 percent of those claims within eight weeks. That’s really an incredible feat for an insurance company.”

VFBMIC has received 350 claims as a result of the August 2011 earthquake that had its epicenter in Louisa County. Fewer than 10 were covered losses.

“Unfortunately many of our customers did not have coverage for earthquake damage,” Mattox said. “The earthquake coverage is an endorsement that needs to be added to a homeowner’s policy. Anyone interested in adding earthquake insurance should talk to their agent.”

Floods, like the ones Virginia frequently sees in fall or spring, and earthquakes, like the one last August, can cause structural damage not automatically covered by homeowner or business insurance policies.

Photo Contest Winners

First-place entries in Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s annual photo contest showcased the visual appeal of agriculture.

All winning photos can be viewed at VaFarmBureau.org, and an entry form and guidelines for the 2012 contest are available at VaFarmBureau.org/contests.

Participants submitted photos for judging in four categories: Animals, Landscapes/Rural Life, People, and Structures and Equipment. Entries were judged in three age divisions: 6 to 10 years, 11 to 17 years, and 18 and older.

“Boys of Summer” by Parker Clary, Brunswick County “Supper Time” by Amy Larson, Washington County

“Under the Gun” by Russ Parkinson, Rockingham County “Ed Saunders” by Courtney Didlake, Caroline County


Photo Contest Winners

“Soft Stillness Before Harvest” by Thane Everett, Spotsylvania County

“Henry” by Elisha Courts, Fluvanna County

“The Wheel of Life” by Hannah Roberts, Campbell County

“This is Tasty!” by Drue Clary, Brunswick County



AnticipatedgrowthandcurrentstandstillsintheexportofVirginia

agriculturalandforestryproductswereaddressedbyspeakersatthe

VirginiaFarmBureauFederation2011AnnualConvention.

TheeventdrewhundredsofFarmBureauproducermembersand

others with an interest in agriculture and agribusiness. It was held

Nov.29throughDec.1attheNorfolkWatersideMarriott.

Theconventionthemewas“AgTrade:GrowingOpportunities.”

Convention touched on AG TRADE strengths, challenges

2 0 1 1 A n n u a l C o n v e n t i o n

Top Virginia ag exports include:} Soybeans

} Grains

} Pork

} Poultr y

} Tobacco

} Wood Products

} Fats and Oils

} Cotton

} Seafood

} FreshVegetables

} Animal Hides

Virginia’s top export markets include:} China

} Morocco

} Belgium

} Indonesia

} Venezuela

} Mexico

} Russia

} Ireland

} Japan

Virginiaagriculturalexportsareup5percentfrom2010,andthatfigurecouldincreaseevenmorebeforetheendoftheyear,saidToddHaymore,Virginia’ssecretaryofagricultureandforestry.

Virginiashipped$2.24billionworthofagricultureandforestryproductsin2010,thestate’ssecond-highestamountever,HaymoretoldparticipantsattheVirginiaFarmBureauFederation2011AnnualConventiononNov.30.

“That’sgreatnews,buttherearetradebarrierswecontinuetobattle,”hesaid,citingChina’songoingbanonpoultryshippedfromVirginiaandabanonlogsshippedfromVirginiathatwasenactedearlierthisyear.HealsonotedrestrictionsinCubaandexportstoIndiathatarelimitedduetohightariffs.

Fortunately,Haymoresaid,Gov.BobMcDonnelliscommittedtoincreasingVirginia’sagriculturalandforestryexports.“Heappreciatesandsupportsagriculture,andhismindsetistobuylocalandsellglobal.”

TheVirginiaDepartmentofAgricultureandConsumerServicesalreadyhasanofficeinHongKongandrecentlyopenedtradeofficesinShanghaiandNewDelhi.“Byhavingbootsontheground,wecanmakeprogress,”Haymoresaid.

RecenttrademissionstoChina,Europe,IndiaandIsraelalreadyarepayingoffforVirginiafarmers.

PerdueAgribusinessshipssoybeanstotheDandongportinnortheastChina.“Everytimeaboatlaunches,atleast$20millionworthofsoybeansisbeingshippedtoChina,”Haymoresaid.“Thisisagreatopportunityforsoybeangrowersinthestate.”

Va. farm and forestry exports up in 2011, secretary says

Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore



BansbytheChinesegovernmentonpoultryandlogsshippedfromVirginiahaveprovedongoingchallengesforthestate’sagriculture,forestryandshippingsectors.

“Quagmire”washowJ.J.Keever,VirginiaPortAuthorityseniordeputyexecutivedirectorforexternalaffairs,describedtheprocessofgettingthebanslifted.KeeverdeliveredthekeynoteaddressNov.29attheVirginiaFarmBureauFederation2011AnnualConvention.

Virginiaexportsabout15percentofitschickensandabout10percentofitsturkeys,Keevernoted,andgenerallyspeaking,“we’removingtheVirginia(agricultural)productsthroughtheglobalmarketplace.”

China,however,hasbannedimportsofpoultryfromVirginiasinceanoutbreakofavianinfluenzaintheShenandoahValleyin2007.

WhileU.S.agribusinessandshippingofficialshaveworkedwithCongressforyearstogetthebanlifted,“wehavenotmadeanysignificantprogress,”Keeversaid.

ChinaalsohasbannedimportsoflogsfromVirginiaandSouthCarolinasinceApril,afterinsectswerefoundinsomeshipments.

KeeversaidChineseofficialsacceptedaninvitationearlierthisyeartovisitVirginiaanddiscussasolution,butthatvisithassincebeenrescheduledforMarch2012.Heestimatedthatthebanisstoppingexportof4,000to5,000shippingcontainersamonthfromVirginiaduringthecurrentloggingseason.

“Obviouslyprogresshasbeenslowtodate,”hesaid,butinthecaseofbothbans,“therearemanypeopleacrossthecountrytryingtofindonefix”thatwillgetgoodsmovingtoChinaagain.

Likethestate’sagricultureandforestryindustries,Virginia’scontainershippingsectorisasignificanteconomicdriverforthecommonwealth,Keeversaid.Itisresponsiblefor345,000jobsand$41billioninbusinessrevenue.Globally,containershippingincreased11percentin2010,anditisforecasttoincrease300percentby2040.

“SothisisagoodopportunityforthePortofVirginia,”hesaid.

KeeverencouragedVirginia’sfarmerstopursuenewopportunitiestoexporttheircommodities,“andwedoappreciatethosethatwemovethroughtheport.”

Port of Virginia ‘very familiar with agriculture’

ThePortofVirginiahasthepotentialtobeextremelyprofitableforVirginiafarmers,asecondVirginiaPortAuthorityofficialtoldconventionparticipants.

GregEdwards,directorofexternalaffairs,overviewedtheportanditspotentialvaluetofarmersduringaNov.29workshoptitled“PortofVirginia:Proximity&PotentialProfit.”

“It’scloseby,sowhygosomewherefartherawaywhenyoucanutilizetheportrighthere?”Edwardssaid.“PlusthePortofVirginiaisveryfamiliarwithagriculture.Agexportsareastaplefortheport,andwehavealotofexperiencehandlingagriculturalproducts.”

ThePortofVirginiaistheseventh-largestportinthecountryandthethird-largestcontainerportontheEastCoast,with13percentofthemarketshare.

In2010,22percentofallitsloadedcontainerscarriedagriculturalproducts,a25percentincreasesince2006.Virginiawasrankedninthnationallyforagriculturalexportsin2010.

AgexportsareontheriseduetoaweakenedU.S.dollarandbecauseitiseasierforfarmerstoexporttheirproducts,Edwardssaid.

Producerscanexporttheirgoodsusingcontainerssothattheyavoidhavingtomeetahighervolumethreshold.“Insteadofhavingtoexport1,000or2,000tonsofaproduct,farmerscanchoosetofilltwocontainers,”Edwardssaid.“That’sachievableandhasmadeexportingproductsmoreappealingtofarmers.”

FarmerswithaninterestinagriculturaltradeshouldcontacttheVirginiaDepartmentofAgricultureandConsumerServicesforhelpwithlettersofcreditandfindingbuyers,hesaid.

“Whenthey’rereadytodiscussmovingtheirproduct,theyshouldcontactthePortofVirginia.”

Solutions elusive for Chinese bans, port official tells farmers

Port of Virginia F • A • C • T • S

J.J. Keever

The Port of Virginia is

the nation’s seventh-largest

and the East Coast’s

third-largest port, behind

those of New York /

New Jersey and Savannah,

and ahead of ports in

Charleston and Jacksonville.

The port is able to

accommodate larger ships

that will benefit from

the current $5.25 billion

modernization of the

Panama Canal.

C O N T A C T S :

Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,

Office of International Marketing804-786-3953

Virginia Port Authority800-446-8098


Withoutthesaleoftaxcreditsfromaconservationeasementonhis180-acrefarminAugustaCounty,WesKentwouldneverhavebeenabletopurchaseanadjoining118-acrefarm.

“Theconservationeasementprovidedmeavaluabletooltoexpandmyfarm,”KentsaidduringaNov.29paneldiscussionon“ConservationEasements:TheRightFitforYourFarm?”

Kent,afull-timebeef,dairyandpoultryfarmer,boughthisfarmin2004afterleasingitforseveralyears.ThisyearhewasabletoputthatfarmunderaconservationeasementwiththeVirginiaOutdoorsFoundation,astateagencythatisVirginia’slargestholderofconservationeasements.

Withthesaleoftaxcreditsfromthateasement,hehadenoughcollateraltosecurefinancingtopurchasehisneighbor’sproperty.

“Thiseasementwasagoodfitformyfarm,”Kentsaid.

Conservationeasementsarevoluntarylegalagreementsdesignedtorestrictintensivelanduseslikeresidentialandcommercialdevelopment.Localitieshaveusedsuchagreementstopreserveopenandagriculturallandandpromoteresponsiblegrowth.

Easementscanbedonatedforfederalandstatetaxbenefitsorsoldunderpurchaseofdevelopmentrightsortransferofdevelopmentrightsprograms.Farmerswhoplaceconservationeasementsontheirlandcontinuetoown,liveonandfarmitandcansellthelandorpassitontotheirheirs.

Therehasbeenaperceptionthatconservationeasementsaren’taviableoptionforworkingfarms,saidpanelmoderatorMattLohr,Virginia’scommissionerofagricultureandconsumerservices.

Lohrhasspentthepastyearworkingwithfarmers,agribusinesses,conservationgroupsandotherstocomeupwithaworkinglandsvariancetoconservationeasements.Thevarianceallowsfarmerstocontinuefarminglandthatisundereasement.

Historically,easementsfocusedonopenspacepreservation,“butfarmlandisworthyofpreservationasfarmland,”saidpanelistLisaAnneHawkins,afoundingpartnerofthelawfirmLenhartObenshainPCwhospecializesinlandconservation.“Conservationeasementsrecognizeandhonorthatsoyoucanoperateaviable

businessintothefuture,”andlandownerscangetsometaxbenefitsaswell,sheadded.

Panelistsencouragedfarmerstoatleastconsiderwhethertheagreementsmighthelpthempreservetheirfarms.

Formoreinformation,producerscancallthestate’sofficeoffarmlandpreservationwithintheVirginiaDepartmentofAgricultureandConsumerServicesat804-786-1346.

Variance to conservation easements allows for working farmland


Delegates elect new District 10 director, re-elect four others

PittsylvaniaCountybeefandpoultryproducerRobertMillsJr.ofCallandshasbeenelectedtoathree-yeartermontheVirginiaFarmBureauFederationboardofdirectors.Hewill

representFarmBureauproducermembersinCampbell,HalifaxandPittsylvaniacounties.

MillssucceedsJosephH.Williams,alsoofPittsylvania,whodidnotseekre-election.

HeownsandoperatesBriarViewFarmsPoultry,a17,000-pulletbreederoperationthatraisesbirdsforPerdueFarms,andco-ownsM.C.Cattle,a500-headcow-calfoperation.Healsogrowstobacco.

DelegatestotheVFBFconventionalsore-electedDistrict1directorEmilyF.EdmondsonofTazewellCounty,District4directorGordonR.MetzofHenryCounty,District7directorThomasE.GravesofOrangeCountyandDistrict13director.M.L.EverettJr.ofSouthamptonCounty.

Robert Mills Jr.

Localities have used conservation easements to preserve open and agricultural land and promote responsible growth.


FarmBureausinthecountiesofGreene,Loudoun,OrangeandChesterfieldwererecognizedNov.30withBestinStateAwardsfortheirworkineducatingthepublicandpromotingagricultureandFarmBureau.

GreeneCountyFarmBureau,ledbyPresidentJoanneBurkholder,woninthecategoryformembershipacquisition.

LoudounCountyFarmBureau,ledbyPresidentWillCockerill,woninthememberinvolvementandretentioncategory.

OrangeCountyFarmBureau,ledbyPresidentJimMiller,capturedhonorsforagriculturepromotionoreducationtargetingthepublic.

ChesterfieldCountyFarmBureau,ledbyPresidentHowardNesterJr.,wasrecognizedforitsgovernmentalrelationsprogram.

County Farm Bureaus recognized for excellence

Farm leader, property rights advocate honored with Distinguished Service Awards

RetiredVFBFboardmemberRobertE.HallofNorthumberlandCountyandstateSen.MarkObenshain,R-Harrisonburg,wererecognizedNov.30withVirginiaFarmBureauFederation

DistinguishedServiceAwards.Hallraisescorn,wheat,soybeansand

oysterson500acresinVirginia’sNorthernNeckregion,aswellas1,500acresoftimber.AFarmBureaumemberfor33years,heservedontheVFBFboardfrom1995to2010,representingproducermembersinthecountiesofCaroline,Essex,Gloucester,KingandQueen,KingWilliam,Lancaster,Mathews,Middlesex,Northumberland,RichmondandWestmoreland.

HeisapastpresidentandboardmemberoftheNorthumberland-LancasterCountyFarmBureau,amemberoftheVirginiaSmallGrainCheckoffBoardandtheVirginiaAgriculturalCouncilBoard,and

treasurerandpastpresidentoftheFFAYoungFarmersofNorthumberlandCounty.

ObenshainhasrepresentedHarrisonburgandthecountiesofPage,Rappahannock,Rockingham,ShenandoahandWarrenintheGeneralAssemblysince2003.In2007,

hewasachiefpatronoflegislationthatreformedVirginia’seminentdomainlawstoprotectpropertyowners.In2011,hewasattheforefrontofthebattleforpropertyownerstogetprotectionsenshrinedinthestateconstitution.

Obenshainhasa100percentvotingrecordinsupportofVFBFpolicyissueswhileservingontheSenateAgriculture,ConservationandNaturalResources;CourtsofJustice;LocalGovernment;andPrivilegesandElectionscommittees,andheconsistentlyhasbeenendorsedbytheVirginiaFarmBureauFederationAgPAC.


Robert E. Hall

TheVirginiaFarmBureauFederationYoungFarmersCommitteehonoredVFBFVicePresidentEdwardA.Scharer

ofAlbemarleCountyNov.29withits2011WarrenBeachAwardforhislong-standing

supportoftheYoungFarmersProgram.Scharer,acattle,hog,rowcropand

forageproducer,previouslyservedthreetermsontheVFBFboardofdirectors,representingproducermembersinthecountiesofAlbemarle,Fluvanna,Goochland,Greene,Hanover,HenricoandLouisa.

“Mr.ScharerhasalwaysbeenahugesupporterofoureffortstogrowtheYoungFarmerPrograminVirginia,”saidYoungFarmersCommitteeChairmanRobertHarris.“Heattendsallofourfunctionsandmeetingsandhasalwaysbeenaresourcewecouldturntoforwhateverweneeded.”

Young farmers honor organization’s vice president

Edward A. Scharer

Mark Obenshain

ChristyHuffmanKerr,anagricultureteacheratWilsonMemorialHighSchoolinAugustaCounty,tooktophonorsNov.29inVirginiaFarm

BureauFederation’sannualYoungFarmersDiscussionMeet.

Firstrunner-upwasChrisVanVlackofLoudounCounty.OtherfinalistswereJeremeyBurnerofOrangeCountyandKatelynKoontzofAugustaCounty.

TheDiscussionMeetisacommittee-stylediscussionofapredeterminedagriculturaltopic.Participantsarejudgedontheirabilitytobuildconsensusandworktowardsolutions.

KerrwasawardedaJohnDeereGator

utilityvehicle,courtesyofSouthernFarmBureauLifeInsuranceCo.;$500,courtesyofVFBF;and$250,courtesyoftheVirginiaFarmBureauServiceCorp.Shealsowillreceiveatriptothe2012winterconferenceforFarmBureauYoungFarmersfromVirginiaandMarylandinLeesburg.

ShewillrepresentVFBFintheAmericanFarmBureauFederationYoungFarmers&RanchersDiscussionMeetinHonolulu.

Augusta County teacher wins Discussion Meet

Christy Huffman Kerr


USFRA begins conversation between farmers, consumersBy Kathy Dixon

It’s time for Virginia farmers to tell their stories.And they can join with others across the nation in a movement

to get a dialogue going between farmers and consumers.Virginia Farm Bureau has affiliated itself with the U.S.

Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, formed by farmers and agricultural groups to spearhead a national dialogue between consumers and producers.

“I think this is definitely a positive step toward getting a two-way conversation going,” said Scott Sink, a Franklin County vegetable producer who is president of the Franklin County Farm Bureau and vice chairman of the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee.

USFRA research found that most of today’s consumers have little information about where their food comes from. To address that, the group held a Sept. 22 event called The Food Dialogues in Washington, California, Indiana and New York. Panelists in each location discussed concerns uncovered by USFRA-commissioned surveys and answered questions from audience members and people who visited the USFRA website and Facebook and Twitter pages.

“I hope that this is just the beginning of more conversations down the road,” said Sink, who attended the Washington event.

The USFRA found that Americans think about food production often, yet 72 percent of consumers say they know nothing or very little about farming or ranching. Many said they think the United States is on the wrong track in the way it produces food.

“Americans have a lot of questions about where their food comes from, how it is raised and if it is good for their health long-term,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman, who serves as USFRA chairman. “The findings of our surveys indicate there is an opportunity for more dialogue between farmers, ranchers and the American public about how food is grown and raised in the U.S. We hope that the results of the survey combined with the Food Dialogues event will continue the conversation between farmers, ranchers and anyone who is interested in learning more about how food is grown and raised.”

Consumers surveyed said that some of the agricultural topics with the most confusing information include pesticide and antibiotic uses and genetic engineering in crops. Seventy-nine percent said that producing healthy choices for all consumers is very important for farmers to consider when planning farming practices.

“I think people want to know who produces their food and how they produce it,” said Sink, who operates a retail produce store in Montgomery County. “But people don’t even understand what they’re asking sometimes.”

When he operated a farm stand, he noted, shoppers would ask if his produce was grown organically. Sink is not an organic farmer, but he would explain how he grows his fruits and vegetables and what inputs he uses. Typically, people still bought his products.

“They need it to make sense to them,” he said.

Training session will coincide with Legislative Day

Virginia Farm Bureau members attending this year’s Legislative Day on Jan. 24 in Richmond will be able to get training on how to better communicate with consumers.

Representatives of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance will offer the training.

The organization’s goal is to train 250,000 farmers and ranchers on new messaging to use when telling the general public about farming. Research commissioned by USFRA has shown that current messaging being used by most agriculture groups has not been effective in swaying consumer beliefs.

The research also tested new messaging that resonated better with consumers. That information will be presented in the two-hour session Jan. 24.

Burning the midnight oilis in our job description.

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FARM BUREAU offers NEW health care reform-compliant plans with increased benefits for Virginia Farm Bureau members. Our trained staff will help you customize a health care plan to fit your needs and budget. We work with individuals, families and all types of businesses throughout the state of Virginia.

Get the Membership Advantage.

• Individual plans

• Employer group plans

• HSAs and HRAs

• Medicare supplement

• Dental and vision

Virginia Farm Bureau Service Corporation is an independent authorized agent in Virginia for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Anthem Health Plans of Virginia, Inc. trades as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia, and its service area is all of Virginia except for the City of Fairfax, the Town of Vienna, and the area east of State Route 123. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its affiliated HMO HealthKeepers, Inc. are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For exclusions, limitations, terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued, costs and complete details of the coverage, call or write your insurance agent or the company, whichever is applicable.

Confused by Health Reform?We can help!

U T H O R I Z E D G E N TA AN D E P E N D E N TI

For information on how the changes in health insurance can save you money, call us at 800-229-7779.

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When people talk about locally grown food, they’re talking about more than just proximity to a farm.

“Buy local” is also about supporting specific values—family ownership, local control, environmental stewardship, community and ecological diversity. Those values motivate people to buy their food directly from the farmers who grow it.

The local food system relies on an abundance of smaller-scale, diverse, sustainable family farms all across Virginia. For that kind of farm to exist, “sustainable” means more than environmental sustainability; it also includes economic viability. Farming is a dangerous and risky business, and it becomes a whole lot less attractive when a farmer knows he or she

is one fall from the tractor away from losing their livelihood.

The industry has a need for new and younger farmers, but there are many challenges to attracting young people to farm in a way that will create a sustainable local food system.

One of them, however, looms large: access to affordable, dependable health care.

The ability to have adequate health care coverage is a serious concern for self-employed farmers. Many do not carry health insurance and try not to think about it. Others remind themselves, “Don’t do anything stupid” and hope that will keep them from getting hurt.

However, there are strategies that can allow farmers to cover health care costs.

You can buy health insurance plans as an individual or purchase a group plan with your farm as a small business at an affordable cost. Virginia Farm Bureau health insurance representatives can help you make an informed decision. They can explain the coverage and help you find a way to afford it, so that if there is an accident or illness, you won’t have to worry about how to pay for needed care.

Bottom line: If you don’t have a health insurance plan, get one.

They are affordable, and it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Contact your county Farm Bureau office for help in finding a plan that is best-suited to your needs.

‘Don’t do anything stupid’ is not a health care plan

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Brush up on winter safety with online videos

Be sure you, your family and your farm are ready for Old Man Winter by brushing up on winter driving tips, hunting safety and ways to winterize your home.

Visit the Virginia Farm Bureau Safety Center at FarmBureauAdvantage.com/TheAdvantage/SafetyCenter to view winter safety videos.

For more information, contact Farm Bureau Safety at 804-290-1376 or [email protected].

More ‘dirt’! Farm Bureau launches new blog

Virginia Farm Bureau’s video blog, “The Real Dirt,” has taken on a new dimension.

Now housed at virginiafarmbureau.blogspot.com, the blog offers information and commentary on ag news and issues, as well as photos from Virginia farms, seasonal recipes that include Virginia farm products, and “Real Dirt” videos.

“The Real Dirt” also is accessible from the first page of VaFarmBureau.org.

Farm Bureau partnering with hearing-loss study; members can participate

Virginia Farm Bureau is partnering with the University of Michigan’s “HEAR on the Farm” research program.

HEAR on the Farm is a study being offered to farmers in the interest of reducing noise-related hearing losses among producers by increasing their use of hearing protection devices. The university created the program with funds from the National Institutes of Health and in collaboration with the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Producers who enroll in the study will be able to contribute to that effort while earning money for Virginia Farm Bureau Safety programs. They also can earn as much as $40 for participating.

Interested farmers can get details at hearonthefarm.org; use the access code “saveears” to enroll. Or contact study administrators at [email protected].

The HEAR on the Farm website presents information about hearing protection devices, how they work and how to overcome barriers to using them. The site also demonstrates common farm noises and how they can be damaging to the ears. It describes how noise-induced hearing loss happens, and how to prevent it.


Agriculture Literacy Week is back for 2012AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM

www.agintheclass.org

AITC SUPPORTERSIn addition to many individuals who contributed, these organizations made contributions to the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Clasroom between Aug. 15 and Dec. 12, 2011.

Leader Level ($1,000 to $9,999)The following groups made contributions at the Leader Level:

• BB&T• BotetourtCountyFarmBureau• BuckinghamCountyFarmBureau• CentralDistrictWomen’sCommittee• CulpeperCountyFarmBureau• DominionFoundation• ElisOlssonMemorialFoundation• FauquierCountyFarmBureau• FloydCountyFarmBureau• HouffFoundation• NelsonCountyFarmBureau• PageCountyFarmBureauWomen’sCommittee• VirginiaFarmBureauemployees• VirginiaFarmBureauYoungFarmers• VirginiaFarmCreditAssociation• VirginiaPorkIndustryBoard• VirginiaNurseryandLandscapeAssociation

Builder Level ($500 to $999)The following groups made contributions at the Builder Level:

• AmeliaCountyFarmBureau• AugustaCountyFarmBureau

Women’s Committee• GreeneCountyFarmBureau• HenryCountyFarmBureau• Highland-BathCountyFarmBureau• KingGeorgeCountyFarmBureau

Women’s Committee• MidwestDistrictWomen’sCommittee• OrangeCountyFarmBureau• RockbridgeCountyFarmBureau• RussellCountyFarmBureau• ValleyDistrictWomen’sCommittee• VirginiaAgribusinessCouncil• WytheCountyFarmBureau

Find more information about AITC at AgInTheClass.org. Donations to the AITC program are always welcome and can be mailed to AITC, P.O. Box 27552, Richmond, VA 23261.

Plans are being made for Virginia’s second Agriculture Literacy Week, which will be March 4-10 and coincide with National Ag Day, March 8.

Farm Bureau volunteers and other members of Virginia’s agriculture and agribusiness community are invited to visit elementary schools and day care or after-school programs in their areas and read the children’s book From Our Fields … To You by Virginia teacher and farmer Kellie Worrell. The book has been named Farmer Ben’s Book of t he Year for 2012 by Virginia’s Agriculture in the Classroom program.

AITC is encouraging volunteers to purchase copies of the book to donate to school and classroom libraries when they visit.

Last year volunteers read to more than 54,000 children during Agriculture Literacy Week and shared more than 1,800 copies of the designated 2011 book, Ready, Set, GROW!

Tips for reading to school groups, information on ordering copies of From Our Fields … To You and a downloadable activity book that can be copied for distribution are available in the “Volunteers” section of AgInTheClass.org.

“The number of Farm Bureau volunteers, state ag officials and others who stepped forward to read to children in their communities was just amazing,” said AITC Executive Director Karen Davis. “I hope they had good experiences, and I hope they will encourage others to participate this year.”

The AITC program is funded by donations received through the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom. For information on supporting the foundation’s educational initiatives, visit AgInTheClass.org and click on the “Donor” link, or contact Davis at 804-290-1142 or [email protected].

At press time, the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom was putting the finishing touches on an informational video called Kids Want to Know More that outlines AITC’s mission and what the program offers educators.

Kids Want to Know More will replace the previous AITC video Cows Don’t Go to School and should be on AgInTheClass.org by the end of this month.

New AITC promotional video expected this month

In the 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.

Boxwood trees are great foundation plants and also can be used for privacy screening, but they are susceptible to winter storm damage, said horticulturalist Mark Viette.

“The trees are often damaged by heavy, wet snow. A couple of winters ago we had a bad storm, and it flattened out our boxwood hedge,” Viette said. “Luckily, evergreens have the ability to maintain color after damage, but after two years, the branches become damaged. Boxwoods can rebound from damage, but in this case, the tree has been damaged for too long and it will require pruning.”

Boxwoods should be pruned in the spring, using lopping shears or a hand saw.

Scratch the branch with a penknife to see if the branch is dead or alive. If it is dead, it is important to cut it where the new growth starts at the base. More branches could die if you prune only a few of them, Viette said.

“As you pull apart the plant, you can see where it is dead. Prune to where the nice, green growth is at the bottom of the tree, about 12 to 18 inches from the ground.”

Once that’s done the plant will begin showing new growth, taking about three years to reach its former size.

Relieve boxwoods of winter,s wear and tear

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OATMEAL delivers fiber and protein in one bowlGood for You!

By Kathy Dixon

Sowing your oats may have negative connotations, but eating oats is good for your health.

Oats made into oatmeal—not the instant kind that comes in different flavors—are a good source of fiber and nutrients, including vitamin E, zinc, iron and magnesium. Oats also are a good source of protein.

Most oatmeal is made from whole oats that have been rolled and flattened into flakes. Steel cut oats, which are whole oats cut into thirds, have become a trendy form of the old staple.

According to the American Cancer Society, insoluble fiber that is found in oatmeal has cancer-fighting properties because it attacks certain bile acids, reducing their toxicity. And the soluble fiber found in oats may reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) without lowering HDL cholesterol (the good kind), according to the ACS.

Additionally, soluble fiber slows down the digestion of starch, which minimizes sharp rises in blood sugar level that usually happens right after eating. And research has found that people who eat more oats are less likely to develop heart disease.

Even fast food restaurants are realizing the health benefits of oatmeal and are now offering it on their menus. Burger King, Chick-Fil-A, Denny’s, McDonald’s and Starbucks all have some form of oatmeal on their menus.

Oat consumption has grown by 5 percent each year since 1997, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration first issued its health claim for oat-based foods, according to the North American Milling Association.

Spinach-Stuffed Turkey Meatloaf

Ingredients

1 cup coarsely chopped mushrooms

¼ cup chopped onion

10-ouncepackagefrozenchoppedspinach,thawedanddrained

½cupshreddedpart-skim mozzarellacheese,divided

¼cupgratedParmesancheese

1 pound 99% lean ground turkey breast

¾ cup oatmeal (quickorold-fashioned,uncooked)

½cupfat-freemilk

1eggwhite,lightlybeaten

1teaspoonItalianseasoningblend

½teaspoonsalt(optional)

¼ teaspoon black pepper

Preparation

Preheatovento375.° Lightly spray a mediumskilletwithcookingspray.Cookmushroomsandonionintheskilletovermedium-lowheatfor4minutesoruntilonionistender;removefromheat.Addspinach, ¼cupmozzarellacheeseandParmesancheese,andmixwell.Setaside.

Inalargebowl,combineturkey,oats,milk,eggwhite,Italianseasoning,saltandpepper,mixinglightlybutthoroughly.Spoontwo-thirdsoftheturkeymixturelengthwisedownthe centerofan11˝x7˝ glass baking dish.Formadeepindentationdownthemiddleoftheturkey,andfilltheindentationwiththereservedspinachmixture.Topwiththeremainingturkey,formingaloaf.Sealtheedgestocompletelyenclosethespinachfilling.

Bake30to35minutesoruntilameatthermometerregisters170°andjuicesshownopinkcolor.Removefromtheovenandsprinklewiththeremainingmozzarellacheese.Returntotheovenfor1 to 2 minutes or until the cheese melts. Letstand5minutesbeforeslicing.

Source:quakeroats.com



Heart of the Home

Grilled Ginger SalmonINGREDIENTS 1 to 1½ pounds salmon filets

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon honey

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon fresh, grated ginger

PREPARATION

Trim the sides of the salmon. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and place the salmon on the sheet, skin side down. Mix the oil, honey, mustard and ginger. Brush half of the mixture onto the salmon.

Grill the fish, turning it once and removing the skin. Then place it on a baking sheet, cover with foil and bake at 350° for about 5 minutes.

Brush salmon with the remaining marinade. Serve with asparagus and rice, and garnish with fresh dill and a lemon wedge.

Salmon is a favorite of Virginia’s first lady,

Maureen McDonnell, said Executive

Chef Todd Schneider, who has been cooking

for Gov. Bob McDonnell and his family

and staff for the past two years.

“This is a simple recipe using fresh,

Virginia-grown ginger,” Schneider said.

“I like to use fresh ingredients when I cook.”

He suggests serving the fish with a side of

steamed asparagus and your favorite rice.

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

Chef Todd Schneider 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. He also serves as the executive chef at the Virginia Executive Mansion and is owner of Seasons Fine Catering.

FRESH GINGER IS HIGHLIGHT OF SIMPLE SALMON RECIPE ??


Members of Virginia Farm Bureau are entitled to one free 15-word classified ad per membership per year in Farm Bureau News, which is mailed to producer members, or in Cultivate, which is mailed to associate members.

Ads of 16 to 30 words must be accompanied by payment of $20.Any additional ads placed by members in the same calendar

year must be accompanied by payment of $10 for 15 words or fewer, or $20 for 16 to 30 words. Ads submitted without payment will be returned. We do not invoice for classified ads or provide proofs or tearsheets.

Ads with more than 30 words and ads from nonmembers will not be accepted.

Use the form on Page 30 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 2012 dues are paid.

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).

If you want to advertise your farm stand, CSA or pick-your-own operation, your farm-related services, or special events on your farm, Virginia Farm Bureau’s Member Marketplace is a good place to start.

Farm Bureau expanded its online classified advertising opportunities this year to help members promote and find their farm products and events. Information on using the service to find farm-fresh foods and special events has been shared with associate members via Cultivate magazine.

Members can place free classified ads at VaFarmBureau.org/marketplace in the categories that currently appear in Farm Bureau News—crops, farm equipment, hay and straw, livestock

and livestock equipment—as well as in the following categories:• agritourism;• agricultural event notices;• agricultural services;• community-supported agriculture;• horses;• nursery and greenhouse; and• on-farm sales.

Internet-only ads will have a 45-word maximum and will expire Dec. 31. Only members with paid 2012 memberships will be able to place ads.

Place online Member Marketplace ads year-round!

2012 magazine classified ad schedule and policies

Finding your member numberWhen placing your ad, be sure to include your Farm Bureau

member number, which is on your membership card and also can be found above your name on the mailing label of your copy of Farm Bureau News. All member numbers will be verified.

MemberMarketplace


Important:Wearenotresponsiblefortypographical errorsorerrorsduetoillegiblehandwriting (Norefundsavailable).ClassifiedadscarriedinVirginia Farm Bureau News and Cultivate do notconstituteanendorsementbyVirginiaFarmBureauFederationanditsaffiliatedcompaniesandorganizations.Wereservetherighttoeditorrejectads,includingadsthatrepresentabusinessincompetitionwiththeVirginiaFarmBureauFederation,VirginiaFarmBureauMutualInsuranceCompanyoranyofouraffiliatedoraffinitypartners.Wereservetherighttoeditorrejectanyadvertisementthatmakesreferenceto any particular political party or group, religiousbeliefordenomination,race,creed,color or national origin.

Step 1Usetheformbelowtoprovidecontactinformationandthetextforyourad.•AdswillbeacceptedfromFarmBureau

membersonly.•Classifiedadsarenottransferable.•Pleasetypeorprint.•Classifiedadswillnotbeacceptedor

cancelledoverthephone.

Step 2Indicatetheissuesinwhichyouwantyouradtorun.

Step 3Selectthecategoryinwhichyouwantyouradtorun(Pickoneonly).

Step 4Yourfirstadof15wordsorlessisfreewithyourmembership.Pricingforadditionalads:1–15words $10/ad16–30words $20/adAdditionaladsmustbeaccompaniedbyacheck(nocash)foreachissueinwhichtheadistoappear.•Makecheckpayableto: VirginiaFarmBureau.

•Adslongerthan30wordswillnotbeaccepted.

•Wedonotinvoiceforclassifiedadsorprovideproofsortearsheets.

•Adssubmittedwithoutpaymentwillbereturned.

Step 5Mailyourad(andpayment)to: Virginia Farm Bureau News / Cultivate Classifieds P.O.Box27552 Richmond,VA23261-7552OrplaceitviatheVirginiaFarmBureauwebsiteatVaFarmBureau.org/Marketplace.

DeadlinesAdsandcancellationsmustbereceived(notmailed)bythefollowingdeadlines:Issue DeadlineMailedtoproducer membersMay April4August June29

Mailedtoassociate membersApril March2July June1

How to place your classified ad

One free 15-word ad per membership per year; 2012 dues must be paid before placing ad.

Moving?If your address or phone number has changed — or is about to —

don’t forget to contact your county Farm Bureau office to ensure that

your membership and subscription information stays current!

MemberMarketplace

NAME: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MEMBERNO.: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

COUNTY: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CITY: ______________________________________________________ STATE: ________________________________ZIP: ___________________

DAYTIMEPHONENUMBER: ____________________________________________________ E-MAILADDRESS:______________________________

Ads will not be accepted without the information above

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

1. ____________________________ 2. ____________________________3. _______________________________ 4. ______________________________ 5.__________________________________

6. ____________________________ 7. ____________________________ 8. _______________________________ 9. ______________________________ 10. _________________________________

11. ___________________________ 12. ___________________________13. _______________________________ 14. _____________________________ 15._________________________________

ISSUEINWHICHADSHOULDRUN:q April (mailed to associate members)

q May (mailed to producer members)

Category in which ad should run (selectonlyone):

q Crops

qFarmEquipment

qHay/Straw

qLivestock

qLivestockEquipment

No other categories available

q Paymentenclosed:$_______________qThisismyonefree15-wordadfor2012

q July (mailed to associate members)

q August (mailed to producer members)

( ) phone number

* Adplacementavailablefortheseissuesonly


Watch this!To view

Real Virginia, visit VaFarmBureau.org

New gardener, chef and show will debut in JanuaryBeginning this month, Down Home Virginia has become Real Virginia, an improved television program

highlighting the importance of agriculture to Virginia consumers. As part of the new program, Chef Todd Schneider of the Virginia Executive Mansion will feature Virginia foods in new recipes, while Virginia Cooperative Extension garden expert Andy Hankins will focus on home vegetable gardening. There also will be a look at how ginger is grown in Virginia, as well as a report on how important trade is to the state’s top industry.

Real Virginia will air nationwide at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month on RFD-TV, as well as on 48 cable systems and three broadcast stations in Virginia. It’s also available online at VaFarmBureau.org.

Check local cable listings for the show times in your area, or visit VaFarmBureau.org for a list of participating stations.

Your county Farm Bureau office is your first point of contact for information on services and programs included in Virginia Farm Bureau’s Membership Advantage.

Addresses for county Farm Bureau offices, along with contact information for individual Farm Bureau insurance agents, are available online at FarmBureauAdvantage.com.

County Farm Bureau Offices

Accomack 757-787-4208

Albemarle 434-293-5775

Alleghany 540-962-3961

Amelia 804-561-2169

Amherst 434-946-5336

Appomattox 434-352-7851

Augusta 540-886-2353

Augusta 540-943-9820

Bedford 540-586-9103

Bedford 434-385-5239

Bland 276-688-4341

Botetourt 540-992-2062

Brunswick 434-848-3542

Brunswick 434-584-0290

Buckingham 434-983-2583

Campbell 434-332-5411

Caroline 804-633-9825

Carroll 276-728-4103

Carroll 276-236-7210

CharlesCity-JamesCity-NewKent-York 804-966-2310

CC/JC/NK/YK 757-564-3929

CC/JC/NK/YK 757-595-7143

Charlotte 434-542-5822

Chesapeake 757-546-8000

Chesterfield 804-748-5467

Chesterfield 804-639-4070

Clarke 540-869-8650

Craig 540-864-6428

Culpeper 540-825-0682

Cumberland 804-492-4621

Dinwiddie 804-469-3726

Essex 804-443-3733

Fauquier 540-347-3172

Floyd 540-745-2021

Fluvanna 434-842-3411

Franklin 540-483-9225

Franklin 540-721-7047

Franklin 540-483-4708

Frederick 540-869-8650

Giles 540-921-1777

Giles 540-626-3201

Gloucester-Mathews 804-725-3555

Gloucester-Mathews 804-642-3602

Goochland 804-556-4119

Goochland 804-290-1502

Grayson 276-773-3091

Grayson 276-236-7210

Greene 434-985-7057

Greensville 434-634-9471

Halifax 434-572-4529

Hanover 804-798-6534

Hanover 804-730-8730

Henrico 804-270-6400

Henrico 804-737-4999

Henry 276-638-7760

Highland-Bath 540-468-2605

IsleOfWight 757-242-6730

IsleOfWight 757-365-0400

KingGeorge 540-775-9650

KingandQueen 804-769-2580

KingandQueen 804-785-9431

KingWilliam 804-769-2580

Lee 276-346-2363

Loudoun 540-751-1111

Loudoun 703-858-0545

Louisa 540-967-1370

Lunenburg 434-676-2451

Madison 540-948-3311

Mecklenburg 434-738-6141

Mecklenburg 434-584-0290

Middlesex 804-776-6886

Montgomery 540-382-8161

Montgomery 540-961-4086

Nansemond 757-934-2321

Nelson 434-263-8328

Northampton 757-678-5158

Northumberland-Lancaster 804-580-4422

Northumberland-Lancaster804-435-0083

Nottoway 434-292-4389

Orange 540-672-3447

Page 540-743-5082

Patrick 276-694-7108

Pittsylvania 434-432-2381

Pittsylvania 434-792-7484

Powhatan 804-598-3081

Powhatan 804-897-4989

PrinceEdward 434-392-3050

PrinceGeorge 804-541-0559

PrinceWilliam-Fairfax 703-368-6813

Pulaski 540-674-5119

Rappahannock 540-987-8225

Richmond 804-333-4410

Roanoke 540-342-2626

Roanoke 540-562-3710

Rockbridge 540-463-3603

Rockingham 540-434-6778

Russell 276-889-1119

Russell 276-596-9036

Scott 276-386-7411

Shenandoah 540-459-4019

Smyth 276-783-6148

Southampton 757-653-9341

Spotsylvania 540-786-7575

Stafford 540-899-9454

Surry 757-294-3285

Sussex 434-246-3531

Tazewell 276-988-6556

VirginiaBeach 757-426-6115

VirginiaBeach 757-467-0603

Warren 540-635-4074

Washington 276-628-7135

Washington 276-466-3987

Westmoreland 804-493-8004

Wise-Dickenson 276-328-8274

Wythe 276-228-4042

As Congress crafts the 2012 Farm Bill and the state legislature considers the rights of property owners, farmers like you all over the state are making plans for the coming year.

As a Farm Bureau member, you’re helping to make it a good year for all of them.

For less than $4 a month you’re helping to ensure that working farmland stays in production, that Virginia farmers get the information they need to be successful, and that their interests are represented to elected officials. That’s some of what Farm Bureau does, thanks to people like you.

You can make an even bigger difference this year by telling your family, friends and neighbors about Farm Bureau and encouraging them to become members as well.

There’s never been a better year — and there’s never an off season.

SaveOurFood.org

®

VaFarmBureau.org

Farmers don’t take a season off, and neither does Farm Bureau

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