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6 chosen as 2013-14 National FFA officers ends 86th National FFA Convention & Expo
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013/National FFA Organization) – Students from Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Iowa, West Virginia and Oregon have been elected by delegates from throughout the U.S. to serve on the 2013-14 National FFA Officer team.
Brian Walsh of Virginia, an agribusiness major at Virginia Tech, was elected president. Mitch Baker of Tennessee, an agricultural communications major at University of Tennessee, will serve as secretary.
Steven Brockshus of Iowa, an agricultural education and global resource systems major at Iowa State University, was elected Central Region vice president and Jackson Harris of Alabama, a community development major at the University of Alabama, will serve as Southern Region vice president.
Wes Davis of West Virginia, an agribusiness management and rural development major at West Virginia University, was elected Eastern Region vice president and Jason Wetzler of Oregon, an agricultural leadership major at Oklahoma State University, will serve as Western Region vice president.
Each year at the National FFA Convention & Expo, six students are elected by delegates to represent the organization as National FFA officers. Delegates elect a president, secretary and vice presidents representing the central, southern, eastern and western regions of the country.
National officers commit to a year of service to the National FFA Organization. Each travels more than 100,000 national and international miles to interact with business and industry leaders, thousands of FFA members and teachers, corporate sponsors, government and education officials, state FFA leaders, the general public and more. The team will lead personal growth and leadership training seminars for FFA members throughout the country and help set policies that will guide the future of FFA and promote agricultural literacy.
“For this new national officer team, it will be a year of hard work, long hours, lots of travel and major advocacy for FFA and agricultural education,” said 2012-13 National FFA President Clay Sapp, who delivered his retiring address today before the new team was named. “It is a year of profound experiences that will change their lives and thousands of lives their service will touch.”
The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 579,678 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,570 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Matt Lohr accepts position with Farm Credit of the Virginias
Farm Credit of the Virginias, headquartered in Staunton, Virginia announced today that Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Matt Lohr will be joining the organization on December 16, 2013 to work with Kyley Clevenger to develop the Farm Credit Knowledge Center. CEO, Dave Lawrence shared, “ The FCV team welcomes Matt and believes he will increase the value the Knowledge Center provides to all of our customers”.
Matt is well known across the state and has strong roots in Rockingham County having been born and raised on a Century Farm there. He was a State FFA President and National FFA Vice President and graduated from Virginia Tech in 1995. He chaired the Rockingham County Planning Commission and School Board and represented the 26th House District in the Virginia State Legislature from 2005-2010. He then served as the Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services from 2010-2013. He was awarded the American Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award and still co-owns Valley Pike Farm, Inc. producing poultry, beef, row crops and sweet corn. He has two children, Caroline 12 and Carson 8.
Matt will be responsible for developing and leading the success of the Farm Credit Knowledge Center as its director. The Knowledge Center’s mission is to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and resources for the betterment of all farmers through customer-focused programs that increase and advance the knowledge base of the agricultural community. Matt’s experiences and expertise at building relationships with key constituencies will help move the Knowledge Center to quickly become a valuable resource for young, beginning, small, minority and veteran farmers as well as the established full time producers. “For the last eight years I have been very blessed to work in state government as an advocate for Virginia’s number one industry. I am very excited to join the team at Farm Credit of the Virginias where I can continue my passion for serving agriculture. I have been a customer of Farm Credit for nearly 20 years and have experienced first-hand the tremendous level of service that they provide. It will be an honor to help continue a long standing tradition of meeting the needs of the agricultural community”, says Lohr.
Farm Credit of the Virginias provides over a billion dollars in financing to more than 9,000 farmers, agribusinesses and rural homeowners throughout Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. Farm Credit is a cooperative capitalized largely through investments made by farmers, ranchers and the rural businesses that borrow from them. Farm Credit helps maintain and improve the quality of life in rural America and on the farm through its constant commitment to competitive lending and expert financial services. For more information, visit http://www.farmcreditofvirginias.com.
BLUE JACKETS, GOLD LIGHTS
Even though I have been out of school for a couple of years, I have not forgotten the organization that helped start my journey in the agricultural industry.
Tuesday night of the VA State FFA Convention, I was given the opportunity to participate in the pre-session. As I stood on the same stage where my team won the State FFA Livestock Judging Contest in 2009, where I received my State FFA Degree in 2011, and where I was announced the VA State Poultry Production Proficiency winner in 2012, I was mesmerized by the sea of blue jackets and the reflection of gold lights. I can only hope that I’ve left a lasting impression on one of those students during my time as an FFA member, as so many FFA members left on me.
It all started my 7th grade year when I attended the 80th VA State FFA Convention. Between judging cattle and proudly marching across the drill field in my blue corduroy jacket to Burrus Hall, I made my decision to become a Hokie. Virginia Tech is where my dedication to agriculture began and it is where I hope my dedication will grow into a life-long career. After interning with Farm Credit of the Virginias for two consecutive summers, I am so thankful that my roots are buried deep in agriculture. This internship has allowed me to share my passion for agriculture with an organization that, similar to FFA, strives to bring out the best in its members. Farm Credit works hard to do what is best for its customers even providing them with a patronage refund. Farm Credit has proven to be a successful organization that is committed to helping their members be successful even in volatile economic times. Just the same, FFA provides its members with countless opportunities to travel the country, possess leadership skills and network to build relationships that will last a lifetime.
Needless to say, I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for industry we serve, FFA and Farm Credit. Thank you, Virginia FFA and Farm Credit of the Virginias for allowing me to continue advocating for this incredible industry.
Cheyenne will be a senior this year at Virginia Tech where she is majoring in Agribusiness Management and minoring in Animal and Poultry Sciences.
Pictured is Burrus Hall, the site of all Virginia FFA State Convention Sessions. 
Learning and Laughing
Over the next few weeks we will be highlighting our 2013 summer interns as they share stories and anecdotes about their experiences in the “field”. Please join us in welcoming them to the Farm Credit team.
By: Tiffany Wayland, Summer Intern, Farm Credit of the Virginias.
I have heard students talk about how excited they were for their summer internship only to hear that they were stuck in a tiny cubical to complete their project that no one would ever appreciate. They rarely interact with employees or get to do anything outside of their project. This was my biggest fear, not just as an intern, but in a career I will have to choose once I graduate from college. Luckily, I have been blessed with the opportunity to intern at Farm Credit of the Virginias this summer and I can honestly say those fears have been put to rest.
I have been given the chance to complete a project that allows me to contribute to the association, but it doesn’t tie me down to my desk. I get the privilege of traveling, meeting people, and learning more about the Association. Just last week I attended the AgFirst Intern and New Hire Training in Columbia, SC where I met interns from several Associations within the AgFirst District.
The facilitator, Ronnie Hucks, was able to explain why Farm Credit is so unique and how each Association varies based on several different factors. In addition, learning more about the decisions loan officers make every day and about credit provided me with a better understanding of how Farm Credit works. We were given a mock loan to analyze and then asked to determine whether or not we would loan money to that potential customer. Learning about the patronage refunds was interesting and it reinforced my thoughts about working for such a remarkable Association. I don’t think I could have interned anywhere else this summer and learned as much as I have in the month that I have been here.
Taking on this internship has reinforced something a professor once told me when looking for a career. He told us to make sure that you can contribute, that you can learn and that you can have fun. I have found those three things through Farm Credit and more.
Tiffany, of Sperryville, VA, is a junior at Virginia Tech where she is majoring in Agribusiness Management.
Pictured in front of the AgFirst building are the 2013 Farm Credit of the Virginias first year summer interns (from left to right) are Michelle Biser, Maria Martinez, Tiffany Wayland and Megan Virts.
A message from the Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center – Growers Academy registration deadline approaching
Upcoming Event: 2012 Virginia Farm-to-Table Conference and Buy Fresh Buy Local Mixer
2012 Virginia Farm-to-Table Conference and Buy Fresh Buy Local Mixer
Wednesday, December 5, and Thursday, December 6, 2012
Blue Ridge Community College
Plecker Workforce Center in Weyers Cave, VA.
The theme of the two-day conference is ‘Food and Farming at a Profitable and Sustainable Scale.’ A specific focus of the conference will be to encourage collaboration, conservation and community. Day 1 will focus on food and farming in the 21st century and the second day will focus on community supported investment, capital needs of emerging and beginning farmers and entrepreneurs, cooperatives, community food enterprises, and scale.
On Wednesday evening, a Buy Fresh Buy Local Networking Mixer to encourage business conversation among Virginia producers and buyers. As part of the evening, Michael Shuman will speak about his recent book, ‘Local Dollars, Local Sense.’ His presentation will be preceded by music from a local band.
The conference is being hosted by Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia State University, Virginia Tech, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Virginia Food System Council with support from community organizations, state agencies and area businesses.
For more information about the 2012 Virginia Farm to Table Conference, you can contact Eric Bendfeldt of Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Northern District Office at (540) 432-6029 Ext. 106 or Kathy Holm of USDA-NRCS (540) 434-1404 Ext. 114.
For information about the Buy Fresh Buy Local Networking Mixer – connecting food service providers with farmers—and how you can be involved, please contact Francie Kennedy at 540-432-6029 Ext. 107.
More conference and registration information is available at www.conference.virginiafarmtotable.org
http://conference.virginiafarmtotable.org/register/
Flier with agenda and registration form: http://conference.virginiafarmtotable.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Paper-Registration-Virginia-Farm-to-Table-Conference.pdf
Virginia Youth Livestock Expo, Rockingham Co. Fairgrounds, Oct 12-14
The three Farm Credit associations serving farmers and rural residents of Virginia (Farm Credit of the Virginias, Colonial Farm Credit, MidAtlantic Farm Credit) are proud to be a platinum sponsor of this excellent event.
From http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2012/10/100312-ext-vjleshow.html
BLACKSBURG, Va., Oct. 3, 2012 – More than 300 Virginia 4-H and FFA members will exhibit their livestock projects at the Virginia Youth Livestock Expo on Oct. 12–14, at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds in Harrisonburg, Va.
The expo will feature market and breeding shows for beef cattle, swine, sheep, and meat goats, as well as a stockmen’s contest. Various other agricultural contests and events will include a crops contest and agriscience demonstration.
“This show is the culminating activity for youth livestock projects. The hard work of all the youth will be showcased at this event. We are expecting more than 1,174 animals to be shown during the three-day expo,” said Paige Pratt, 4-H youth livestock specialist for Virginia Cooperative Extension. “The public is invited to come out to watch the shows and support our outstanding 4-H and FFA members.”
The expo is open to the public and admission is free.
Virginia Junior Livestock Expo Schedule
- Friday, Oct. 12
- 4:30 p.m. – Breeding Sheep Show
- 4:30 p.m. – Goat Showmanship, Registered Breeding Doe Show
- Saturday, Oct. 13
- 8:30 a.m. – Market Goat Show, Commercial Doe Show
- 8:30 a.m. – Feeder Steer Show, Breeding Cattle Show, Commercial Heifer Show, Market Beef Show
- 10:30 a.m. – Sheep Showmanship, Commercial Ewe Show
- 4 p.m. – Lead Line and Sheep/Goat Costume Contest Show
- Sunday, Oct. 14
- 9 a.m. – Market Lamb Show
- 9 a.m. – Beef Showmanship
- 1 p.m. – Swine Showmanship, Gilt Show, Market Hog Show
Expo details and the complete schedule of events can be found on the Virginia Junior Livestock Expo website.
For more information regarding the Virginia Junior Livestock Expo and sponsorship opportunities, contact Paige Pratt at 540-231-4732.
Virginia Cooperative Extension brings the resources of Virginia’s land-grant universities, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University, to the people of the commonwealth. Through a system of on-campus specialists and locally based educators, it delivers education in the areas of agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, community viability, and 4-H youth development. With a network of faculty at two universities, 107 county and city offices, 11 agricultural research and Extension centers, and six 4-H educational centers, Virginia Cooperative Extension provides solutions to the problems facing Virginians today.
Dave Lawrence Named to Virginia Tech’s VALOR Program Advisory Council
Farm Credit of the Virginias CEO Dave Lawrence has been named one of 17 advisory council members for Virginia Tech’s Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results (VALOR) Program.
From the school’s press release:
http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2012/01/012012-cals-valoradvisorycouncil.html
BLACKSBURG, Va., Jan. 20, 2012 – Many of Virginia’s established leaders in the agricultural industry are donating their time to serve on the advisory council for the Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results (VALOR) Program within Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The VALOR Program aims to prepare and develop leaders to meet future challenges in Virginia’s agricultural community, create collaborative solutions, and promote agriculture throughout the industry. “The contribution of time and talent from these individuals provides a solid foundation to help advance this premier leadership program,” said Megan Siebel, VALOR director. “The inaugural unveiling of VALOR and induction of its first class, anticipated for fall of 2012, is extremely exciting. The professional and pragmatic insight offered by the advisory council members is critical in these vital stages of program development. I am honored to oversee such a fantastic working group. The potential impact graduates will have on the agricultural industry in our state is immeasurable.”
VALOR advisory council members are
* Michael Bertelsen, associate director, Office of International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech;
* Stan Brantley, president, Amadas Industries, Suffolk, Va.;
* Mike Ellerbrock, professor of agriculture and applied economics, and director, Center of Economic Education, Virginia Tech;
* Alan Grant, dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Tech;
* Jewel Hairston, interim dean, School of Agriculture, Virginia State University;
* Kern Houff, president, Railside Enterprises, Weyers Cave, Va.;
* David Hughes, Rivermont Farm, Timberville, Va.;
* Donna Pugh Johnson, president, Virginia Agribusiness Council;
* Edwin Jones, associate dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech;
* Gary Larrowe, county administrator, Carroll County Public Service Authority;
* Dave Lawrence, president, Farm Credit of the Virginias;
* Matt Lohr, commissioner, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services;
* Vernon Meacham, director of development, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Tech;
* Del. Robert Orrock, 54th District, Thornburg, Va.;
* Wayne Pryor, president, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation;
* Paul Rogers Jr., president, Virginia Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services; and
* Rick Rudd, Community Viability Chair of Excellence and head, Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, Virginia Tech.
Seibel and the council members met in December to discuss specifics of the leadership development program and established criteria for applicants to apply to the program. The program will consist of experiential seminars for about 48 days over the 22-month period. Participants will include individuals with a vested interest in the success of Virginia agriculture who have exhibited leadership potential. For more information about the VALOR Program, please contact Megan Seibel<mailto:mseibel@vt.edu> (mailto:mseibel@vt.edu) at 540-231-2375 or visit the VALOR website.<http://www.aee.vt.edu/valor> (http://www.aee.vt.edu/valor)
Nationally ranked among the top research institutions of its kind, Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences<http://www.cals.vt.edu/> (http://www.cals.vt.edu/) focuses on the science and business of living systems through learning, discovery, and engagement. The college’s comprehensive curriculum gives more than 2,400 students in a dozen academic departments a balanced education that ranges from food and fiber production to economics to human health. Students learn from the world’s leading agricultural scientists, who bring the latest science and technology into the classroom.
Farm Credit & Country Mortgages 