THE NEWS LEADER - Sunday, July 16, 2006

By Karen Bolipata/staff

Augusta County farm tour drifts far afield

Agricultural heritage revealed

   A pedometer around the cow’s ankle measures each step taken and milk produced.  The gadget feeds data into a computer so Gerald Garber can determine if it has given more milk than yesterday or if it’s walking slower than normal.
   Such technology gives him a day’s advantage over a herdsman relying solely on observation, said Garber, who owns a dairy farm in Weyers Cave.
   “If they even look at me cross-eyed, they see a vet,” he said.
   Farming might have changed since the first English settlers brought cattle and crops to Virginia, but Augusta County’s Jamestown 2007 committee aims to highlight the county’s agriculture industry with its farm tour. On a trial run Saturday, committee members Nancy Sorrells and Sandy Greene guided a six-hour tour of some of the area’s working family farms.
   The lengthy tour, which is part of the county’s celebration of Jamestown, provides an authentic experience, Greene said.
   “All of us are used to instant documentaries and having it all put before us in sound bites,” she said.”
   The different farms showcased are “model farms” - ones that use safe environmental practices - that are successful, Greenee added.
  At a sheep farm in Mount Sidney, Dusk, a border collie, single-handedly herded 600 lambs to the opposite side of the field - an intimidating task for one dog, said owner Judy Tammi. She stressed the incredible amount of work farming demands.
   “I don’t want anyone to come here and think it’s a piece of cake,” she said.
   Jeff Slaven, who owns a beef farm in Burketown, said a farmer’s day doesn’t always end at sunset. With a 7:30 a.m. start, sometimes he works until 9 p.m.
   The 15 members of the tour, which consisted of reporters, local agricultural experts, committee members and friends, were treated to an organic lunch at Cedar Creek Stables.
   After the tour, Greene said she plans to have more hands-on activities such as letting group members handle the feed at the dairy farm and taking wool off the spindle at the sheep farm.
   Dan Wachspress said learning about a farmer’s typical day put things in perspective.
   “It helps me to appreciate what they do,” he said.