Lexington here we come!

Hey, farming friends!

This past weekend, the Virginia Farm Bureau Young Farmers Winter Expo was held in Lexington, VA. Three Fluvanna County Young Farmers members attended, along with board member Mark McWilliams. The first day of the expo included a tour of  McCormick Farm (Shenandoah Valley Research Station) and a tour of the Devils Backbone Outpost Brewery. That evening, we attended a program in the Jefferson Ballroom at the Natural Bridge Hotel, where we would be spending a majority of the weekend. At the program, we heard a General Assembly update and discussed policy development.

Saturday began with a delicious breakfast, fueling the busy day ahead of us. In the morning, we attended a workshop on international agriculture and worldwide agriculture issues. Dr. Tim Durham, from Ferrum College, gave an extremely informative presentation on GMO's. Following Durham, were Antoine Ehouman and Joy Powers, discussing agriculture leadership projects in Africa.

Later in the day, we drove through beautiful Shenandoah countryside to Ingleside Dairy Farm and Donald's Meat Processing. At Ingleside, we were led through the milking and calving facilities, learning about the process of dairy farming. Our favorite part of touring the meat processing facility included homemade ice cream and jerky that followed.
After we finished our tour, groups returned to the hotel, where we ate dinner and participated in a Casino night. Overall the weekend was a blast! It was great to connect with new and old friends, learn more about Virginia agriculture, and make memories with Virginia Young Farmers.

Win: The expo was a success and we are looking forward to holding the first Fluvanna Young Farmers meeting next week...

Pinch: Hope to have more members attend the expo next year!

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." 
-Albert Schweitzer  

Slowly thawing out...

Hey, farming friends!

This week has shown Blacksburg some sunnier skies, lightening the mood of myself and those around me. The week began with contacting Jacob Wood about the Young Farmers committee. He said he would be able and happy to serve on the committee with me. At the Young Farmers Winter Expo, next weekend, he and I will discuss goals for the year and potential events/programming strategies.

On Tuesday, I designed a Fluvanna Young Farmers T-shirt. I talked to Fluvanna County High School's Student Government Association about being potential t-shirt makers. This would be a great way for the Young Farmers to connect with the school system. On Wednesday of this week, I created an interest meeting flyer and contacted FFA member, McKenzie Wills, to distribute the flyer- as I am located at Virginia Tech. I also contacted the high school's FFA advisor and AP Biology teacher to post the flyer in their classrooms for potential members.

There is potential that Fluvanna Young Farmers will be partnering with Bedford County Young Farmers on a summer trip to Tangier. This would be a great way for Fluvanna and Bedford to connect, as Bedford is a well established program.

Win: The sun came out!

Pinch: Final numbers for the Young Farmers Expo attendees is lower than I had hoped for Fluvanna.


"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
-Theodore Roosevelt 

Breaking Heifers

Hey, farming friends!

The week has been cold and soupy here in Blacksburg, especially for we Fluvanna Young Farmers who are in the process of heifer breaking. As part of a livestock handling class, I have been working with the ever-so sassy Hereford "Missy." While this lady has been filling up much of my time, I have still managed to make progress with my research for Young Farmers. 

As a resource to be utilized by Farm Bureau, I am writing (and hopefully publishing) a county Young Farmers development method. This method will include information about the organization, its objectives, how to assess community needs, and the steps necessary to ensure that the new program is both maintained and sustained. I have been using the Virginia Young Farmers Constitution as an objectives resource. 

As the Young Farmers winter expo steadily approaches, I have been in contact with those attending and keeping them up to date on the weekend's agenda. I have also been in touch with the Fluvanna Farm Bureau office, learning that our proposed budget was approved. I have spoken with Fluvanna County High School senior, Jacob Wood, in regard to this. I will be working with him, as a new Fluvanna Young Farmers officer, for yearly goal development and budget allocation within our organization. 

Win: Two wins this week.... I have halter broken my heifer!... and our YF budget was approved!

Pinch: Grey skies dampening my motivation.

"A good farm is recognized as good partly by its beauty."  -Wendell Berry 

Once a Fluco, Always a Fluco

Hey, farming friends!
This past week began with completing the interest meeting agenda. I am excited that local Fluvanna farmer, Terry Lintecum, will be speaking on behalf of Fruit Hill Orchard. Ron Saacke and Mark Campbell will both be speaking at the meeting. Fluvanna FFA Alumni have offered to provide dinner; however, due to the unknown number of attendees we will save their offer for a later date.

On Friday, I found myself back in my home county, after a windy drive on interstate 81. There, I went to the Fluvanna County High School's agriculture program to observe. Doing so enabled me to talk with several potential Young Farmers members, now FFA members, and give them more information about the organization. I was sad to hear that one of the girls, who was initially coming to the winter expo, would no longer be joining us. Because of this, I spoke with one of the FFA officers who was interested in going. Spot filled!

In the agriculture shop I observed a CNC machine being used, roosters being fed, plants being watered, and seeds being planted. I was able to talk with the instructor, Russell Jennings, and learn more about curriculum development. I am looking forward to working with Fluvanna County's FFA advisor in recruiting for the Young Farmers organization. Something I believe that we as YF would be able to facilitate is a "Blue Buddy Day". This would be a day where (blue and gold) FFA members and young 4-H clover buds would work together on an agriculture related activity. This interaction would enable the young 4-Hers to see that their agriculture journey as a lifelong pursuit.

Win: Working with youth and seeing them "in their element" while working in the ag. shop is always a win in my book!

Pinch: Being notified that one of the girls attending the expo could no longer go left me in a bind. Fortunately, I was able to find other shoes to fill that place!

"Stand tall. Think tall. Smile tall. Live tall."