Cultivate Fall 2018 by Virginia Farm Bureau

Cultivate FALL 2018

Virginia Farm Bureau | THE VERY BEST OF VIRGINIA

Traditional treat takes root in Va. chestnut venues

Cultivate

Features 14

Traditional treat takes root in Virginia chestnut venues

How to file an insurance claim with ease

When you’ve experienced an accident or damage to your car or home, you want repairs made quickly. Find out what information is key to expedite your insurance claim.

Gardens can yield seasonal decor materials—for all seasons

“I thought, 'Hmm, chestnuts. We could do that,' and we started researching it.”

After a hundred-year wait, local, fresh chestnuts are again available in Virginia.

VIRGINIA CHESTNUTS

Volume 11, Number 4 Fall 2018

— DAVID BRYANT, Bryant Farm and Nursery, on the origins of his orchard

You can use many outdoor materials for fresh fall and winter floral arrangements. The key is to let yourself be creative and have fun.

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For Your Benefit

Heart of the Home

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Postmaster: Please send changes of address to, Cultivate, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, P.O. Box 27552, Richmond, VA 23261; fax 804-2901096. 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 Cultivate@vafb.com. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. 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 Assistant Editor Sara Owens Staff Writer/Photographer Patricia Hooten Graphic Designer Maria La Lima Graphic Designer Claire Mills Staff Writer/Advertising Coordinator VISIT US ONLINE vafb.com

CORRECTION An “Insurance Q&A” item in the August issue of Cultivate incorrectly implied that a Farm Bureau property insurance policy provides coverage against flood damage. Flood coverage is available only through a separate policy that Farm Bureau can obtain for its members through the National Flood Insurance Program.

PUBLICATION SCHEDULE

Associate members will receive their next issue of Cultivate in February. The magazine is published quarterly, and back issues can be viewed at issuu.com/virginiafarmbureau.

Cultivate (USPS 025051) (ISSN 1946-8121) is published four times a year. February, May, August, October. 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 $1.23 (included in membership dues).

ON THE COVER Kim and David Bryant planted their first chestnut trees in 2009 (Photo by Sara Owens).

WE’RE SOCIAL!

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.

Did you know? • Seventy-three million pounds of Virginia’s apple crop are sold as fresh fruit, and 105 million pounds are processed into apple foods and beverages. • More than 7,500 apple varieties have been identified worldwide. More than 2,500 varieties are grown in the U.S., and about 100 of those are grown for commercial sale. • Will you be bobbing for apples this fall? They float because about one-quarter of their volume is air.

PAM WILEY

• The Guinness Book of World Records record for most bites taken from three apples while juggling for one minute is 151. That record was set in 2013, and you can see it captured on video at bit.ly/2xp9xIx. Be warned: Things got messy.

vafb.com / FALL 2018

County Farm Bureaus offered more than $153,000 in scholarships last year County Farm Bureaus in Virginia invested in their communities’ future by offering $153,620 in scholarship funds in 2017. Sixty-two county Farm Bureaus offered scholarships of their own, and many county Farm Bureaus also contributed to other organizations’ scholarship funds. Federation scholarships Additionally, the VFBF Women’s Committee awarded a $3,000 scholarship to the state winner in the Virginia Farm Bureau Ambassador program. The first runner-up received a $500 scholarship. The Women’s Committee and Young Farmers Committee, along with Farm Credit, awarded a $1,500 scholarship to the state winner in last year’s Outstanding Young Agriculturalist youth recognition program. State Fair scholarships The State Fair of Virginia offers up to $70,000 in scholarships annually to winners in 4-H, FFA and vocational competitions and specific equine, fine arts and horticulture competitions. The fair’s Applied Youth Livestock Scholarship Program awarded $18,122 in scholarships to 12 youth who exhibited beef cattle, sheep, meat goats and swine in the 2017 fair. The Miss State Fair of Virginia Scholarship Program awarded more than $1,400 in scholarship funds last year. VFBF became full owner of the fair in 2013.

Women’s Program to present three awards in 2019 The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Committee will present three awards in 2019 that recognize leadership and support for agriculture. The Distinguished Farm Bureau Woman recognition program is open to all women who are Virginia Farm Bureau producer or associate members. It honors involvement in either farm business and community activities; agricultural business and community activities; or agricultural leadership and community involvement. Participants must be nominated by a peer. The winner will receive a $500 cash award and travel packages to the 2019 VFBF Annual Convention and 2020 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention. Nominations are due by Dec. 31, and details are available at vafb.com/membership-at-work/ farmers-in-action/womens-program. The Outstanding Woman in Agriculture Award will be presented to an honoree selected by the VFBF Women’s Committee in recognition of achievements and contributions to agriculture and the industry. The winner will receive a cash prize and commemorative award, travel packages to the 2019 VFBF Annual Convention and 2020 VFBF Women’s Spring Conference and a one-year paid county Farm Bureau membership. The Farm Bureau Ambassador program recognizes young adults for their interest and achievements in agriculture and provides an opportunity to serve as an ambassador for agriculture and Farm Bureau. Finalists competing at the 2019 Women’s Spring Conference each will receive $200 for their participation. The state-level winner will receive a $2,000 cash award. Eligible applicants must be a member of Farm Bureau between the ages of 18 and 24. Applications are due by Dec. 31, and program details are available at vafb.com/membership-at-work/ farmers-in-action/womens-program. 4

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Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. named to Ward’s 50 Insurance customers of Virginia Farm Bureau protect their property and other assets through a ® company that's recognized for financial responsibility. Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. recently was named among the 2018 Property-Casualty Ward’s 50 Companies. The list is compiled by Ward Group, a consulting firm specializing in the insurance industry and a leading provider of industry benchmarking. Each year, Ward Group analyzes the financial performance of nearly 3,000 property and casualty insurance companies in the United States and identifies the top performers. Each company named to Ward’s Top 50 has passed all safety and consistency screens and achieved superior performance over the five years it was analyzed. VFBMIC also was among the Ward’s 50 in 2009 and 2010. Earlier this year VFBMIC officials announced that the company’s financial strength rating, or FSR, from A.M. Best has been upgraded to an A- (Excellent) and its long-term issuer credit rating, or ICR, also was upgraded to an a-. The insurance rating and information source upgraded the company and its affiliates’ FSR from a B++ (Good) and its credit rating from a bbb+.

WATCH US!

> VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU WEEKLY TV PROGRAM

This month on Real Virginia:

Corn Wars, calamitous weather, Chesterfield farms and more Featured this month on Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s weekly television program: • Medical, nursing and nutrition students recently sat down to a farm-to-table meal. • A Charles City County farmer is a standout on RFD-TV’s Corn Wars reality series. • Virginia farmers share their strategies for adapting to weather calamities. • Agriculture is alive and well in Chesterfield County.

David Hula of Corn Wars.

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 WVPT Harrisonburg, WBRA Roanoke, WCVE Richmond, WHRO Norfolk, WVVA Bluefield and WTKR Norfolk. Watch Real Virginia anytime online at vafb.com.

AUTO COLLISIONS

2,749 Auto insurance claims filed in 2017 with Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. related to collisions with deer. Find out how to avoid one, on Page 19.

vafb.com / FALL 2018

“I want to support other local guys,” Chef Kevin Sharkey said of sourcing food locally for his 1608 Crafthouse.

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LOCAL INGREDIENTS INSPIRE VA. BEACH GASTROPUB CHEF ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY KATHY DIXON

Diners ‘want a story they can attach to their dinner’

very Sunday, Mike Cullipher sends an email to Virginia Beacharea chefs, listing all the fresh, tasty produce that Cullipher Farms has available that week. And chefs like Kevin Sharkey, owner of 1608 Crafthouse, check the list and decide if there are products they’d like to use for their menus. “We’re a little guy, and I want to support other local guys,” remarked Sharkey, who opened his American gastropub three-and-ahalf years ago. He said he has purchased vegetables like cabbage and potatoes from Cullipher Farms. Cullipher, who runs the Pungo farm with his dad, Louis, said there are chefs who do everything they can to source locally. “The younger generation (of consumers) that’s out there spending their money, they’re the ones who care about local food ingredients,” he shared. “The millennials are more concerned with the (dining) experience and are willing to pay for it. My dad says they want a story they can attach to their dinner.” Sharkey agreed, and said he wants his customers to have a culinary experience. He noted that many restaurants serve craft beers and want their customers to drink first and then realize they can order food. But at 1608, “I want them to eat handcrafted, fresh, local food first and then order a local craft beer.” The restaurant maintains some core items for its menu like a charcuterie platter made with Edwards ham, its bacon cheeseburger that was named one of the 20 best in the U.S. by MSN.com, and its lamb-and-mushroom burger sourced from Border Springs Farm in Patrick County and Dave & Dee’s Homegrown Mushrooms in Southampton County. Many menu items are changed every couple of weeks, depending on what’s seasonal and available.

Mike Cullipher (top) makes sure Sharkey and other local chefs know what’s available each week from Cullipher Farms. Menu items at 1608 Crafthouse (lower photos) are changed often to incorporate foods that are in season.

Sharkey serves only Virginia oysters, sources his chicken from an Eastern Shore farm, buys hot sauce from a Virginia Beach company and purchases pork from a farm less than 100 miles away. “The quality and taste of fresh, local farm products we buy is noticeably better,” he remarked. The drawback, sometimes, is in product consistency and availability. That’s why Cullipher sends out his weekly email, so chefs can plan accordingly.

Of course, sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate. Recently he planted snow leopard melons—a cross between a honeydew melon and a cantaloupe, with white skin and green, leopard-like spots. But excessive rainfall destroyed the crop. When one crop fails, ideally another succeeds. Cullipher said he has two new varieties of apples this year—an EverCrisp®, which is a cross of Honeycrisp and Fuji, and CrimsonCrisp™, a cross of Honeycrisp and Gala. kathy.dixon@vafb.com vafb.com / FALL 2018

Many foods are naturally gluten-free THEY INCLUDE: • fruits and vegetables • fresh eggs • fresh meats • fish and poultry • unprocessed beans • seeds and nuts • most dairy products • white rice • tapioca Grains and starches that may be allowed as part of a gluten-free diet include buckwheat, corn and cornmeal, flax, quinoa, rice, soy, arrowroot and millet. Real Virginia, a weekly television program produced by Virginia Farm Bureau, has featured a story about gluten-free foods: bit.ly/rv16gluten

Financing Country Living Since 1916 The Experts in Rural Finance Homes • Land • Construction • Livestock Barns • Outbuildings • Equipment

800-919-FARM (3276) 8

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FarmCredit.com

Is going gluten-free for everyone? BY CLAIRE MILLS

ecently Dunkin’ Donuts introduced its first gluten-free brownie. Dunkin’ is joining the growing number of grocery stores and bakeries stocking up on gluten-free or grainfree products to meet an exploding demand. U.S. sales of gluten-free food are projected to rake in $2 billion by 2020. For the small percentage of the population who truly can’t eat gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, that’s good news. Yet, many people without this condition are jumping on the gluten-free train because they believe it is a healthy option.

Are gluten-free foods healthier?

A gluten-free diet is the only option for people with celiac disease, a serious autoimmune disorder. Roughly 1 percent of the American population has celiac disease, and another 0.3 percent suffer a wheat allergy. Still, the number of Americans following a gluten-free diet tripled between 2009 and 2014, according to a study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, with a third of Americans trying to eliminate gluten from their diets. Unless you have celiac disease or a true gluten sensitivity, it’s not a good idea to exclude it from your diet, says an article, Is a Gluten-Free Diet Healthy for People Without Celiac Disease?, published by the Virginia Tech Department of Human Nutrition. The article cautions that cutting out gluten can do more harm than good if you don’t have celiac disease or gluten intolerance. It goes on to say that a gluten-free diet “can lack vitamins,

The number of Americans following a gluten-free diet tripled between 2009 and 2014, and U.S. sales of gluten-free food are expected to reach $2 billion by 2020.

minerals and fiber and following this diet for no reason might not be a good choice. “Since wheat, rye and barley are key sources of vitamins and minerals, eliminating gluten could increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies.” The Virginia Tech publication recommends that anyone experiencing symptoms associated with celiac disease pursue medical testing.

Does going gluten-free help you lose weight?

Another misconception among consumers is that going gluten-free will help them lose weight. In fact, people may initially lose weight because they have eliminated calories in the form of foods like bread, pasta and cake. If dieters choose gluten-free,

high-calorie processed food options, that could lead to weight gain. “Some gluten-free products are high in saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, or sugar,” stated the publication. “Others are high in calories, and many are not whole-grain. “Additionally, most gluten-free alternatives are more expensive than their gluten-containing counterparts.” If following a gluten-free diet means not eating whole grains, that also can be problematic, because whole grains are associated with numerous health benefits, especially for heart health. As part of a healthy diet, high intake of whole grains has been associated with reduced risk of heart disease, some cancers, Type 2 diabetes and obesity. claire.mills@vafb.com vafb.com / FALL 2018

Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station 1111/CALS-2

Ag stations conduct research so farmersAgricultural don’t have to Virginia Experiment Station and its Agricultural Research and Extension Centers

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY KATHY DIXON

gricultural experiment stations were created by the Hatch Act of 1887 to provide a hands-on research arm for

land-grant universities. a Agricultural Experiment Station - Blacksburg “It’s a way to apply university research out in the field,” noted Dr. David Langston, director of the Virginia on H. Smith, Jr. AREC - Winchester Tech Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Suffolk. The mission of Virginia Tech’s 11 experiment stations and research centers is to “perform basic and applied research stern Shore AREC - Painter on agricultural, environmental, natural, and community resource issues related to the future needs of Virginia, the region, theAREC nation, and the world.Agricultural Research is designed to provide knowledge that will enhance the quality of individual stern Virginia - Warsaw Virginia Experiment Station and family life and the social and economic vigor of Virginia.” and its mpton Roads AREC - Virginia Beach In addition to serving the needs of Virginia’s animal, plant and seafood industries, Virginia Agricultural Experiment Agricultural Research and Extension Centers Station-supported research fosters conservation of natural resources and ultimately benefits all Virginia citizens. Frederick ddleburg AREC - Middleburg Clarke Loudoun Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station - Blacksburg ynolds Homestead Forestry Resources Research Center Critz Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station Arlington Warren Alson H. Smith, Jr. AREC - Winchester Fauquier Shenandoah and its Fairfax Alexandria enandoah Eastern ValleyShore AREC - Steeles AREC - Painter Tavern Agricultural Research and Extension Centers Prince Rappahannock William Eastern Virginia AREC - Warsaw uthern Piedmont AREC Blackstone Page Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station Hampton Roads AREC - Virginia Beach Culpeper Alson H. Smith, Jr. AREC Rockingham Stafford uthwest Virginia AREC - Glade Spring Madison Eastern Shore AREC Middleburg AREC - Middleburg Highland King Eastern Virginia AREC Greene George Reynolds Homestead Forestry Resources Research Center - Critz ewater AREC - Suffolk Orange Spotsylvania Hampton Roads AREC Augusta Westmoreland Shenandoah Valley AREC - Steeles Tavern Middleburg AREC Bath ginia Seafood AREC - Hampton Caroline Albemarle Reynolds Homestead Forestry Resources Research Center - Blacksburg

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Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station

Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station and Agricultural Research and Extension Centers

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1111/CALS-2

Suffolk

Research varies by region • The Alson H. Smith Jr. AREC in Winchester serves Virginia’s commercial fruit and value-added horticultural food crops industries. • The Eastern Shore AREC in Accomack County is dedicated to vegetable and field crop research. • The Eastern Virginia AREC in Richmond County serves Virginia’s grain and soybean industries through research and educational programs leading to improved varieties and crop management practices. • The Hampton Roads AREC in Virginia Beach focuses on ornamental, turf, fruit and vegetable crops and water quality in agricultural and urban ecosystems. • The Middleburg AREC in Loudoun County studies the health and well-being of horses through research, teaching and outreach activities. • The Reynolds Homestead Forest Resources Research Center in Patrick County studies the biological and physical relationships of the forest ecosystem.

• The Shenandoah Valley AREC in Rockbridge County researches the soil, animal and plant components of forage-based livestock systems. It also preserves the historic McCormick Farm, family farm of inventor Cyrus Hall McCormick. • The Southern Piedmont AREC in Nottoway County is dedicated to tobacco, small fruits, forages, and other field and specialty crop research and educational programs. • The Southwest Virginia AREC in Washington County is a key site for hair sheep research. It also studies management systems for beef cattle and corn and grain silage. • The Tidewater AREC in Suffolk focuses its research on commercial swine production, as well as food and fiber crops like peanuts and cotton. • The Virginia Seafood AREC in Hampton provides education, scientific and technical guidance, support and leadership to the commercial seafood and aquaculture industries.

Southwest Va. AREC runs well-respected sheep program

atahdin hair sheep are named after Mount Katahdin, the northernmost end of the Appalachian Trail and the highest mountain in Maine. So it’s fitting that one can see Mount Rogers, the highest point in Virginia, from the Southwest Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center, where Katahdin sheep are the focus of a nationally known ram test program. When SWAREC Superintendent Lee Wright and other Virginia Tech researchers began studying the breed in 1999, they had no idea how much the program would grow. Many Southwest Virginia farmers previously raised burley tobacco but increased the size of their cattle herds or started raising sheep to compensate for the loss of tobacco contracts after 2002. Hair sheep are more efficient and easier to manage on pasture than wool sheep, because they are less

Lee Wright SWAREC Superintendent

“We’re trying to find animals that can survive and thrive on pasture,” said Lee Wright, superintendent of the Southwest Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

susceptible to parasites and don’t have to be sheared. They shed their coats seasonally, like other livestock. In 2012 the SWAREC initiated its ram test program to identify animals with high resistance to the barber pole worm, a pesky stomach parasite that causes health problems for the sheep

and leads to flock losses and expensive treatment bills for farmers. Wright and other researchers document the desirable attributes of Katahdin sheep as they forage on pastureland, and then share the results with farmers. |

ARECS cont’d on p. 12 »

vafb.com / FALL 2018

Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station 1111/CALS-2

ARECS cont’d from p. 11

“The past three years, we’ve had to turn animals away due to the popularity of the test,” Wright remarked. “We’re trying to find animals that can survive and thrive on pasture.” Farmers consign sheep to the center for a 70-day test period. If the animals don’t need to be de-wormed by the end of that period, farmers can retain them for breeding in their own flocks or sell them at the SWAREC’s annual ram sale. This year there are 29 consignors from 13 different states. “One producer

in Texas has purchased 19 rams from our tests. He swears their genetics have improved the performance of his 1,500-ewe flock,” Wright said. The Washington County research center focuses on beef cattle and sheep, and until 2012 it also was involved in researching burley tobacco. The center also researches varieties of corn and cover crops on its 210 acres. “We’re here to help farmers become better managers, better stewards of the land, and help them better manage the health of their herds to help their bottom line and ultimately provide a quality product for consumers,” Wright said.

In addition to its sheep program, staff at the SWAREC study management systems for beef cattle and corn and grain silage.

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Tidewater research station yields data instead of crops

t the Tidewater Agricultural Research & Extension Center in Suffolk, researchers do a lot of the same things farmers do. “But instead of crops, we yield data, and we deliver non-biased information to farmers,” shared Dr. David Langston, the center’s director. “Our purpose is to conduct research that farmers don’t have time to do.” Often the results of that research are shared with farmers and industry professionals at agriculture field days. In August, the TAREC hosted a peanut field day that drew more than 100 farmers, agribusiness representatives and peanut buyers and shellers. Langston called it a “fantastic turnout.” The center also hosted field days focused on cotton and sorghum, two other commodities grown in Southeast Virginia. Eddie Pond, a Surry County peanut farmer, said he’s been to a handful of TAREC field days and always gleans useful information. He attended the peanut field day to learn more about irrigation. “I wanted to find out if it’s worth using on our operation,” he explained. Pond added that researchers at the TAREC study different peanut varieties to determine which are most drought- and disease-resistant. That’s the kind of research full-time farmers don’t have time to conduct on their own, he noted. And while most of the research conducted at Virginia’s ARECs is meant to help farmers, some of it benefits consumers as well. For example, Langston said the TAREC is studying high-oleic peanut varieties that contain less trans-fat than traditional types. “So, ultimately, this is good for consumers who eat peanuts.” As farming increased in Virginia,

Dr. David Langston TAREC Director The Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center often shares its research findings with farmers at agriculture field days. Dr. David Langston, the center's director, said a recent peanut field day drew more than 100 participants from within the peanut industry.

so did the scope and breadth of the experiment stations. The TAREC opened in 1914 with one man, one mule, one building and 20 acres of rented land. Today, Langston said, the center owns 465 acres on which 33 buildings are located. It has seven fulltime faculty members, 12 technicians and many part-time employees and students working throughout the year. One current research project is focused on placing remote sensors in fields and using drones to detect plant stress. The drones fly over the fields and use color and temperature to determine whether something’s wrong with a section of plants. “This helps us to detect problems and evaluate plant varieties to determine those with desirable traits for growing,” Langston explained. The sensors are used in corn, cotton, peanut, sorghum and soybean fields on the property. “We are considered Virginia’s row crop station,” Langston said. kathy.dixon@vafb.com

On Real Virginia Real Virginia, a weekly television program produced by Virginia Farm Bureau, has featured a profile of the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center: bit.ly/rv15mare.

vafb.com / FALL 2018

Virginia growers putting chestnuts back on the U.S. map BY SARA OWENS

t’s been 100 years in the making. After a century, local, fresh chestnuts are again available in Virginia. The chestnut blight wiped out the American Chestnut in the early 1900s, but a handful of farms in the commonwealth have found a way to maintain blight-resistant orchards. Marketing collectively as Virginia Chestnuts LLC, they are harvesting thousands of pounds of fresh chestnuts each year.

Choosing chestnuts over apples Chestnuts ripen the most during the last 30 days of their growing season.

David and Kim Bryant of Nelson County grow the Dunstan chestnut, which was bred and introduced by Chestnut Hill Tree Nursery in Florida. It is a hybrid of the American and Chinese chestnut, developed for blight resistance. When the Bryants bought their land 15 years ago, it was full of pine trees. When the trees were cleared and their house was built, they sought a business venture that would allow them to use the land into retirement. Kim said they thought about putting in an apple orchard but knew it would be too labor-intensive for just the two of them. David said he was reading a magazine article about a couple in Delaware who were growing chestnuts. “I thought, ‘Hmm, chestnuts. We could do that,’ and we started researching it,” he said. Kim said the couple in the article were already retired, so a chestnut orchard seemed viable. The Bryants purchased their first trees in 2009 and handplanted them. Today they have 1,600 on 23 acres. In the spring they sell chestnut seedlings to buyers from around the country.

Virginia Chestnuts

In 2015 the Bryants established Virginia Chestnuts, which sources chestnuts from six local orchards—including their own, processes the nuts and sells them directly to customers. Sales are handled mostly online at virginiachestnuts.com and by word of mouth. “We found they can be packaged and shipped within one to two days, and when they arrive customers can put them in the fridge and they’ll last about two weeks,” Kim said. The Bryants also spend fall weekends roasting and selling 14

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The most important tree

Ripe chestnuts inside their spiky, green outer capsule.

According to Chestnut Hill Tree Nursery, located in Gainesville, Fla., the American chestnut was once the most important food and timber tree species in the Eastern hardwood forest. It was almost entirely destroyed by a bark fungus accidentally introduced from overseas in 1904. Within 40 years, more than 30 million acres of chestnut trees were killed from Maine to Georgia and west to the Mississippi in the largest ecological disaster in American history. Visit chestnuthilltreefarm.com for more information.

vafb.com / FALL 2018

fresh chestnuts at Dickie Brothers Orchard in Nelson County. “We’re trying to introduce chestnuts to a new group and grow the demand for them organically,” David explained. “Right now we’re selling out what we have, so we’re doing well, but we’re looking to expand.” All chestnuts sold by Virginia Chestnuts have been washed, sanitized, dried and weighed and kept in cold storage, and Virginia Chestnut growers are all U.S. Department of Agriculture Good Agricultural Practices-certified.

Trials and tribulations

In 2013, summer cicadas did so much damage to the Bryants’ chestnut trees that that year’s crop was lost. Deer also love chestnuts and can present a problem, as can insects and the weather. “Pests and not enough rain later in the summer can be hard on chestnut trees,” Kim explained. “They are wind-pollinated, so if it is wet and rainy the trees won’t pollinate well.” Chestnut trees love full sun and will not produce nuts if they do not get enough sunlight. “When the trees are 10 to 12 years old, (chestnut orchards) usually need to be thinned,” David explained. “At that time the tree has paid for itself in nut production.” He spent this past winter pruning all 1,600 trees on the Bryant farm by hand.

Chestnut harvest

Chestnut harvest typically lasts six weeks, beginning around Sept. 20 and ending in October. “The bulk of our chestnuts fall in October,” David said. “We continually harvest some every day, often twice a day.” The first of the crop is hand-harvested, then later in the season, the Bryants use equipment made for harvesting pecans. “There isn’t any chestnut equipment in the United States,” David said. “Most of it is in Italy.” sara.owens@vafb.com

Who grows Virginia Chestnuts? Chestnuts sold by Virginia Chestnuts LLC are grown on Jefferson Farm in Rockingham County and on the following Nelson County farms: • Breidablik Farm • Bryant Farm and Nursery • Helbert Orchard • Hopkins Orchard • Seamans’ Orchard The Bryants harvest with a hand tool (upper photo) early in the season, and as more chestnuts drop, they use a pecan harvester. 16

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In 2015 the Bryants established Virginia Chestnuts, which processes and sells nuts from their orchard and five others.

Chestnuts on an open fire— or fire pit! “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire” conjures up iconic images of roasting beautiful, fresh chestnuts during the holiday season. “Roasting chestnuts brings their sugar content up,” explained Kim Bryant of Bryant Farm and Nursery. The most important step in roasting chestnuts happens before you even start to roast—they must be properly scored. “Scoring the chestnuts before you cook them makes sure they don’t explode in an oven or over the fire,” Bryant explained. “It also helps later, as scoring the nuts makes them easier to peel.”

Scoring chestnuts The traditional way is to place a chestnut on a cutting board with its flat side down. With a paring knife, cut an “x” into the round top of the nut. If the nuts have a harder shell and don’t score easily that way,

"We found they can be packaged and shipped within one to two days, and when they arrive customers can put them in the fridge and they’ll last about two weeks,” Kim Bryant said of nuts sold by Virginia Chestnuts LLC.

PHOTO BY SARA OWENS

• Soak them first, in lukewarm water for 20 minutes, before scoring. Try either the classic “x” or a straight-line score across the round top of the nut, and it should open beautifully once it has been boiled or roasted. • The no-cut score: If you cannot or don’t want to score your chestnuts, place them flat-side-down on a cutting board. With a paring knife, stab into the top of each chestnut, then turn it 90 degrees and stab it again, creating a small, deep “x” on the top of each nut.

Roasting chestnuts After washing and properly scoring the chestnuts, place the nuts in a roasting pan in a single layer. Place the pan over hot coals, and turn the nuts frequently until the shells begin to split open and the insides feel soft.

Baking in oven, or boiling Chestnuts also can be baked. Preheat your oven to 400°, and roast nuts in a single layer on a cookie sheet or in a roasting pan for about 10 minutes or until the slits in the skins curl. Additionally, chestnuts can be boiled in their shells. Just score them first.

Chestnut puree “With a food processor, the possibilities are endless,” Kim Bryant said. 1. Follow the directions for roasting chestnuts. 2. When the nuts are cool enough to handle, peel them and place peeled nuts in a food processor with a little bit of water. Puree to the texture of peanut butter. 3. Get creative! • Add a little honey to make a chestnut spread for crackers. • Substitute the puree for bananas in your favorite banana bread recipe. • Use the puree for your favorite chestnut soup recipe. • Put peeled, whole chestnuts in a jar, and fill it with honey. Within two weeks you’ll have candy!

vafb.com / FALL 2018

For Your Benefit

Virginia’s Harvest treats make tasty gifts Farm Bureau members can share tasty, traditional Virginia foods with the Virginia’s Harvest gift collection, available exclusively from the organization’s products division. Choose from country hams and gourmet peanuts—roasted and salted or unsalted, butter-toasted or chocolatedipped—and peanut brittle. Additional products include salted jumbo cashews, butter-toasted pecans and an energy mix of almonds, cashews and raisins. And for your next tailgate party or oyster roast, there are 2-pound bags of salted peanuts in the shell. To view and print the Virginia’s Harvest product brochure and order form, visit

vafb.com/benefits, and click on the “Virginia’s Harvest Gifts” link. Virginia’s Harvest items also can be viewed and ordered at county Farm Bureau offices. For an additional charge, they can be shipped via United Parcel Service with a personalized gift card. Call the Virginia Farm Bureau Products Division at 800-476-8473 for more information or to order by phone.

You don’t have to wonder about health risks with Life Line Screenings Members can save on four noninvasive vascular health screenings— for carotid artery, abdominal aortic aneurysm, atrial fibrillation and peripheral arterial disease—and have a free osteoporosis screening to assess risk for stroke, heart attack and bone fractures. Life Line Screenings, the national leading provider of preventive screenings, offers these procedures to Farm Bureau members at the discounted rate of $145. Watch for mailings about Life Line screenings in your area, or contact your county Farm Bureau for details.

Program offers members prescription drug discounts Virginia Farm Bureau’s free Prescription Drug Discount and Savings Program affords members an average savings of 25 percent on more than 12,000 FDA-approved, name-brand and generic prescription drugs at more than 57,000 pharmacies nationwide. 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 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 preexisting conditions. Your county Farm Bureau can provide starter card information and information on how to locate participating pharmacies near you and compare potential savings on generic and brand-name drugs.

Enjoy special Farm Bureau member prices on Grainger purchases 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: • Electrical • Motors • Cleaning: Consumables • Cleaning: Other • Hand Tools • Manufacturing: Welding • Plumbing: Pipe, Valves, Fittings • Plumbing: Other • Safety: Facility Safety 18

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• Safety: People Safety • Outdoor Equipment • Power Tools To get the Farm Bureau member prices, always reference the Virginia Farm Bureau organization account number when submitting an order. Contact your county Farm Bureau to get access to the account number. Get started with your price savings using one of 3 easy methods:

1 2

Present the Virginia Farm Bureau organization account number at time of purchase.

Go to grainger.com/farmbureau to establish a new Grainger. com® account using that account number; or

Call Grainger customer service at 800-472-4643 to update your existing Grainger account with the Farm Bureau organization account number. To be sure you get your Farm Bureau member prices, always reference Virginia Farm Bureau's organization account number when visiting your local branch, making a telephone order, or setting up your personal account online. 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.

Va. enters peak season for deer collisions The cool fall weather brings a sharp rise in insurance claims related to collisions with animals, mainly deer, in parts of the U.S. In 2017 the odds that your vehicle could strike a deer were 1 in 94 in Virginia. The deer migration and mating season runs from October through December, causing an increase in The deer migration and mating season runs from October movement of Virginia’s deer through December, causing an increase in movement. population and resulting in more collisions during those three months, $7.4 million in losses in 2016. with the heaviest amount in November. The claims data matches the In 2017, Virginia Farm Bureau October-through-December pattern, Mutual Insurance Co. had 2,749 claims with deer-related claims significantly related to collisions with deer, out of increasing or doubling during those 102,926 personal, commercial and fleet months and the highest number of auto policies. This is an increase from claims occurring in November. There 2016, when there were 2,536 claims were 379 collisions with deer in related to collisions with deer. October, 501 in November and 305 in The claims led to more than December, totaling 1,185 claims for the $8.1 million in losses, with an average final quarter of 2017—almost half of all loss of $2,961 per claim. There were deer collisions claims for the year.

Tips for driving while deer are most active • Drivers should travel slowly and be aware of their surroundings. Keep your peripheral vision focused on the shoulders of the road for movement that might indicate the presence of deer. • Deer are most likely to be seen at dusk and dawn near tree-lined roadways or areas that transition from open fields to forest or water. It’s important to remember that deer are wild animals and often exhibit unpredictable behaviors when on or near roadways. • Always slow down if you see a deer run across the road in front of you. It’s likely that there are more deer following that one. • When driving after dark, use highbeam headlights to increase your range of vision. If a deer is spotted on or near the road, slow down immediately and do not swerve. Brake firmly, but keep the vehicle headed in a straight line.

The ins and outs of rental car coverage When you rent a car, the rental company will almost always ask you one question: Would you like to add our insurance? Some customers may feel like it’s extra money they don’t need to spend because they already have insurance that will cover them in the event of an accident. Others, however, may decide to purchase that extra protection. Lisa Whitus, personal and commercial lines underwriting manager for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co., said it is important to check with your insurance agent about your own personal auto policy before signing on the dotted line. “Most personal auto policies with comprehensive and collision coverage will provide adequate coverage for your rental car,” Whitus explained. If you are involved in an accident, the negligent person ultimately will be responsible, Whitus said. The liability coverage under your auto policy is there to help pay for another person’s medical bills or for damage to another person’s property if you cause the accident in your vehicle or a rental car. If you have a personal auto policy, you have liability insurance, and if elected, you also may have comprehensive insurance to help repair the vehicle if it is damaged by a covered peril such as wind, fire or theft, minus your

comprehensive deductible. You also may elect to have collision coverage to repair the vehicle if you collide with another object, such as a building or tree, or another vehicle— minus the collision deductible. “What a rental car company could be offering you is just a warranty that states the rental car company would not come against you for damages,” Whitus said. “That isn’t actually insurance, and it is also typically expensive, so ask questions if you aren’t sure.”

Keep in mind the type of vehicle you are renting— and the purpose

It’s important, Whitus noted, to keep in mind the type of vehicle you are renting and the purpose, whether it be personal, commercial or recreational. “Coverage automatically follows on a personal auto policy, but not on a commercial auto policy unless it is endorsed for Hired Auto Coverage.” Also, if you do not already have recreational vehicles insured on your policy, there is no coverage for a rental vehicle of that type. And when you rent a moving truck or similar equipment there is no loss of use coverage provided— even on a personal auto policy, Whitus explained. vafb.com / FALL 2018

Filing an insurance claim with ease

hen you’ve experienced an accident or damage to your car or home, you want it fixed quickly. Everything you need to know about how to file a Farm Bureau insurance

claim is available at vafb.com/claims, but it is important to know what information you need to expedite your claim.

AUTO CLAIMS Always exchange insurance information with any other drivers involved. Once you’ve done that, touch base with your insurance agent to get the claims process started.

Report your claim as soon as possible.

Detailed and complete information will expedite the process. Virginia Farm Bureau insurance customers can start this process on the company’s website on your desktop or mobile device. You’ll need: • your policy number and car information • your contact information and best times to call • insurance information of other parties involved, plus contact information for witnesses • a full description of the accident

• the name and badge ID of the investigating police officer • photos, if possible—not just closeups of the damage, but perspective shots that show the accident in context.

What happens after filing an auto claim?

• A Farm Bureau claims representative will contact you. Most of the time it will be the same day the claim is reported; otherwise, it will be the next business day. He or she will walk you through the next steps and set up an appraisal to assess the damage as soon as possible. • If liability is in question, a field claims representative will be in touch. The rep will handle the liability investigation and any injury claims, talk to any

other insurance companies—or attorneys—involved, and handle damage payments. As the insured, you’re under no obligation to describe a collision to anyone except police and your own insurance company. • Your car will be appraised for damage, usually within a week of filing your claim. Farm Bureau partners with independent body shops around the state for this initial estimate. After this appraisal, you can take your car to your preferred shop. If you’re covered for a rental car, Farm Bureau will help you with that process. • Repairs are authorized and completed. All you must pay is your deductible directly to the body shop when your car is ready, and return the rental.

As the auto policy holder, you’re under no obligation to describe a collision to anyone except police and your own insurance company.

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When photographing damage, be sure to take photos from far enough away to show perspective.

HOME CLAIMS Filing a home claim is similar to filing an auto claim, and you should have all pertinent information on hand. You’ll need: • your policy number • your contact information and best times to call • a full description of the damage • photos, if possible—not just closeups of the damage, but also faraway shots showing perspective. It’s important to identify whether you can safely stay in your home and not to alter the condition of the damage until the home can be inspected.

What happens after filing a home claim?

• As with an auto claim, a Farm Bureau claims representative will contact you quickly and will walk you through the next steps and set up an appraisal to assess the damage.

• If someone was injured or someone else’s property was damaged, a field claims representative will be in touch. He or she will handle the liability investigation and any injury claims. • Your home will be appraised for damage, usually within a week of when you file your claim. If you cannot live in your home due to the damage, the claims representative will make arrangements for temporary living accommodations. • Repairs are authorized and completed. Typically you can use your own contractor, and Farm Bureau will pay the amount of the agreed repair costs to you and your contractor so your home can be fixed quickly. Other items to keep in mind: • Protect your property to prevent further damage, and retain receipts of expenses you incur to protect the property.

• I f someone is injured or damaged by something or someone on your property, do not admit fault. Photograph the area or condition where the injury or damage occurred. •C onsider what contractor you would use to repair the damage, but do not authorize repairs until the insurance company can inspect or approve the repairs.

Keep this information handy! Important claims contact information:

• To start a claim with Farm Bureau, call 800-452-7714. • If you have a claims question or aren’t sure whether you should file, contact Farm Bureau at 800447-8323 or contactclaims@vafb. com. •C laims information also is available at vafb.com/claims. vafb.com / FALL 2018

Don’t miss out on this offer. Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com today!

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BONUS CASH

Farm Bureau members get $500 Bonus Cash* toward the purchase or lease of an eligible new Ford vehicle!

*Program 36238: $500 Bonus Cash offer exclusively for active AL, AZ, AR, CA, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI Farm Bureau members who are residents of the United States. Offer is valid through 1/2/2019 for the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2018/2019 model year Ford vehicle. Not available on Shelby GT350®, Shelby® GT350R, Mustang BULLITT, Ford GT, Focus RS, F-150 Raptor and F-150 Diesel. This offer may not be used in conjunction with most other Ford Motor Company private incentives or AXZD-Plans. Some customer and purchase eligibility restrictions apply. Must be a member for 30 consecutive days prior to purchase. Limit one Bonus Cash offer per vehicle purchase or lease. Limit of five new eligible vehicle purchases or leases per Farm Bureau member during program period. Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com or see your authorized Ford Dealer for qualifications and complete details.

Health care reform open enrollment for 2019 starts Nov. 1 Health care insurance open enrollment for 2019 will begin Nov. 1 and run through Dec. 15. It’s important to note that the window to purchase coverage is only 45 days long. If you don’t enroll in a 2019 plan by Dec. 15, 2018, you can’t enroll in a health insurance plan unless you qualify for a special enrollment period. Special enrollment periods include, but are not limited to, job changes or retirement; turning 26 and no longer being included on a parent’s policy; and the birth of a child. For a list of qualifying events, visit healthcare.gov and click on “See If I Can Enroll.”

Important dates for 2019 enrollment: • Nov. 1, 2018 – Open enrollment starts • Dec. 15, 2018 – Open enrollment ends • Jan. 1, 2019 – First date 2019 coverage can start

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This policy has exclusions, limitations and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. For more information on benefits, please contact your agent or the health plan. Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program. The purpose of this communication is the solicitation of insurance. Contact will be made by an insurance agent or insurance company. Anthem Health Plans of Virginia, Inc. trades as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia, and its service area is all of Virginia except for the City of Fairfax, the Town of Vienna, and the area east of State Route 123. Independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. AADVOTH006M(15)-VA 55681VASENABS 22

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Your mouth can mirror your overall health; dental care is key

ctober is National Dental Hygiene Month and a good time to remember the importance of caring for your smile. Fresh breath, strong teeth and healthy gums are all part of good oral health. The American Dental Hygienists’ Association recommends talking to your hygienist at your next dental appointment about the four simple ways you can keep your mouth clean and healthy: 1. Brushing twice a day 2. Flossing regularly 3. Rinsing with mouthwash 4. Chewing sugar-free gum after meals.

Did you know?

Professional dental care can diagnose or help prevent common dental problems, including toothache, inflamed gums, tooth decay, bad breath and dry mouth. If conditions like these remain untreated, they can worsen into painful and expensive problems such as gum disease or even tooth loss. Many doctors and dentists view the mouth as a mirror to

what’s taking place inside a person’s body. More than 90 percent of all systemic diseases have oral manifestations. Regular dental exams can identify signs of diseases, including some types of cancer, leukemia, diabetes and heart and kidney disease. It’s important to get twice-a-year dental cleanings and take charge of your health. You may be able to receive additional dental cleanings if you: • are pregnant; • have received an organ or bone marrow transplant; or • have diabetes, certain heart conditions, cancer treated with chemotherapy, or head or neck cancer treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Need dental coverage?

Dental insurance helps protect your smile and your wallet. With dental insurance, you pay a premium and your insurance will cover part or the entire cost of many dental services. For more information on dental coverage, contact your county Farm Bureau office.

If common dental problems go untreated, they can result in painful and expensive conditions like gum disease, or in tooth loss.

vafb.com / FALL 2018

Farm Bureau website helps you maximize your membership

Follow us at VaFarmBureau and Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance on Facebook and @VaFarmBureau and @VFBInsurance on Twitter to learn more about Virginia agriculture and get tips to help avoid costly insurance claims.

Are your membership records current?

As a registered member at vafb.com, you’ll be the first to gain access to new content, convenient account features, membership information and insurance policy details. Once registered, members can:

Farm Bureau needs your updated contact information, including email address

• Get access codes and information for all member benefits. • Update your contact information to ensure you receive Farm Bureau’s monthly e-newsletters. Virginia Farm Bureau insurance policyholders can: • View policy information 24/7, and easily find your insurance agent or county Farm Bureau office. • Request policy changes and pay premiums online. • Download auto insurance ID cards.

If you’ve moved, acquired a new telephone number, or changed your name or email address, it’s important that your new information is reflected in your membership and insurance records. Email addresses and cell phone numbers are especially important; they help your Farm Bureau agent reach you in instances where prompt communication is essential. If you need to update your records, email your current contact information to membership@vafb.com, and our staff will handle the update. You’re also welcome to call or visit your county Farm Bureau office to update your records.

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rin ers, sha eal farm

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on rea stories,

REAL VIRGINIA A weekly television program produced by Virginia Farm Bureau

Agriculture touches your life every day! Meet the Virginia farmers who raise products for your table and your community. Learn how to prepare delicious Virginia foods and cultivate a lush landscape and edible garden. 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 many cable outlets—check local listings. Watch anytime at vafb.com, and weekly on • WBRA Roanoke • WCVE Richmond • WHTJ Charlottesville • WHRO Norfolk

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Real Virginia Promo Ad 2.indd 1

• WTKR Norfolk • WVPT Harrisonburg • WVVA Bluefield

10/3/18 10:50 AM

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID PIPPIN

Create indoor arrangements using outdoor materials BY SARA OWENS

Magnolia leaves, hydrangea blooms and dried pods from the garden all can be incorporated into festive fall and early winter arrangements.

ven though temperatures are dropping, many outdoor items can be used to create fresh floral arrangements for fall and winter. David Pippin, a Richmond floral designer, recently shared some fresh ideas for using items from your garden or yard in festive arrangements. Pippin specializes in floral arrangements and garden consultations, and he has been the floral designer for the Executive Mansion of Virginia for almost five years. Above all, he said, have fun with floral arrangements and think outside the box. “There are a lot of photos of arrangements online. Find something you like, and try to copy it,” Pippin suggested. “Experiment with a few sprigs in small containers to get started, put it on a windowsill and enjoy it!”

Camellia

Pine cone

He emphasized the importance of keeping arrangements in water-tight containers and to mix things up by using interesting containers. He suggested anything from a bucket or pitcher to a basket or vase. His other primary advice: Change the water regularly, at least once a week or when it starts to smell. Always keep the foliage above the water, or fresh items will break down faster. “Also, if your arrangement is not in a water-holding container or foam, it will dry up immediately,” Pippin noted.

For fall

Arborvitae

For fall décor, Pippin suggested using any last-minute flowers in the garden, as well as ornamental grasses and fall foliage. “Using fall foliage such as leaves from an oak or maple tree is great and will last a few vafb.com / FALL 2018

Oak leaves and acorns

Magnolia leaves

Cabbage

Cotton

Boxwood

Mini pumpkin

Maple leaves

Pine 26

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days,” he said. “So cut some stems, and enjoy your arrangement until the leaves start to fall from the stem.” Aucuba makes a wonderful addition to a fall arrangement, especially the variegated varieties. Evergreen clippings and broadleaf trees such as magnolia or camellia work great and will hold up a long time, Pippin said. Fall produce also can be added to fresh arrangements. Try cabbages, gourds, mini pumpkins, onions and potatoes. Those items also could be part of an arrangement made in a basket, Pippin explained. When using fresh produce, use a skewer through each item to secure it in floral foam. When using apples in an arrangement, running the skewer through the cores can

make them last longer, Pippin said. “It’s really all about experimenting. Some of these fresh items will last longer than others. It’s important to be mindful of the temperature of the room where the arrangement will stay too. If it’s too warm, the arrangement will not last as long.”

For winter Many items used in fall floral arrangements also will work well for winter displays. Broad and needleleaf evergreens such as arborvitae and Leyland cypress work well and will last one to two weeks. Pines, cedars and spruces also are beautiful. “A fun thing to do is go to a Christmas tree lot and buy bundles of cut branches if you

Different plant cuttings last different lengths of time indoors, but keeping stems in water or damp floral foam is key.

have none at home,” Pippin suggested. “The branches can make a wonderful arrangement.” Consider adding your own decorations such as ribbon, ornaments and other doo-dads to make your winter arrangement feel more festive, Pippin said.

Adding dried flowers You also can incorporate dried flowers into an arrangement. Hydrangea or Celosia make great dried blooms.

Fresh wreaths If you want to display a fresh wreath on your door this holiday season, be sure not to bake it in the process. “The items may dry up if your door faces the west,” Pippin warned.

Keeping a wreath wet will help it stay fresher longer, and wreath rings of floral foam will hold water. If you are buying a fresh wreath or making one without using something that will allow it to stay in water, consider waiting until Dec. 15 to buy or display it. “As soon as you buy or make the wreath, keep it wet by misting it with a water bottle,” Pippin directed. “Try to keep the wreath out of direct sunlight, and continue to mist it regularly when you hang it, if it won’t make a huge mess. It should last about two weeks.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID PIPPIN

Beware of the boxwood blight Boxwood clippings make a beautiful addition to floral arrangements but should be used with care. “I don’t use them in any arrangements I make because of boxwood blight,” Pippin said. “It is OK to use cut boxwood from your own property for an arrangement that stays on your property, but not if you are transporting the arrangement somewhere else.” According to the Virginia Boxwood Blight Task Force, the fungal disease has been diagnosed in about 30 counties in Virginia. It typically is introduced into a new location on infected boxwood or other susceptible plants such as pachysandra and sweet box. It also can be spread via contaminated pruning tools, spray hoses, equipment, vehicles, clothing, shoes or infested leaves spread by leaf blowers. Wildlife, insects, domestic animals and humans that have been in contact with the blight spores also can move them through a neighborhood. “There’s no cure for it, so the last thing we want to do is spread it,” Pippin said. Real Virginia, a weekly television program produced by Virginia Farm Bureau, has featured a story about boxwood blight: bit.ly/rv14boxwood.

Need to get sap off your hands? Massage your hands with vegetable or olive oil, and then wash with soap and warm water. vafb.com / FALL 2018

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no rule that says you have to wait until Thanksgiving to eat sweet potato pie!

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Heart of the Home

Celebrate the season with traditional Virginia pies

he air is crisp; shoppers are thinking of the holidays; and home chefs are mulling their menu plans. No Southern holiday gathering is complete without a pie. In Virginia, there are many pie ingredients at the peak of freshness in the fall, including pumpkins and sweet potatoes. And Virginia-grown peanuts are available year-round. All three of these farm products are featured in pies that are time-honored holiday standards. Try these Virginia Cooperative Extension recipes for a healthy crustless pumpkin pie or a traditional sweet potato pie. Or try a peanut pie recipe from Chef John Maxwell, who is featured on Real Virginia, Virginia Farm Bureau’s weekly television program.

DIRECTIONS

Sweet Potato Pie

½ teaspoon salt

INGREDIENTS

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 large eggs, beaten

⅔ cup sugar

Preheat oven to 350°. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs lightly, and add sugars, salt and nutmeg. Mix together, then add milk and vanilla. Blend in sweet potatoes, and mix well. Pour mixture into the pie crust. Bake for 1 hour or until crust is golden brown. Cool and cut into 8 slices.

Crustless Pumpkin Pie INGREDIENTS

4 eggs 15 ounces canned pumpkin 8 ounces evaporated milk 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

¼ cup brown sugar

DIRECTIONS

½ teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 400°. Spray a 9" pie pan with non-stick cooking spray.

¼ cup evaporated skim milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 cups peeled, cooked sweet potatoes, mashed 9" pie crust

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons butter 1 cup sugar 1 cup dark corn syrup 3 eggs ⅛ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1½ cups dry-roasted, unsalted peanuts unbaked pie crust

non-stick cooking spray

¼ cup sugar

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

Peanut Pie

In a mixing bowl, beat eggs and add pumpkin, evaporated milk, salt, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla and sugar. Mix until smooth.

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter, and stir in sugar and corn syrup, mixing thoroughly. Bring to a full boil, then remove from heat. In a large bowl, beat eggs slightly, just until the yolk and white blend together. Stir in salt and vanilla, and add egg mixture to sugar and syrup mixture. Place peanuts in the unbaked pie shell, and pour the liquid mixture over them. Bake 45-50 minutes or until the filling is set.

Pour into pie pan, and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325°, and bake for another 45 minutes. Pie is done when a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serves 6-8. vafb.com / FALL 2018

2019 magazine classified ad schedule and policies Members of Virginia Farm Bureau are eligible to place one free 15-word classified ad per membership per year in Cultivate, which is mailed to associate members, or in Virginia Farm Bureau News, which is mailed to producer 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 online form at vafb.com/membership-at-work/membership/benefits/ 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 Virginia Farm Bureau News (mailed to producer members only); • May Cultivate (mailed to associate members only); • August Cultivate (mailed to associate members only); and • September Virginia Farm Bureau News (mailed to producer members only).

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

Legal Notice of Annual Meeting

Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company The annual meeting of policyholders of Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company will be held at 8:45 a.m., Thursday, November 29, 2018, at The Omni Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, Virginia, for the following purposes: 1. To receive and act upon the reports of the officers of the Company. 2. To elect a Board of Directors, each to serve for the term of one year. 3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof. Dated this 1st day of October, 2018. Jonathan S. Shouse, Secretary 30

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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.

STEP 3

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

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 longer than 30 words will not be accepted.

Important: We are not responsible

• We do not invoice for classified ads or provide proofs or tearsheets. • Ads submitted without payment will be returned.

for typographical errors or errors due to illegible handwriting (No refunds available). Classified ads carried in Cultivate and Virginia Farm Bureau News 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.

STEP 5

Mail your ad (and payment) to: Virginia Farm Bureau News/Cultivate Classifieds P.O. Box 27552 Richmond, VA 23261-7552 Or place it via the Virginia Farm Bureau website at vafb.com.

Deadlines Ads and cancellations must be received (not mailed) by the following deadlines: ISSUE DEADLINE Mailed to producer members April March 5 September August 2

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!

Mailed to associate members May April 5 August July 3

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

NAME:___________________________________________________________________________________________ MEMBER NO.:______________________________________________________________________________________ COUNTY:_________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS:________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY: __________________________________________

STATE:________________________

ZIP:______________

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

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

Category in which ad should run (select only one): q Crops q Farm Equipment q Hay/Straw q Livestock q 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:* q April (mailed to producer members) qM ay (mailed to associate members) q August (mailed to associate members) q S eptember (mailed to producer members)

q This is my one free 15-word ad for 2019 q Payment enclosed: $ _____________ q Please place my ad in The Delmarva Farmer for 4 weeks at no additional cost to me. Your ad will automatically be included in the online VFB Marketplace for free. (Ads expire with membership). Ad placement available for these issues only

vafb.com / FALL 2018