FBN Nov 2023 by Virginia Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau News The Voice of Virginia’s Agricultural Producers

NOVEMBER 2023

MYTHICAL MISTLETOE

Treetop plant linked to holiday romance

Farm Bureau News

Volume 82, Number 4 November 2023 Virginia Farm Bureau News (USPS 017763) (ISSN 1525-528X) is published four times a year. January, April, September, November. It is published by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, 12580 West Creek Parkway, Richmond, VA 23238. Periodicals postage rate is paid at Richmond, VA and additional mailing offices. The annual Subscription Rate is $1.13 (included in membership dues).

Features 8

MYTHICAL MISTLETOE It’s a plant that symbolizes holiday romance, but the festive greenery that grows in Virginia is actually considered a parasite to trees.

“My grandfather used to shoot it (mistletoe) down with a .22 rifle.” — SPENCER NOTTINGHAM JR. Northampton County

DOGS AT WORK The friendship between humans and dogs precedes the birth of agriculture, but today’s farm dogs accomplish more than some people can. CONSERVING FOR THE BAY Virginia farmers are implementing conservation practices on their farms that will reduce nutrient runoff into the Chesapeake Bay. VETERINARIAN Rx New FDA rules banning over-the-counter antibiotics mean that farmers need to have a relationship with their local veterinarians—many of whom are in short supply.

7 28

Save the Date For Your Benefit Heart of the Home

PUBLICATION SCHEDULE

Producer members will receive their next issue of Virginia Farm Bureau News in January. The magazine is published quarterly, and back issues can be viewed at issuu. com/virginiafarmbureau.

WE’RE SOCIAL!

ON THE COVER Mistletoe is a parasite that steals nutrients from trees.

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

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 assumes no liability for products or services advertised. The publisher maintains the right to cancel advertising for nonpayment or reader complaints about services or products. Member: Virginia Press Association

Departments 5

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

EDITORIAL TEAM Pam Wiley Vice President, Communications Kathy Dixon Managing Editor Nicole Zema Sr. Staff Writer/Photographer Christina Amano Dolan Staff Writer/ Photographer Eleanor Stickley Graphic Designer Maria La Lima Graphic Designer Alice Kemp Sr. Staff Writer/Advertising Coordinator VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

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

Board of Directors DIRECTOR

DISTRICT

Emily F. Edmondson 1 Richard L. Sutherland 2 Bruce N. Stanger 3 Jeannie L. Dudding 4 Russell L. Williams II 5 Justin Pence 6 Thomas E. Graves 7 Leigh H. Pemberton 8 William F. Osl Jr. 9 Robert J. Mills Jr. 10 J. M. Jenkins Jr. 11 J. Barry Bates 12 M. L. Everett Jr. 13 David L. Hickman 14 A. Faye Hundley * Michelle Fox **

COUNTY

Tazewell Grayson Montgomery Craig Rockbridge Shenandoah Orange Hanover Cumberland Pittsylvania Lunenburg Essex Southampton Accomack Essex Tazewell

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

President's Message

Farm Bill passage is crucial for food security

armers often are at the whim of Mother Nature, and her unpredictable storms can wipe out an entire season’s crop. Fortunately, the federal farm bill helps provide a safety net. Farm bill programs ensure the survival of the agriculture industry, which supports 46 million jobs nationally and contributes more than $1 trillion to the U.S. gross domestic product. The bill typically includes 12 titles, from commodities to crop insurance and nutrition. Without reauthorization, certain commodity support programs could end or revert to previous, outdated frameworks. Passage of the 2023 U.S. Farm Bill is critical for farmers, but it was still being debated at press time. Its enactment is so important that Virginia Farm Bureau joined a national campaign called “Farm Bill for America’s Families: Sustaining Our Future.” Spearheaded by American Farm Bureau Federation, the campaign has been highlighting the necessity of the farm bill’s reauthorization, which could be the first $1 trillion package in history. The bill expires every five years and is updated through a process in which items are proposed, debated and passed by Congress. Due to elections and retirements, almost half of the 118th Congress—260 new members—are addressing the spending package for the first time. The 2018 Farm Bill was set to expire at the end of September, but lawmakers will continue to debate its successor through the end of the year. As legislators have been shaping the new farm bill this year, our Virginia Farm Bureau members have been making their voices heard. Some of our farmers met with congressional representatives at regional roundtables to discuss the policies that directly impact them. At The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County in April, U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, listened to some of our farmers and pledged to address their concerns as the only Virginian serving on the House Committee on Agriculture. Some of our farmers visited Washington, D.C., in June to talk with congressional representatives from both rural and urban districts as part of the AFBF Advocacy Fly-In. A July roundtable was held at Maple Springs Farm in Augusta County with Rep. Ben Cline, R-6th, and U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, a Republican from Pennsylvania, chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and a writer of the farm bill. Connecting with legislators helps them better understand the importance of protecting food production and stability through the farm bill. At all of these meetings, our farmers covered topics like conservation program funding, agricultural labor, loan limits, livestock issues, farmland access and the Dairy Margin Coverage program. The 2018 Farm Bill included an investment of $485 million for beginning, socially disadvantaged and veteran farmer programs. I know our aspiring farmers are hoping for more of that type of funding in the new bill. The 2023 Farm Bill is not just for farmers. It’s for all Americans, because if farmers benefit from the safety net provided under the program, then consumers will benefit as well. Wayne F. Pryor, a Goochland County hay and grain producer, is president of Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.

Top membership counties for 2023 as of October 13

County Farm Bureau

Members

Bedford

3,287

CC-JC-NK-Y

3,134

Washington

3,055

Hanover

2,975

Tazewell

2,787

Augusta

2,631

Henrico

2,600

Franklin

2,545

Russell

2,522

Rockingham

2,497

County Farm Bureau

Percentage of goal

Warren

104.19

Alleghany

104.13

Prince George

104.00

Floyd

103.49

Fluvanna

103.26

King & Queen

103.26

Orange

103.16

Essex

102.99

Pittsylvania

102.87

Henry

102.84

County Farm Bureau

Member retention rate %

Charlotte

94.89%

Fluvanna

94.78%

Buckingham

94.72%

King & Queen

94.61%

Floyd

94.60%

Northampton

94.50%

Shenandoah

94.47%

Surry

94.40%

Dinwiddie

94.09%

Alleghany

93.96%

*Membership year ended Oct. 31, 2023.

vafb.com / NOVEMBER 2023

WATCH US!

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

10lbs That’s the size of a free fire extinguisher Virginia Farm Bureau will provide to its members to mount on eligible equipment covered under a Farm Bureau insurance policy. See related article on page 23.

Learn the history behind traditional Brunswick stew, on Real Virginia Featured this month on Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s weekly television program: • Learn the history of Brunswick stew, and explore the county in which it originated. • Learn how shellfish can become stars of the show on your Thanksgiving dinner plate. • Spend a harvest day on the farm, and find out what one farmer experiences from sunup to sundown. Real Virginia airs nationwide at 3:30 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month on RFD-TV on Dish Network and DirecTV, and on selected cable outlets around the state. It airs weekly on WBRA digital channel 15.2, WHRO Norfolk, WVVA Bluefield and WTKR Norfolk, and on the first and third weekends of each month on WVIR Charlottesville, WSVF Harrisonburg, WRLH Richmond and WSLS Roanoke.

Annual Hay Bale Decorating Contest open for entries The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Leadership Committee is accepting entries for the popular Hay Bale Decorating Contest through Nov. 15. Now in its ninth year, the fun, creative competition is open to county Farm Bureaus, farmers markets, farm supply businesses, student groups, community associations and others. Guidelines and an entry form are available at vafb.com/ womensleadership. Competitors can use round or square bales and other agricultural items to create animals, structures, shapes and farmscapes. Participants are asked to submit photos of their displays with each application. Winning decorators will be selected and receive a cash award in the following categories: junior (8 and younger); square bale display; community spirit; and most creative. This year also will have a special themed category, “Stars of Agriculture,” in which participants are invited to decorate hay bales like a celebrity or agricultural figure—real or fictional. Winners will be notified by email or phone. Hay bale photo entries will be displayed at the 2023 VFBF Annual Convention in Virginia Beach in November. 4

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

Save the Date!

“Navigating Agriculture’s Future” is the theme of the 2023 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention and Meeting of Voting Delegates. The event will begin the afternoon of Nov. 27 with registration at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach and will conclude on the morning of Nov. 30. With its 28 miles of sandy beachfront, Virginia Beach boasts the longest pleasure beach in the world, according to the Guiness Book of World Records. The region also is home to The Port of Virginia, the deepest harbor on the East Coast, making it a hub of business, industry and trade. While Virginia Beach is the largest and most-populated city in the commonwealth, it also has 23,000 acres of farmland that generate over $170 million in economic impact annually.

Featured speakers Jason Brown, a former NFL player and current owner of First Fruits Farm, will be the keynote speaker for the Farm to Table Luncheon on Tuesday. Brown, a man of faith, pursued community service through agriculture after his departure from the NFL. In 2012, he purchased a 1,000-acre farm in Louisburg, North Carolina, and First Fruits Farm has since yielded 1 million pounds of produce for area food pantries and churches. On Wednesday, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall will address the Annual Meeting of Voting Delegates about Farm Bureau policies. Duvall helped shape the 2018 Farm Bill and is working to ensure the 2023 Farm Bill effectively supports

Convention speakers include AFBF president and former NFL athlete turned farmer

The 2023 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention will be held Nov. 27 through Nov. 30 at Virginia Beach.

farmers and ranchers. He is a National 4-H founding luminary and served as Georgia Farm Bureau president and AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee chair. He and his son operate a beef cow herd, raise broiler chickens and grow hay while restoring their 90-year-old family farm. Keighley Gore, the 2023 VFBF Distinguished Farm Bureau Woman, will participate in a fireside chat during Wednesday’s Fellowship Luncheon. Through her work with the Frederick County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, Gore has been integral in advocating for agricultural education.

Tuesday Workshops Four educational sessions have been planned for Tuesday: • Maximizing Your Convention Experience/Voting Delegate Orientation led by Martha Moore, VFBF governmental relations senior vice president. • Nontraditional Succession in Family Farm Business presented by Dick Wittman of Wittman Consulting. • Courts & Ports: A Look at Legal &

Economic Issues Facing American Agriculture led by AFBF Deputy General Counsel Travis Cushman and AFBF Senior Economist Veronica Nigh. • Farm Equipment: Navigating Repairs and Emerging Technologies presented by farm equipment manufacturer representatives.

Other highlights On Nov. 29, delegates certified from each county Farm Bureau will establish VFBF state and federal policies for the coming year, and will vote for directors representing Districts 1, 4, 7, 10 and 13. Additionally, judging will take place for the Young Farmers Discussion Meet and the Virginia FAIRS Agricultural and Forestry Innovation “Bull Pen” Challenge. Winners will be announced during the convention. Convention events will include presentations of the 2023 VFBF Distinguished Service Award, County Farm Bureau Awards of Excellence and Journalism Awards. The event also will host a silent and live auction benefiting Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom. vafb.com / NOVEMBER 2023

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For Your Benefit

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Travel anywhere in the U.S., and save up to 20% at a Wyndham property Whether you’re looking for an upscale hotel, an allinclusive resort or something in between, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has the right hotel for you! As a Virginia Farm Bureau member, you will save up to 20% off the “best available rate” at over 8,000 participating hotels worldwide. To take advantage of this discount rate, call 877-670-7088 or visit wyndhamhotels.com/farm-bureau. When making a reservation, use the Virginia Farm Bureau identification number, available at vafb.com/membersthip-at-work/ membership/benefits. You will need to register as a member on the site, and log in. You also may get the ID number from your county Farm Bureau. Present your membership card when you check in.

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Members are eligible for special Virginia Farm Bureau prices on selected product categories and supplies from Grainger, plus free standard ground shipping on all standard Grainger products*. Farm Bureau members receive special pricing on the following categories: cleaning; electrical; hand tools; manufacturing; motors; outdoor equipment; plumbing; power tools; AND safety items. Get started with your price savings using one of three easy methods. 1. Present the Virginia Farm Bureau organization account number at time of purchase. The number is available from your county Farm Bureau or visit vafb.com/benefits; 2. Go to grainger.com/farmbureau to establish a new Grainger.com® account using that account number; or 3. Call Grainger customer service at 800-472-4643 to update your existing Grainger account with the Farm Bureau organization account number (You will need to be registered and logged in as a member). If you have questions or need assistance, contact your county Farm Bureau. * FREE standard shipping on all orders shipped ground transportation. Other freight charges will be incurred for services such as expedited delivery, special handling by the carrier, sourcing orders and shipments outside the continental United States.

vafb.com / NOVEMBER 2023

mythical mistletoe

A holiday fixture steeped in tradition grows right here in Virginia | BY ALICE KEMP

mmersed in holiday lore with evergreen leaves and snow-white berries, mistletoe’s symbolism and tradition dates back centuries. Historians traced mistletoe legend to Celtic druids of the 1st century A.D., who viewed it as a symbol of fertility since it thrived during the winter. The Greeks used it medicinally during medieval times. The Romans viewed mistletoe as a sign of peace and resolved differences underneath it. In Norse mythology, the goddess Frigg declared it a symbol of love and said those who stood beneath it deserved a kiss. While its connection to Christmas decorations is unclear, it’s thought to have been displayed during the holiday since at least the 18th century. Historians attribute the Christmastime mistletoe kissing tradition to English servants.

Mistletoe myth comes to America

It’s believed that when Europeans settlers immigrated to North America, they discovered a plant that closely resembled the mistletoe from their homeland. “[European mistletoe] is actually a different species and different genus, but they look really similar,” explained Jordan Metzgar, a biologist and curator for the Massey Herbarium at Virginia Tech. “When Europeans came to North America, there was this other mistletoe here, so they just transferred a lot of the mythology and traditions with it.” Metzgar explained that of the seven native mistletoe species in the U.S., only one grows in Virginia—Phoradendron leucarpum—commonly called American mistletoe or Eastern mistletoe.

American mistletoe: A festive holiday parasite

Some might think it’s unusual that a plant symbolizing holiday romance has parasitic tendencies. “It’s in the genus Phoradendron, which literally translates to ‘tree thief,’” Metzgar said. “It grows on trees, taps into their vascular systems and steals nutrients and water from them.” Mistletoe’s tiny white flowers form into clusters of snow-white berries during the late fall and winter, and are a favorite among birds, which spread them from tree to tree. The seed’s sticky coating adheres it to limbs and trunks where “it’ll germinate and make a little seedling, and right away it bores into the tree it’s growing on” using a special rootlike organ called a haustorium, Metzgar explained. A hemiparasite, the woody shrub needs trees to survive, but it also photosynthesizes, allowing it to stay a festive green throughout the winter. And 8

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

while mistletoe is closely associated with wintertime holidays, “it’s really not cold-tolerant at all,” Metzgar noted. “We’re pretty close to the northern edge of its range here in the Eastern U.S.” Mistletoe thrives in the temperate climate of Virginia’s coastal plains and swampy forests and not in mountainous regions with harsher temperatures. And though the large clusters can damage trees and girdle limbs, mistletoe is a long-established native and a normal part of the forest ecosystem, Metzgar said. It grows on a range of trees, particularly oaks, red maples and gum trees.

Collecting mistletoe: A family tradition

Because it nestles high in treetops where birds perch, there isn’t an easy way to collect mistletoe short of climbing or using a bucket truck. On Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Spencer Nottingham Jr., like many who harvest mistletoe recreationally, uses a popular method—a well-aimed shot. “My grandfather used to shoot it down with a .22 rifle,” he recalled. “I went with him a couple times and he showed me. That’s how it started.” Nottingham grew up on his family’s farm in Northampton County, and his grandfather would send him into their low-lying marshy woods each winter with instructions to come back with a sprig, “just enough to hang over the doorway during the holidays.” He also collected some for a local garden center to use in holiday wreaths. “It can be a challenge if you don’t hit it in the right spot,” Nottingham said. “You’ll be shooting all day long.” The practice took a back seat as life got busier for Nottingham, and his focus turned to raising a family. But he still keeps an eye out for mistletoe along the Eastern Shore, easily spotting the bushy clumps standing out against bare branches during the late fall, winter and early spring. And now that his two children are old enough, he’s eager to rekindle the family mistletoe tradition. “I’ll go out and get some this year,” he said. “Once it cools off, I’ll take my kids into the woods and show them how it’s done. I’m looking forward to it.”

Looking for mistletoe?

Shooting mistletoe down from trees may be a popular way to harvest the plant, but “it’s not the safest way to do it,” Nottingham admits. Instead, people seeking mistletoe for their holiday decorations can find sprigs for sale at local florists, garden centers, nurseries and other holiday retailers. Many tree farms also sell it alongside their Christmas trees. Mistletoe available commercially often is harvested by climbers who sell it wholesale.

Use caution when decorating with mistletoe Mistletoe may be favored for holiday décor, but keep it away from children and pets, as it contains a toxic protein called phoratoxin. Accidental consumption can cause nausea, vomiting, weakness and other issues.

Mistletoe grows in the tops of trees, and its tiny white flowers turn into clusters of snow-white berries during the late fall and winter. It thrives in Virginia's warmer coastal areas, like the Eastern Shore.

vafb.com / NOVEMBER 2023

Virginia young farmers to compete at American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention

BY CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN

s national leaders gather this winter to discuss the future of American agriculture, some of Virginia’s brightest young farmers will take center stage. Virginia young farmers will compete for national recognition at the 2024 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention, to be held Jan. 19-24 in Salt Lake City, Utah. During the AFBF convention, producers representing the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Program will vie for honors in the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award and Excellence in Agriculture Award programs and the AFBF Discussion Meet competition. Virginia finalists for the AFBF contests were determined during the 2023 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Summer Expo in July. Rachel and Thomas Henley of Goochland County are Virginia’s competitors for the AFBF Excellence in Agriculture Award. The award recognizes involvement in agriculture, leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations. Adam Davis of Halifax County will compete for the AFBF Achievement Award, which recognizes young Farm Bureau members for their efforts and leadership in production agriculture. The Virginia contestant for the AFBF Discussion Meet will be determined Nov. 28 during the 2023 VFBF Annual Convention in Virginia Beach. The simulated committee meeting scores participants on their active participation, understanding of agriculture issues and ability to build consensus on predetermined topics. This year’s VFBF Discussion Meet finalists are Brittany Bowman and Thomas French, both of Shenandoah County, Diaz Tompkins of Chesterfield County and Amanda WeakleyScott of Madison County. At press time, AFBF YF&R contest prizes and sponsors were still being finalized. 10

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

Updated poultry litter reporting requirements are in effect Poultry litter producers and brokers are being reminded of phased-in reporting requirements that became effective Feb. 17, 2021. The requirements were approved by the State Water Control Board during the regulatory action on the Virginia Pollution Abatement Regulation and General Permit for Poultry Waste Management, which was reissued for another 10-year term, with some changes. Beginning this year and annually thereafter, permitted poultry growers and brokers are required to submit their records of litter transfers for the preceding state fiscal year to the Department of Environmental Quality no later than Sept. 15. Previously, DEQ staff would collect the information during farm visits. Now poultry growers, poultry waste end-users and brokers can register and use the myDEQ Portal at bit.ly/DEQportal to enter and submit poultry litter transfer records. Paper reporting is available to those without digital connectivity. For a full list of requirements, visit shorturl.at/jLWZ7.

success through sincerity

Agency manager Amanda Compton named 2022 Ralph Stokes Honoree BY NICOLE ZEMA

minutes from where she grew up. “It’s rare to have a job where you get paid to help others protect themselves and their families,” she said. “You can’t ask for much better for a career.” Leonard said Compton is a go-to resource for new agents. With a team-first approach, activity is essential, she said, and it shouldn’t demand hours of personal time. “Honesty and ethical work habits are key,” she advises. “There are highs and lows in this job for everyone regardless of how successful you are. Just keep moving forward, and don’t start making excuses. Stay away from negativity.”

hen the bottom fell out of the mortgage industry in 2008, lending agent Amanda Compton found herself out of a job. The loss was devastating, she recalled. Her young family of four was down to one income as the entire country grappled with economic uncertainty. Though Compton assumed mortgage lending was her forever-career, she looked for other opportunities. With limited insurance knowledge, she was hired as an Appomattox County Farm Bureau insurance agent in 2009. Fourteen years later, Compton is an agency manager in Bedford County. In hindsight, she knows the afterhours demands of the mortgage job would have negatively impacted family life. “I wouldn’t have been the mother or wife I needed to be if I was out late working all the time,” she said. Compton is reflecting on her journey after being named the 2022 Ralph Stokes Honoree in March. Named for the late Smyth County Farm Bureau insurance agent Ralph Stokes, the annual award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated the highest level of service and integrity over their career, said Ray Leonard, vice president of sales for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. Compton’s agency also was named Platinum Agency of the Year, and she was recognized as Platinum Agency Manager. “We’d like to think to succeed at her level, you have to work a 90-hour

week, but I promise she does not,” Leonard said. “She works hard at work, and is as dedicated to her family as anyone can be.” Hometown girl serves her neighbors While many agents are known for their extroverted personalities, Compton is generally reserved. “God showed me a long time ago—sincerity can outweigh talent or favorable personality traits,” she said. “Clients can feel your sincerity and want to work with someone who they believe has their best interest at heart.” Compton was born and raised in Campbell County. She went on to earn a degree in media and advertising from Radford University. Now working from the Bedford Farm Bureau office in Forest, Compton serves customers 15

‘God has brought me favor’ Compton said she feels somewhat undeserving of all the accolades, and it’s God who brought her favor among clients. “I’m on a daily mission to treat everyone I encounter in the way that Jesus treated people,” she said. “I fail miserably, but I try. All the glory goes to God.” She added that her success is shared with an especially stellar office staff. “For several years now, I have had two teammates who are the backbone of the office,” she said. “My success would be short-lived without senior member service specialists Jennifer Tuck and Erin Stephens doing what they do each day!” Compton, her husband, Bear, and their daughters, Addison and Ava, attend Living Word Baptist Church in Forest. They spend time at the softball field and volleyball court and enjoy recreational fun at home. vafb.com / NOVEMBER 2023

CHIEF

IZZY

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

Working dogs:

The farmer’s oldest companion ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN

rit, tenacity, cleverness and warmth—the hallmark traits of man’s best friend. These venerable companions have been praised by civilizations throughout history, and flourish on Virginia farms today. The friendship between humans and dogs is believed to precede the birth of agriculture. Historically valued for guarding livestock and hunting pests, many working dogs are in similar roles today—by the farmer’s side, making life a little bit easier.

Two of Nicole Stump's farm dogs, Izzy and Chief, ride to the Giles County farm fields with her to help work cattle. Jake Smith poses with his working dog, Sealy, who helps out on his Craig County farm.

Working dogs help Virginia farmers “We couldn’t do what we do without them,” said Anna Smith of Craig County. Managing an equestrian facility and 60-head sheep operation requires extra manpower—or dog power. Her family’s team of working dogs can accomplish what 10 people can. Whether they’re moving 150 head of cattle, herding sheep or retrieving a cow and her calf from a national forest, Anna and her husband, Jake, have seen the limitless vigor of a working dog that knows what to do. “It’s a really cool feeling when you can get the job done with just you and your dog,” said Jake, who is often found on the farm with his border collie sidekick, Sealy, by his side. Sealy’s full-time job is helping move cattle or sheep from pasture to pasture, but sometimes she helps get chickens into their coop at night. She also competes in national cow

SEALY

dog trials and was most recently a finalist in Roadear America Cowdog Association’s 2023 National Finals. “Sealy’s got so much drive,” said Jake. “She’ll be dead tired, tongue hanging on the floor, and if I asked her to keep going, she’d keep going—over and over and over again.” Nicole Stump of Giles County said “it was destined to be” when she met her loyal companion, Izzy, who was the first of Stump’s working dogs. The energetic border collie was the perfect fit for Stump’s hectic workload managing a wool sheep and cow-calf operation by herself. “I needed a working dog that was gentle enough to work a lamb but gritty enough to take on whatever cattle they need to,” Stump said. She also sought a helper that could handle the tasks without supervision—something Izzy championed after training. “If we’re pushing cattle out of two different fields at the same time, I put Izzy over in one field and know that I don’t have to worry about her,” Stump said. vafb.com / NOVEMBER 2023

Today, she is always accompanied by at least one of her working border collies while managing the farm. Whether herding sheep during lambing season, moving cattle, loading trailers or sorting pens, Stump will try just about anything with Izzy, Chief and Dally. When they’re not working, the three dogs eagerly wait for the next task. “They have to have the drive,” said Stump, who now breeds, raises and trains border collies for others. The Smiths also train farm dogs and have encountered an array of personalities. “They all have different needs, likes and struggles—just like individual people,” Anna said. “A lot of it is based on character. But if the dog’s young enough and has the desire, there’s really no limit to what they can do.”

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNA SMITH

Results of training worth time, commitment Just like their personalities, there is no one-size-fits-all for training working dogs. The Smiths and Stump recommend selecting breeds based on individual needs and carefully evaluating behavioral development. “You can have the best-bred dog in the world that just doesn’t want to do it,” said Anna. “You can’t force it—you want the dog to be happy.” Stump suggested setting low expectations at the beginning of training. “Let them show you what they have, and don’t push them too hard.” While some puppies can show their personalities as early as 6 weeks, Stump waits until her puppies are at least a year old to begin their full farm training. In the meantime, she spends time bonding with the puppies and safely introducing them to livestock— often under Izzy’s supervision. Training at the Smiths’ farm typically takes six weeks or longer, depending on the dog. They evaluate the dog’s strengths and weaknesses throughout the hands-on process, and

Jake Smith oversees Sealy herding sheep on his Craig County farm; Chip, another working dog on the Smith farm, helps herd cattle; and Nicole Stump gets help from her farm dogs, l-r, Chief, Izzy and Dally.

sometimes recommend a different working situation better suited for the dog’s personality. “You’ve really got to see what your dog likes and what they’re strong at, and work on things that they need some help with,” noted Anna. The Smiths and Stump have found

that happy, fulfilled working dogs are well worth the extra time commitment and expenses required for farm dog training. “They’re family at the end of the day,” said Stump, who unwinds after each long day with the company of her doting companions. Like their ancestors thousands of years ago, these working dogs make life a little easier for their owners— whether it’s knowing what to do with a simple hand gesture, swiftly moving livestock without causing a stir, or offering companionship after a hard day’s work.

Working dogs

Farm dogs Dally, above, and Izzy, below, herd cattle for Nicole Stump, who says she trusts them to do the job without much supervision.

vafb.com / NOVEMBER 2023

Conservation Stewardship, Part 2 Real-life examples of farmers who are working to protect the state’s waterways

Soft red winter wheat is a cover crop grown by Jim and Claire Evans on their Accomack County Evans Farms.

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

Doing I their part Farmers voluntarily implement best management practices to reduce nutrient runoff in Chesapeake Bay ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY NICOLE ZEMA

Louisa County farmer Jim Riddell, right, oversees construction of fencing that will keep his cattle out of streams. He takes full advantage of cost-share programs for conservation practices on his Georgewood Farm.

t’s a tricky proposition. Virginia farmers need to continue producing the quality agricultural products necessary for feeding a growing global population—and many do that in direct proximity to the nation’s largest estuary and its watershed. Farmers have embraced this paradox by implementing a host of agricultural best management practices intended to reduce nutrient runoff and restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay. And they’re doing it voluntarily, for now. If agriculture does not meet courtmandated nutrient load reduction goals by 2028, practices may become mandatory for livestock farmers, and for anyone managing nutrients on their farm. Thousands of farmers have taken the initiative, doing their part with support from state and federal agencies. Between 2002 and 2021, 35,531 BMPs were installed in sensitive areas, fencing 12 million linear feet of streams and reducing 336,177 annual pounds of nitrogen, according to the 2022 Chesapeake Bay and Virginia Waters Clean-up Plan.

On their own terms Cattleman Jim Riddell put his conservation beliefs into action, fencing off streams, creating buffers, installing waterers, cover-cropping pastures and rotationally grazing a 150-head cow-calf operation at Georgewood Farm in Louisa County. “I’m committed to this partnership, and so are the other 23,000 cattle operations across the state in improving their farms and protecting the water with practices that are sustainable long term,” said Riddell, a government affairs specialist with the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association. His commitment to farm conservation is now rooted in a deeper purpose—four young grandsons, likely his farm successors. He takes full advantage of loan and cost-share programs available

through the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and his local soil and water conservation district. “If you are going to stay in family farming, you need to be taking part in these programs,” he said. “DCR and local SWCD staff are extremely helpful and unobtrusive, and the incentives are there. If you have ideas for improving your farm, sit down with these guys. I guarantee 90% of what you’re trying to do can be part of the project.” Fourth-generation crop farmer Jim Evans of Accomack County said Evans Farms shifted to no-till in the ‘90s. Since then, BMPs have helped them retain even more nutrients. “Here on the (Eastern) Shore, we’re low on organic material in the soil,” he said. “Anytime you have higher levels of organic matter in the soil, you hold on to more nitrogen and water.” Planting rye, wheat or barley cover crops within crop rows builds organic matter in the soil through winter and eases weed pressure. “Even though there’s a dead crop there, it’s shading the ground,” Evans explained. “Plus, that cover crop has leftover plant residue that breaks down and releases nitrogen. And the actively growing crops will take it up!” Side dressing breaks up nitrogen applications, so excess residue isn’t leached away. That’s his daughter Claire’s job. “She runs through the corn on the sprayer,” Evans said. “By the time she’s back again, the corn has used what nitrogen we originally put out, so the soil can hold what we’re putting on the second time.” Both Evans and Riddell have earned Clean Water Farm awards from their local SWCDs. Locate you your local SWCD here: vaswcd.org/districts-by-countycity or search the online directory at vaswcd.org/district-directory. vafb.com / NOVEMBER 2023

Doing their Part

Researchers innovate cover crop and nutrient management strategies

Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center researchers Mary Michael Lipford and Joseph Haymaker are investigating cover crop enhancements and nutrient management strategies to amplify the effectiveness of current agricultural practices.

Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center researchers are working to enhance the effectiveness of tried-and-true practices, with new cover crop combinations, planting methods and nutrient management strategies. Gradients of green are observed across corn plots, indicating levels of nitrogen uptake. Data collected from the greenest plots reflects the success of practices that keep nutrients on the farm. “Cover cropping has been popular in this region for many decades,” said Joseph Haymaker, a Virginia Tech Ph.D. candidate of soils and nutrient management working in Dr. Mark Reiter’s lab group at the Eastern Shore AREC. “Farmers in the Chesapeake Bay region are the leaders in cover crop usage in this country; however, there is still room for improvement.” According to the latest U.S. Census of Agriculture, Virginia ranks No. 2 in the U.S. with 38.5% of commodity cropland acreage cover cropped. 18

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

Mary Michael Lipford, a master’s degree student in Reiter’s lab group, is conducting a no-till study with an array of cover crops and combinations, planted with varying methods. Cover crop species can be used separately or combined in a mix to best fit a farmer’s goal. “Rapeseed is a brassica with deep taproots that can obtain nitrogen from lower soil horizons,” she explained. “Cereal rye is a grass good at scavenging nitrogen and creating biomass for weed suppression. Hairy vetch is a legume that fixes nitrogen from the atmosphere, spreading wide and leaving the nitrogen containing biomass for the following cash crop.” Her project is simulating the effects of combine-mounted seeders that seed cover crops while simultaneously harvest the cash crop, doubling the farmer’s savings in time and fuel. Earlier cover crop establishment will allow for better mitigation of remaining soil nitrogen that may otherwise leach into the watershed

after harvest. It also provides increased biomass production, which adds more organic matter. Haymaker is working on a multistate project that has developed a cover crop nitrogen calculator (covercrop-ncalc.org) using data collected from 28 states. “It gives you nitrogen release curves based on real in-field data for different cover crop species,” he said. “Based on the data we have generated, farmers can estimate how much nitrogen they will be getting back for their following cash crop and when that nitrogen will be available.” He’s also conducting crop management research on a long-term cover cropping study using 12 different crop rotations, now in its ninth year. “Every third year, all rotations are in corn, so we apply variable nitrogen side dressing rates to really gauge the impact cover crops have on corn yields,” he said. “Some rotations need more nitrogen and some need less as compared to the standard Virginia system.”

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY NICOLE ZEMA

quick trip to the farm supply store won’t cut it anymore. Livestock farmers with an established veterinarian-client-patient relationship, or VCPR, may only be somewhat inconvenienced by new U.S. Food and Drug Administration rules that ban over-the-counter sales of common antibiotics. But those who don’t use a veterinarian, such as beginning farmers or those with smaller herds in remote regions of Virginia, should be aware of changes impacting the ability to buy drugs that address animal

suffering and treat infections. Veterinarians are truly partners in farming operations, noted Emily Edmondson, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation state board member and chair of the VFBF Livestock Advisory Committee. “We’ve had a long-standing relationship with a veterinarian since we’ve been in the business, and most farmers do,” said Edmondson, who raises beef cattle on her family’s Tazwell County farm. “But smaller, perhaps part-time farmers who may have not needed a vet—now they need that relationship.” The regulations were enacted to

reduce the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria entering the food supply and harming human health, though antibiotic use in animal agriculture has declined in general. Since 2015, the FDA reports sales and distribution of medically important antimicrobials for food-producing animals have dropped 38%. The FDA banned the use of antibiotics as a growth-promoting feed supplement in 2017. And in June the agency determined that livestock antibiotics like penicillin and Liquamycin LA-200, previously available over the counter, must now be obtained through a prescription from a licensed practitioner with

New FDA regulations: Common livestock antibiotics must be obtained through veterinary prescriptions

Previously available in retail settings, antibiotics like Liquamycin LA-200 are now obtained via prescription through an established veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

vafb.com / NOVEMBER 2023

New FDA regulations

whom the farmer has established an official VCPR.

Here today, gone tomorrow Remaining inventory of nonprescription antibiotics is still available in some retail settings, which may cause confusion in the interim, said Dr. Rodney Cole, a large animal veterinarian based in Nottoway County. He checked inventory at a couple stores, which varied in supply. Once inventories sell out, antibiotics must be prescribed through a vet. “Don’t get worked up if your neighbor bought a bottle yesterday but you can’t buy it today,” he warned. “It’s just because it was left on the shelf. The stores are allowed to sell out their inventory up until the expiration date on the bottle.” All antibiotics will soon be packaged with a prescription label, which must be requested and filled through a VCPR. Cole said this only burdens his heavy workload. “This regulation is definitely not vet-driven, so don’t cuss me!” he continued. “I’m dreading this more than y’all. I do not want to be driving around delivering bottles of LA-200.” If a farmer does not currently have a VCPR, establish one now, Cole advised, before the invoice for an emergency bottle of penicillin includes extra charges for a farm visit. The regulation is well intended, though it creates barriers to farming. “There are lots of positive and negatives here,” said Dr. Anne Yearians, Edmondson’s daughter and a large animal veterinarian based in Tazewell. She said the previous feed directives successfully addressed issues of sometimes-excessive antibiotic use. “It removed a whole lot of unnecessary antibiotics from the world, and I liked that part,” she said. “However, this ban makes antibiotics much less accessible to those who need them, especially when you can’t call your veterinarian on a Saturday 20

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

afternoon or run down to Tractor Supply. It becomes a patient-welfare issue. I will change the way I plan on doing business because it’s changed the accessibility.” A shortage of large animal veterinarians complicates things, Edmondson added. “A board member in Russell County just asked if my daughter Anne can come to their farm,” she said. “One of their vets with a good, long-term relationship was hired away, and the other one died.”

Telemedicine solutions may relieve vet shortage That lack of access to services is an ongoing challenge, especially in rural Southwest Virginia. Only about 3%-4% of new veterinary school graduates currently pursue livestock and poultry practice areas. A Farm Journal Foundation report said shortages stem from soaring education debt that has outpaced potential earnings in rural areas or at companion animal practices. However, Virginia is one of few states with provisions for telemedicine options to help rural farmers maintain a VCPR. “Telemedicine services” pertains to the use of electronic technology, including interactive audio or video, for the purpose of diagnosing or treating a patient or consulting regarding diagnosis or treatment. But a VCPR must first be established.

What livestock farmers can do: Establish a VCPR if one does not already exist. A bona fide VCPR is one in which a veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of an animal and providing it medical treatment. Talk to your veterinarian to plan for securing antimicrobial products when needed, including when a veterinary visit is not feasible or considered necessary by the veterinarian. Though not every product will be moved to prescription-only status, these products will: Oxytetracyclines (Liquamycin Injectable, Noromycin 300 LA, Bio-Mycin 200, Agrimycin 200, Terramycin Scours Tablets, OXY 500 Calf Bolus) Penicillins (Penicillin G procaine, penicillin G benzathine) Dura-biotic, Pro-Pen-G, Combi-Pen 48, Masti-Clear, Go-Dry, Albadry Plus Suspension Sulfa-based (Sulfadimethoxine, sulfamethazine) Di-Methox Injection 40%, SulfaMed, Albon, Sustain III Bolus Tylosin Tylan 50, Tylan 200 Cephapirin, cephapirin benzathine ToDAY, ToMORROW Lincomycin Lincomix 100 Injectable, Lincomix 300 Injectable, LincoMed 100, LincoMed 300 Gentamicin Garasol Solution, Garaosol Injection, Gentamicin Piglet Injection — UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI EXTENSION

Dr. Rodney Cole, a large animal veterinarian, talks to farmers about changes regarding livestock antibiotics.

For a full list of affected drugs, visit FDA’s website shorturl.at/ktGU2.

Survey aims to combat digital divide among Virginia communities BY CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN

new statewide survey is working to bridge the digital divide among Virginia communities and offer all residents the necessary tools for learning, employment and other essential services. The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Office of Broadband recently announced the launch of a statewide survey to gather data that will help develop the Virginia Digital Opportunity Plan. Digital opportunity is when all individuals and communities have the information technology needed for

full participation in today’s society, democracy and economy, according to the National Digital Inclusion Alliance. The Virginia Digital Opportunity Plan will enable Virginians and eligible entities to apply for federal broadband funding from the Digital Equity Capacity Grant program. Grants will be used to improve the affordability of internet services in Virginia, increase digital literacy programming and resources, and fund unique programs that address the digital divide beyond access to physical broadband infrastructure. Conducted by the Southeastern Institute of Research in partnership

with Virginia DHCD, the survey aims to understand how Virginia citizens access and use internet services. Virginians are encouraged to complete the 10-minute survey to help the Virginia broadband office ensure that residents have access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet—a persisting problem in rural America. In 2021, the Federal Communications Commission found that 17% of rural Americans lacked fixed broadband service at minimum speeds of 25/3 Mbps, compared to 1% of urban Americans. For many rural communities, vafb.com / NOVEMBER 2023

Survey

access to health care, government services and educational and business opportunities can only be gained by using broadband services and sophisticated technologies that require high-speed connections. For farmers in rural areas, broadband access is essential to managing and operating successful businesses, but 18% of U.S. farms have no access to the internet, according to a 2021 U.S. Department of Agriculture report. Farmers and ranchers depend on broadband to ship food, fuel and fiber across the country and around the world; follow commodity markets; communicate with customers; access new global markets; and comply

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

with regulations. Limited broadband access impedes farmers’ ability to embrace technology that allows their businesses to be more efficient, economical and environmentally friendly. Much of the latest technology, like precision agriculture, requires broadband connections for data collection and analysis performed on the farm and in remote data centers. For more information on rural broadband and its impact on American agriculture and communities, visit fb.org/issue/infrastructure/ rural-broadband. To participate in the online survey, visit dhcd.virginia.gov/ digital-opportunity.

Farm equipment is vulnerable to undetected fires Farm Bureau offers free fire

extinguishers for eligible machines BY NICOLE ZEMA

ry field debris like leaves, chaff and stalks that accumulate around a machine engine, exhaust or other mechanisms can catch fire when they get hot. Fires also can be caused by a leak in a combine’s fuel or hydraulic system. The fluid may ignite when it touches a hot engine’s muffler and exhaust system. And fuel tanks can explode. Just ask Campbell County grain farmer Kenneth Carroll, who suffered major equipment loss last year when he and his son, Dustin, parked their combines in the shed as it started to rain. Smoke was seen billowing from the shed 30 minutes later. “The motor and fuel tank are right together, and the fuel tank is plastic,” he explained. “When that tank got hot, it exploded and blew the fuel over the motor. There was no getting it out. It was the hottest fire you’ve ever seen.” They were able to save their sprayer and prevent the fire from reaching the adjacent garage where fuel tanks were stored. “But there was no way to save the two combines and the shed,” Carroll said. As they work with Virginia Farm

Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. to settle their losses, he shared his story to remind fellow farmers of how a catastrophic farm fire can impact their livelihood.

Combine fires are common and costly Combine fires are one of the most frequent and expensive types of incidents in production agriculture, according to the Agricultural Safety and Health eXtension Community of Practice. Small fires are hard to see at first, especially in bright sunlight, and by the time they are visible, they are intense and difficult to extinguish. But when small fires are visible, having an all-purpose extinguisher within reach could help save equipment and prevent massive loss, while also reducing insurance rates. “Combines should be equipped with at least two readily accessible ABC fire extinguishers that an operator can reach and use before a fire becomes uncontrollable,” said Scott DeNoon, VFBMIC’s senior farm product and underwriting manager. Free for members, Farm Bureau will provide one 10-pound fire extinguisher

to mount on eligible equipment insured by the company. Eligible equipment consists of self-propelled grain combines, haybines, forage harvesters, cotton pickers and peanut combines, along with track-type bulldozers, loaders and excavators. If the extinguisher is used or develops a leak, Farm Bureau will have it recharged at no cost. “It’s important to have a fire extinguisher on each piece of equipment,” DeNoon explained. “It can mean the difference between saving the equipment and containing a fire, or losing it completely. And we’ve seen some equipment fires turn into major blazes that damage other property. Fortunately, fire extinguishers have saved millions of dollars’ worth of equipment for many Virginia Farm Bureau policyholders.”

Claim your free fire extinguisher For more information on the fire extinguisher program, contact your county Farm Bureau office or visit vafb.com/membershipat-work/benefits/ fire-extinguisher-program. vafb.com / NOVEMBER 2023

Spreading the love: County women’s committees collect PB&J for a good cause BY ALICE KEMP

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY FARM BUREAU

COURTESY OF A. FAYE HUNDLEY, ESSEX COUNTY

According to Feeding America, more than 22 million children experience summertime hunger after school breaks for the year and they lose access to school breakfast and lunch programs. That’s a big reason why the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Leadership Committee sponsored a statewide PB&J collection to help Virginia families struggling with food insecurity. Across counties, participating Farm Bureau women’s committees rallied their communities to gather the classic lunchtime favorites for donation to local food pantries, shelters and summer school programs. And the simple, wholesome foods have a big impact. Peanut butter,

LEGAL NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU® MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY The annual meeting of Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company Policyholders will be held at 3:45 p.m., Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street, Virginia Beach, VA, 23451 for the following purposes: 1. To receive and act upon the reports of the Company officers. 2. To elect a Board of Directors, each to serve a term of on e year. 3. Other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof. Dated this 1st day of October, 2023. Kathleen M. Early, Secretary

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

in particular, is highly sought after by food banks and pantries. Shelfstable and delicious, peanut butter is a protein powerhouse and rich in vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients, making it ideal for children’s meals. While the effort began during summer after schools let out, many participating county women’s committees continued their PB&J collection drives into the fall and incorporated them into their county annual meetings. At press time, participating women’s committees had gathered a cumulative 1,230 pounds of PB&J and $400 in monetary donations. Stay tuned for the final numbers, which will be reported in January’s issue of Virginia Farm Bureau News.

Stay on top of insurable interests with updated coverage BY CHRISTINA AMANO DOLAN

hether acquiring a car, a piece of land or a home, insurable interests can occur and evolve throughout your life—and it’s important to ensure your insurance coverage evolves too. Insurable interests exist when a person has a financial interest in the ownership of property, and when a loss or damage to that property would cause them to incur a financial hardship or other losses. Typically, people only have insurable interest in their own property. It’s important to be aware of insurable interests “the moment you own any type of real property,” said Ben Ashby, personal lines underwriting manager for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. “If we’re talking about a piece of property or home, whose name is on the deed? If we’re talking about a vehicle, whose name is on the title?” Ashby said.

It’s also important to be aware of insurable interests whenever signing up for an insurance policy. “You cannot insure something that you do not own or have a financial interest in,” said Lisa Whitus, VFBMIC commercial lines underwriting manager. For example, an 18-year-old purchases his own vehicle, and his father attempts to insure the vehicle under his own name. The son, as the titled owner of the vehicle, would have to obtain his own auto policy, as he would suffer financial loss should that vehicle be damaged and would be unable to make a claim using his father’s policy. Just like ownership of property evolves over time, so does the insurable interest of that property. Whether a property is purchased, sold or acquired, it’s up to the new owner to secure their own insurance coverage on the property and protect their insurable interests.

Insurable interests change when the owner of property passes away—even if ownership remains in the family. “First it was deeded to mom and dad, and then it was deeded to an estate or a trust—insurable interest just changed when that happened, so now the policy has to change too,” Whitus explained. It’s important to keep a copy of the title or deed to verify insurable interests if a dispute arises. “The name on the insured policy should match the name on the title or deed—that’s who we are bound to,” said Ashby. “It can affect every angle of policy if it’s not done correctly.” To confirm your insurable interests are covered under any scenario, a call to your Farm Bureau insurance agent can help identify any potential gaps in coverage on valuable property. “Our agents know these people, their community, and they should take the time to really get a clear picture of who has insurable interests and make sure they’re insured correctly,” Ashby said. vafb.com / NOVEMBER 2023

Virginia Health Insurance Marketplace to replace federal platform

state-run health insurance marketplace has been established through a new division within the Virginia State Corporation Commission. Virginia Farm Bureau Health Insurance Solutions’ staff and local Farm Bureau health insurance agents are available to help residents navigate the rollout. The Affordable Care Act—passed in 2010—was a comprehensive federal health care reform law enacted to make health insurance available to more people. “At that time, states could come up with their own exchange or use the federal exchange platform,” said Brett Denton, vice president of VAFB Health Insurance Solutions. “Virginia decided not to build its own and pivoted to the federal exchange, until now.” The Virginia General Assembly passed a law in April 2020 creating the Virginia Health Insurance Marketplace. Open enrollment for the state-run exchange begins Nov. 1, 2023, and ends Jan. 15, 2024. This is the only time consumers can enroll in coverage without a qualifying life event that would make them eligible for a special enrollment period. “Farm Bureau will start selling through the Virginia exchange this open enrollment period, with effective dates beginning Jan. 1, 2024,” Denton said. For those with a current marketplace individual or family plan, there will be

a passive re-enrollment. This means you don’t have to do anything, and you’ll just be mapped to the new 2024 plan. You may need to update your income or other changes in your profile, like a new address, a child aging off, or a spouse enrolling in group health insurance at their job.” Tracy Cornatzer, director of sales for VAFB Health Insurance Solutions, said, “Our Farm Bureau staff and health insurance agents are undergoing marketplace training now to help customers during open enrollment. The difference is the enrollment tool, which will be used to make changes to your policy or to enroll new.” Insurance carriers and coverage will look very similar to what is in use today, “and working with your local agent won’t change,” she added. Until the new exchange officially opens, Virginians in need of health insurance for 2023 who experience a qualifying event, can visit a local Farm Bureau office and be enrolled in one of the current federal marketplace plans. If you don’t have an agent helping with your health insurance, consider contacting a local Farm Bureau office for help with the transition to the state exchange, Cornatzer advised. You also may call 800-229-7779 to speak with VAFB Health Insurance Solutions staff about the switch to the Virginia Health Insurance Marketplace. vafb.com / NOVEMBER 2023

Heart of the Home

this holiday season

Decorate your holiday meal with a succulent sauce

COURTESY OF BEEF. IT’S WHAT’S FOR DINNER.

M Get saucy

any holiday dishes are delicious on their own, but adding the right sauce can elevate the meal to something truly extraordinary. There are countless sauces that can dress up any meal. Even simple ones can add depths of flavor, along with moisture and texture—like a smooth, creamy sauce on a nice cut of meat. They also add color and visual appeal to a meal. Artfully drizzling a sauce across a signature dish creates an elegant presentation for the holiday table. Classic sauces include those like a rich, buttery hollandaise for a brunch eggs benedict; a bernaise or mushroom sauce on a mouthwatering roast or other cut of meat; and a bourbon sauce for bread pudding, apple cake or other decadent dessert. Many sauces also multitask, pairing well with other dishes—hollandaise does nicely with seafood and vegetables.

Beef chateaubriand with sauce INGREDIENTS

2- to 3-pound beef tenderloin roast, center cut salt and pepper to taste FOR THE SAUCE:

4 tablespoons butter, divided ½ cup shallots 1 pound sliced mushrooms 1½ tablespoons minced garlic 1½ cups dry white wine 2¼ cups reduced-sodium beef broth 1½ teaspoons dried tarragon leaves DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 425°. A savory mushroom-based sauce takes this classic chateaubriand to the next level.

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

Season the beef with salt and pepper as desired. Place the roast on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Insert an ovenproof

meat thermometer so the tip is centered in the thickest part of the beef, not resting in fat. Do not add water or cover. Roast in the oven 35-45 minutes for medium rare, 45-50 minutes for medium doneness.

INGREDIENTS

and sprinkle with dill.

8 large eggs

—Recipe courtesy of the American Egg Board

In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add the shallots, and cook 2 minutes until golden brown. Add the mushrooms and garlic, and cook 3-4 minutes until the mushrooms are tender. Stir in the wine, and simmer for 7-8 minutes. Add the broth, and bring to a boil.

1 teaspoon plus ⅛ teaspoon salt

Simmer for 15-20 minutes until the liquid is reduced by half. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until melted. Stir in the tarragon leaves. Season with salt and pepper as desired. Remove the roast when the meat thermometer registers 135°F for medium rare or 150°F for medium. Transfer the roast to a carving board, and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let stand 15-20 minutes (Temperature will continue to rise about 10°F to reach 145°F for medium rare or 160°F for medium). Carve the roast into slices, season with salt as desired. Spoon the chateaubriand sauce over beef.

COURTESY OF AMERICAN EGG BOARD

—Recipe courtesy of Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner

Captain’s Eggs Neptune with Hollandaise

3 large egg yolks 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar ¼ cup water

Apple Pound Cake with Bourbon Sauce

1 tablespoon orange juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice

INGREDIENTS

½ cup cold butter, cut into 16 pieces

2 cups sugar

2 tablespoons softened butter

2½ cups corn oil

1½ teaspoons orange zest

3 eggs

pinch of ground red pepper

2 teaspoons vanilla

4 English muffins, split and toasted

3 cups all-purpose flour

8 ounces smoked salmon, sliced into 1-ounce pieces

2 teaspoons baking soda

dill for garnish

½ teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon nutmeg

DIRECTIONS

In a large saucepan or deep skillet, heat 2-3” of water, vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt to boiling. Adjust the heat to keep the liquid simmering gently. Break the eggs, one at a time, into a small bowl. Hold the dish close to the surface of the pan and slip the egg into the water. Cook the eggs until the whites are completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard, 3-5 minutes. Do not stir. Lift the eggs from the water with a slotted spoon, and drain well on a platter lined with paper towels. Keep warm. Whisk the egg yolks, water, orange juice and lemon juice in a small saucepan until blended. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture is foamy and small bubbles appear alongside the pan. Whisk in the butter, one piece at a time, until the butter is melted and the sauce is thickened. Immediately remove the pan from the heat. Whisk in the orange zest, remaining ⅛ teaspoon salt and red pepper. Spread the muffin halves with the remaining 2 tablespoons of softened butter. Arrange the muffin halves on plates and top with salmon. Place one egg over the salmon, top with sauce

2 cups chopped apples 1 cup chopped nuts ½ cup golden raisins FOR THE SAUCE:

1 cup sugar ¼ cup butter or margarine ½ cup half-and-half 3 tablespoons bourbon DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 325°. Grease and flour a 10” tube pan. In a mixing bowl, beat the sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Combine the dry ingredients and add to the sugar mixture, beating well. Stir in the apples, nuts and raisins. Spoon the batter into the tube pan, and bake for 1 hour. FOR THE SAUCE:

In a saucepan, combine sugar, butter or margarine, and half-and-half. Heat until hot, and then add the bourbon. Drizzle over the pound cake.

—Recipe adapted from Country Treasures from Virginia Farm Bureau Kitchens vafb.com / NOVEMBER 2023

Multiple Eastern Shore tour stops offer educators insights, inspiration BY ALICE KEMP

n a sunny August day, a tour bus full of educators traversed the Eastern Shore, showcasing the area’s agricultural and natural resources, and inspiring ideas to take back to classrooms. Hosted by Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom this summer, the inaugural traveling workshop included stops at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in Wachapreague, the Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Painter and Shore Breeze Farms in Cape Charles. “The vision of this tour was to provide educators with information about agriculture in their community,” said Tammy Maxey, Virginia AITC’s executive director. “The seafood industry, vegetable operations and hydroponic agriculture are significant to the southeastern part of the state.” Participants toured VIMS’ facilities to learn about Virginia’s robust aquaculture production—Virginia is No.1 on the Atlantic coast in seafood landings—and how oysters and other bivalves help clean the Chesapeake Bay’s waterways. Presentations at

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS

the Eastern Shore AREC’s field plots provided an overview of the area’s crop cultivation along with examples of weed science, plant pathology and entomology studies. Shore Breeze Farms demonstrated how farmers use water instead of soil to grow lettuce and herbs in greenhouses. Several Virginia classrooms have incorporated hydroponics on a smaller scale, allowing students to witness the growing process year-round without requiring much maintenance and upkeep like traditional gardens. “Providing educators with firsthand experiences with agriculture increases their personal knowledge and gives them a point of reference as they share information with their students during the coming year,” Maxey explained. AITC’s educational tour was open to all educators, and participants included K-12 teachers, homeschool instructors and other community educators. While most were from the Virginia Beach and Newport News area, some traveled farther to attend. “It was a great event,” said Spotswood High School agriculture

teacher Elizabeth Lam, who traveled from Rockingham County. “I was interested in the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. My classes do several programs with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation throughout the year, and this looked like something we could introduce for a different impact to the students.” Lam said she plans to incorporate what she learned into her school’s agricultural program and will share lesson ideas with colleagues. “Workshops like this present options to vary instruction and meet more educational needs of our students,” she added. Virginia AITC plans to host more traveling workshops for educators in the future in other parts of the state—offering localized professional development opportunities featuring agriculture. “In the past we’ve conducted trainings at a single farm location but never a tour with multiple stops,” Maxey explained. “Virginia AITC wants to provide teachers with the next level of on-the-farm experience.”

IN REMEMBRANCE Robert Eugene Hall, Northumberland County Robert E. Hall, a former member of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation board of directors, died Aug. 6. Mr. Hall, who was 69, served on the VFBF board from 1995 to 2010. He was a past president and board member of NorthumberlandLancaster County Farm Bureau, and former chair of the VFBF Soybean & Feed Grains Advisory and Grain Marketing committees. A longtime farmer, he raised corn, wheat, soybeans and oysters on 500 acres on Virginia’s Northern Neck, as well as 1,500 acres of timber. Born in Richmond, Mr. Hall made his home in Heathsville after graduating from North Carolina State University, where he studied agriculture. A Farm Bureau member for over 40 years, Mr. Hall was known for supporting area farmers and educating others about agriculture’s importance. His work was recognized in 2011 when he was presented with the Distinguished Service

to Farm Bureau Award. “That was his life and what he loved to do,” said Keith Harris, a former president of Northumberland-Lancaster County Farm Bureau. Harris was a neighbor of Mr. Hall and worked alongside him for many years. “He put Farm Bureau and agriculture above everything he did. He made sure agricultural interests—not only his, but every farmer’s interests—were put into the forefront.” During his tenure on the VFBF board, Mr. Hall represented area farmers on policy issues like pushing for reasonable environmental regulations for farmers near the Chesapeake Bay. A passionate spokesman, he also advocated for rational estate tax reformation at the state and national levels. “He was one of the first farmers on the Chesapeake Bay here to have a nutrient management plan on his farm,” Harris added. “He did a good job with it.” In addition to his dedicated service to Farm Bureau, Mr. Hall previously participated in the FFA Young Farmers of Northumberland. Outside of farming, he was an avid motor enthusiast and car collector. Mr. Hall is survived by his mother, sister, brother, nieces, nephew, great nephew and a companion.

vafb.com / NOVEMBER 2023

VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU NEWS