Workshop Descriptions
"Proactive Grain Marketing and Outlook for 2017" - Robert Harper, Grain Manager with Virginia Farm Bureau Commodities Department
Principles about how grain producers market their product and how they attempt to determine future price movement.
"Social Media - Beginner 101" - Kelly Pruitt, Grass Roots Coordinator, Governmental Relations, Virginia Farm Bureau and Coley Drinkwater,
Richlands Dairy
Want to spread the good word about agriculture? Share your farm’s story to the world by using Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
Kelly Pruitt and Coley Drinkwater will walk you through each platform to determine which one is right for you.
Then they’ll help you set up your farm’s page and show you the basic functions of each platform.
"Social Media - 102 Advanced" - Kelly Pruitt, Grass Roots Coordinator, Governmental Relations, Virginia Farm Bureau and Coley Drinkwater,
Richlands Dairy
Already have a Facebook, Twitter or Instagram page for your farm? Let Kelly and Coley share some tips to help you
reach a wider audience! They’ll go over events, Facebook ads, Facebook Live, shooting videos and more.
“Engaging Neighbors & Protecting from Activists” - Allyson Jones-Brimmer, Animal Ag Alliance
More than at any time before, farmers and ranchers are being challenged by both animal rights and environmental extremist activists.
Learn more how these challenges are impacting your business, what you can do to engage neighbors and protect your farm and family
and what the Animal Agriculture Alliance is doing on your behalf to connect, engage and protect America’s farmers and ranchers.
“Healthy Farm Families” - Amy Johnson, Nurse Practitioner, Centra Medical Group
Amy will discuss ways to ensure that farming families are working safely, including safe work environments, safe play areas for children,
safety for women on the farm and preventative health care.
“County Idea Sharing”
During this workshop three district winning counties at last year’s conference will present their winning activity in 20 minutes intervals.
Each workshop rotation will feature three different counties.
Saturday Afternoon Options
"Free Time, Tea Time" - Heather Hulbert, The Spice and Tea Exchange Shop Colonial Williamsburg
Heather Hulbert with The Spice and Tea Exchange shop, located in Colonial Williamsburg, will visit the hotel with tea samples for tasting
and products available to purchase.
"Colonial Williamsburg Tour"
Spend your afternoon walking through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg. Hotel is located just across the street from the shops of
Colonial Williamsburg. Or if you prefer entering all the buildings and historical sites you can obtain tickets at the hotel front desk for $20.
This is not a guided tour you will be on your own.
BLINGO and Silent Auction Information
Each county should plan to bring an item for the Silent Auction and a jeweled/sparkly item for BLINGO. Some examples for BLINGO items would be jewelry, clothing with rhinestones or glitter, purses, scarves, slippers, hats. The BLINGO items should be valued at $25.
Each county should also plan to bring one item for the Silent Auction at a $25 value. Some items might be themed baskets from counties area that feature food products or gardening.