~2011 Blessing of the Combines~

Celebrating Worcester County's Agricultural Heritage

13th Annual

BLESSING OF THE COMBINES

What a way to honor the farmers of Worcester County!

My husband has been a volunteer for the past few years and I had never attended- even after living in Worcester County just about all my life.  This event is one that everyone should see.

Some photos of the parade..........

Have you ever power washed a combine?  Well, these farmers do before they enter them into the parade!
According to a Worcester County Farmer, Virgil Shockley, some combines are 14 feet long and can weigh (when loaded) up to 35,000 pounds!

 Combine-Byron Hauck

State's Attorney Beau Oglesby

Combine - Virgil Shockley

Combine- Fred Holloway

Congressman Andy Harris
Combine-Clayville Farms

Senator Jim Mathias
Combine-Roger Richardson Farms

Watson Powell

Combine-Powell Farms

Combine- David Shockley
Indian Town Farms

LOTS of hard work goes into planning for this wonderful day and I don't remember when I have ever seen so many happy people and excited children!

 

Combine- William Figgs

"It's great for the kids, because they see the combines out in the field when driving by and this way they get up close and personal with them."

(Farmer Virgil Shockley)

So many vendors!

Lots of great food available.

Ahhh..... A cooling station.

Warm temperatures with low humidity on this day

so the cooling station wasn't in high demand.

I never knew so many beatiful items could be made

with duct tape!  This young lady and her friends

did a wonderful job with their creations.

Activities for every child and even a petting zoo!

These little furry animals really got the attention from big

and little kids.

Even though the Blessing of the Combines

has celebrated its 13th year the hard work

that goes into making this day a success

is with the helping hands of the many volunteers.

This is just two of the many volunteers.

What a wonderful way to celebrate and  receive a true appreciation for the farmers of Worcester County AND

 all farmers across America.  Even with todays modern equipment their job is not easy.

Just think.......... to enjoy all of this you don't even have to like your vegetables.

Gov. McDonnell Seeks Aid From Federal Government For Farmers

Gov. Bob McDonnell has asked the U.S. agriculture secretary to help farmers who suffered through a record hot and dry summer.

The appeal seeks to have 37 Virginia localities designated as disaster areas, in addition to seven already sought.

McDonnell wrote Secretary Tom Vilsack this month that the designation would give growers access to emergency assistance programs.

The localities range from Albemarle and Bedford Counties to the city of Suffolk.

"I can't say it's the worst summer I've seen but it's certainly bad," Agriculture and Forestry Secretary Todd Haymore said Sunday. "It's been a very difficult year for producers around the state."

Corn and soybeans have wilted under the hot, dry conditions, while grapes, tobacco and apples have fared better, he said.

Virginia sweltered under its hottest summers on record. The city of Richmond recorded 10 days of triple-digit temperatures. Drought conditions have also been widespread around the state.

Haymore said counties are assessing the agricultural losses and they should be known later this year. He said a federal disaster designation can make low-interest loans available to farmers as well as other assistance.
www.shordaileynews.com

Accomack County will be Declared Crop Disaster Area

Accomack County will be asking or help from the Commonwealth of Virginia as the Board of Supervisors have decided to declare the county a primary crop disaster area due to the extensive damage to crops during the high temperatures and almost non-existent rainfall in the past two months.

Officials estimate that non-irrigated corn will see a 65 percent reduction in potential yield this year. Soybean yield is expected to be down 15-20 percent. Losses in a yield reduction that large for farmers could exceed $6 million.

Accomack County is the largest producer of field corn in the State of Virginia and also is a vital supply line to Delmarvas poultry industry.
www.shoredailynews.com

Farmers Of Virginia Encouraged To Participate In Small Grain Production Survey

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced today that the 2010 harvest of small grains is complete and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will now measure farmers' final production of those grains, including wheat, oats, barley and rye.

During the first two weeks of September, the Virginia Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact more than 900 producers statewide as part of the September Agricultural Survey, also known as the Crops/Stocks Survey. Results will provide the basis for official USDA estimates of 2010 acreage, yield and production for small grains.

"This is one of the most important surveys NASS conducts each year," explained

Herman Ellison, director of the NASS Virginia Field Office. "Not only will we be gathering final data on 2010 small grains production, but we'll also be collecting information on quantities of grains and oilseeds stored on farms across the state.

"Data from the September Agricultural Survey benefits farmers by providing timely and accurate information to help them make critical year-end business decisions and evaluate the success of the growing season," added Ellison.

NASS will contact selected Virginia producers by mail or telephone and ask them to provide information on their 2010 production and on-farm stocks of winter wheat, barley, and oats. As with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential by law.

"NASS safeguards the privacy of all responses and publishes only state- and national level data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified," Ellison said. Survey results will be published in several reports, including the annual Small Grains summary and the quarterly Grain Stocks report, both to be released on September 30. These and all NASS reports are available on the agency's web site: www.nass.usda.gov. For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Virginia Field Office at 800-772-0670.
www.shoredailynews.com