GMO, Organic, Grass-Fed. The list of words used to describe food is endless and hard to interpret. It is important that science-based information is utilized when having discussions with consumers. Learn about the science of our food and how to describe practices and processing to our consumers in laments terms so trust is built allowing for an increase in demand of our agriculture products.

 

Each generation involved in legacy planning has excitement and anxiety. The younger generation is eager to find their place in a family operation and they are anxious about their future. The asset-holding generation is eager to have help and a new, fresh outlook (and back) to tackle projects on the farm; they are anxious about financial security and if their legacy will be continued with the same hard work, dedication and quality they invested. Ways to bridge the goals of each generation and ways to shift leadership and responsibility to the next generation will be highlighted by personal stories and concrete strategies to use every day on the farm.

 

Join Senior Video Producer, Sherri McKinney and Staff Writer and Assistant Editor, Kathy Dixon as they help train members how to effectively communicate the Farm Bureau message to the media and to the public.

They walk you step-by-step through the media relations plan of contacting reporters, scheduling appointments and how to make sure you get your key message across to readers and viewers.

Highlights will include: Defining the Farm Bureau to the public and how they can join the efforts to keep Virginia agriculture strong through using your local media.

 

 

Maslow was definitely on to something! This upbeat, interactive workshop uses Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need, along with Dr. JoAnn Cannon’s research on the 15 risk factors for high-level wellness, and pop music lyrics to encourage participants to embrace a positive lifestyle. Attendees will learn techniques to turn negative attitudes and behaviors into positive ones through a series of fun activities and songs. Come laugh and sing along!

 

Learn how to create a calendar, share it with others, set permission settings to the calendar, and post events to the calendar. Open to county chairs and others that want to learn more about google calendars.

 

 

 

• Aquaculture – Today’s fish farming – Dr. David Kuhn
• Sensory Evaluation of Food – Dr. Susan Duncan or Dr. Jacob Lahne
• Fermentation Science – a look at our Brewing and Winery labs as well as processing equipment – Dr. Sean O’Keefe or Dr. Amanda Stewart
• Packaging Collaboratory – helping food entrepreneurs and processors choose the right package – Mr. Brett Driver
• Food Safety – tour of our food safety processing plant and overview of workshops – Dr. Robert Williams
• Food Innovations Program – assisting food entrepreneurs bring their food product dreams to reality – Ms. Joell Eifert

 

• Insect identification lab with Mr. Eric Day
• Plant disease clinic with Ms. Mary Ann Hansen
• Remote sensing for precision turf management with Dr. David McCall
• Weed identification team with Dr. Michael Flessner
• Parasitic plants with Dr. Jim Westwood
• Poison ivy research with Dr. John Jelesko
• Engineering nutritional content of soybean with Dr. Eva Collakova