Virginia Evergreen Summer 2018

Kyle is ready to hit the ground run- ning upon his start May 29 and looks forward to attending as many indus- try meetings and events across the Commonwealth as possible to meet our members. We look forward with anticipation to his leadership as the Council enters a new phase in its growth as a resource for both its members and the legisla- tive body in Richmond. Please join me in welcoming Kyle to the Agri- business Council family!

Virginia Agribusiness Council Changes

VAC: New Executive Director Announced As Chairman of the Council's Board of Directors, I am excited to share with our membership that Kyle Shreve has been selected as the next Executive Director of the Vir- ginia Agribusiness Council. Kyle comes to the Council from the Virginia Association of Health Plans, where he has been the Director of Policy since December 2015. Prior to that, he served as the Director of Government Affairs for the Virginia Retail Merchants Association. For the first six years of his career, Kyle worked for the International Dairy Foods Association as their Manager of Legislative Affairs. While there, he worked extensively on agriculture policy and gained considerable knowledge of our industry. He is a familiar face at the General Assembly and has established many valuable relationships with both fel- low lobbyists and legislators during his career. In addition to his strong policy background, Kyle brings asso- ciation management, event planning and membership recruitment experi- ence to the Council. His association experience, along with his demon- strated strength in government policy and legislative affairs, make him a tremendous asset for Virginia Agri- business Council. Kyle is a native of Pennsylvania and received his B.A. in Political Science and History from Pennsylvania State University. He later received his M.A. in Professional Studies in Polit- ical Management from George Washington University. Kyle relo- cated to Virginia in 2008. He and his wife Christie live in Midlothian with their two-year-old son, Bennett. They have planted roots in the Richmond area and have a strong desire to re- main here for years to come.

Sincerely, Kern L. Houff, Chair, Virginia Agribusiness Council Board of Directors 5/18/18

A HUGH THANKS to Katie Frazier for all your support and work with the VCTGA and congratulations and best wishes as you move forward in your life and career!] As you may already know, my last day with the Virginia Agribusiness Council was May 11th. Beginning May 21, I will be joining Farm Credit of the Vir- ginias as their Director of External Af- fairs. Should you wish to reach me there, my email address will be kfra- zier@fcvirginias.com. I have truly enjoyed working with each of you during my time with the Council over the past 14 years and have valued all of the work we have collectively done to ensure agriculture and forestry continue to flourish in Virginia. I look forward to working with many of you in my new role, and to supporting the Virginia Agribusiness Council as it continues in its valuable mission.

Conference Farm Tour Hidden Fields Farm Covington, VA Hidden Fields Farm was founded in 2014 by Robert and Cecille McDowell in the Rich Patch Area of Alleghany County. As a family owned and operated business, Hid- den Fields Farm specializes in greenery, wreaths, swags, center- pieces, hand tied bows, and other seasonal holiday decor. In 2017, years after the first plant- ing, Hidden Fields Farm opened to the public as the only pick and cut Christmas Tree Farm in the Greater Alleghany County area. www.HiddenFieldsVA.com

Wishing you all my very best! Katie Frazier, Past President, Virginia Agribusiness Council

VCTGA News Journal ‒ Summer 2018 VCTGA News Journal –Summer 2018  

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