Sarah Nichols
AGS 218
April 26, 2022
Tidewater and Piedmont Week 1
Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex
Tour of the Olde Dominion Agricultural Center and Tobacco Museum. John Harris showed us the show area and the place animals are kept during the show. Olde Dominion does a lot of shows. The Olde Dominion started off with nine farmers on the board and has grown since.
Our visit to Olde Dominion can benefit me and my future career and my studies at Ferrum college because as a horticulture major it is important to understand the benefits of what type of diet would make show animals healthier.
My interest in this particular place was my interest in animals. Before I changed my major to horticulture, I was an animal science major. Animals and their diet is important to me.
Vanderhyde Dairy Farm
Tour of the Vanderhyde Dairy Farm. Roy Vanderhyde and his three sons own the dairy farm and have about 2,500 animals in total. He keeps the baby cows away from the other cows until about nine weeks. If a baby cow gets bitten the tag on the baby cow is red.
This was a particularly interesting visit for me because my father’s grandfather owned a dairy farm. Even though technology has changed the dairy industry from his time, it was nice to visit and see the work and how the cows are handled.
Jenning Farm
Tour the Jenning Farm which is a tobacco farm. Jim and his son Jay run the tobacco farm. Not only do they do tobacco they do other crops as well.
My father’s family were dairy farmers, but my mother’s family were both tobacco and cattle farmers. She would tell me stories about how her and her cousins used to work in the tobacco fields helping her grandparents. Visiting Jenning's Farm helped me to understand and relate more to what she did with her grandparents.
I am interested in how the tobacco might be grown hydroponically. The crops grown at the Jenning Farm can help with sustainability because of the different nutrients in the soil.
April 27, 2022
Eastern Shore Agricultural Research & Extension Center (ESAREC)
Research and testing different things with plants. Testing different pesticides on plants.
I enjoyed learning about the different types of pesticides that can be used on the plants and what kind of pesticides are the safest. This visit was very interesting to me and also very informative for my major in horticulture. Because I would like to have my own greenhouse one day, the information received here will be useful.
For sustainability, it is important to understand how various pesticides affect our plants to keep our plants, soil, and animals safe.
Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary (VIMS)
At VIMS, we learned about the clams that are found on the Eastern Shore.. There are different types of clams.
This visit was very interesting to me and I enjoyed learning about the clams, but not as important for my studies at Ferrum or for my future plans, But, for the sustainability of the clam population, it was important to learn about the different types of clams and the efforts to keep the population healthy.
Tri-S Farms
Kyle Sturgis talked about how he and his brother take care of the crops that they grow and the equipment that they use on the farm. That they sell their products to other people in the community.
This visit was very beneficial to me and my studies at Ferrum and for my future plans after I graduate. Learning about the farm, crops, and equipment needed to successfully run a farm gave me an idea of what it will take to do what I would like to accomplish after college.
April 28, 2022
Smithfield Foods packing plant
Smithfield foods packing plant, they use every part of the pig. Packing plant was once a slaughterhouse where they killed the pigs. No part of the pig was wasted in the packing plant.
I was a little concerned about this visit when I noticed we would be visiting. I was not sure what to expect. The visit turned out better than I expected. This visit did not have much to do with my studies at Ferrum or my current plans for life after Ferrum, but it did make me think about other options.
I liked that they used every part of the pig. I think this is very important when using animals for food, nothing should be wasted.
Smithfield Innovation Center
Smithfield Innovation Center is the same as the packing plant but smaller. There they did a puzzle of the pig parts of the body and what each piece gives us when we eat the meat from the pig.
This was a great place to learn about processing and packing. This is a great place to visit for agricultural education.
Wakefield Peanut Company
Here at the peanut company, I saw how they separate out the different size peanuts. The peanuts are not only for people to eat but the farmers use it to feed their animals.
There are so many things to think about as we are visiting these different places. It makes you think about lots of things differently. We know that there is more to farming than what we know and see, but it is truly different to learn the in and outs of the farm and see hands on what truly happens.
Suffolk Cotton Gin
Cotton Gin there are steps to follow when the cotton is there. The cotton had to be clean and everything that is in the cotton got taken out of it. The cotton seed is used to feed animals. Other parts of the cotton are used for clothes and the other cotton parts are also used in vegetable oil.
The visit to the cotton gin was interesting to me because it was a totally new experience for me. I have not learned much about cotton and the process used to turn the cotton into fabric. It was also interesting to learn about the seeds going to feed animals and how parts are used in vegetable oil. This is helpful to me as a horticulture student because it helps me understand how to use the whole plant. I feel like this is not only true for cotton but can be used with other types of crops and plants too.
Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center
Tidewater Research and Extension center they talk about the different tests that are used on the crops that are there at the research and Extension center. The use of different pesticides for the crops that they are testing.
This visit was important to me as a student because I was able to learn more about the topics I have taken at Ferrum. I was able to make connections to what I learned in class to what is actually happening in the field. This helps me as a learner because sometimes I need to see it and see it applied to help me to understand the process better.
April 29, 2022
Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Education Center (SPACREC)
Southern Piedmont there shows how they grow the tobacco and if they use pesticides on the tobacco plants. They store the tobacco plants in sheds that add heat to the plants. They sometimes hang their tobacco plants sheds that you would see in the old days.
As I mentioned before, my mom’s family owned tobacco fields. Learning more about the tobacco industry is interesting to me because of her stories. I also would like to do some research possibly into the hydroponic farming of tobacco. Is this a good plant for that or not? I also remember how my mom says she loved the smell of tobacco drying in the tobacco barn, “back in the old days.”
Week #2: Northern Virginia, Washington D.C and Central Virginia
May 2nd, 2022
Route 11 Potato Chips
There they talked about the steps that are used to do with the potato. Each step is really important to be making the chips. My classmates and I taste tested different types of potato chips.
Alson H. Smith Jr. AREC
AREC there they test to see which types of grape plants can be grown in Virginia and if they use pesticide. Then they showed my classmates and I where they grow the crops that they have there at AREC.
TrueFarms
TrueFarms is a hydroponics place that grows lettuce in the hydroponics house. Hydroponics worries less about pesticides in hydroponics houses.
Week #2: Northern Virginia, Washington D.C and Central Virginia
May 2nd, 2022
Route 11 Potato Chips
There they talked about the steps that are used to make their potato chips. Each step is really important to the making of the chips. My classmates and I taste tested different types of potato chips.
This was interesting to me because I did not realize the process of making these. This is important to my studies at Ferrum and after to understand the process of what it involves to produce a quality product and to take care of your crops and your business.
Alson H. Smith Jr. AREC
At AREC, they test to see which types of grape plants can be grown in Virginia and if they use pesticide. Then they showed my classmates and I where they grow the crops that they have there at AREC.
I think I mentioned last week about understanding pesticides and how they should be used on our crops. With this visit, it helped me to understand what I learned in class a little more because of the real life connection,
TrueFarms
TrueFarms is a hydroponics place that grows lettuce in the hydroponics house. Hydroponics worries less about pesticides in hydroponics houses.
This was a visit I really enjoyed. I have been interested in hydroponics and have enjoyed working in our greenhouse at Ferrum with our hydroponic crops. I hope to be in hydroponic farming after graduation and gaining knowledge and being introduced to places like TrueFarms helps me to understand more about these types of places.
May 3rd, 2022
Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture
Plants some cucumbers and no till operation. This visit was interesting because of the knowledge we gained on how to provide food through sustainable agriculture.
Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education in the College of Agriculture Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) at Univ. of the Dist. of Columbia (UDC)
I loved this visit and learning how to grow plants on the roof and their use of aquaponics. This type of gardening is always interesting to me because it is so different from the way I have learned to garden in the rural area where I grew up. Being exposed to this kind of gardening as a student studying horticulture is important because it gives me knowledge and ideas I can use beyond graduation. Understanding rural and urban gardening practices will help to broaden my job opportunities after graduation.
May 4th, 2022
Meadowview Biological Research Station
Meadowview has picture plants. Picture plants grow in water. This was another interesting visit for me. The idea of picture plants was exciting to me. This opened a new opportunity for me on how to grow and develop plants. As I mentioned in a visit from yesterday, understanding various types of plants and how to best grow them will only help me after graduation.
Renwood Farms
Renwood Farms talked about corn and soybeans. Renwood is a family farm that has been around through three generations. This was interesting to me because I love the idea of a family run farm. I know it is a lot of work, but the idea is something I think about often. I love the fact that they set a world record for harvesting corn!
His no till farm is allowing for less fertilizer to be needed for his crops which is definitely better for our environment. He also shares his knowledge with others in hopes that they will learn from his practices.
May 5, 2022
Overhome Farm
Overhome Farm was fun for me because it is located where I grew up and Mr. Nuckols knew my grandfather (Lawrence Nuckols). Ronnie moves his cattle around different pastures to help keep his land healthy as well as the nearby James River. This farm has been in his family for generations and he loves the farm and the land and he wants to take care of it.
I really enjoyed this visit because it was so close to home and my family knows this family. It is nice to see what can be done close to where I grew up and the fact that Mr, Nuckols is farming responsibly to keep our community healthy.
Dandelion Springs Apiary
I enjoyed visiting the beehives here at this farm. We learned how the bees have different roles in the hive. And how the queen bee is the only one to lay the eggs. We also learned about the importance of honey bees and how important they are to keep around.
Schofield Farm
This was a small, family owned mushroom farm. The mushrooms were grown in recycled materials. The family has a greenhouse to help contain the moisture needed for the different mushrooms to grow. Having the greenhouses allowed the mushrooms to be grown year round.
This small farm was interesting to me because of its size. All farms and gardens take time and effort to grow, but I feel a farm this size could be done in addition to another type of occupation.
May 6th, 2022
Virginia State University – Randolph Farm
Virginia State University is growing plants aquaponically. The fish’s poop fertilized the plants.
Richlands Dairy and Creamery
Had lunch at the marketplace. Then a tour of the dairy farms side of Richlands farm. Got to milk a cow at the farm.
Week #3: Shenandoah Valley Agriculture
May 9th, 2022
Mountain View Farm and Vineyard
Mountain View there are different varieties of grapes that are being grown there. There are also cattle that help graze the grass in between the rows of grapes. The grapes are then sold to others that use the grapes to make wine.
At home my parents have friends who own a winery and vineyard and I have learned some working with them and their friends in their vineyard and winery. A vineyard is also somewhere I have thought about after graduation mainly because I know people who own vineyards and would be able to have hands on experience with them and use what I have learned at Ferrum.
Ingleside Dairy
At Ingleside Dairy we learned about using robots to milk the cows. I know the use of robots is an advance in the use of technology, but I am not sure how I feel about it. I just like the idea of people being involved and hands on. Ingleside also has fish that are a little bit down the road from the farm. They either keep the fish or sell them.
Ridge Valley Alpacas
We learned about alpacas at Ridge Valley. Alpacas are related to llamas and camels. Janis uses the fur from the alpacas to make different things with the fur.
Shamoka Run Sheep Farm
I got to hold a baby sheep at Shamoka Run Sheep Farm. The owner of the sheep keeps some of the sheep that have twins or triplets baby sheeps away from the other sheep. This was one of my favorite visits. My major is horticulture, but I have a love for animals. I would love to have a small farm one day with various animals and crops.
Houff’s
Houffs makes different seeding mixers. They also do dried and wet freterizer. They also have salt that is used to cover the roads before snowing. I learned a lot with this visit.
USDA-NRCS Tour of Powell Farm
Powell Farm set up satlies so that the cows can get water from the creek that are there.
May, 11th, 2022
Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research and Extension Center / McCormick Farm
Shenandoah Valley was a farm before it became an agricultural research and extension center. Shenandoah Valley/McCormick Farm has a museum there with the first ever ripper, a tool that is used on the farm.
Valley View Farm
Valley View is a cattle and crops farm. Mike started the farm with the help of his grandmother. His grandmother taught Mike how not to be afraid of cows at a young age. Mike uses the manure to fertilize his crops.
Critzer Family Farm
Critzer Family Farm was once run by the Critzer family but now owned by employees that worked on the farm. Critzer farm is a strawberry farm that grows a lot of strawberries. They sell their strawberries to the community. People are allowed to pick their strawberries from the fields.
May 12th, 2022
Polyface Farm
Polyface farm is a place that does not use pesticides and is a no till farm. The animals are moved around everyday so that the animals are not in one place for so long.
Feeding Southwest Virginia
Feeding Southwest Virginia is to give back to the community. There my classmates and I worked doing various things with the food. We were able to clean the food, waters, and do some reorganizing.
