A2B-Lancaster Farming,-Saturday, November 29, 2003 - , Center Preserves Virginia’s Agriculture, Wildlife Legacy GAY BROWNLEE Virginia Correspondent HARRISONBURG, Va. On Monday, Nov. 17, the Virginia Agriculture and Nature Center Foundation (a nonprofit organi zation), kicked off its Phase One campaign to gain financial part ners with a “down on the farm” country supper at the Traditions Restaurant. The perpetual mission of the Virginia Agriculture and Nature Center will be to “help youth and adults develop a better under standing and appreciation of ag riculture.” Within its stated mission, the foundation is aiming to arm indi viduals who have limited knowl edge of agriculture, with a grow ing recognition of and appreciation for the profound im pact agriculture has on society. In the startup phase, the em phasis will primarily be livestock, poultry, wildlife and conserva tion. Eventually field, crop and horticulture demonstrations will be added, as well as a green house, a nature trail, and a primi tive camping area. A farm-house style restaurant designed to reflect a sense of being at Grandmas house, and a gift shop, are also in the works. Susan Allen, foundations hon orary chairperson, was the fea tured speaker. Allen is known to Virginians as Sen. George Allens wife. From 1994-1998, while her husband was governor, she was the states First Lady. Allen was upbeat with an ener gizing attitude. She promotes her home state wherever she goes, in cluding Asia, Europe, Egypt, and Israel. She was once a cheerleader, Allen said of herself, adding, “Thats what I can do yell.” _r* Holiday special! FFC® Start saving on all your holiday family long PhftHC distance calls before 12-31-2003 and get a free Touchtone, Caller ID, Memory dial Telephone!* 4.90 Long Distance Service 4.9 c per minute, first minute, every minute, in your state, and in all 48 states. 6 second billing Call JDS Telecom 1-888-315-1179 ’Minimum service usage required, cannot be combined with other promotional offers The concept of developing an enduring center that maintains the past, yet stays abreast with the changing facets of agriculture in order to educate citizens of all ages, Allen likened to an observa tion Oliver Wendell Holmes made about a mans mind. Once it is stretched to new dimensions, it will never go back to its original idea. “Fundraising is hardest part,” Allen said. “You have to stretch a new idea into a wonderful reali ty.” Hobey Bauhan, president of the Virginia Poultry Federation and master of ceremonies, said, “The Virginia Agriculture and Nature Center, planned for Rockingham County “Virginias largest agricultural producing county and the turkey capital holds much promise as a vitally needed opportunity to educate people about modem agriculture and the role it plays in feeding the world, and doing so in an ecologically sustainable manner.” Rockingham County is virtual ly the bulls-eye of Virginia agri culture, especially with regard to poultry and dairy production. It generates $438 million in cash re-, ceipts, according to the Farm Bu reau Federation reports. “The center will also enhance tourism in the Shenandoah Val ley and Virginia,” Bauhan said. Situated at 2490 Saddle Trail, McGaheysville, the Virginia Ag riculture and Nature Center is in the shadow of the Massanutten Resort that sits atop the Massa nutten Mountain range in the George Washington National Forest. From previous eras, Civil War relics and arrowheads surfaced on the land, according to inform ation from Eugenia Nelson, the From left, dignitaries spoke at the Virginia Agriculture and Nature Center Foundations luncheon that kicked off a fundraising campaign to start the first phase of the project. From left, Linda Cox, board chairperson; master of ceremonies Hobey Bauhan, presi dent of the Virginia Poultry Federation; Eugenia Nelson, secretary-treasurer; and Susan Allen, honorary chairperson. Photo by Qay Brownlee, Virginia Correspondent. foundations secretary-trea surer. Nelson reported that the first phase will see the de velopment of 12-15 acres and farm buildings bam and animals sheds. They will be restored to look as they did in the last cen tury, when it was a 200-acre mountain farm in the early 1900 s. The center project, however, involves (Turn to Page A 29)
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