FBN March 2013

Virgnia VaFarmBureau.org

March 2013

Farm Bureau News

Veterinary externship ‘was a great program’

Contents 15

Virgnia Farm Bureau News

Veterinary externship “was a great program”

A veterinary student said she “definitely gained more confidence around large animals” through the first Virginia Farm Bureau-sponsored externship on members’ farms.

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Delegates work toward sound policies in Music City

The theme of this year’s American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Nashville, Tenn., was “Many Voices, One Vision.”

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Regional agriculture centers require a community effort, organizers say

Anyone who wants to build a regional agricultural center needs to be “ready to climb some high walls and have some thick skin,” one center organizer noted.

Departments 10

Viewing Virginia

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Washington Watch

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Home Checkup Checklist

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Good for You!

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Heart of the Home

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Marketplace

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Volume 72, Number 2 March 2013 Virginia Farm Bureau News (USPS 017-763) (ISSN 1525-528X) is published six times a year, January, March, May, June, August, September/October (combined issue).

It is published by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, 12580 West Creek Parkway, Richmond, VA 23238. Periodicals postage rate is paid in Richmond, VA. The annual subscription rate is $1.42 (included in membership dues).

Postmaster: Please send changes of address to, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, Farm Bureau News, P.O. Box 27552, Richmond, VA 23261-7552; fax 804-290-1096. Editorial and business offices are located at 12580 West Creek Parkway, Richmond, VA 23238. Telephone 804-290-1000, fax 804-290-1096. Email address is virginiafarmbureaunews@vafb. com. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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

All advertising is accepted subject to the publisher’s approval. Advertisers must assume liability for the content of their advertising. The publisher maintains the right to cancel advertising for nonpayment or reader complaints about services or products. The publisher assumes no liability for products or services advertised.

Member: Virginia Press Association

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

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

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virginia farm bureau federation

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On the Cover 13

Third-year veterinary student Erica Geary participated in the first Virginia Farm Bureau-sponsored externship on farms in Pulaski County (Photo by Sara Owens).

Officers Wayne F. Pryor, President Scott E. Sink, Vice President Board of Directors director district Emily Edmondson 1 Richcard L. Sutherland 2 Evelyn H. Janney 3 Gordon R. Metz 4 Stephen L. Saufley 5 Peter A. Truban 6 Thomas E. Graves 7 H. Carl Tinder Sr. 8 Henry E. Wood Jr. 9 Robert J. Mills Jr. 10 J. M. Jenkins Jr. 11 W. Ellis Walton 12 M. L. Everett Jr. 13 David L. Hickman 14 Janice R. Burton * Nathan A. Aker **

county Tazewell Grayson Floyd Henry Rockingham Shenandoah Orange Albemarle Buckingham Pittsylvania Lunenburg Middlesex Southampton Accomack Halifax Wythe *Women’s Committee Chairman **Young Farmers Committee Chairman

National Ag Day–March 19 National Ag Week–March 17-23 If you’re a Farm Bureau member who farms in Virginia, you’re part of a select group of families who, in 2012 • helped contribute $79 billion to Virginia’s economy; • participated in more than $2 billion in ag exports; • made farm-fresh foods and other products available at more than 200 farmers’ markets statewide; • helped rally Virginia voters to amend the state constitution to protect private property owners’ rights; • are an important part of an organization that stepped up to help preserve the State Fair of Virginia; and • helped support the commonwealth’s largest farmers’ advocacy organization.

sara owens

Thank you.

Virginia Beach produce grower John Wilson (left) and Navy veteran Bridget Ruiz (right) and her husband, Coleman, were profiled in Virginia Farm Bureau News and Cultivate magazines in 2012. Wilson shared his knowledge with the Ruizes, who wanted to begin farming and have since purchased land in Maryland.

VirginiaFarmBureau.com

march 2013

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Delegates work toward sound policies in Music City photos by sara owens

Retired astronaut Mark Kelly delivered the convention’s keynote address.

favored programs that provide emergency assistance for livestock and tree producers not covered by federal crop insurance programs.

On national fiscal policy—another top issue for Farm Bureau—delegates reaffirmed the importance of a sound budget process with priority on spending restraints rather than tax increases.

Virginia delegates were Pryor; VFBF Vice President Scott Sink; Carl Arey of Augusta County; Vickie Gibson of Orange County; Jim Jennings of Mecklenburg County; Thomas Jones of Chesapeake; Donald Moore of Pittsylvania County; and C.W. Pratt of Smyth County. Alternate delegates were Norman Hofmeyer of Charles City County and William Osborne of Tazewell County.

VFBF honored for contributions and programming Virginia Farm Bureau Federation President Wayne F. Pryor and Vice President Scott Sink were among delegates who participated in American Farm Bureau Federation policy development.

By Sara Owens U.S. farmers and ranchers gathered in Music City to discuss their vision for agriculture’s future during the 94th American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention, held Jan. 13-16 in Nashville, Tenn.

The theme of the meeting was “Many Voices, One Vision.”

With a new farm bill and needed reforms in areas such as fiscal, environmental and labor policy hanging in the balance, agricultural unity will be essential in 2013, said AFBF President Bob Stallman.

“It’s impressive to see farmers and ranchers from pastures, orchards and fields across every region of our country 4

Virginia Farm Bureau News

come together and determine what is in the best interest of agriculture overall,” Stallman said.

Virginia Farm Bureau Federation representatives joined delegates from across the nation to discuss the farm bill and other important legislative issues during the event’s Jan. 15 business meeting.

“We hope to see a five-year farm bill that will provide farmers certainty and extend much-needed risk management tools across more acres and more crops,” said VFBF President Wayne F. Pryor.

Delegates expressed support of a bipartisan, reform-minded farm bill, crafted around a broad, flexible, cropinsurance based program, including risk management protection for peanuts, rice, forage and specialty crops. They also

During the convention, Pryor accepted the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s Apex Award on behalf of the VFBF. The award recognizes state Farm Bureaus that donate at least 10 percent more to the foundation than they did in the previous year.

The donation from Virginia has helped the foundation build awareness, understanding and positive public perception of agriculture through education. VFBF also received the foundation’s Scholar Award for the highest contribution among state Farm Bureaus of comparable membership size.

In addition, the organization earned five AFBF Awards of Excellence—the most any state can receive—for programs in the areas of education and outreach; leadership development; member services; policy development and implementation; and public relations and communications.

VaFarmBureau.org

Smithsonian partners with American Farm Bureau Federation to document farm innovation

Dana A. Fisher of Shenandoah County accepted the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award from AFBF President Bob Stallman.

Shenandoah County educator wins Excellence in Agriculture Award Dana Allen Fisher of Shenandoah County was named the 2013 winner of the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award at the AFBF convention.

The award recognizes young adults who do not derive the majority of their income from an agricultural operation but actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture, their leadership abilities and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.

Fisher is an agriculture instructor and FFA adviser and has served on the FFA Foundation board in several roles. Last November he was named winner of the 2012 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Excellence in Agriculture Award.

He received his choice of a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado or a 2013 GMC Sierra, courtesy of GM, and registration for this year’s AFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference.

VFBF Young Farmers Achievement Award winners Nate and April Aker of Wythe County were among the 10 finalists for the AFBF YF&R Achievement Award contest, and VFBF 2012 Discussion Meet winner Justin Cruise of Westmoreland County participated in the AFBF Discussion Meet on Jan. 13.

VirginiaFarmBureau.com

This spring, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is reaching out to farmers, ranchers and American agribusiness to build a collection that reflects modern agricultural practices.

Working in partnership with the American Farm Bureau Federation, curators are seeking stories, photographs and other items to record and preserve innovations and experiences of farming and ranching.

Plans for the new collection were announced at the AFBF convention.

“Agriculture has played a vital role in the development of America’s business sector, from innovation and enterprise to the entrepreneurial spirit that has always been a major focus of America’s farm and ranch families,” said Julie Anna Potts, AFBF executive vice president and treasurer. “As the nation’s largest farming organization, it made sense for Farm Bureau to partner with the museum.”

Coinciding with National Ag Day on March 19, the museum will unveil a new Web portal where the public can upload stories about technologies and innovation that have changed their work lives; as well as stories about precision farming, traceability, environmental concerns, governmental practices, irrigation, biotechnology and hybrid seeds.

The new agriculture collection will be part of an installation with the working title “American Enterprise,” an 8,000-square-foot multimedia experience that will focus on the role of business and innovation in the United States from the mid-1700s to the present.

“American Enterprise” will emphasize themes of opportunity, innovation, competition and common good, with examples drawn from agriculture, consumer finance, information technology/ communication, manufacturing and retail/ service. It is scheduled to open in 2015.

For more details, visit americanenterprise.si.edu. march 2013

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— Legislative Day —

Sen. Emmett W. Hanger Jr., (R-Mount Solon) rounded the corner to his General Assembly office and came face to face with a hallway full of farmers.

“Give me 60 seconds,” Hanger said, indicating documents in his hand that needed to be taken somewhere specific. But before he left, he encouraged the visitors from Augusta County Farm Bureau and Greene County Farm Bureau to find seats in his office.

“Crazy things going on,” Hanger said when he returned, explaining that Tuesdays can be particularly busy when the state legislature is in session. “But nothing is more important than meeting with constituents from back home.”

His guests were participating in Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Legislative Day, during which Farm Bureau volunteer leaders from across the state visit their respective state senators and delegates.

They make the visits partly to clarify VFBF positions on specific issues and partly to serve as a resource, should legislators need farmers’ perspective on pending bills. The theme of the Jan. 22 event was “From the Ground Up,” a reminder that VFBF policy gets its start in Virginia’s 88 county Farm Bureaus.

“How’s your Senate Bill 1309 coming?” asked Greene County Farm Bureau President Joanne Burkholder.

Hanger introduced SB 1309, a companion to HB 2209, to strengthen the powers delegated to the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board. Farm Bureau supported the move, which would give the board direct oversight of regional soil 6

Virginia Farm Bureau News

photos by norm hyde

Farmers check in with state legislators regarding specific bills

Members Henry and Nancy Barlow of Caroline County consulted their schedule of General Assembly appointments on Legislative Day.

and water conservation districts’ funding and operations; Virginia agriculture best management practices cost-share standards; nutrient management standards; and the Resource Management Plan Program. The board includes farmers among its members.

“Most of us like having the governance where we can get to the people we know,” said Nancy Swisher of Augusta County.

Other issues of interest to Farm Bureau members who met with their legislators were HB 2004, which would codify current state law that says landowners owe no duty of care to trespassers in most situations; and the current moratorium on uranium mining in Virginia. The VFBF supported both.

Farmers also explained why the organization opposed current wording of a bill that would have expanded Virginia’s Right to Farm Act. The bill ultimately was defeated.

“We already have a pretty strong right to farm law,” Hanger noted, and his visitors agreed.

In all, he was able to meet with them for about 15 minutes. “Are you going to be serving up milkshakes tonight?” he asked, referring to Farm Bureau’s annual legislative reception that features Virginia farm products.

As they left, he followed them into the hallway—where he met a waiting group of farmers from Rockingham County.

VaFarmBureau.org

— Legislative Day —

pam wiley

TOP LEFT: At a briefing luncheon, members Joan and Richard Talley of Fluvanna County reviewed fact sheets about Virginia Farm Bureau Federation policies.

TOP RIGHT: Louisa County Farm Bureau President Jim Riddell (left) met with Del. Peter Farrell, R-Henrico. BOTTOM LEFT: Roger Hatcher (left) and Dick Baltimore of Cumberland County met with staff of Sen. Thomas A. Garrett Jr., R-Goochland. BOTTOM RIGHT: At the VFBF legislative reception Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (left) chatted with Bill Osborne (center) of Tazewell County and VFBF President Wayne F. Pryor.

VirginiaFarmBureau.com

march 2013

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Bruce Hogue, former state board member, passes Robert “Bruce” Hogue of Charlottesville, who served on the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation board of directors for three years, died Jan. 22.

Mr. Hogue, who was 90, represented producer members in Albemarle, Fluvanna, Goochland, Greene, Hanover, Henrico and Louisa counties from 1982 to 1985. He also was a member of the Albemarle County Farm Bureau and was active in many agriculture-related organizations.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Hogue, and one son.

Farmers have until May 10 to implement SPCC plans U.S. farmers have until May 10 to amend and implement their Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure plans, as mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The goal of the SPCC program is to prevent oil spills into U.S. waters and adjoining shorelines. A key element of the program calls for farms and other facilities to have oil spill prevention plans.

Under SPCC, a farm is “a facility on a tract of land devoted to the production of crops or raising of animals, including fish, which produced and sold, or normally would have produced and sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural products during a year.” The program covers farms that 1) store, transfer, use or consume oil or oil products such as diesel fuel, gasoline, lube oil, hydraulic oil, adjuvant oil, crop oil, vegetable oil or animal fat; 2) store more than 1,320 gallons in above-ground containers or more than 42,000 gallons in completely buried containers; and 3) could reasonably be expected to discharge oil to interstate waters or intrastate lakes, rivers and streams.

The SPCC program requires farm operators to prepare and implement an SPCC Plan. Farmers with a plan in place are expected to maintain it. Some producers will need to have their plans certified by a professional engineer, while others will be able to self-certify their plans.

Farms in operation on or before Aug. 16, 2002, must maintain or amend their existing plans

by May 10. Any farm that started operation after Aug. 16, 2002 must prepare and use a plan on or before May 10.

Detains are available at epa.gov/oem/content/spcc/spcc_ag.htm.

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Virginia Farm Bureau News

VaFarmBureau.org

kathy dixon

Animal welfare expert urges farmers to speak out “The most basic things people just don’t know,” she said. “It’s kind of appalling.”

She said farmers need to spend more time educating the public and just being open about what they’re doing instead of trying to fight animal rights groups.

Grandin’s sentiments echo those of the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, which was formed in early 2011 by farmers and agricultural groups to spearhead a national dialogue between families and producers. The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation is one of 80 alliance members.

Recent research conducted on behalf of USFRA found that more than one in four Americans admit they often are confused about the food they are purchasing. Three in five Americans would like to know more about how food is grown and raised, the survey found. And about half of Americans questioned said farmers and ranchers are missing Dr. Temple Grandin, shown here at a 2011 speaking engagement from the media conversation in Virginia, has encouraged U.S. farmers to share more around food these days. information about their work with consumers.

“We want consumers to know that America’s farmers and ranchers share their

By Kathy Dixon values and are committed to answering Americans’ questions about how we Farmers need to talk to people about raise and grow food,” said Bob Stallman, how they farm. chairman of USFRA and president of the That’s what nationally acclaimed American Farm Bureau Federation. “But animal welfare expert Dr. Temple Grandin to accomplish that goal, we all need to asserted last fall at Iowa Farm Bureau’s make a commitment to listen and respond annual convention. A designer of livestock positively to consumer concerns.” handling facilities and a Colorado State USFRA encourages farmers to talk about University professor of animal science, continuous improvements they make on Grandin said farmers need to speak out. their farms.

“People have no idea where food comes One way to do that, Grandin said, is to from,” she said. “I talked to one student at talk to non-farmers. She also suggested the University of Colorado-Boulder who farmers and ranchers post videos on thought if beef cattle went to Whole Foods YouTube about basic farming practices, they were born on pasture and if they such as how animals are raised, and what went to Safeway or Kroger or someplace happens daily on a farm. like that, they were born in a feedyard. I “Show them what you do,” she said. “You explained to them that no beef cattle are gotta take the mystery out of things.” born in a feedyard.

VirginiaFarmBureau.com

Grandin: Social media should be priority for young farmers Young agriculturalists should take advantage of social media to share positive agriculture stories.

That’s what Dr. Temple Grandin, a Colorado State University professor who is known worldwide for her work in animal welfare, recently told a group of Arkansas 4-H and FFA members.

“People living in the cities are totally separated from agriculture,” Grandin said.

“They don’t know anything about beef cattle. They think that beef cattle grow up in a feedlot.

“You need to talk to your friends in the cities. Show people the good things you’re doing with your animals.”

She emphasized that young agriculturalists need to take advantage of modern technology to share positive stories of animal welfare.

Two Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Committee members, Bill Henley and Jordan Berryman, agree.

“As things change and new technology comes out, we have to embrace that,” said Henley, whose family raises grain, timber and beef cattle in King and Queen County.

“Social media is an example of technology that we should embrace and use to tell positive stories about agriculture.”

Berryman, whose family operates College Run Farms in Surry County, said the farm’s Facebook page has more than 2,000 followers. “So anytime you post something, it’s potentially seen by that many people. It’s a positive way to show the good things farmers do every day.”

Grandin urged farm youth to “put up YouTube videos of what you’re doing with horses, steers, chickens or rabbits. The thing I’ve found is that what’s considered chores for you, the general public finds interesting,” she said.

Henley said the viral YouTube video “I’m Farming and I Grow It,” which was produced last summer by three Kansas farm brothers, is a good example of how farmers can gain positive exposure.

“When I first saw it, I thought it was silly. But it’s catchy, and it does a good job of showing the connection between the farm and the food that we eat.”

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Viewing Virginia

Event will mark Secretariat’s birthday and Triple Crown anniversary The Secretariat Birthday Celebration at The Meadow on March 29 and 30 will mark the anniversary of the famed racing Thoroughbred’s birth on March 30, 1970 and the 40th anniversary of his record-breaking 1973 Triple Crown win.

The celebration will be held at Secretariat’s birthplace, now known as The Meadow Event Park, in Caroline County.

Sponsors are Commonwealth Fairs & Events LLC and secretariat.com.

A highlight of the event will be the return of Secretariat’s owner, Penny Chenery, to the venue. Chenery, who lives in Colorado, will be on hand to meet fans and sign autographs.

Secretariat’s jockey, Ron Turcotte, has been invited to the June 11, 1973, Newsweek cover celebration as well, along with exercise rider Charlie Davis and former Meadow Stable grooms and other staff. Chenery’s daughter, Kate Chenery Tweedy, will sign copies of Secretariat’s Meadow – The Land, The Family, The Legend and Riva Ridge – Penny’s First Champion, which she co-authored.

The event will begin with a reception on the evening of March 29, followed by a showing of the 2010 Disney film Secretariat. Chenery and the Secretariat team will participate in a panel discussion following the film.

On March 30, an all-day program will feature autograph sessions with the Secretariat team; displays of Secretariat memorabilia and merchandise; narrated tram tours of The Meadow’s historic buildings and equine complex; and the opportunity to local Secretariat descendants. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go toward preservation of the historic barns.

Ticket information and other event details are available at secretariatsmeadow.com.

New permit allows horse owners to move animals for six months Virginia horse owners have a new opportunity to travel with their horses throughout the southeastern United States for six months using the new Equine Interstate Event Permit, according to Dr. Richard Wilkes, state veterinarian.

Effective immediately, horse owners can elect to obtain the six-month passport in lieu of a certificate of veterinary inspection, which is good for 30 days.

Participating states are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. New York recently announced it also will accept the permit.

Horse owners can apply for the permit from accredited veterinarians. For each horse permitted, the owner must complete an application, present a Virginia origin certificate of veterinary inspection or health paper/certificate, have a valid negative Coggins test, and be able to document microchip identification or provide three-view digital photos of the animal. Owners also will need to demonstrate their ability to perform an abbreviated physical exam that includes taking each horse’s temperature. They will need to record exam information on the horse’s travel itinerary with each interstate movement.

For more information, contact VDACS’ Office of Veterinary Services at 804-786-2483 or visit vdacs.virginia.gov/animals/eiep.shtml.

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Virginia Farm Bureau News

Locally grown challenge generates almost $500,000 in pledges Since the Virginia Food System Council issued a challenge last spring for Virginians to spend $10 a week on locally produced foods, nearly 700 households and 30 businesses have pledged almost half a million dollars per year.

“This is as much an educational and promotional effort, so even if Virginians don’t sign a pledge we’re hoping maybe they will at least think about their food choices while they shop,” said Spencer Neale, director of commodity marketing for the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.

The organization is a member of the food system council and has helped promote the $10-a-week challenge. “The more local food people buy, the more it will benefit local economies.”

Also promoting the challenge are the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Virginia Cooperative Extension and Buy Fresh Buy Local chapters. The council, which includes representatives of all sectors of Virginia’s food system including producers, distributors and consumers, considers the $10-a-week challenge a component of the Virginia Farm to Table Plan. That plan examines the Virginia farm economy from farm to plate and identifies opportunities for regional food systems.

Many of the people participating in the challenge reported that, before taking the pledge, they spent a cumulative $1 million on Virginia-grown food annually. But 30 percent said they previously had spent less than $5 each week on locally grown foods.

“If we can create awareness of the importance of buying locally grown foods and other products, then the campaign will be a success,” Neale said.

Supporting the state’s farmers helps the overall economy. “Every $1 million in sales through local markets supports 13 jobs,” said U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan.

VaFarmBureau.org

Washington Watch

Old MacDonald had a farm— and a tourist destination, and a side business A report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture late last year provides a detailed look at the varied business models being used by American farms.

In 2007, close to a third— or 686,600—of all U.S. farm households engaged in 791,000 income-generating activities other than farm commodity production, creating $26.7 billion in household income.

On-farm diversification activities and off-farm business ventures each accounted for about half of those income-generating U.S. farmers are engaging in a wide range of revenuegenerating activities. activities.

The farms operated by households engaged in alternative (non-commodity) entrepreneurial activities produced almost 40 percent of the total value of U.S. agricultural production in 2007. That, the USDA Economic Research Service report notes, suggests that households associated with farms of all sizes engage in alternative entrepreneurial activities, not just those associated with part-time or “hobby” operations.

More than 290,000 farm households engaged exclusively in on-farm diversification activities in 2007, earning about $14,400 per farm from those activities. Custom work, direct-to-consumer sales and agritourism activities accounted for almost 90 percent of the total amount of income earned from on-farm diversification activities. Farm households engaged in that diversification devoted almost 50 percent more operator work time to the farm than farm households not engaged in such activities. They also tended to operate larger farms. “Farm households engaged in on-farm diversification appeared to use their larger physical asset base more intensively to support their on-farm business ventures,” the ERS said.

The agency also found that, in 2007, 395,600 U.S. farm households operated an offfarm business.

In 2007, off-farm businesses generated $21.6 billion in profits based on estimated sales of $111.6 billion, contributed an estimated $54.6 billion in value-added income to the gross regional products of their local economies, and paid out $24.5 billion in wages and salaries to 853,100 part-time and full-time employees.

In short, the ERS report concludes, “farm operators and their households have a choice in how their entrepreneurial and managerial skills are used to earn business income.”

The 2007 U.S. Census of Agriculture found that slightly more than half of Virginia farmers said their primary occupation was work other than farming.

The ERS report’s findings speak to farmers’ tendency to be resourceful and to utilize their management skills in other activities, said Tony Banks, a commodity marketing specialist for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.

“Many farm families have relied on off-farm income for decades,” Banks said. “Given the tremendous interest farmers have expressed in value-added enterprises, one would expect continued growth within that income category.”

VirginiaFarmBureau.com

New regulations enhance ability to track trans-state livestock A final regulation to improve the traceability of livestock moving across state lines has been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is expected to go into effect this month.

“This regulation marks the culmination of 20-plus years of effort by the industry to establish at least a basic framework to allow for the development of a livestock traceability system with some level of uniformity across state lines,” said Spencer Neale, director of commodity marketing for the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. “From the regulatory standpoint, this is about control and rapid response of an outbreak of an animal infection such as foot-andmouth disease.

“But it is also about maintaining and growing access to export markets, which are a critical component of our livestock industry. Most of our competitors have systems that could be characterized as more developed.”

The new regulation requires identification and documentation of livestock and poultry moving from state to state. On the livestock side, it initially will focus on cattle.

“When the new regulation is fully implemented, Virginia and all of the states will be better able to protect their livestock and citizens from diseases,” said Dr. Richard Wilkes, state veterinarian. “It provides a framework that will allow the individual states to develop identification methods and procedures that will best meet their needs.”

Wilkes said documentation accepted by the USDA includes animal identification and health papers and certificates of veterinary inspection for interstate movement—already part of most states’ livestock importation requirements.

“Thousands” of farmers already incorporate traceability systems into their production and marketing programs and have done so for years, Neale said.

“For many, this will just be a natural progression.”

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By Kathy Dixon

I

f a group of community members want to build a regional agricultural center, they need to be “ready to climb some high walls and have some thick skin.”

That’s according to Jay Calhoun, president of the Pittsylvania County Farm Bureau and a member of the Olde Dominion Agricultural Foundation board.

He and a handful of farmers started planning for a regional agricultural center about seven years ago. “For every two steps forward, you take one step back,” Calhoun said.

But those steps eventually led to the February 2011 opening of the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex. The center includes agricultural offices, meeting space, a summer farmers’ market and a 53,000-square-foot covered arena for livestock sales, shows and events.

The Alleghany Highlands Agricultural Center in Highland County got its start with a small group of farmers in 2004.

Before the meat processing facility was built, stalls and a weighing station were erected on the property, and livestock sales began in 2008. The processing facility opened in April 2012.

Both centers are designed to showcase agriculture and provide services to producers, whose industry is crucial to their communities.

To build a community agricultural center, “a lot of dedication is needed, and you have to have buy-in from community leaders,” said Chris Cook, executive director of the Virginia

Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation and Rural Sustainability, or VA FAIRS. The foundation helped with engineering drawings for the AHAC processing facility, and the VA FAIRS’ virtual business center helped founders of the Pittsylvania center formulate a business plan.

Cook said establishing an ag center requires a group of people who are willing to spend two or three years working on the project in order for it to succeed.

“Everyone spent a lot of time working on the Olde Dominion Agricultural Foundation,” Calhoun said. “What has amazed me on this project is that I don’t recall ever hearing ‘I’; it was always for the good of the greater community.”

The ODAF was formed in 2008 by a group of Pittsylvania County Farm Bureau members. There are now 21 members on the foundation’s board representing Bedford, Campbell, Franklin, Halifax, Henry and Pittsylvania counties.

Such a project comes with a price, Cook said, and can cost millions of dollars. VA FAIRS can help groups secure grants, but many require matching funds.

“None of us had any experience with fundraising, but we had to go out and ask for money,” Calhoun said.

In Highland County, the ag center was formed because livestock farmers were tired of traveling 70 miles to the nearest processing plant.

Organizers secured an Appalachian Regional Commission grant for a feasibility study, which recommended building a regional processing facility.

A steering committee was formed, and

kathy dixon

Regional agriculture centers require a community effort, organizers say

A meat processing facility opened last spring at the Alleghany Highlands Agricultural Center in Highland County.

a local foundation made a grant for the land purchase. By 2008, the group had equipment on the property for livestock sales. In 2010 they raised more than $1 million from sales of $5,000 shares to investors and subsequently secured $722,000 in loans and grants to finish building the center.

“Those funding vehicles are for projects that make sense in a rural area and allow for partnerships to bring community projects forward,” said Betty Mitchell, executive director of The Highland Center, a business incubator that helped the AHAC secure grant money.

With all of the support and financing, the AHAC was operational by April 2012.

“It’s really been a community effort,” Mitchell said.

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kathy dixon

The Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex in Pittsylvania County includes office space, as well as areas for producer meetings and a covered arena. It’s also home to a summer farmers’ market.

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kathy dixon

A group in Wythe County has plans in place to build a large agricultural center, but first it needs a site.

“We have all the necessary documents in place to move forward, and we are actively seeking funding and a site,” said Nancy Munsey, chairman of the Appalachian Agricultural Exposition Center capital campaign. The center will require a minimum of 25 acres.

In August 2007, the Wythe County Farm Bureau and the Southwest Virginia Horseman’s Association formed a partnership to pursue a regional agricultural exposition center in the county.

“A major part of our vision is to have a facility that can be of service to the people of Southwest Virginia and adjoining states,” Munsey said. “We envision a place where people can sell the produce they raise on their farms, sell and show their livestock … where whole families can come and see their child, grandchild or friend graduate from high school or college, and where a family can come for an evening of entertainment that would be impossible without a facility large enough to house an indoor event for up to 3,000 attendees.”

To build such a facility, Munsey said, the group needs about $2.3 million. It has $250,000 in the bank from the sale of the horse association’s fairgrounds and is pursuing loans and grants.

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Virginia Farm Bureau News

larry weiss

Wythe County looking for land for agriculture expo center

Planning started in 2004 for the Alleghany Highlands Agricultural Center (above) and in 2006 for the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex (below).

VaFarmBureau.org

EXTERNSHIP allows student to experience working with livestock on Pulaski farms

By Sara Owens year student at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg.

Geary worked for one week on five different livestock farms in Pulaski.

“There has been a shortage of large animal veterinarians, especially ambulatory veterinarians, for quite some time, and Farm Bureau has been actively trying to help alleviate the problem,” said Joe Guthrie, Pulaski Farm Bureau president and a beef cattle and grain producer. “Pulaski County Farm Bureau was delighted when we heard about this opportunity, and we wanted to participate, especially given our close proximity to the veterinarian school.

We emphasize agriculture education and felt this was an opportunity to help young people learn about agriculture.”

Work ‘really helped me feel more confident’ Geary said she applied for the externship to gain more experience working with larger animals.

“It was a great program for someone who hasn’t been around livestock their whole life,” she said. “A lot of externship opportunities seem to be geared toward those who have some previous farm experience, and I felt Farm Bureau was seeking out those who did not have that experience.”

photos by sara owens

Many people learn best by having hands-on experiences, which is why the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation started its Farm Externship Program.

“The goal of the program was to increase the number of large food animal veterinarians in underserved areas by exposing veterinary students to animal agriculture and rural Virginia,”explained Lindsay Reames, VFBF assistant director of governmental relations. “We are hoping that, after working on actual farms, students will feel encouraged to establish food animal or mixed veterinary practices.”

The first externship was completed last summer. Pulaski County Farm Bureau sponsored Erica Geary, a third-

Erica Geary, a third-year student at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, worked on five Pulaski County farms during a Farm Bureau-sponsored externship this past summer.

“ We are hoping that, after working on actual farms, students will feel encouraged to establish food animal or mixed veterinary practices.”

— Lindsay Reames, VFBF assistant director of governmental relations

VirginiaFarmBureau.com

march 2013

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“The hands-on experience during the externship really helped me feel more confident around livestock,� Geary said. She bottle-fed calves, vaccinated cattle, dewormed horses, trimmed goat hooves and learned about rotational grazing on Pulaski County farms.

Geary said she had a good baseline on working with livestock from labs and coursework, but she lacked confidence around larger animals.

“The hands-on experience during the externship really helped me feel more confident around livestock,” she said.

In addition to working on Guthrie’s farm, Geary put in time at George and Julie Hudson’s grass-fed dairy farm, John and Sally Beahm’s horse-breeding operation, Cecil King’s sheep farm and Tommy Tabor’s beef cattle and goat farm.

At Guthrie’s farm, she helped bottle-feed calves and vaccinated cows and calves.

She also treated one cow for pinkeye.

“It was really a good opportunity for me, because I was able to vaccinate multiple calves and gain more experience working with these animals,” Geary said.

Guthrie said she “did a great job for someone without a lot of experience. She picked up vaccinating calves quickly and seemed to really have an aptitude for it.”

Geary said each day brought a new experience.

She dewormed horses at the Beahms’ and traveled with an equine veterinarian.

She milked cows at the Hudsons’ and weighed and dewormed sheep at King’s farm. At Tabor’s farm she fed goats and trimmed their hooves, and she visited various fields where Tabor grazes cattle in a rotational grazing system, learning more about herd and forage management.

“I was able to gain experience with many different types of livestock and observe their behaviors and learn the best way to approach different animals,” Geary said. “I definitely gained more confidence around large animals, and I felt less intimidated by the animals by the end of the externship.”

In addition to the hands-on experience, Geary said she appreciated the opportunity to ask questions of the farmers.

“It was invaluable to be able to hear the farmer’s experience,” she said. “As someone who hasn’t been on a farm, being able to talk to those who own and

care for the animals was helpful. We hear information in classes and labs from our professors, but it was helpful to hear and see things from the farmer’s perspective.”

Geary hopes to have a mixed practice when she graduates, treating companion animals as well as cattle, sheep and goats.

“I enjoy working on both types of animals, and mixed practices are becoming more popular,” Geary said. “I worked at a mixed-practice veterinarians’ office during high school.

The veterinarians would see dogs and cats in the office in the mornings and would take turns going out to farms in the afternoons.”

Geary also hopes to travel to developing countries to help with their livestock care.

“After I have more experience, I’d like to be able to help people living in poverty who are very dependent on livestock for their livelihood and teach them good animal husbandry practices and basic veterinary care,” she said.

In the summer of 2011 she taught in rural Nicaragua, and last summer she taught livestock and horse care clinics in Haiti.

“It’s really rewarding work that can make such an impact on the peoples’ lives,” Geary said. “The citizens were very appreciative of our work.”

Geary, shown with Pulaski producer Tommy Tabor and some of Tabor's goats, is interested in a mixed veterinary practice after she graduates.

Interested in hosting a veterinary student?

The second Virginia Farm Bureau farm externship will take place this summer. County Farm Bureaus interested in hosting a veterinary student should contact Lindsay Reames at 804-290-1019 or lindsay.reames@vafb.com.

VirginiaFarmBureau.com

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HO M E C H E C K UP C HE C K L I S T As the heating season continues, and the spring storm season gets closer, a little attention to items on this list could save you a lot of money and stress.

Hoses and water lines ■ Check hoses and water lines for leaks, and make sure they haven’t come loose—on the washing machine, refrigerator icemaker, toilets and dishwasher.

■ If you haven’t replaced old washer hoses with steel-braided lines, now is a good time to do that.

Decks and porches ■ Look for water-stained, loose, broken or rotting boards and structural members. If you are unsure whether something is safe, call a licensed and insured contractor. Clean off moss and mold. This can be done with a pressure washer if caution is used.

■ Treat the cleaned and inspected deck or porch with outdoorrated paint or stain.

Roof ■ Use binoculars to check your roof for loose, damaged or missing shingles.

■ Check the underside of the roof from the attic for stains or other signs of water intrusion. Check the areas around eaves for water damage.

Gutters ■ If you can do so safely, clean out the gutters, and flush them with fresh water. If you are uncomfortable getting on a ladder or roof, hire someone for this task. Check the gutters for and repair cracks, corrosion, loose fasteners and joint separations.

■ Make sure downspouts have extensions that direct the water at least 5 feet away from the house.

Trees and brush ■ Look for trees that touch or reach over your home, as well as for broken branches hanging from trees. Safely remove them if you can; otherwise hire a licensed and insured contractor to take them down.

Seal it up ■ Check around doors, windows and other breaks in the siding for areas that need caulk or expandable foam to seal them.

Vacuum them out before using outdoor-rated sealing products.

Safety and security ■ Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, using the test buttons. If your detectors are more than 10 years old, replace them. When the time changes to daylight saving time, replace the batteries in your detectors if they have them.

■ If you have a security system, give it a test run. Call your monitoring company first to let them know.

Dryer vents ■ Purchase a dryer vent cleaning kit, and clean out the vent system for your dryer. Vacuuming alone may not completely clean out the system.

■ Trim any shrubbery that touches your home or could provide a hiding place for criminals.

Heating, air conditioning and ventilation – Outside ■ Clear the outside unit of leaves and debris, being careful not to bend or damage the cooling fins. You can use a garden hose or leaf blower to remove most of the debris.

■ Check the condensation drain for blockages. Have a reputable company perform annual inspections and maintenance.

HVAC – Inside ■ Change your filters, and vacuum out the air return register and filter housing.

■ Make sure there are no items stored around the inside unit; we recommend a clearance of 3 feet on all sides.

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Virginia Farm Bureau News

Late-winter and early-spring attention to gutters, roofing, ductwork and shrubberies can help prevent various types of seasonal home damage.

VaFarmBureau.org

Virginia saw increase in farm-related deaths in 2012 A total of 10 lives were reported lost due to farm work-related accidents in 2012—three more than in 2011.

Tractor runovers accounted for four deaths; unspecified tractor or equipment incidents resulted in three; tractor overturns accounted for one; an ATV accident while performing farm work resulted in one; and an incident involving animals accounted for one, according to unofficial statistics from Virginia Farm Bureau.

For the past 18 years, deaths resulting from tractor incidents have accounted for the majority of farm accident fatalities.

“Eighty percent of the fatalities this year resulted from tractor- or equipmentrelated accidents, so there is still a lot of

room for improvement when operating a tractor or any farm machinery,” said Farm Bureau Safety Manager Jimmy Maass.

“Getting more farmers to make tractor and equipment safety a priority will go a long way toward reducing these numbers.

“When working on the farm, it is so important to take a few extra minutes to make sure you are operating or working as safely as possible. Being cautious will save you so much in the long run.”

Fatalities and injuries involving ATVs continue to be a concern in Virginia and across the country. In addition to the one farm-related ATV fatality, two additional ATV fatalities that were not farm-related were reported to Farm Bureau.

WATCH THE ROAD!

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month One text or call could really wreck it all—a point that Drive Smart Virginia and Virginia Farm Bureau have been trying to convey to drivers.

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving.

All distractions endanger drivers, passengers and bystanders.

“Distracted driving has become a dangerous epidemic,” said Farm Bureau Safety Manager Jimmy Maass. “Eight out of 10 traffic crashes in Virginia are related to a distracted driving incident.

Drivers need to remember that they are VirginiaFarmBureau.com

driving a car, and that should be the only thing they’re doing—not eating, reading, texting, talking on the phone or putting on makeup.”

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and Farm Bureau has partnered with Drive Smart Virginia to raise awareness of the issue.

There are three main types of distractions: manual distractions, such as taking one’s hands off the wheel; visual distractions, like taking one’s eyes off the road; and cognitive distractions such as taking one’s mind off driving.

“ATVs are very useful for a lot of tasks, as well as being a lot of fun, but there are also a lot of dangers associated with these heavy machines,” Maass said. “Without the appropriate safety gear and training, riders can be severely injured.”

According to Farm Bureau’s cumulative findings since 1994, 107 people have died when their tractors overturned; 61 were involved in unspecified tractor or equipment accidents; and 49 were run over by tractors or other farm equipment.

The remaining 61 fatalities were attributed to operating farm equipment on public roads and to incidents involving animals or ATVs.

Text messaging requires visual, manual and cognitive attention from the driver, so it is by far the most alarming, Maass said.

Text messaging creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted. Sending or reading a text message takes a driver’s eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of a football field blindfolded.

Talking on a cell phone while driving decreases the brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent. Drivers using a handheld phone device are four times more likely to get into a crash serious enough to cause injury. Using a cell phone while driving delays a driver’s reaction time as much as having a blood alcohol concentration of .08, the legal limit for drunk driving.

Current Virginia law prohibits all drivers from text messaging. Drivers younger than 18 and school bus drivers are prohibited from using handheld or hands-free cell phones. Last year the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration put into affect a ban on handheld use of cell phones while driving a vehicle that requires a commercial driver’s license; hands-free devices are still permitted.

For more information, visit drivesmartva.org. Information on a variety of safety topics also is available from Farm Bureau at FarmBureauAdvantage.com/Safety. march 2013

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Copies of Literacy Week book still available for school visits, donations At press time, county Farm Bureau volunteers and others were preparing to visit schools in their communities to read agricultureAGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM related books to children during www.agintheclass.org Virginia’s third annual Agriculture Literacy Week.

The observance coincides with National Ag Week, March 17-23.

Copies of Kelly’s Big Day, the Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom Farmer Ben Book of the Year, are still available for purchase by volunteers who want to read the book at schools or donate it to school or local libraries. They can be ordered online at AgInTheClass.org, in the site’s “Literacy Week� section.

Commodity contest will help place agriculture books in schools Because Agriculture Literacy Week takes place during the heart of the college basketball season, Virginia’s Agriculture in the Classroom program is holding its first “Agricultural March Madness� competition to help put books in Virginia schools.

Visitors to AgInTheClass.org who donate at least $10 by March 22 can cast a vote supporting one of seven commodity groups.

AITC will distribute a children’s book about the winning commodity to schools across the state and create a classroom activity that correlates with the book. A banner with facts about the winning commodity will be displayed during the 2013 State Fair of Virginia, and AITC lesson plans provided to teachers who attend the fair will highlight the winning industry.

Foundation for Agriculture announces Book of the Year The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture presented its sixth annual “Book of the Year� award last month to Cat Urbigkit for The Guardian Team: On the Job with Rena and Roo. The book introduces young readers to a dog and burro team at work on the author’s sheep ranch in Wyoming. Urbigkit included real-life photographs in the book.

A firm believer in using the written word to educate the public about agriculture, Urbigkit has channeled her enthusiasm for farming into reaching school-age children. “Living on a working ranch, I see beautiful things every day,� she said. “I enjoyed watching the relationship grow between the burro, the pup and the lambs, as these young animals got to know each other, and as they matured together. It was a joy to watch, and it is a joy to share their story. It’s a true story, of a life in agriculture.�

The Book of the Year award springs from the Foundation’s effort to identify books for children, teenagers and adults that accurately cover agricultural topics. The Accurate Ag Books database is available at agfoundation.org.

Some call it agriculture.

For us, it’s a way of life.

AITC SUPPORTERS In addition to many individuals who contributed, these organizations made contributions to the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom between Dec. 11, 2012, and Feb. 8. • Lewis Media • Lykes Estate Fund • Patricia and Nicolass Kortlandt Fund at the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation • Rockingham County Farm Bureau • Russell County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee • Short Pump Ruritan Civic Foundation • Turkey Knob Growers

First Bank AgCredit Farmers Helping Farmers Grow

• Virginia Agribusiness Council • Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

20

Virginia Farm Bureau News

www.firstbank.com Member FDIC

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VaFarmBureau.org

Enhanced farmowner insurance offers many new coverage options Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. has more than tripled the number of available coverage endorsements for specific farm activities available through its farmowner insurance. Many are related to agritourism.

“We’ve added 56 new classifications,” said Scott DeNoon, VFBMIC agricultural underwriting specialist. “We feel like this is good news for our producer members who insure their farms through Farm Bureau, and we’re particularly pleased to make these changes in time for events people might be

planning for their farms in 2013.”

New coverage endorsements are available for festivals and other special events, animal viewing, carriage rides, bedand-breakfast operations and picnic areas, among other farm ventures. There also are new endorsements available for statelicensed farm wineries, and coverage now can be provided for wine tastings.

The new endorsement classifications are not automatically included in a farmowner policy but can be added in consultation with a Farm Bureau insurance agent. They are

Teens encouraged to apply for Outstanding Young Agriculturalist Award High school juniors and seniors with an interest in agriculture have until March 31 to enter Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s Outstanding Young Agriculturalist Award program.

The annual award recognizes teens for outstanding academic, community and agribusiness achievement.

District winners will compete for the state-level award at the VFBF Young Farmers Summer Expo in late July. The state winner will receive an award valued at $1,500, including $250 from Virginia Farm Credit Associations, $500 from VFBF Service Corp. and $750 from the VFBF Young Farmers Committee and Women’s Committee. All prizes are subject to change based on sponsor availability.

Entry forms and details are available at county Farm Bureau offices and online at VaFarmBureau.org/contests.

Rural Health Essay Contest entries due March 31 High school and college students from Virginia Farm Bureau member-families who are interested in a health-related career in a rural area have an opportunity to earn cash toward their education.

Participants in Farm Bureau’s 2013 Rural Health Essay Scholarship Contest have until March 31 to submit an essay on “My Future Career in Rural Health in Virginia.” First-place winners will receive $1,000, and second-place winners will receive $500.

Essays must be 400 words in length. Entries from high school students and college students will be judged separately, and two prizes will be awarded in each group.

Guidelines and entry forms are available at county Farm Bureau offices and at VaFarmBureau.org/contests.

VirginiaFarmBureau.com

available immediately for new farmowner policies and will become available later this year for renewing policies. “If someone has a need prior to their policy renewal, we encourage them to contact their agent as soon as possible, so we can work with them,” DeNoon said.

All new endorsements are subject to underwriting eligibility guidelines. As always, please refer to your policy to review all coverages and exclusions. Your Farm Bureau insurance agent will be glad to assist you.

Neale named director of commodity marketing SPENCER K. NEALE has been named the director of Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s Commodity/Marketing Department.

Neale, who has worked for Farm Bureau since 1992, was previously the senior assistant director of commodity marketing. In that capacity he handled budgetary functions for several years and was the key staff support for the Virginia Farm Bureau Marketing Association and the American Agricultural Marketing Association’s Apple Marketing Committee.

Neale succeeds Al Glass, who retired Dec. 31, 2012.

“Spencer has the ability and desire to stay a step ahead of the curve in the changes in Virginia’s agricultural commodities,” said VFBF President Wayne F. Pryor. “In addition to the traditional areas of livestock, aquaculture, cotton, equine and apples, he has developed expertise in genetically modified organisms, country-of-origin labeling, Spencer Neale animal traceability and carbon trading.

I am confident Spencer and our commodity marketing team will continue forward-thinking service to Virginia’s farmers.”

Neale also has worked directly with regional and national agricultural organizations on a variety of issues, serves on the executive committee of the Virginia Food System Council, and is secretary and treasurer of the Virginia Cotton Growers Association, a group he helped organize.

He previously raised livestock in Orange County and is a past president of the Orange County Farm Bureau.

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Members can enjoy savings on prescription drugs

ClearValue offers savings on Starkey hearing devices

Virginia Farm Bureau’s free Prescription Drug Discount and Savings Program affords members an average savings of 25 percent on more than 12,000 name-brand and generic prescription drugs at more than 53, 000 pharmacies.

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

The Prescription Drug Discount and Savings Program is not insurance. Rather, it works via what’s known as a “consumer card” or “point of sale card” that can be used by your entire household.

There are no medical exams, no waiting periods, no claim forms to file and no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

Simply present your card at a participating pharmacy when you have your prescription filled, or use it when ordering medicines through the mail-order program of Agelity Inc. Your county Farm Bureau can provide a starter card and information on how to locate participating pharmacies near you and compare potential savings on generic and brand-name drugs.

ClearValue Hearing, which offers Virginia Farm Bureau members savings on professional audiology services and hearing devices, partners with The Starkey Group, the world’s largest manufacturer of hearing aids.

The Starkey family of hearing instruments includes Audibel, AudioSync, Micro Tech and NuEar products.

If you or family members are experiencing ear disorders, hearing loss or have questions about the ClearValue program, contact your county Farm Bureau for information on how to activate your free ClearValue Hearing membership.

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Virginia Farm Bureau News

VaFarmBureau.org

What’s in a name?

Have you ever heard of products named Brad’s Drink? How about BackRub? You might think you haven’t. Brad’s Drink became one of the world’s most recognized soft drink brands, Pepsi-Cola. And BackRub is now the world’s No. 1 search engine, Google. Can you imagine going online to “BackRub it” whenever you wanted to conduct an Internet search?

On Jan. 1, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s Custom Health Care Inc. made a name change of its own when it began operating as Experient Health. The company adopted its new moniker to more accurately reflect the totality of its business: providing highquality, customized individual and group health care benefits to its valued customers.

Companies don’t usually take name changes lightly. Behind every new name, brand and logo there is usually “a story” that explains what the brand stands for.

Experient’s name is derived from experience, one of the company’s primary characteristics. While not commonly used, “experient” is defined as “having experience, having knowledge or skill from observation or participation; to be thoroughly acquainted through study or experience.”

We also believe the name conveys another very important message—that our customers stand to experience good health when they work with us.

Our employees are committed to upholding the core beliefs and characteristics on which Experient Health was founded.

Everything we do and every interaction we have with our customers is based on what we call our 4 Pillars of Value:

•

Service – Experient Health will offer excellent customer service, competitive rates, strong technical support and customized strategic planning.

•

Accessibility – Our insurance consultants are readily accessible online, via phone and through their local offices to meet your growing needs.

•

Focus – We will continue to dedicate ourselves to health insurance and employee benefits programs.

•

Expertise – We remain focused on the citizens and businesses of Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia and will deploy our deep knowledge of the region’s providers, networks, products and regulations.

So what does our new name mean for you? It means we will continue to represent only the top national carriers with policy options designed to meet your specific wellness needs and financial requirements. It means we also will continue to develop and provide new insurance services, products and solutions. It means you should experience renewed focus and energy from every member of the Experient Health team. And, via our newly redesigned website, ExperientHealth.com, it means you will be able to obtain quotes, complete online applications and review or make changes to current policies. The new site also can help you understand and navigate your way through the sometimes-confusing changes in national health care legislation and policy.

So the next time you pop open a Pepsi or Google something, think Experient Health—a great name and a strong brand committed to serving you. As it turns out, there’s a lot in a name!

Leah Gustafson is a marketing specialist for Virginia Farm Bureau Health Care Consultants.

Guide can ease fear of misunderstood food ingredients From ammonium sulfate to xanthan gum, ingredients listed on food labels can be downright scary.

But now there’s a consumer guide that explains the mystery terms and their uses.

The International Food Information Council Foundation has posted a guide at foodinsight.org that explains the names and purposes of common food additives.

The guide was inspired by a 2012 IFIC survey that found 90 percent of consumers pay attention to ingredients listed on food labels when grocery shopping.

“It’s important for consumers to understand that any food ingredients listed on nutrition labels are safe and are used to improve the overall quality of our food,” said Tony Banks, a commodity

VirginiaFarmBureau.com

marketing specialist for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.

The site notes that ingredients are carefully regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ensure that foods containing them are accurately labeled and safe to eat. Ingredients are added to food for four reasons: to maintain or improve freshness; to improve taste; to provide texture; or to improve appearance.

The long, chemical-sounding names of ingredients are their scientific names, the site explains. For example, thiamine mononitrate is ordinary vitamin B1, and fructose is a natural sugar found in fruits.

The site also explains the purpose of many added food ingredients. Ammonium sulfate adds stability to dough and prevents

crumbling, so it’s commonly found in breads and other baked goods. Soy lecithin enhances texture, aids in dissolving and prevents separation of ingredients in products like salad dressing and peanut butter.

“People read these terms they’re not familiar with and think that if they don’t recognize the names then they must be bad for them,” Banks said. “This website is set up to dispel these myths and to let shoppers know what those ingredients are used for.

All ingredients added to foods in the United States are either an “additive” that has been approved by the FDA as safe for human consumption, or they have been deemed “generally recognized as safe,” or GRAS, by the agency.

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Good for You!

PORK IS PACKED WITH PROTEIN

By Kathy Dixon Formerly referred to as “the other white meat” in a National Pork Board ad campaign, pork has finally shed some of its negative nutrition images.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, pork is not technically a white meat, but it provides a protein source that’s as healthy as chicken and lean beef.

Pork is packed with protein and plenty of vitamins and minerals. Ounce for ounce, pork tenderloin has less fat than a skinless chicken breast. And food scientists are finding ways to make it leaner every year.

Registered dietitian Karen Ridings said lean pork “is an excellent source of protein that can fit into any diet.

“The USDA choosemyplate.gov suggests filling half your plate with vegetables and fruit, and lean cuts of pork can be a great accompaniment to any vegetable or fruit.”

Ridings, who also serves as a Virginia Cooperative Extension family and consumer sciences agent in Frederick County, recommends pairing grilled pork cutlets with peaches, steamed broccoli and quinoa, or preparing a pork and vegetable stir-fry and serving it over brown rice.

Modern hog production continues to evolve to meet changing demands for lean pork.

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Virginia Farm Bureau News

The tenderloin is the leanest cut of pork, with only 120 calories for a 3-ounce serving and 2.98 grams of total fat.

Other lean 3-ounce cuts include boneless loin roast, which has 147 calories and 5.3 grams of fat; boneless loin chops, which have 153 calories and 6.2 grams of fat; and boneless ham, which has 123 calories and 4.7 grams of fat.

According to the National Pork Board, pork also contains 57 percent of the daily requirement for thiamin, which helps metabolize carbohydrates, proteins and fat.

A 3-ounce portion also has 37 percent of the daily recommended allowance of niacin, which is involved in the metabolism of sugars and fatty acids. And it contains the same percentage of vitamin B6, which is important for the normal function of enzymes.

A 3-ounce serving of pork also contains 19 percent of daily riboflavin needs for helping release energy from foods, according to the pork board.

Hog production has evolved to meet growing and changing demands for lean pork. Today, six of the most common cuts of pork are 16 percent leaner and have 27 percent less saturated fat than 15 years ago.

Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple INGREDIENTS

2 12- to 16-ounce pork tenderloins 6-ounce can pineapple juice 3 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger 1½ teaspoons coarse kosher salt 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon chili powder ½ teaspoon ground black pepper 2 cups fresh pineapple, peeled and cut into 1" cubes 6-8 wooden or metal skewers DIRECTIONS Place pork tenderloins in a re-sealable plastic bag, and set aside. In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients except the pineapple, and pour over the pork. Seal the bag, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to marinate, or up to 24 hours to enhance flavor.

Preheat a grill to medium-hot. When you’re ready to grill, remove the pork from the marinade, and place it on the grill.

Cook, covered, for about 10 minutes per side (about 20 minutes total) or until the internal temperature of pork is 145 degrees, followed by a 3-minute rest time.

Meanwhile, place the pineapple chunks on the skewers; place skewers on the grill during the last 6 minutes of grilling time, turning after 3 minutes. To serve, slice pork into ½" slices (medallions) and serve with grilled pineapple.

Serves 6 to 8.

VaFarmBureau.org

Good for You!

Pork Tenderloin Medallions with White Wine Au Jus INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons whole-wheat flour ½ teaspoon dried rubbed sage ¼ teaspoon EACH: salt, pepper and garlic powder 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided 1 pork tenderloin (about 1¼ pounds), trimmed if needed ½ cup chicken broth ½ cup dry white wine, such as Chardonnay OR ½ cup apple juice and 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar 2 teaspoons spreadable butter with canola oil OR butter DIRECTIONS Stir together flour, sage, salt, pepper and garlic powder in a shallow dish or plate, and preheat a large skillet over medium heat.

Slice pork crosswise into ¾" thick medallions and arrange flat on a cutting board. Pound each medallion with a mallet to ½" thickness, and coat them with flour on all sides.

Add 2 teaspoons of oil to the pan. Once the oil shimmers, place the pork in a single layer. You may need to divide the pork into two batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.

Brown on one side for 2 to 3 minutes, then turn medallions over and brown the other side. Remove the pork onto a plate and scrape the brown bits up from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon, putting them into the measured broth or wine. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil to the pan and repeat the cooking procedure. Add the pork to the plate.

Remove the pan from the heat, add the wine and place back on the heat; simmer for 4 minutes or until wine reduces down to a couple of tablespoons. Add the broth and simmer 3 minutes or until reduced by half.

Remove from heat, swirl in the butter, and add pork back to the pan to coat. Arrange pork on plates, and spoon sauce on top.

Makes 4 servings.

Recipe source: National Pork Board

VirginiaFarmBureau.com

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25

Heart of the Home

Slow cooker stuffed squash is savory and satisfying This recipe combines Virginia-grown acorn squash with Southern sausage stuffing in a slow cooker for a no-fuss fall or winter meal.

The recipe can be halved if your slow cooker won’t accommodate two acorn squash.

Slow Cooker SausageStuffed Acorn Squash INGREDIENTS

2 medium acorn squash 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 pound sage breakfast sausage ½ cup chopped onion 1 clove garlic, minced ½ cup plain breadcrumbs ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans 1 large egg, beaten ¼ teaspoon salt ¹⁄8 teaspoon black pepper ¼ cup unsulfured molasses ½ cup apple cider or apple juice DIRECTIONS

Slice stems off the squash, and scoop out the seeds. Slice off a small piece from the bottom of each squash so it will sit level in your slow cooker. Brush the edges and insides of each squash with olive oil.

In a sauté pan crumble and brown the sausage. Drain the sausage, and place it in a large bowl. Remove half of the drippings from the pan, and then cook the onion and garlic in the remaining fat until softened.

Add the onion and garlic to the sausage. Mix in breadcrumbs, nuts, egg, salt and pepper.

Fill the squash with the sausage mixture.

Use cooking spray to coat a piece of heavyduty foil that’s large enough to cover the whole inside of your slow cooker. Place the squash cut-side-up on the foil, and brush the exposed flesh with the molasses.

Pour the cider down the sides of the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.

Remove squash to a cutting board by lifting it up by the foil, and cut in halves or quarters. Serve as a side dish, or as a main dish with a green salad and rolls.

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

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Virginia Farm Bureau News

VaFarmBureau.org

Heart of the Home

Temper kale with sweet roasted beets Food writer Kendra Bailey Morris said she loves raw vegetables and greens “because they are packed with flavor and vitamins and all kinds of goodness.” One cup of kale contains almost 200 percent of the daily recommended allowance of vitamin A, close to 100 percent of the recommended vitamin C and more than 1,000 percent of the recommended vitamin K. This kale salad pairs the slightly-bitter greens with sweet roasted beets, crunchy pumpkin seeds and a tangy horseradish dressing.

“It’s a really, really healthy dish,” Morris said.

She recommends roasting fresh beets in the oven. Wrap whole beets in foil, and bake them until they’re tender. Once they cool completely, the skin peels off easily. Use a washable cutting mat so they don’t stain your counter or cutting board.

Kale Salad with Roasted Beets, Pumpkin Seeds and Creamy Horseradish Dressing SALAD INGREDIENTS

3 large whole beets or 4 smaller ones (red or yellow) 9-ounce package of raw baby kale mix ¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds, lightly toasted (Walnuts, pine nuts or sunflower seeds can be substituted.)

DRESSING INGREDIENTS

kathy dixon

2 teaspoons cider vinegar 2 teaspoons sugar ¼ cup sour cream ¼ cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish, or to taste dash of Worcestershire sauce salt and pepper, to taste DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375°.

Wrap each beet tightly in foil. Roast the beets on a sheet pan in the oven for about 1½ hours or until they can be pierced easily with a fork. Remove the beets from the oven, but do not unwrap them; set them aside to cool fully.

In a small glass bowl, whisk together the vinegar and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Whisk in the sour cream, mayonnaise, horseradish and Worcestershire. Season with salt and pepper, and set aside.

Unwrap the beets, peel away the skins and slice away the tough ends. Cut the beets into small quarters and set aside.

VirginiaFarmBureau.com

Beets roasted in foil will peel easily once they have cooled.

In a large bowl, toss the kale with part of the dressing—just enough to coat—and let it rest for 5 minutes. Divide the dressed kale between four to six salad plates. Top each plate with quartered beets, and then

sprinkle with the pumpkin seeds. Drizzle extra dressing over the beets and around the plates, and save any extra dressing for serving on the side. Sprinkle the salad with freshly ground pepper, and serve.

Kendra Bailey Morris appears each month on Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s weekly television program, courtesy of Virginia Grown, a program of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Morris is an author and culinary instructor whose work appears in Better Homes and Gardens, Food Republic, Virginia Living, Chile Pepper and other publications and is a former food columnist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Her blog is at fatbackandfoiegras.blogspot.com. march 2013

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28

Virginia Farm Bureau News

VaFarmBureau.org

Help people find your winter and spring farm products, with Farm Bureau Fresh If you are a Virginia farmer who direct-markets meats, eggs, greenhouse- or high tunnelgrown produce, or wool or other fibers, there’s a Farm Bureau member benefit that can make it easier for potential customers to find you.

Farm Bureau Fresh, based on the Virginia Farm Bureau website at VaFarmBureau.org/ marketplace, lets members place free, searchable listings of up to 45 words. Farm Bureau began promoting Farm Bureau Fresh last year to anyone with an interest in local foods and other farm products.

Consumers can use Farm Bureau Fresh to search for products in any of 11 categories, or use a ZIP code to locate all producers in a specific area who sell to the public. In addition to addresses, phone numbers and farm websites, they’ll be able to

access a map and Google travel directions to your farm, stand or other venue.

Products currently are being listed in the following categories:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

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

Farm-fresh produce, eggs and meats are among the products consumers can find with Farm Bureau Fresh.

Magazine’s first six decades archived online Through a partnership with the Library of Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation has been able to make back issues of its flagship publication, Virginia Farm Bureau News, available online as part of the Virginia Newspaper Project.

Issues of Farm Bureau News from February 1941 through January 2000 are available at no cost with all images and search capability at digitalvirginianewspapers.com and a link on the front of the VFBF website at VaFarmBureau.org.

Recent issues of Farm Bureau News and Cultivate magazine, which is mailed to members who do not farm, can be viewed online at issuu.com.

VirginiaFarmBureau.com

To browse archived issues: 1. Go to digitalvirgnianewspapers.com, either directly or via a link on the front page of VaFarmBureau.org.

2. On the right side of the screen, under “Browse the Collection,” click on the link to “Browse by title.”

3. In the list of newspaper titles, click on “Virginia Farm Bureau News.”

4. Select a specific issue from the table in which they are organized by year.

march 2013

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Real Virginia begins weekly programming Starting this month Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s formerly monthly television program, will begin broadcasting weekly across Virginia.

The show highlights the importance of agriculture to Virginia families and introduces some of the people producing their food.

Several components of the program will remain the same.

Cookbook author Kendra Bailey Morris will continue her segment “The Heart of the Home,” which shares recipes using fresh Virginia products.

“In the Garden” with Virginia horticulturalist Mark Viette will continue sharing ways to improve home landscaping with plants that thrive in the commonwealth.

The program also will continue to feature home gardening with Virginia Cooperative Extension Specialist Chris Mullins in the segment “From the Ground Up.” Mullins, who took over after the November 2012 death of former host Andy Hankins, will give viewers tips on home vegetable gardening.

“The show will be co-produced with WVPT in Harrisonburg,” said Greg Hicks, vice president of VFBF communications. “By partnering with WVPT, we are able to offer viewers weekly information on how they can grow, find and enjoy Virginia agricultural products.”

Real Virginia airs nationwide at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month on RFD-TV, as well as on 43 cable systems and three broadcast stations in Virginia. It’s also available online at VaFarmBureau.org and on YouTube.

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

2013 magazine classified ad schedule and policies Members of Virginia Farm Bureau will receive one free 15-word classified ad per membership per year in Virginia Farm Bureau News, which is mailed to producer members, or in Cultivate, which is mailed to associate members.

Ads of 16 to 30 words must be accompanied by payment of $20.

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

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

Use the form in this 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 Farm Bureau News (mailed to producer members only); • July Cultivate (mailed to associate members only); and • August Farm Bureau News (mailed to producer members only).

Watch this!member number Finding your

To view When placing your ad, be sure to include your Farm Bureau member number, which can be found above your name on the mailing label Real Virginia, visit of yourVaFarmBureau.org copy of Virginia Farm Bureau News. All member numbers will be verified.

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Virginia Farm Bureau News

VaFarmBureau.org

Marketplace

How to place your classified ad Step 1 Use the form below to provide contact information and the text for your ad.

• Ads will be accepted from Farm Bureau members only.

• Classified ads are not transferable.

• Please type or print.

• Classified ads will not be accepted or cancelled over the phone.

Step 2 Indicate the issues in which you want your ad to run.

• Ads longer than 30 words will not be accepted.

• We do not invoice for classified ads or provide proofs or tearsheets.

• Ads submitted without payment will be returned.

Step 5 Mail your ad (and payment) to: Virginia Farm Bureau News / Cultivate Classifieds P.O. Box 27552 Richmond, VA 23261-7552

Step 3

Or place it via the Virginia Farm Bureau website at VaFarmBureau.org/Marketplace.

Select the category in which you want your ad to run (Pick one only).

Deadlines

Step 4 Your first ad of 15 words or less is free with your membership.

Pricing for additional ads: 1–15 words $10/ad 16–30 words $20/ad Additional ads must be accompanied by a check (no cash) for each issue in which the ad is to appear.

• Make check payable to: Virginia Farm Bureau.

Ads and cancellations must be received (not mailed) by the following deadlines: Issue Deadline Mailed to producer members May April 4 August June 28 Mailed to associate members July May 31

Important: We are not responsible for typographical errors or errors due to illegible handwriting (No refunds available). Classified ads carried in Virginia Farm Bureau News and Cultivate do not constitute an endorsement

by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation and its affiliated companies and organizations.

We reserve the right to edit or reject ads, including ads that represent a business in competition with the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company or any of our affiliated or affinity partners. We reserve the right to edit or reject any advertisement that makes reference to any particular political party or group, religious belief or denomination, race, creed, color or national origin.

Moving?

If your address or phone number has changed — or is about to — don’t forget to contact your county Farm Bureau office to ensure that your membership and subscription information stays current!

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

NAME: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ MEMBER NO.: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Category in which ad should run (select only one): ❑ Crops

COUNTY: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

❑ Farm Equipment

ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

❑ Hay/Straw

CITY: ______________________________________________________ STATE: ________________________________ ZIP: ___________________

❑ Livestock

DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER: ____________________________________________________ E-MAIL ADDRESS: ______________________________ Ads will not be accepted without the information above

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

❑ Livestock Equipment

No other categories available

1. ____________________________ 2.____________________________ 3. _______________________________ 4. ______________________________ 5. __________________________________ 6. ____________________________ 7. ____________________________ 8. _______________________________ 9. ______________________________ 10. _________________________________ ( ) 11. ___________________________ 12. ___________________________ 13. _______________________________ 14. _____________________________ 15. _________________________________ phone number

ISSUE IN WHICH AD SHOULD RUN: ❑ May (mailed to producer members ❑ July (mailed to associate members)

* Ad placement available for these issues only VirginiaFarmBureau.com

❑ August (mailed to producer members) ❑ Payment enclosed: $________________ ❑ This is my one free 15-word ad for 2013 ❑ Please place my ad online in the VFB Marketplace (Ads expire with membership). ❑ Please place my ad in The Delmarva Farmer for 4 weeks at no additional cost to me. march 2013

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Breaking new ground, all the time It's about time for farmers across Virginia to begin spring planting, but Farm Bureau members like you help the organization break new ground year-round.

Last summer Farm Bureau entered a partnership that ultimately preserved the State Fair of Virginia. And last fall Farm Bureau members rallied to support a now-in-effect amendment to Virginia’s constitution that protects landowners against eminent domain abuse.

Your Farm Bureau membership helped support those activities.

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.

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 we’re just getting started.

VaFarmBureau.org