Not all the farmers I met during the Conservation in Action Tour were making presentations. One of them was Wayne Kirby, Virginia corn farmer and Chairman of the Virginia Corn Board. Wayne says a lot of people are interested in agriculture in their area and especially what’s happening with the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort. Wayne says he’s glad to be …
Representing Diverse Farm Interests In Chesapeake Bay Area
One of our Conservation in Action Tour bus speakers was Katie Kyger Frazier, V.P. Public Affairs, Virginia Agribusiness Council. Her group represents agriculture and forestry interests on the state level with over 40 different commodity organizations as members. She says that farmers unify around what’s best for the industry and the Chesapeake Bay area restoration project has really brought diverse …
Precision Ag Evangelist
Harold Reetz is one of the board members for the Conservation Technology Information Center and has formed Reetz Agronomics. I spoke to him following the CTIC board meeting. He says he just retired after 28 years with the International Plant Nutrition Institute. But he’s not retired from working. In my interview you’ll hear about some other things he’s involved in. …
The 4R Nutrient Stewardship System
Representing The Fertilizer Institute on the Conservation in Action Tour was Kathy Mathers, V.P. of Public Affairs. I spoke to Kathy during the Conservation Technology Information Center board meeting that followed the tour to Nutrient stewardship is on the top of the list for TFI according to Kathy. She says they’re promoting the 4R Nutrient Stewardship System which means using …
Variable Rate Application For Conservation
Paul Davis farms in New Kent County, VA and drives a truck with a bumper sticker that says, “Never-Till.” His farm was a stop on the Conservation in Action Tour. He’s been in continuous no-till since 1999. While we were on the farm he gave us a presentation about his use of the Trimble Greenseeker technology that makes variable rate …
Adapting and Diversifying Key To Long Term Success
The first plantation in Virginia was Shirley Plantation, established in 1613. This was the lunch stop for the Conservation in Action Tour. Tourism and education play a big part in the family business today. Greeting us was Charles Carter who owns and serves as executive director for Shirley Plantation. He says they’ve been there for 11 generations! He says they’ve …
Conserving Soil and Nutrients
While the Conservation in Action Tour was parked under the trees in the shade at one stop, we heard from local farmer, J.N. Mills. Pictured behind him is Eric Randolph, another local farmer we also heard from. A portion of the farm that J.N. operates was a grant from the king of England in the 1600’s. We were definitely seeing …
Generations of Farming
During the Conservation in Action Tour we visited Evelynton Farm which is home to Archer Ruffin who told us about the rich history of this farm which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Our tour group sat in the shade of the largest magnolia tree I’ve ever seen. You’ll be able to hear Archer describe the farm and …
Agriculture Part of the Conservation Solution
One of the sponsors of the Conservation in Action Tour and CTIC board member Pauley Bradley, John Deere Ag Management Solutions, gave us the welcome this week. I caught up to him during the tour and found out he works in the nutrient applications equipment area. Pauley says they want the tour to position agriculture as part of the solution …
Precision Spraying Assists Conservation
The Conservation in Action Tour provided some really good opportunities to learn about a part of the country I don’t normally get to see while hearing about some issues that are important to all farmers and that includes new regulatory efforts for watersheds like the Chesapeake Bay. I’ll be continuing my coverage of the tour today and over the weekend …