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<v Speaker 1>Welcome to Local AG. I'm your host, Melody Divers, a

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<v Speaker 1>member of the Bedford County Economic Development Agricultural Advisory Board.

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<v Speaker 1>It's time for another episode of Local AG. This is

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<v Speaker 1>where we aim to bridge the agworld with the non

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<v Speaker 1>agworld and strengthen community connections. Today's episode is the perfect

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<v Speaker 1>combination of AG and community. We are here today with

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<v Speaker 1>our EIDH podcast and we are highlighting the Society of

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<v Speaker 1>Saint Andrew. This well established nonprofit is all about caring

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<v Speaker 1>communities and offering kindness and nourishment to our hungry neighbors. Welcome.

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<v Speaker 1>We're so glad you're here.

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<v Speaker 2>Thank you.

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<v Speaker 3>Yeah.

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<v Speaker 1>Also, I have a co host today.

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<v Speaker 4>I am here today. Yeah, excited to talk talk about

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<v Speaker 4>them and talk with them.

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<v Speaker 2>Yes.

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<v Speaker 1>Absolutely. So for those of you that don't know that

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<v Speaker 1>sweet voice, that is Dorothy McIntyre, and you may know

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<v Speaker 1>her from being the manager of the forest and mane

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<v Speaker 1>at a farmer's market, correct direct, Yes, all right, So Dorothy's

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<v Speaker 1>gonna chime in whenever she wants, and then at the

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<v Speaker 1>end she's gonna talk all things farmer's market that she's planning. Yeah,

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<v Speaker 1>getting ready for that. So I will say that we

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<v Speaker 1>are happy to have Chesley and Ben here with the

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<v Speaker 1>Saint and the Society of Saint Andrew. And Dorothy was

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<v Speaker 1>really excited about having y'all on here, like she was

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<v Speaker 1>so excited that you guys could join us, so thank you.

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<v Speaker 1>There was a lot of bragging about your organization, so

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<v Speaker 1>I'm curious to hear firsthand what what all this goodness

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<v Speaker 1>is about. So we're just gonna jump in and I'm

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<v Speaker 1>gonna start with you, Chelseley, just introduce yourself in your

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<v Speaker 1>connection with what you do, and then when she's done,

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<v Speaker 1>Ben just hop on in.

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<v Speaker 2>Okay, Well, thank you very much, Melody. I'm Chesley and

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<v Speaker 2>I am currently the church relations director for the last

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<v Speaker 2>six years at the Society of Saint Andrew, and I

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<v Speaker 2>love the mission. This year, I've been blessed to move

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<v Speaker 2>into a new position as the first ever Virginia Regional director.

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<v Speaker 2>Congratulations sad. Now, now Ben has been our Virginia program

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<v Speaker 2>coordinator for going on two years now, and so he's

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<v Speaker 2>all things Virginia. Okay, I'm about to be all things

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<v Speaker 2>Virginia and I'm just so delighted to be here today

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<v Speaker 2>to talk about it. Sure, the mission of the Society

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<v Speaker 2>of Saint Andrew. We bring people together to harvest and

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<v Speaker 2>share healthy food, to reduce food waste, and to build

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<v Speaker 2>caring communities. That is our mission. We have a business

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<v Speaker 2>model that I consider a no brainer. We're a huge network.

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<v Speaker 2>We use volunteer labor to go out into the fields

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<v Speaker 2>or orchards, or farmers' markets or packing houses, any number,

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<v Speaker 2>wherever it's offered, wherever it's it could be going to waste,

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<v Speaker 2>and we glean. That just means harvest the leftovers after

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<v Speaker 2>the harvest, after the commercial harvesters have come through. Gleaning

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<v Speaker 2>is an ancient Biblical practice that they did back in

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<v Speaker 2>two thousand years ago, Ruth and Naomi.

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<v Speaker 1>That's the first thing I always hear. I think of

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<v Speaker 1>Ruth one of the best stories in the Bible.

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<v Speaker 2>But back in Bible days, the landowners were encouraged or

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<v Speaker 2>commanded really to leave a portion of their fields or

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<v Speaker 2>the edges of their fields for the widows, the orphans,

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<v Speaker 2>the sojourners. Love to say that word sojourners, travelers, foreigners,

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<v Speaker 2>And we're still doing that today.

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<v Speaker 1>Wonderful.

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<v Speaker 2>So we we rescue feud. We what could be destined

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<v Speaker 2>for the landfill or for waste that's not marketable. We

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<v Speaker 2>go in and we harvest it, and then we turn

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<v Speaker 2>around and donate it for free to food pantries, feeding agencies,

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<v Speaker 2>underserved communities. Wonderful. It is a no brainer. Yes, we

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<v Speaker 2>are doing God's will. It's SOSA and that is what

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<v Speaker 2>great stewardship. Yeah, yeah, charges charges me up.

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<v Speaker 1>Yeah, I love it all right, Ben? Can you follow that?

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<v Speaker 3>Sure? I can. I think Chesley did did an amazing

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<v Speaker 3>job of introducing what society sat Andrew does as she.

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<v Speaker 3>As you mentioned, I'm the Virginia program coordinator, so I

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<v Speaker 3>worked directly with our our local farmers who choose to

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<v Speaker 3>participate in our ministry, as well as any gleaning groups

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<v Speaker 3>or volunteer groups that come out to glean, and then

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<v Speaker 3>then churches and uh and feeding agencies, food pantries, food banks,

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<v Speaker 3>churches that have connections with underserved communities and.

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<v Speaker 1>Help get the food to the organizations that can help distribute.

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<v Speaker 3>Yes, or directly to the food pantry themselves.

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<v Speaker 5>Correct.

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<v Speaker 3>And we do this through a number of ways. When

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<v Speaker 3>I send emails out to people who or talk with

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<v Speaker 3>people on the phone or in person who've never heard

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<v Speaker 3>of us before, I say we're kind of like the middleman,

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<v Speaker 3>like we bridge the gap between you know, farmers or

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<v Speaker 3>wholesalers or suppliers that have you know, excess produce that

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<v Speaker 3>is still fit for human consumption and then communities, feeding agencies,

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<v Speaker 3>food bank et cetera, that have a need of fresh produce,

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<v Speaker 3>and it would provide improved health outcomes, improved spirits and

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<v Speaker 3>lift people up in a positive way.

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<v Speaker 1>Right. So you are really and I have put that

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<v Speaker 1>in my notes about bridging the gap from the people

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<v Speaker 1>that have what is needed and to the people that

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<v Speaker 1>need that. So thank you for bridging that gap. I

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<v Speaker 1>think this is going to be a wonderful interview and

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<v Speaker 1>people are to use what you said could be charged

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<v Speaker 1>to do good and participate and get involved. So let's go,

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<v Speaker 1>and I don't care who answers this question. Let's start

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<v Speaker 1>with simply the name of your group, which is the

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<v Speaker 1>Society of Saint Andrew. Can we talk about what that

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<v Speaker 1>means and where that comes from? Sure?

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<v Speaker 2>Good for me to go?

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<v Speaker 1>Sure?

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<v Speaker 3>Yeah, yeah, go ahead.

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<v Speaker 2>Well once again, I love it. I come from a

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<v Speaker 2>church background, and interestingly enough, the Society of Saint Andrew

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<v Speaker 2>was founded by two United Methodist pastors forty five years

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<v Speaker 2>ago nineteen seventy nine. I guess we're going on forty

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<v Speaker 2>six now, aren't we. So two United Methodist pastors had

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<v Speaker 2>come home from Vietnam and they were wanting to live

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<v Speaker 2>sustainably off the land, ken Horn and rave U Cannon.

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<v Speaker 2>Some bed for boys, but not to be confused with

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<v Speaker 2>the Yeah. They came home and they spoke with their

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<v Speaker 2>bishop and they said, hey, we want to live sustainably,

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<v Speaker 2>girl and food and live off the land. Bishop said

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<v Speaker 2>that's great. I have one salary and one parsonage. And

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<v Speaker 2>the guy said great. They took their wives and five

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<v Speaker 2>children between them, and they moved into this one house

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<v Speaker 2>on Sweet Hollow Road out in Big Island, and they

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<v Speaker 2>started preaching and preaching. And in nineteen eighty three we

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<v Speaker 2>had our first potato drop where they had been over

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<v Speaker 2>on the Eastern Shore, and Butch Nottingham, a farmer over there,

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<v Speaker 2>said I'll give you potatoes if you get rid of them.

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<v Speaker 2>They got forty thousand pounds potatoes delivered into the Lynchburg

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<v Speaker 2>area and they're going, now what, But they they did it,

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<v Speaker 2>and the truckloads kept coming and the Potato and Produce

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<v Speaker 2>Project was born. But the name Society of Seen Andrew

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<v Speaker 2>if you remember back to Bible times, Andrew was the

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<v Speaker 2>disciple that found the little boy with the two loaves

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<v Speaker 2>and fish and took it to Jesus, and Jesus blessed

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<v Speaker 2>it and fed the five thousand. So we are the

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<v Speaker 2>Society of Saint Andrew, and we go out and we

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<v Speaker 2>find the small amount, and it's blessed by God, and

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<v Speaker 2>it feeds the hungry. It feeds an abundance. So the

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<v Speaker 2>Society of Saint Andrew doesn't operate out of sense of lack,

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<v Speaker 2>but a sense of abundance. Beautifully said, y'all, we might

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<v Speaker 2>have church today.

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<v Speaker 3>We're having church.

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<v Speaker 2>I can have church.

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<v Speaker 1>We might have church today, and that's all right, that's

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<v Speaker 1>all right. Do you have anything to add to that?

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<v Speaker 3>Yeah, I mean I was going to say, that's an

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<v Speaker 3>added operating out of abundance, I think is a great

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<v Speaker 3>way to put it, Chesley, especially going back to that

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<v Speaker 3>story with with Saint Andrew and the loaves and the fishes,

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<v Speaker 3>that's an unexpected abundance. And I remember very distinctly when

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<v Speaker 3>I was being trained back in July or well July

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<v Speaker 3>or October twenty twenty three, one of the founders was

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<v Speaker 3>speaking at a church, maybe the eighties or or during

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<v Speaker 3>that time. During when he's speaking in the church, a

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<v Speaker 3>farmer stands up. He's angry, he said, and he said,

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<v Speaker 3>I don't I don't leave any potatoes behind. And the

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<v Speaker 3>other one was like, I was like, okay, well, you know, yeah,

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<v Speaker 3>we'll prove that there's extra. And then you know, they

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<v Speaker 3>went out into the field and they got like tens

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<v Speaker 3>of thousands of pounds of potatoes that were left that

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<v Speaker 3>you know that the farmer didn't even know about, you know,

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<v Speaker 3>but maybe but because we went out and looked for it,

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<v Speaker 3>there was an unexpected level of abundance. And how many

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<v Speaker 3>servings is that like sixty thousand servings, so you know,

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<v Speaker 3>if it's twenty thousand pounds, I mean, this is this

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<v Speaker 3>is crazy and right and and and seeing that abundance

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<v Speaker 3>and you know, I never I never grew up in

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<v Speaker 3>an agricultural environment and don't have any friends that were

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<v Speaker 3>in agriculture, you know, grew up in Fairfax County. But

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<v Speaker 3>so so seeing in the field seeing a massive amount

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<v Speaker 3>of potatoes, massive amount of corn or apples is just

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<v Speaker 3>like it was. It was my bog. It was mind

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<v Speaker 3>boggling first, but you know, you see how quickly, how

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<v Speaker 3>quickly it feeds hungry people, and how quickly it lifts

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<v Speaker 3>up the spirits right of people.

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<v Speaker 1>Absolutely well said.

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<v Speaker 2>And I'm thinking about what Dorothy said about if you

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<v Speaker 2>don't know, you don't know earlier. And I didn't grow

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<v Speaker 2>up in an agricultural world either, and I had no

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<v Speaker 2>idea until six years ago how much food goes to

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<v Speaker 2>waste for sure, And Jesus said, you will always have

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<v Speaker 2>the poor with you, right, And so our poverty level

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<v Speaker 2>in this country is unbelievable. We're up to almost fifty

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<v Speaker 2>million now, forty eight million Americans are hungry or food insecure.

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<v Speaker 2>A third of those or children. We were better than that.

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<v Speaker 2>And then so to look at the poverty levels and

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<v Speaker 2>look at how much food goes to waste, one hundred

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<v Speaker 2>and thirty three billion pounds of food goes to waste.

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<v Speaker 2>If we can harvest that food and rescue it and

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<v Speaker 2>redirect it, right, we're helping. We're exactly, we're feeding people

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<v Speaker 2>that need the food. So to me, it's just it's

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<v Speaker 2>not a production problem. It is a distribution.

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<v Speaker 1>Yeah, it's going to say just getting it from point

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<v Speaker 1>A to point B. Yeah, I agree with that.

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<v Speaker 2>And that's what SOSA does with the network of Farmers

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<v Speaker 2>of volunteers.

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<v Speaker 4>Farmers know that if they don't clean every if they

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<v Speaker 4>don't harvest everything that's on their land, they can still

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<v Speaker 4>have somebody clean and you'll be able to get something

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<v Speaker 4>off of it.

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<v Speaker 1>I was looking on your like your website and your

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<v Speaker 1>Facebook page, and you spoke on this in your introduction.

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<v Speaker 1>But the mission statement for the Society of Saint Andrew,

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<v Speaker 1>which I think is so eloquently presented. Your mission is

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<v Speaker 1>that the mission of Saint Andrew is to bring people

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<v Speaker 1>together to harvest and share healthy food, reduce food waste,

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<v Speaker 1>and build caring communities by offering nourishment to hungry neighbors.

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<v Speaker 1>And I love the word nourishment, the word caring, and

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<v Speaker 1>I love all of these words because they do give

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<v Speaker 1>like a virtual hug, companionship. It's not we're giving you

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<v Speaker 1>junk food, We're giving you spoiled food. I love the

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<v Speaker 1>word nourishment because, like you said, uplifting, when you give

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<v Speaker 1>somebody something that is of value, of nourishment that is

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<v Speaker 1>not just to keep them fed physically, but keep them

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<v Speaker 1>fed you know, spiritually, mentally, all of those components. And

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<v Speaker 1>I love just the wording that it didn't come out

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<v Speaker 1>of obligation. It was very heartfelt, and so I was

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<v Speaker 1>really drawn to that when I was looking. So, I,

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<v Speaker 1>you're right, this has been going on for over forty years,

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<v Speaker 1>close to fifty years that this has been happening. So

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<v Speaker 1>let listeners know where you are serving. Is this just

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<v Speaker 1>a Virginia thing? Is it multiple states? Like what does

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<v Speaker 1>what does this community look like that you're you're sharing with.

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<v Speaker 3>I was gonna say, we're we're in We're in ten

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<v Speaker 3>or eleven regional offices across ten, you know, in ten

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<v Speaker 3>different states, mostly in the Deep South, like in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Carolina's.

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<v Speaker 1>I saw where I'm from on there, del Marva, that's

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<v Speaker 1>where Maryland, Virginia's left start that wanted to make sure

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<v Speaker 1>my people were doing right and they were office. Yeah,

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<v Speaker 1>I was really happy to see that.

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<v Speaker 3>Yeah, and then and then Ohio and Indiana.

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<v Speaker 2>So Indiana was the next newest office opened in twenty eighteen.

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<v Speaker 1>And it all started here.

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<v Speaker 2>Yeah, yeah, yeah, forty six. Yes, Yeah, that's a whole

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<v Speaker 2>other conversation. Dorothy, are currently think big excuse me, pardon me.

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<v Speaker 2>We are working on increasing our endowment and we are expanding.

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<v Speaker 2>Currently we have a Virginia I mean not Virginia Funny,

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<v Speaker 2>an Ohio gleaning coordinator right now in Ohio working around

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<v Speaker 2>the Cincinnati area, and we are expanding and in the

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<v Speaker 2>process of getting a regional director. So each of the

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<v Speaker 2>ten offices that have been mentioned in the ten different states,

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<v Speaker 2>they have two employees. They have a regional director and

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<v Speaker 2>a program coordinator, and they're usually housed. Our overhead super low,

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<v Speaker 2>which is another great selling point. And if no one

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<v Speaker 2>believes us, please come to thirty three eighty three Suite

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<v Speaker 2>Road and come see our headquarters, our office on a level.

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<v Speaker 5>Roads come out of small places.

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<v Speaker 1>Yes, that's right.

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<v Speaker 3>And as I say, see where we really began. The

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<v Speaker 3>shed right we're next to that's true. So the house, yeah,

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<v Speaker 3>Marion's house. But no, our overhead is low. And that's

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<v Speaker 3>a great thing that we can tell funders. But we're

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<v Speaker 3>not out there spending you know, money in grandiose But

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<v Speaker 3>the same goes in our ten regional offices. Most of

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<v Speaker 3>the time the office is housed in a church, and

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<v Speaker 3>the church will charge us one hundred and fifty or

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<v Speaker 3>two hundred dollars a month rent whether we use their

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<v Speaker 3>internet or not. I think is what that difference is.

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<v Speaker 3>Sometimes the church donates the space as they're outreached to

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<v Speaker 3>our community, so our overhead is low. Each office has

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<v Speaker 3>two main employees, and we probably did across the United

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<v Speaker 3>States in thirty three of the states. We gleaned last

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<v Speaker 3>year and distributed to all forty eight states and probably

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<v Speaker 3>about twenty two pounds roughly twenty one.

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<v Speaker 1>So you're not just servicing where your offices are. It's

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<v Speaker 1>going yond. Yes, look at y'all just pushing those borders.

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<v Speaker 1>I love it. Yep.

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<v Speaker 2>I somebody said, are you expanding? Yes, here are expanding

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<v Speaker 2>because the need is great, and the need is across

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<v Speaker 2>the United States, right, So what we do in Virginia

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<v Speaker 2>helps Virginia, but we do help the neighboring counties weekly.

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<v Speaker 1>That is also good to know as well. So the

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<v Speaker 1>website is in hunger dot org and what I like

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<v Speaker 1>doing what I just kind of alluded to, is you

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<v Speaker 1>can click on a tab and see the regional offices.

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<v Speaker 1>And I love seeing the breakdown of the pounds of

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<v Speaker 1>food gleaned. I think everything right now is for twenty

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<v Speaker 1>twenty four. Obviously the amount distributed, the amount of fresh

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<v Speaker 1>food shared, volunteers events and recipient partners and more so,

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<v Speaker 1>I think the transparency is very important for someone that's

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<v Speaker 1>thinking about getting involved. I always advocate transparency anyway, and

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<v Speaker 1>so like my grandmother said, if you don't have anything

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<v Speaker 1>to hide, you just tell the same story to everybody.

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<v Speaker 1>And so I always uh, I always value when when

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<v Speaker 1>when businesses, organizations so forth are transparent. And also in

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<v Speaker 1>the website, I saw and you have spoken about this

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<v Speaker 1>that one in eight Americans struggle with food insecurity. But

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<v Speaker 1>your organization, like you said earlier, Ben is bridging the gap.

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<v Speaker 1>So then what does the timeline look like from the

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<v Speaker 1>time a farm or orchard says, hey, you can glean

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<v Speaker 1>on our property. So what does the timeline look like

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<v Speaker 1>from we're gleaning and then the person or the the

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<v Speaker 1>group gets the food.

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<v Speaker 3>Well, I guess from from the time the farmer makes

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<v Speaker 3>the offer to us to when we get there. I

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<v Speaker 3>wish there was one answer on that. H Sometimes it's

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<v Speaker 3>the day of okay, you know, if it's if it's

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<v Speaker 3>a local, IF's a local farmer and I happen to

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<v Speaker 3>be available, then I could say, oh, well do you

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<v Speaker 3>mind if I show up today? Okay, but it could

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<v Speaker 3>you know, typically they'll the ones we've been working with,

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<v Speaker 3>you know, you know, consistently year after year they'll tell us,

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<v Speaker 3>you know, at least a couple of months in advance

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<v Speaker 3>or a month, and.

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<v Speaker 1>So you have such like on the schedule, like very

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<v Speaker 1>established like regulars that that donate.

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<v Speaker 3>Yeah, and we know generally, I mean, of course, of

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<v Speaker 3>course your weather permitting, right and in climate permitting, you know,

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<v Speaker 3>we know generally when you know an orchard around here

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<v Speaker 3>may may choose to donate some of their windfall apples

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<v Speaker 3>for apples that.

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<v Speaker 2>It would be appropriate to do a shout out to

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<v Speaker 2>Gross's or.

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<v Speaker 1>John Is there anybody you want to brag Johnson?

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<v Speaker 3>Oh, my gosh, shout out to Danny Johnson, Ronnie Gross,

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<v Speaker 3>Darren Greer and Ryiner Virginia, Windy Hills Farm, beautiful property.

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<v Speaker 1>And those are your regular Yeah.

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<v Speaker 3>Some of our regular Yes. And then Marker Miller Orchard's

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<v Speaker 3>and Winchester Virginia.

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<v Speaker 1>Wonderful wonder on.

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<v Speaker 4>That mm when they glean the farmer's market that afternoon,

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<v Speaker 4>at the end of the market.

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<v Speaker 5>Those produce makes it to the table that night, right.

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<v Speaker 1>Wow.

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<v Speaker 2>That makes it so it can happen that.

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<v Speaker 4>That Gate Ministries comes to our market, at the Forest

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<v Speaker 4>farmers market they will glean and then it'll be at

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<v Speaker 4>a table that night.

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<v Speaker 1>So just so people that may not understand stand that

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<v Speaker 1>whole concept, what I'm understanding is if a producer doesn't

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<v Speaker 1>sell everything at the farmer's market instead of taking it

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<v Speaker 1>home at a other organization who's connected with Saint Andrew

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<v Speaker 1>will pick it up.

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<v Speaker 2>St. Andrew's Society is St. Andrew Volunteers, Okay, what.

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<v Speaker 4>It is is society Saint Andrew identifies an organization which

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<v Speaker 4>at forest is Gate Ministries.

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<v Speaker 1>Okay.

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<v Speaker 4>At the end of the day they go around to

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<v Speaker 4>the different farmers in it and do you have extra

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<v Speaker 4>you know, if it's something that's gonna spoil, like tomatoes

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<v Speaker 4>or lettuce or things like that, they'll they'll glean that,

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<v Speaker 4>they'll get they'll take the poundage of what they're they're

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<v Speaker 4>donating and identify which mark, which farmer they've used, and

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<v Speaker 4>the Gate Ministries goes and distributes to local families that

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<v Speaker 4>have food insecurities that day. That that afternoon is when

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<v Speaker 4>they get that the.

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<v Speaker 3>Mouth and as far as I know, Dorothy, they hand

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<v Speaker 3>the liver it. Yeah, sometimes too individuals. Yeah.

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<v Speaker 5>Yeah.

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<v Speaker 1>My next question is what are you accepting. Is it

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<v Speaker 1>all fruits and vegetables? Do you do dairy products, do

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<v Speaker 1>you do eggs? Do you do meat products? Like? What

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<v Speaker 1>does that look like?

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<v Speaker 3>Are I mean, I mean generally it's healthy food and

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<v Speaker 3>fresh produce. I mean, by and large it's fresh produce, because.

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<v Speaker 1>I mean that's what I think I want to thinking.

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<v Speaker 1>But I didn't know if someone's like I have like,

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<v Speaker 1>you know, eggs, or I have cheese, Like what what

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<v Speaker 1>does that look like?

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<v Speaker 5>We have eggs donated.

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<v Speaker 4>There's also a lot of times the organ meats can

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<v Speaker 4>go with the market, and I have known a few

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<v Speaker 4>of the meat farmers that will donate that too.

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<v Speaker 2>Okay, to answer that question, yes, it is primarily fresh produce,

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<v Speaker 2>fruits and vegetables. But yes, we would take eggs, and.

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<v Speaker 1>You would we have in North.

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<v Speaker 2>Carolina we have an egg farmer. No, it's it's it's

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<v Speaker 2>not bake forest. There's in North Carolina. There's a big

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<v Speaker 2>egg distribution collection. In del Marva, they've done fish, okayish, yeah,

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<v Speaker 2>and we've done milk and dairy and other places too,

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<v Speaker 2>and water, but.

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<v Speaker 3>I think catfish too, right and del mar Yeah, I

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<v Speaker 3>think big catfish.

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<v Speaker 1>So what I want to talk about next is it

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<v Speaker 1>is two parts I want and you can split this

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<v Speaker 1>up or you can chime in. I want to know

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<v Speaker 1>how can farmers in this area get involved and what

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<v Speaker 1>does that look like like? What do you need from

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<v Speaker 1>the AG world? And then I also want you to

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<v Speaker 1>say what folks that are not in the AG world

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<v Speaker 1>what can they do to help you? So I want

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<v Speaker 1>to see both sides of the fence perspective of what

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<v Speaker 1>y'all what y'all need from everybody.

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<v Speaker 3>Well, I was gonna say to start maybe with the farmers.

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<v Speaker 3>If you have and this goes out to any farmer

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<v Speaker 3>in Virginia or any of the areas we work. If

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<v Speaker 3>you have, if you have extra produce you can't sell

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<v Speaker 3>the market, you can't you can't sell on your CSA

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<v Speaker 3>that's still still fit for human consumption, then you give

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<v Speaker 3>us a call, give me a call.

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<v Speaker 1>And so it doesn't have to be so if if

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<v Speaker 1>someone thinks, like, we have some grapes and if we

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<v Speaker 1>couldn't sell them all, we could call you up. Or

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<v Speaker 1>would we have to have a pre registration that we're

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<v Speaker 1>in the system where I could just literally say, hey,

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<v Speaker 1>we're not going to get all these grapes. This year.

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<v Speaker 3>No, there's no registration involved.

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<v Speaker 1>They literally just call you.

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<v Speaker 3>Yeah, you can call me. And as long as you

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<v Speaker 3>know we would, we may ask for you know, you know,

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<v Speaker 3>if we know ahead of time, you know, we may ask.

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<v Speaker 3>If it's largely we ask for pictures sometimes of the truck,

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<v Speaker 3>and we asked about the you know, you know, maybe

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<v Speaker 3>the quality of it, but but by and large, yeah,

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<v Speaker 3>I mean, if you know, if you if you are

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<v Speaker 3>who you say you are, and you know you have

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<v Speaker 3>and you have fresh produce to share that's still good

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<v Speaker 3>to eat, We're not going to ask questions about that.

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<v Speaker 1>And so you're talking about farmers not gardeners, or are

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<v Speaker 1>gardeners included?

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<v Speaker 3>They can be included, okay, they have extra and we

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<v Speaker 3>and the wholesalers. Yeah, we worked with Cisco Virginia near

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<v Speaker 3>Mount Crawford, near Harrisonburg. They they typically have you know,

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<v Speaker 3>a few palettes of goods every now and then.

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<v Speaker 1>So do you have a minimum like you won't come

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<v Speaker 1>out like what are the real required like if someone's like, well,

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<v Speaker 1>I have tomatoes just coming out of my ears this summer.

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<v Speaker 2>Gardeners, Yes, we have a program called share our Surplus, okay,

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<v Speaker 2>and that is when your backyard gardeners have surplus and

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<v Speaker 2>they can bring it, they can call us, or they

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<v Speaker 2>can take it to their church and sell it at

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<v Speaker 2>their church or make it available to underserved people, Okay.

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<v Speaker 2>And if they sell it, then you know, the proceeds

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<v Speaker 2>go to society you've seen Andrew to help feed hungry people.

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<v Speaker 4>One thing to note though, is when they donate, there's

423
00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:47.319
<v Speaker 4>a certain I don't know the poundage, but there is

424
00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:49.680
<v Speaker 4>a tax credit that goes to the farmer.

425
00:24:49.799 --> 00:24:50.160
<v Speaker 1>Okay.

426
00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:52.200
<v Speaker 2>So that's a good point in sative.

427
00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:54.799
<v Speaker 4>For them to know that, yes, they're doing this donation

428
00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:57.359
<v Speaker 4>and it's for the good of the community, but there's

429
00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:58.799
<v Speaker 4>also a tax Okay.

430
00:24:58.920 --> 00:24:59.880
<v Speaker 5>That's all that mon.

431
00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:03.559
<v Speaker 1>That's a benefit. And before we wiked up, we were

432
00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:07.319
<v Speaker 1>talking about the other kind of security if people were

433
00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:10.240
<v Speaker 1>concerned about donating, whether from their garden or their farm.

434
00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:13.240
<v Speaker 1>And I know we still need to talk about how

435
00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:15.880
<v Speaker 1>that nonagg world. I'm just putting a bookmark right there

436
00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:18.200
<v Speaker 1>for a second, but we did talk about the Good

437
00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:22.200
<v Speaker 1>Samaritan Act that Congress passed in nineteen ninety six, and

438
00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:26.799
<v Speaker 1>this is where the donor is protected from any liability

439
00:25:26.839 --> 00:25:29.200
<v Speaker 1>concerns and donating. Did you want to speak on that

440
00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:32.119
<v Speaker 1>to maybe encourage people like, hey, it's good, we got

441
00:25:32.119 --> 00:25:32.880
<v Speaker 1>this under control.

442
00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:39.160
<v Speaker 2>The Bill Emerson Act what's passed because some growers and

443
00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:45.160
<v Speaker 2>farmers donors were concerned about being held liable if you know,

444
00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:49.200
<v Speaker 2>now someone yeah, if there would been some illness or sickness.

445
00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:52.880
<v Speaker 2>But they passed the Bill Emerson Act that provides protection

446
00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:54.759
<v Speaker 2>for the growers.

447
00:25:54.880 --> 00:25:59.039
<v Speaker 1>The farmers. So we have the text benefit, the tax benefit,

448
00:25:59.119 --> 00:26:02.279
<v Speaker 1>and then we have the that's a security like it's good,

449
00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:04.440
<v Speaker 1>it's coming from a place of goodness and tens and

450
00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:07.440
<v Speaker 1>so forth. So you're protected. So there's really no reason

451
00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:09.680
<v Speaker 1>not to protect right.

452
00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:13.440
<v Speaker 2>Okay, And most most farmers that we talked to they

453
00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:16.839
<v Speaker 2>grow their food to feed people, so they don't want

454
00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:19.039
<v Speaker 2>it to go to waste. They wanted to go to

455
00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:22.880
<v Speaker 2>feed people. So yeah, they're protected and they get a

456
00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:26.279
<v Speaker 2>tax benefit. It seems like a perfect no brain.

457
00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:29.559
<v Speaker 1>So did you have anything else to add before we

458
00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:34.039
<v Speaker 1>hop over to the non farmers' efforts in helping. Did

459
00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:36.039
<v Speaker 1>you have anything else that you wanted to say, how

460
00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:38.799
<v Speaker 1>farmers could get involved or anything, or did you touch

461
00:26:38.839 --> 00:26:39.720
<v Speaker 1>on all the key points?

462
00:26:39.799 --> 00:26:43.400
<v Speaker 3>I say, I think I think collectively we pretty much covered.

463
00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:45.799
<v Speaker 2>It, right, and I just would say, if a farmer

464
00:26:45.880 --> 00:26:49.039
<v Speaker 2>can't get ben called Chesley, Chesley will come out to

465
00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:52.559
<v Speaker 2>your farm and help lean too. It's an experience if

466
00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:57.079
<v Speaker 2>you've never had it. And we talked about doing God's will,

467
00:26:57.279 --> 00:27:00.599
<v Speaker 2>we've had it to go and glean in the morning.

468
00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:05.039
<v Speaker 2>And my experience the first time it happened to me,

469
00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:09.960
<v Speaker 2>I gleaned up in Covestville peaches and so two hours

470
00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:15.839
<v Speaker 2>I spent gleaning through the peaches and then delivered several

471
00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:23.240
<v Speaker 2>bushels to an at risk youth community in Lynchburg. And

472
00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:25.759
<v Speaker 2>the looks on those people's faces when we walked up

473
00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:28.200
<v Speaker 2>with a couple of crates of free peaches.

474
00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:30.279
<v Speaker 3>You know, it's like a delicacy.

475
00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:33.759
<v Speaker 2>But the looks on their faces and the feeling that

476
00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:37.319
<v Speaker 2>it gives you you're doing God's will, I mean, and

477
00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:40.400
<v Speaker 2>there's no better place to be or no better feelings.

478
00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:41.720
<v Speaker 2>So I can preach it.

479
00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:42.319
<v Speaker 1>Say it.

480
00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:43.160
<v Speaker 2>I can preach it.

481
00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:46.119
<v Speaker 1>Sorry it, it needs to be said. Say it.

482
00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:48.920
<v Speaker 2>But if you've not had the experience of gleaning in

483
00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:52.640
<v Speaker 2>Johnson's orchard and you're picking those apples off the tree

484
00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:54.039
<v Speaker 2>and then you load them up in your car and

485
00:27:54.119 --> 00:27:56.640
<v Speaker 2>you go deliver them to somebody who needs them.

486
00:27:56.640 --> 00:27:58.400
<v Speaker 1>It's incredible gratifying.

487
00:27:58.480 --> 00:28:01.319
<v Speaker 3>Yes, and sometimes off the ground too, like right next

488
00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:04.400
<v Speaker 3>to the tree we do windfall apples.

489
00:28:04.119 --> 00:28:07.240
<v Speaker 1>Yeah, because I know with ag regulations, if it hits

490
00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:08.640
<v Speaker 1>the ground, you can't sell it.

491
00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:11.519
<v Speaker 2>We have to tag it to that it must be

492
00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:13.759
<v Speaker 2>cooked before.

493
00:28:12.880 --> 00:28:16.119
<v Speaker 3>And separated from that which came from the tree.

494
00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:18.319
<v Speaker 1>Right. No, see, I mean it sounds like you have

495
00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:23.480
<v Speaker 1>everything noted per requirements and it seems like you're this

496
00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:24.480
<v Speaker 1>is not willy nilly.

497
00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:28.319
<v Speaker 2>And all of our employees and some of our volunteers

498
00:28:28.359 --> 00:28:32.119
<v Speaker 2>are trained in food safety training. We've been with Virginia

499
00:28:32.200 --> 00:28:36.400
<v Speaker 2>Tech and we have food safety training that teaches our

500
00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:39.640
<v Speaker 2>volunteers and our staff right from wrong right if you will,

501
00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:42.160
<v Speaker 2>and what the regulations. Yeah, this is very mind safety.

502
00:28:42.359 --> 00:28:45.799
<v Speaker 1>I think you know not to mention forty six you

503
00:28:45.839 --> 00:28:49.400
<v Speaker 1>know going on forty seven years that you've been doing this,

504
00:28:50.119 --> 00:28:53.480
<v Speaker 1>and then how you have everything already marked out and

505
00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:57.440
<v Speaker 1>thought out, not just from the recipients but for your volunteers.

506
00:28:57.480 --> 00:29:01.279
<v Speaker 1>I think this is just a very mindful nonprofit that

507
00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:03.599
<v Speaker 1>you really have thought of everything in safety and in

508
00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:08.039
<v Speaker 1>heart heartfelt generosity. So folks that do not have a

509
00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:09.799
<v Speaker 1>farm or a garden. What do you want from them?

510
00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:11.720
<v Speaker 1>How can they help you? What can what can they

511
00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.400
<v Speaker 1>do to support you?

512
00:29:12.839 --> 00:29:15.440
<v Speaker 3>I think at the most at the most fundamental level,

513
00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:20.920
<v Speaker 3>I would say becoming more aware of food and security

514
00:29:21.319 --> 00:29:23.880
<v Speaker 3>and hunger in our country, not just in our country,

515
00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:25.839
<v Speaker 3>but you know, more more.

516
00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:27.079
<v Speaker 1>Locally, like right in our backyard.

517
00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:31.240
<v Speaker 3>Yeah, literally, I mean, you know, hunger. I think an

518
00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:33.640
<v Speaker 3>important thing to keep in mind and something that I'm

519
00:29:33.640 --> 00:29:38.200
<v Speaker 3>always reminded of while in this job at Society Saint

520
00:29:38.200 --> 00:29:42.559
<v Speaker 3>Andrew is that hunger does not look like one thing,

521
00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:46.519
<v Speaker 3>just one thing. I mean, it's you know, it can

522
00:29:46.599 --> 00:29:50.759
<v Speaker 3>look like very many different things in different communities, and

523
00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:55.000
<v Speaker 3>and thus there is not one If if it was

524
00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:59.799
<v Speaker 3>one organization or one person that could that could bridge

525
00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:03.599
<v Speaker 3>the gap, then we wouldn't be sitting here talking about

526
00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:05.920
<v Speaker 3>this right now. I mean, you know, it's a collaborative

527
00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:08.640
<v Speaker 3>effort across.

528
00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:11.759
<v Speaker 2>Yes, everybody, Yes, And we partner with so many as

529
00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:15.880
<v Speaker 2>we partner with the farmers, with the volunteers, with organizations,

530
00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:21.440
<v Speaker 2>with churches, with individuals. It's partnership and a network that

531
00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:24.960
<v Speaker 2>spans across the United States. It's incredible and across Virginia

532
00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:30.000
<v Speaker 2>and we're strengthening that I have to say too. We

533
00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:33.519
<v Speaker 2>were talking about we're strategic. You were talking about, you know,

534
00:30:34.039 --> 00:30:38.759
<v Speaker 2>our nonprofit, we're strategic, and we're strategic and looking. We

535
00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:45.119
<v Speaker 2>partner with Feeding America Tackle Hunger and USDA. We go

536
00:30:45.200 --> 00:30:49.880
<v Speaker 2>on their sites. Feeding America for instance, has a map

537
00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:52.880
<v Speaker 2>the Meal Gap, and you can go on there by state,

538
00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:54.799
<v Speaker 2>click on it and it'll give you a map of

539
00:30:54.839 --> 00:30:57.960
<v Speaker 2>your state and it'll show you where the highest rates

540
00:30:57.960 --> 00:31:00.839
<v Speaker 2>of poverty are in your And you're saying, yeah, that's

541
00:31:00.839 --> 00:31:04.920
<v Speaker 2>really cool. And so we're currently putting together our map.

542
00:31:05.039 --> 00:31:07.400
<v Speaker 2>We've done one for Georgia. We're doing one for Virginia

543
00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:12.359
<v Speaker 2>because I'm eating it up. We take that map and

544
00:31:12.359 --> 00:31:14.880
<v Speaker 2>show where the poverty is, and then we put an

545
00:31:14.920 --> 00:31:18.680
<v Speaker 2>overlay of where we're working in Virginia where we have

546
00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:26.720
<v Speaker 2>an area gleaning coordinators and Tidewater, Winchester, Charlottesville, we have

547
00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:29.559
<v Speaker 2>one in Roanoke now in southwest Virginia, and we put

548
00:31:29.599 --> 00:31:34.480
<v Speaker 2>where we have providers, and then we're making sure that

549
00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:39.920
<v Speaker 2>we're taking the food from the providers and zeroing in

550
00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:43.559
<v Speaker 2>on that highest need area or if that area is

551
00:31:43.599 --> 00:31:47.519
<v Speaker 2>not getting food, we're getting it there. So I'm like

552
00:31:47.799 --> 00:31:49.359
<v Speaker 2>really excited and.

553
00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:52.319
<v Speaker 1>I feel we're strategic. Yeah. Oh, I feel like this

554
00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:56.759
<v Speaker 1>has been a really great podcast and I really hope

555
00:31:56.799 --> 00:32:01.720
<v Speaker 1>people hear what has been spoken and want to get involved,

556
00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:04.119
<v Speaker 1>which leads me to one of our last questions, how

557
00:32:04.160 --> 00:32:07.559
<v Speaker 1>can people connect with you? And do you have anything

558
00:32:07.599 --> 00:32:11.160
<v Speaker 1>coming up with a fundraiser or anything on the calendar

559
00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:13.599
<v Speaker 1>that that you just need to talk about before we

560
00:32:13.680 --> 00:32:15.039
<v Speaker 1>end this part of our podcast.

561
00:32:15.119 --> 00:32:21.079
<v Speaker 2>We have lots We're not done yet.

562
00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:25.680
<v Speaker 3>Well, you know, you can visit our website and hunger

563
00:32:25.720 --> 00:32:28.440
<v Speaker 3>dot Org has contact info for all of our different

564
00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:33.960
<v Speaker 3>regional offices and in our nationwide kind.

565
00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:35.880
<v Speaker 2>Of eight number if you need to call us.

566
00:32:36.039 --> 00:32:38.400
<v Speaker 3>Yeah, okay, you know you can stop by our office

567
00:32:38.400 --> 00:32:41.319
<v Speaker 3>and three at thirty three eighty three Sweet Hall Road,

568
00:32:41.599 --> 00:32:42.079
<v Speaker 3>Big Island.

569
00:32:42.839 --> 00:32:45.440
<v Speaker 2>And uh, I don't think it's a stop buy situation.

570
00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:48.319
<v Speaker 2>I think it's a field trip. Yeah, you take a

571
00:32:48.400 --> 00:32:50.039
<v Speaker 2>day trip to come out to the country.

572
00:32:50.119 --> 00:32:55.119
<v Speaker 3>But yeah, And and for our volunteer sign up system,

573
00:32:55.559 --> 00:32:59.839
<v Speaker 3>we're on mobilized, So you can visit mobilized dot us,

574
00:33:00.240 --> 00:33:04.599
<v Speaker 3>slash and hunger and you'll and you can find opportunities

575
00:33:04.599 --> 00:33:07.680
<v Speaker 3>in your area to volunteer and glean.

576
00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:12.279
<v Speaker 2>You can also click on volunteer on our website, right, Yeah,

577
00:33:12.400 --> 00:33:13.200
<v Speaker 2>you should be able to.

578
00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:15.799
<v Speaker 1>Yeah, so that's there too, And we'll be sure to

579
00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:20.440
<v Speaker 1>put your website and all that information when we have

580
00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:24.559
<v Speaker 1>the podcast that's posted, we'll put that information to just

581
00:33:24.680 --> 00:33:28.599
<v Speaker 1>really trying to connect, connect everybody that needs to be connected.

582
00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:31.160
<v Speaker 1>So anything else you need to say before we go

583
00:33:31.200 --> 00:33:35.160
<v Speaker 1>to announcements. This has been a eye opening interview.

584
00:33:35.519 --> 00:33:40.279
<v Speaker 3>Are in oh you can go? Or where I can?

585
00:33:40.079 --> 00:33:43.400
<v Speaker 3>In May, we're going to have two events coming up,

586
00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:48.880
<v Speaker 3>going to have a nur May third slash fourth. More

587
00:33:48.920 --> 00:33:52.759
<v Speaker 3>details to come, but I want to say it out loud.

588
00:33:53.000 --> 00:33:57.839
<v Speaker 3>It's it's a Lunchburg, Virginia, a potato distribution. Uh and

589
00:33:57.880 --> 00:34:00.839
<v Speaker 3>then one and and I think the town limits of

590
00:34:00.880 --> 00:34:02.599
<v Speaker 3>Bedford coming up.

591
00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:06.960
<v Speaker 2>You're not being specific, Ben, She's going to get on here.

592
00:34:08.199 --> 00:34:10.400
<v Speaker 1>Y'all work this out. Do you say whatever you need

593
00:34:10.440 --> 00:34:10.760
<v Speaker 1>to say?

594
00:34:12.880 --> 00:34:13.960
<v Speaker 2>That was that contentious?

595
00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:15.079
<v Speaker 5>We're not contentious.

596
00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:17.639
<v Speaker 2>I'm just going to spill the fiends. After this meeting,

597
00:34:17.719 --> 00:34:20.800
<v Speaker 2>we're going to go over to Bedford Elementary School and

598
00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:26.920
<v Speaker 2>we're excited to promote and say and announce we are

599
00:34:26.960 --> 00:34:30.719
<v Speaker 2>having a potato drop or a crop drop, which is

600
00:34:30.719 --> 00:34:36.840
<v Speaker 2>going to be about twenty five thousand pounds of potato squash.

601
00:34:38.320 --> 00:34:41.800
<v Speaker 2>That will be this summer that May third, on the Saturday,

602
00:34:41.840 --> 00:34:44.440
<v Speaker 2>May third. It's going to be in the Bedford Elementary

603
00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:48.960
<v Speaker 2>School parking lot. We'll have volunteers from all over Bedford.

604
00:34:49.039 --> 00:34:53.639
<v Speaker 2>We're partnering with obviously the Bedford Elementary School in the

605
00:34:53.679 --> 00:34:55.000
<v Speaker 2>Bedford Police Department.

606
00:34:55.800 --> 00:34:56.679
<v Speaker 3>Yes, okay, that's.

607
00:34:56.519 --> 00:34:58.119
<v Speaker 1>The part that the question.

608
00:34:58.360 --> 00:35:01.440
<v Speaker 2>But I think we are and anyway we are. We

609
00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:03.360
<v Speaker 2>are partnering with Bedford Elementary.

610
00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:05.599
<v Speaker 3>Say, we've been in contact with them, Yes, with this.

611
00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:08.719
<v Speaker 2>Event, and it's going to be a big event. Will

612
00:35:08.760 --> 00:35:14.559
<v Speaker 2>give away twenty five pounds of fresh, healthy food and

613
00:35:14.639 --> 00:35:17.920
<v Speaker 2>we're going to pack it up that day and distribute it.

614
00:35:17.840 --> 00:35:19.880
<v Speaker 1>I think, and that'll be on your Facebook page.

615
00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:23.760
<v Speaker 3>Yes, yeah, we'll announce it Facebook such as SOSA VA

616
00:35:23.760 --> 00:35:27.559
<v Speaker 3>Glean and then our Instagram which is Sosa underscore VA

617
00:35:27.719 --> 00:35:33.840
<v Speaker 3>Underscore Gleen. Someone had already took that. I don't know how.

618
00:35:34.920 --> 00:35:38.679
<v Speaker 1>It's s O s A.

619
00:35:37.599 --> 00:35:42.880
<v Speaker 3>VA and then the word Glean, ok. And then it's

620
00:35:42.880 --> 00:35:46.119
<v Speaker 3>the same and it's the same for Instagram, except there's

621
00:35:46.840 --> 00:35:50.719
<v Speaker 3>an underscore between SOSA and Virginia and then Virginia and

622
00:35:50.719 --> 00:35:56.559
<v Speaker 3>glean okay, and for and for farmers markets and farmers

623
00:35:56.599 --> 00:36:02.199
<v Speaker 3>and in general. I think the Farmers Market UH Bureau

624
00:36:02.239 --> 00:36:07.159
<v Speaker 3>of Virginia posted on their Instagram page our new.

625
00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:12.920
<v Speaker 4>Yeah, our work with Kim Hutchinson probably.

626
00:36:12.559 --> 00:36:15.679
<v Speaker 3>Yeah, Kim Hutcheson and then and then Virginia Tech Sarah

627
00:36:15.719 --> 00:36:21.920
<v Speaker 3>Grant for the for for for for gle gleaning safety training.

628
00:36:22.480 --> 00:36:24.320
<v Speaker 3>So you like food safety training.

629
00:36:24.760 --> 00:36:27.639
<v Speaker 1>I love all this well. I feel like there this

630
00:36:27.760 --> 00:36:31.440
<v Speaker 1>could be an even longer conversation, but I think.

631
00:36:31.239 --> 00:36:31.880
<v Speaker 2>We have.

632
00:36:33.320 --> 00:36:37.559
<v Speaker 1>Really got people excited and interested and hopefully invested and

633
00:36:37.639 --> 00:36:39.599
<v Speaker 1>being a part of bridging the gap and getting the

634
00:36:39.599 --> 00:36:41.199
<v Speaker 1>food where it needs to be. So I want to

635
00:36:41.199 --> 00:36:43.920
<v Speaker 1>thank you both for being here with the plethora of

636
00:36:43.960 --> 00:36:46.920
<v Speaker 1>information and excitement and being part of this. So thank

637
00:36:46.960 --> 00:36:48.840
<v Speaker 1>you for that. We're now going to turn to our

638
00:36:49.360 --> 00:36:52.599
<v Speaker 1>ag announcements. Before we do that, I would just want

639
00:36:52.639 --> 00:36:55.360
<v Speaker 1>to share that we would like to continue to grow

640
00:36:55.400 --> 00:36:58.800
<v Speaker 1>our social media presence, so please like, follow, and share

641
00:36:58.800 --> 00:37:02.159
<v Speaker 1>our Bedford County, Virginia Agriculture Facebook page. We want to

642
00:37:02.199 --> 00:37:05.719
<v Speaker 1>reach as many folks as possible, And just so you

643
00:37:05.760 --> 00:37:08.960
<v Speaker 1>know that today's episode will be posted on our Facebook

644
00:37:09.000 --> 00:37:11.840
<v Speaker 1>page with a link provided, so then you can can

645
00:37:11.880 --> 00:37:15.760
<v Speaker 1>share from this podcast and our social media presence as well.

646
00:37:16.239 --> 00:37:19.039
<v Speaker 1>But anyway, as you know, we had a co host today, Ms.

647
00:37:19.280 --> 00:37:22.079
<v Speaker 1>Darthy was here and so I'm gonna let her share

648
00:37:22.119 --> 00:37:25.719
<v Speaker 1>all things that deal with Forest Farmer's Market and Anita's

649
00:37:25.760 --> 00:37:28.159
<v Speaker 1>Farmer's Market and then we'll talk about some other announcements.

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00:37:28.159 --> 00:37:30.199
<v Speaker 1>But I just want her to get to expand on

651
00:37:30.280 --> 00:37:31.079
<v Speaker 1>those two things.

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00:37:31.199 --> 00:37:32.039
<v Speaker 5>Thank you so much.

653
00:37:32.119 --> 00:37:36.880
<v Speaker 4>So yeah, So Forest Farmers Market has one more winter market.

654
00:37:37.119 --> 00:37:41.000
<v Speaker 4>It's April twelfth, nine to noon. It's starting to look

655
00:37:41.199 --> 00:37:45.159
<v Speaker 4>pretty pretty full. A lot of guest vendors, a lot

656
00:37:45.159 --> 00:37:48.559
<v Speaker 4>of interest in the market right now, both ag and

657
00:37:48.840 --> 00:37:53.320
<v Speaker 4>artisan related. So that's pretty pretty interesting. We open up

658
00:37:53.360 --> 00:37:56.360
<v Speaker 4>our main season April twenty sixth. We changed times from

659
00:37:56.440 --> 00:37:59.360
<v Speaker 4>eight to noon and that should be a full season,

660
00:37:59.559 --> 00:38:01.440
<v Speaker 4>starting to see the produce come back in.

661
00:38:01.679 --> 00:38:06.360
<v Speaker 5>Right. We had that deep freeze what six weeks.

662
00:38:06.119 --> 00:38:10.199
<v Speaker 4>Ago and a lot of the hardy greens just did

663
00:38:10.360 --> 00:38:12.440
<v Speaker 4>couldn't make it through that, right, So we'll get to

664
00:38:12.440 --> 00:38:16.719
<v Speaker 4>see the fresh greens coming in in April, and Menita

665
00:38:16.760 --> 00:38:20.159
<v Speaker 4>Market will start the first Wednesday in May. That's from

666
00:38:20.159 --> 00:38:23.719
<v Speaker 4>three to six on Wednesdays. I didn't mention forest is.

667
00:38:23.719 --> 00:38:26.679
<v Speaker 1>On Saturdays and tell us the location of the.

668
00:38:26.679 --> 00:38:29.760
<v Speaker 4>Location of the forest is fifteen five eighty three Forest Road.

669
00:38:29.800 --> 00:38:34.039
<v Speaker 4>It's behind the Forest Library and Menita. I don't remember

670
00:38:34.119 --> 00:38:37.079
<v Speaker 4>the address, but it is next to the Menita.

671
00:38:36.679 --> 00:38:37.920
<v Speaker 5>Smith Mountain Lake Library.

672
00:38:38.079 --> 00:38:41.760
<v Speaker 1>Excellent. So we partner with the libraries for that and

673
00:38:41.840 --> 00:38:43.559
<v Speaker 1>Menita starts back what.

674
00:38:43.639 --> 00:38:50.480
<v Speaker 4>The Menita will start back the first Wednesday in May three.

675
00:38:50.320 --> 00:38:52.639
<v Speaker 1>To six, that's wednes Wednesdays.

676
00:38:52.679 --> 00:38:56.800
<v Speaker 4>And I'm still looking for some vegetable farmers for that one.

677
00:38:57.159 --> 00:39:01.280
<v Speaker 4>There will be a general meeting April tenth at the

678
00:39:01.320 --> 00:39:05.480
<v Speaker 4>Smith Mountain Lake Menita Library from six to seven. That's

679
00:39:05.519 --> 00:39:08.880
<v Speaker 4>a Wednesday for people that are interested and it's interested

680
00:39:09.000 --> 00:39:11.039
<v Speaker 4>in coming and vending at the market.

681
00:39:10.719 --> 00:39:13.920
<v Speaker 1>At the Menita Market, yes, okay, and so if they

682
00:39:13.960 --> 00:39:16.880
<v Speaker 1>need so, do you have all your spots full for forests.

683
00:39:17.039 --> 00:39:21.400
<v Speaker 1>In regards to vendors.

684
00:39:20.159 --> 00:39:24.199
<v Speaker 4>Year, I entertained stuff that I don't have from oh

685
00:39:24.280 --> 00:39:27.360
<v Speaker 4>venders that I don't already carry.

686
00:39:27.519 --> 00:39:33.199
<v Speaker 1>Is there a particular genre that you're looking for that I.

687
00:39:33.119 --> 00:39:35.079
<v Speaker 5>Would love to see cheese, but.

688
00:39:35.000 --> 00:39:36.840
<v Speaker 4>That's not in our area, okay.

689
00:39:36.880 --> 00:39:42.360
<v Speaker 1>So if anybody is an artisan cheesemaker, please connect with

690
00:39:42.480 --> 00:39:44.079
<v Speaker 1>litter in the Bedfruit Area.

691
00:39:44.199 --> 00:39:46.760
<v Speaker 4>Okay, Menita, I will entertain anybody at this.

692
00:39:46.760 --> 00:39:48.559
<v Speaker 1>Point because it's growing, it's coming.

693
00:39:48.639 --> 00:39:51.519
<v Speaker 4>It's only it's third year, so it's still in its

694
00:39:51.639 --> 00:39:54.679
<v Speaker 4>early stages, so I would entertain pretty much.

695
00:39:54.920 --> 00:39:57.119
<v Speaker 1>And Forest has been going on for how many years?

696
00:39:57.159 --> 00:39:59.639
<v Speaker 5>Actually, this is the fifteenth year. We're going to celebrate the.

697
00:39:59.679 --> 00:40:04.679
<v Speaker 1>Hi Happy birthday. Yeah, I didn't see that coming book excellent.

698
00:40:04.840 --> 00:40:08.320
<v Speaker 1>So in comparison, Menita is the baby. It is, and

699
00:40:08.400 --> 00:40:12.239
<v Speaker 1>so it's still getting established and creating it it's.

700
00:40:12.119 --> 00:40:14.760
<v Speaker 5>Wrong base, Yeah, needs a little bit of growth.

701
00:40:15.199 --> 00:40:17.880
<v Speaker 4>It really has a nice strong base both in customers

702
00:40:17.920 --> 00:40:21.719
<v Speaker 4>and and vendors and board of the community wonderful.

703
00:40:22.320 --> 00:40:26.719
<v Speaker 1>And I have reached out to Montvale to see information

704
00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:30.199
<v Speaker 1>about their upcoming market, so hopefully next month on the podcast,

705
00:40:30.199 --> 00:40:33.639
<v Speaker 1>I can share something about the Montvale Market. The Bedford

706
00:40:33.679 --> 00:40:36.400
<v Speaker 1>Farmers Market. You can stay up to date on their

707
00:40:36.400 --> 00:40:38.960
<v Speaker 1>Facebook page. I believe they have one. They have the

708
00:40:39.039 --> 00:40:42.840
<v Speaker 1>fifteenth this week nine to one, and they're located at

709
00:40:42.840 --> 00:40:46.079
<v Speaker 1>West Washington Street at the Farmers Market Pavilion. So just

710
00:40:46.199 --> 00:40:49.840
<v Speaker 1>follow their Facebook page and stay tuned for what they're

711
00:40:49.880 --> 00:40:53.039
<v Speaker 1>offering as well as hopefully Montvale Farmer's Market will have

712
00:40:53.119 --> 00:40:56.800
<v Speaker 1>some information to share with us, and then swinging into

713
00:40:56.880 --> 00:41:01.719
<v Speaker 1>some other agritourism items. Layman Family Farms located at eighteen

714
00:41:01.880 --> 00:41:05.559
<v Speaker 1>fifteen Mountain View Church Road. It's off of four sixty.

715
00:41:05.880 --> 00:41:08.599
<v Speaker 1>They say it's Blue Ridge. I consider it Montvale, but anyway,

716
00:41:09.119 --> 00:41:12.840
<v Speaker 1>they are hosting a stunning new festival starting the weekend

717
00:41:12.880 --> 00:41:15.559
<v Speaker 1>of March the twenty ninth. That's the Virginia Flower Fest

718
00:41:15.599 --> 00:41:18.000
<v Speaker 1>and they will have to quote them a sea of

719
00:41:18.719 --> 00:41:22.360
<v Speaker 1>over fifty thousand blooming tulups. So I think that that's

720
00:41:22.400 --> 00:41:26.239
<v Speaker 1>going to be a beautiful scene to witness. All the

721
00:41:26.280 --> 00:41:29.320
<v Speaker 1>details and ticket pricing are available on their website, which

722
00:41:29.360 --> 00:41:33.440
<v Speaker 1>is laymanfamilyfarm dot com. It's sure to be going to

723
00:41:33.480 --> 00:41:35.280
<v Speaker 1>be a new local favorite. I just know it is.

724
00:41:35.320 --> 00:41:37.599
<v Speaker 1>It's going to beautiful and stunning, and I don't believe

725
00:41:37.599 --> 00:41:41.400
<v Speaker 1>there's anything like that with tulips in our area. Now.

726
00:41:41.760 --> 00:41:45.440
<v Speaker 1>Gross's Orchard is hosting something that is obviously a local

727
00:41:45.480 --> 00:41:48.519
<v Speaker 1>favorite that's been going on for several years. On April

728
00:41:48.559 --> 00:41:52.280
<v Speaker 1>the twelfth, they will be hosting their yearly Apple Blossom Festival.

729
00:41:52.320 --> 00:41:56.159
<v Speaker 1>There will be food, wagon rides, music vendors, and obviously

730
00:41:56.159 --> 00:42:00.280
<v Speaker 1>a beautiful spot to enjoy the apple blossoms. Information is

731
00:42:00.280 --> 00:42:03.679
<v Speaker 1>available on their Facebook page and they are also doing

732
00:42:04.280 --> 00:42:08.000
<v Speaker 1>like a hands on class this coming Saturday. Darthy, did

733
00:42:08.000 --> 00:42:09.800
<v Speaker 1>you want to talk about what you saw on Facebook

734
00:42:09.800 --> 00:42:11.960
<v Speaker 1>about their class that they're offering.

735
00:42:12.599 --> 00:42:16.039
<v Speaker 4>Sure, there's a gentleman in our area in Bedford County

736
00:42:16.039 --> 00:42:20.440
<v Speaker 4>that's Matt Fortune and he has Fortune Farm. I believe

737
00:42:20.440 --> 00:42:23.119
<v Speaker 4>it's called He will be at Grocer's Orchard.

738
00:42:23.679 --> 00:42:25.280
<v Speaker 5>Grocer's Orchard would be hosting it.

739
00:42:25.639 --> 00:42:30.360
<v Speaker 4>They will be doing a grafting workshop for apples. They'll

740
00:42:30.360 --> 00:42:34.880
<v Speaker 4>be doing hands on They'll have the the sion wood

741
00:42:35.039 --> 00:42:37.199
<v Speaker 4>and you'll be able to graft off of some of

742
00:42:37.840 --> 00:42:41.679
<v Speaker 4>Grocer's Orchard's apples which they take just a twig off

743
00:42:41.679 --> 00:42:45.320
<v Speaker 4>and you kind of marry them together and they grow

744
00:42:45.400 --> 00:42:48.679
<v Speaker 4>and it becomes a strong apple tree.

745
00:42:48.760 --> 00:42:51.679
<v Speaker 1>I believe that is who worked with Johnny when we

746
00:42:51.679 --> 00:42:54.599
<v Speaker 1>were doing some of that. He was a very insightful

747
00:42:54.639 --> 00:42:55.760
<v Speaker 1>and knowledgeable person.

748
00:42:57.159 --> 00:42:59.800
<v Speaker 5>That's ten to noon, I believe.

749
00:43:00.039 --> 00:43:06.639
<v Speaker 1>Check their Facebook page and also this is not agg related,

750
00:43:06.679 --> 00:43:09.840
<v Speaker 1>but this is definitely heartfelt and genuine. Be sure to

751
00:43:10.000 --> 00:43:12.920
<v Speaker 1>follow and support all things Media Squatch. We are so

752
00:43:13.000 --> 00:43:15.280
<v Speaker 1>grateful to partner with Woody and his team here at

753
00:43:15.280 --> 00:43:18.679
<v Speaker 1>Media squatch. We had this idea about a podcast. What

754
00:43:18.800 --> 00:43:21.280
<v Speaker 1>he said, Yes, we can make that happen. So please

755
00:43:21.320 --> 00:43:23.280
<v Speaker 1>just be a good human and like, follow, share all

756
00:43:23.320 --> 00:43:27.119
<v Speaker 1>things that deal with media squatch. All right. Lastly, if

757
00:43:27.119 --> 00:43:29.280
<v Speaker 1>you want to attend one of our ag Board meetings,

758
00:43:29.320 --> 00:43:32.519
<v Speaker 1>you are more than welcome. Ag Board meeting times and

759
00:43:32.639 --> 00:43:36.320
<v Speaker 1>minutes are always available online under the Agboard tab on

760
00:43:36.360 --> 00:43:40.239
<v Speaker 1>the Economic Development website. You're welcome to come and see

761
00:43:40.280 --> 00:43:42.480
<v Speaker 1>what our board is up to at our monthly meetings.

762
00:43:43.239 --> 00:43:45.679
<v Speaker 1>We value your input and hope to see you there.

763
00:43:45.960 --> 00:43:48.119
<v Speaker 1>This is Melody Divers reminding you to be good to

764
00:43:48.159 --> 00:43:52.360
<v Speaker 1>yourself and be good to others.