David and Tommy started their day going to Lee County Career and Technical Center, where we were able to compare the differences in educational systems.  We then traveled to Lee County Animal Hospital to meet Dr. Matthew Marcum to discuss his veterinary practice in the area.  One striking difference is the number of caesarean sections that take place and the medications that farmers in Ireland have to get through a veterinary practice instead of a farm store.  At Wilderness Road State Park, David and Tommy were able to see a glimpse into frontier life and experience our State Park System.

Arabella Cline welcomed David and Tommy to look at her beef, sheep, and gerbil operation.  Yes, gerbils!  Arabella has a special niche market for gerbils and takes 400 to market a month.  She also raises beef cattle and is growing her herd.  She has gone from 40 acres of land to almost 350 acres. We went on to Will Shipley’s farm, who primarily raises burley tobacco and field crops. Field crops support his family dairy operation in Tennessee.  Burley tobacco is a traditional crop of Southwest Virginia, but completely new to Tommy and David. Will raises roughly 160 acres of burley tobacco.

The Daniel Boone Soil & Water Conservation District and Lee County Extension Office hosted a Pasture Walk that evening at the farm of Homer Vandergrift that is leased by John Carter.  At the meeting, Tommy and David were able to talk to many farmers and discuss pasture management.  The farmers enjoyed discussing the differences in farming operations.