Proud of Southside’s heritage and future

I have always been proud to be a native of Pittsylvania County and the Danville area. Throughout my professional career — from my days of interning at the General Assembly with State Sen. Onico Barker to working on Capitol Hill with Rep. L.F. Payne, through my years with Universal Leaf Tobacco Co. and onto my current position as the commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services — I have always bragged about the region’s strong agricultural base and “can do” attitude when faced with challenges. I’ve never been more proud of that base and this area than last Saturday.

Along with Rep. Tom Perriello, D-Fifth District, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Energy Secretary Stephen Chu visited the area on that date as part of President Obama’s Rural Forum.

Several months ago, USDA asked VDACS to submit potential agriculture-related venues for Secretary Vilsack to visit. We suggested locations across the state, including several places in Pittsylvania County. Although I hoped USDA might pick my home area to visit, I figured that locations closer to Washington might prove more convenient for USDA and therefore more likely choices. I believe what gave Southside Virginia the edge was the prevalence of several new agricultural enterprises that not only produce food, but also are great prospects for energy production.

Saturday’s stops included a tour of Ken Moss’ Windy Acres Nursery in Gretna and a town hall meeting at Buddy Mayhew’s family farm in Blairs.

Many of your readers have purchased bedding plants, seeds, fertilizer or other products from Windy Acres for years. You may not realize that the nursery now has a secondary business that is focusing on producing alternative crops such as switchgrass that can be used in the production of liquid bio-fuels. In the years ahead, perhaps switchgrass and other renewable energy products may become the Moss family’s primary business and they’ll be responsible for providing new energy opportunities for their fellow Southside citizens.

At the Mayhew farm, I was very proud of the reception that more than 300 area residents gave Secretaries Vilsack and Chu. Individuals from around the region who participated in Saturday’s town hall meeting demonstrated true hospitality as they do every day, no matter who is visiting the area. Of course, any of us who grew up here know that our mothers, fathers and grandparents would expect nothing short of warm, southern hospitality even if we did not always agree with everything that one of the secretaries said in his remarks or answers to questions. Indeed, I was impressed with the kindness and welcome we showed our visitors and applauded the thoughtful questions and remarks that were put forth to these two dignitaries.

Pittsylvania County always has been considered a top agriculture county in the state. For generations, this has been a traditional agricultural area, and no doubt that strong base will live well into the future. But recently the area has embraced cutting-edge agricultural enterprises that I believe will serve it well in the new ag economy.

The new economy will continue to be based on dairy production and traditional crops like corn, soybeans and tobacco, but it also will include energy crops like warm season grasses and hulless barley and processes that convert agricultural waste into energy production. I take my hat off to the forward-thinking farmers and producers who are changing with the times and providing Virginia’s citizens with the products they want and need. I look forward to working with them now and in the future from my post at VDACS.

Again, I’m proud to be a product of the community — a community with a “can-do” attitude — that understands that overcoming challenges and adversity represents new opportunities for success and prosperity. Just as important, I’m very pleased that the nation is paying attention to what is happening in Pittsylvania County and the greater Danville region.

* Haymore is commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services in Richmond.