Friday, February 13, 2004

Number Of Small Farms Is Growing
Census Study Also Finds More Diversity Among Operators, Alternative Agriculture Growing

Preliminary results from a 2002 agriculture census seem to indicate that although the number of farms and the amount of land being cultivated in the state continues to drop, the number of small farms has increased since 1997 when the last census was taken.

Although the 2002 county figures are not scheduled to be released until June, during the 1997 census Halifax County reported 940 farms comprising 227,816 acres. The average farm in 1997 was 242 acres.

While no information about the total number of farms in the county was available, the number of farmers growing tobacco has declined to 784 farms in 2003, down from 1,186 in 1995.

"I think there definitely has been an increase in the number of small farms, because that's the way Virginia agriculture has been going," said Kevin Harding, a statistician with the Virginia Agricultural Statistics Service. "A lot of the big farms have gotten bigger, but there are also a lot of new operators jumping into smaller markets and alternative types of agriculture."

The statistician said the group found a large increase in floriculture and nurseries.

"Goat farmers, both for meat and dairy, is another area that has seen some growth," he said.

Only a limited amount of census figures were released this month. The full report is due to be released June 3.

According to the figures, in the smallest category of farms, those selling $2,500 or less in a year's time, there were 2,117 more operators than the 16,355 recorded in 1997.

The number of farms comprising 10 to 49 acres also rose over the past five years, from 13,908 to 14,079, the census reported.

In many other categories, however, Virginia's agriculture sector continued to shrink.

The overall number of farms dropped from 49,366 in 1997 to 47,615 in 2002.

The amount of land under cultivation dropped by almost 1 million acres, to 8.67 million acres during the period.

And the number of family or individual farm operators also declined, from 43,445 in 1007 to 42,868 in 2002.

During the same period, the number of corporate farm owners also dropped to 1,750 from the 1,787 in 1997.

Urban sprawl could be a factor, according to the census.

Harding said continued suburban growth in the so-called "golden crescent" from Northern Virginia to Richmond to Hampton Roads is one obvious reason.

"There are a lot of urban pressures in Virginia, and a lot of bedroom communities are taking over some of the farmland around these areas," he said.

The preliminary national figures from the census also highlighted a few trends. This is the first time the census specifically tracked the number of women who are principal operators of farms, and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman said the tally shows an increasingly diverse base of farm operators.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 27.2 percent of American farmers were women in 2002, increasing from 12.6 percent in 1997. The number of farm owners of Hispanic origin increased by almost 51 percent in the same period, while African-American increased 8.8 percent and American Indian farmers increased 19.4 percent.

The number of women farmers in the Old Dominion was pegged at 19,600 by the census, out of a total of 69,710. But there are no accurate figures available on how that statistic has changed from 1997, Harding said. The USDA employed survey techniques in 2002 that captured more data than the information collected in 1997 and in previous years, he said.

"We're probably doing a little better job actually determining what farmers do" and who they are, Harding explained, "because in the past we may have not gotten the whole picture. The survey methodology is more enhanced this time than last time, but we can't determine a trend just over this five-year period."

The preliminary census results are available online at www.usda.gov/nass.

VFW Is Seeking Help In Fight For Veterans

Balancing the budget is too often done on veterans' backs.

That's the message a trio of Veterans of Foreign Wars is taking to Halifax County.

They want new members.

"More voice to lobby for what we should have and preserve what we do have," said Halifax VFW Post 8243 Commander John Nelson.

The need is obvious.

Last year, wounded U.S. servicemen returning from Middle East combat had to pay for their hospital meals, creating a public outcry that changed policy.

The VFW and other veterans organizations were in that fray.

"We are in Richmond and Washington constantly fighting for veterans' entitlements," said Pete Snelling, Department of Virginia's Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Last week, Rex Faris, Department Chief of Staff for the state VFW, Snelling and Nelson sought new members in Halifax County.

They would like to add about 25 members to the Halifax VFW Post 8243.

Political watchdogs for veterans' issues in Washington and Richmond, serious concerns dominate their agenda.

Hospital care for veterans, protecting existing programs and tackling job issues on vets' behalf are among those.

Helping those fighting in Iraq and other hot spots also top the agenda.

"We have them coming in from the battlefields with only the clothes on their back," said Snelling. "We have taken VFW monies for clothing and we have approached businesses and others to donate clothes.

"We're also giving them telephone calling cards by the hundreds," he added.

Learning a Halifax County man was shipping out to Iraq on Monday, Snelling and Faris immediately made arrangements to send prepaid telephone calling cards to the man's unit.

VFW is also vigilant on behalf of the Veterans Care Center in Salem, Virginia.

Jobs are a critical issue.

"Something needs to be done," said Snelling. "We have guys in Iraq and Afghanistan losing jobs, coming back and having nothing."

For example, Faris said two National Guard sergeants came back from the war. One was promised a job but didn't get it for months.

"The VFW stepped in and collected money in the state. We talked to the national organization and they have a grant, and through that we were able to help him save his house, to bring the payments up to date."

While there is a federal hiring preference, Snelling said there is no law in Virginia.

"If we don't fight and get that hiring preference back, we're going to have people on the street," said Snelling.

"Virginia VFW has also reached an agreement with Maryland," added Snelling of the Bethesda and Walter Reed military hospitals.

"Virginia is taking care of Walter Reed and Maryland, Bethesda" in providing special veterans' services.

"It seems that every year we have to go in and fight for healthcare for veterans," said Faris, who served 20 years in the Air Force.

Virginia monies are in with HUD, and when budget cuts are made, the veterans say that more money is left for HUD.

"We are operating on a budget now akin to funding six or seven years ago," added Snelling.

Nevertheless, veterans are never alone as far as the VFW is concerned.

In fact, the VFW motto is: Honor the dead by serving the living.

"We are here for any of the VFW families who have a problem," said Nelson.

"Family problems, benefit problems, if I can't help them I will help them find someone who can. They can always call me at 434-572-4858."

One of VFW's main services is helping vets apply for veteran's compensation. They are referred through the Virginia Department of Veterans Affairs.

Faris said that files, forms and applications need to be right before they go to the federal government "so there is less lag time to get claims for the veteran."

He noted budget cuts have reduced the number of those processing applications.

VFW has also lobbied for cemeteries. The veterans said there is one in Amelia, they are working on one in Suffolk and hoping to add others.

VFW
"There's a misconception that veterans have to go to all the meetings, but that's not mandatory," said Nelson. Most important to the commander, "Each member adds to the voice of the VFW."

"We do a lot for our communities as well as veterans," said Snelling, who spent 20 years in the Navy.

From May through October of last year, the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary donated in excess of 165,000 man-hours, as well as donating money.

Scholarships, essay and speaking competitions for middle and high school students, outreach programs to veterans' families, the donation of fruit, cakes, pies, even ham biscuits to veterans' hospitals are part of the VFW agenda.

Still, VFW officials estimate only one-third of what is done throughout the state is reported.

VFW state membership is 34,337 and the Ladies Auxiliary numbers 9,l73.

"In Virginia there are over 780,000 veterans and we're estimating probably 40 percent are eligible, and we only have 34,000 members," said Snelling.

"Just think how powerful and how much good work we could do in the community ...and to help protect our entitlements, if they all get involved."

Combat duty is a requirement to become a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars.

"We have a very tight brotherhood of comrades because we have been through some bad events," said Snelling.

VFW members have served in campaigns and hot spots throughout the world, Grenada, Haiti, Somalia, the Congo, Cuba, among others.

It's not just the high-profile conflicts such as World War I and World War II.

The VFW is viewed as an elite group because of the requirements necessary for eligibility.

The trio canvassing Halifax County have all been there, done that.

Faris and Snelling are Vietnam veterans and Nelson served in Beruit and Lebanon.

Today, they are seeking veterans' backing to help protect their own.

They were canvassing the county last week because it is estimated there are over 1,000 eligible veterans in South Boston and Halifax County.

"We need those people to sign up," urged Faris.

Halifax Post VFW
143 members
Ladies Auxiliary 70 to 80 members
Dues: $20 annually
Lifetime Membership - Based on age in five categories.
Minimum Qualification: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

Search Begins for New School Superintendent
VSBA Meets With School Board To Outline Procedure

The search for a replacement for retiring Halifax County School Superintendent Dennis Witt got underway yesterday as members of the Halifax County School Board met with representatives of the Virginia School Board Association (VSBA).

The VSBA is the official association of all the School Boards in Virginia.
Acting as an advisory body as to the steps in the selection process is one of the services the group provides to Virginia School Boards.

Prior to being hired in Halifax County, Witt's application was approved by the VSBA.

During yesterday's meeting, School Board members received an overview of the process and procedures necessary for a smooth transition.

"When you change superintendents, it's like bringing a new rooster into the barn," Frank Barham of the VSBA said. "A new pecking order has to be established."

Barham told the School Board that the VSBA would act as something of a clearinghouse for applicants, determining which candidates meet the state qualifications and presenting the candidates to the Board.

"If we've done our job, every person you interview will be able to do the job," VSBA representative Gina Patterson added. "It will boil down to the person who clicks with you as a Board.

"The final decision is yours," she added. "Virginia law says the buck stops with the School Board."

Patterson added that the VSBA has already announced the position would be advertised on their website and an initial list of candidates should be available by May.

"I don't recommend advertising the position for any more than 45 days," she said.

The average salary in Virginia for a superintendent in a school system the size of Halifax County is $103,149.

The chosen candidate will take over the reins of the school system beginning July 1.

PRESSURE COOKER
Halifax County's Hopes Of Forcing A Playoff Game For The District Title Ride On The Outcome Of Tonight's Road Game Against GW

By JOE CHANDLER | G-V Staff Writer

It is always a big game when Halifax County and GW square off on the hardwood.

But, tonight's Comets-GW matchup in Danville takes on added importance for the Comets in that their bid to land the Western Valley District regular season championship and a berth in the Northwest Region Tournament hangs in the balance of the outcome.

With Wednesday night's road loss to Franklin County dropping the Comets back into a tie for first place with Franklin County, the Comets are facing a "must win" situation tonight if they are to force a Monday playoff game with Franklin County to determine the district title.

A loss by Halifax County (14-7 overall, 6-1 in Western Valley District play) tonight will put the Comets in second place in the district standings.

That will give the Comets a home game here Wednesday night in the semifinal round of the district tournament with GW, the third-place team in the district, as the opponent.

GW has nothing at stake in tonight's game in that it has secured third place in the standings and cannot advance beyond that point regardless of the outcome.

Thus, the pressure tonight is riding on the Comets' shoulders.

However, Comets coach Garrett Dillard says while there will be pressure on his team, this is not like a do-or-die situation.

"It's not your last game of the season if you lose," Dillard pointed out.

"It's pressure because you want to have a chance to win the regular-season championship. But, we've already secured a home-court advantage for the first round of the district tournament. We've already done half the job and that's finishing no worse than the top two.

"You want to win and get another shot at Franklin County but it's not like you drop down to third or fourth or something like that if you lose," he added.

The task for Dillard and his coaching staff is getting the team mentally focused again in the wake of Wednesday night's disappointing 71-52 road loss to Franklin County, a game in which the Comets, with a win, could have wrapped up the regular-season title.

The Comets coach said after Wednesday night's loss that he did not know how tough a chore that will be.

"You're dealing with young kids," he pointed out.

" The last time we lost a regular basketball game with the exception of the two games against Mt. Zion was December 20 and it's now Feb. 11," he said.

"That's almost two months of not having to tell the guys we have to get focused, get back on track and get back to winning ways.

"You just have to hope that your kids are prepared," he continued.

"You just have to hope that your kids have some resiliency, some competitive spirit, some warrior spirit, some faith, some belief in themselves and that they will come out in Danville and play like we're capable of playing."

The big thing his team has to do, Dillard said, is focus on only one thing - tonight's game against GW.

"We just have to forget about this game," Dillard said in reference to the loss to Franklin County.

"We don't want to think about playing Franklin County again (in a playoff game). We need to just focus on GW."

Dillard said his team cannot afford to look past tonight's game if it hopes to have a chance at derailing its archrival.

"We can't look past Friday," he said.

"If you look past Friday, the only thing Monday means is you get up, come to school and go to practice.

We need to look at Friday (the GW game) and only Friday," he added.

"After Friday, hopefully we will have a chance to make Monday a special day."

Obituaries

Thomas Edward Anderson Sr.

Thomas Edward Anderson Sr., 79, of Nathalie died February 10 at Halifax Regional Hospital.

Mr. Anderson was the son of the late Robert Lee Anderson and Bessie Wright Anderson and was married to Alma Ratliff Anderson. He was retired from Lane Company, a member of First Baptist Church of Republican Grove and was a U.S. Army Air Force Veteran of World War II.

Survivors include his wife of Nathalie; two sons, Thomas Edward Anderson Jr. and his wife, Linda, of Nathalie and Michael P. Anderson of Gretna; one daughter, Carol Anderson Wade and husband, Jimmy, of Halifax; four sisters, Janice Wright and husband, Ben, of Rustburg, Violet Lester and husband, Frank, of Halifax, Glennie Wade and husband, Boeling, of Nathalie and Josie Guill of Scottsburg; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral service for Mr. Anderson will be held today, February 13 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church Republican Grove with the Revs. Alfred Rimmer and Shelton Miles officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Helen Warren Ballou

Helen Warren Ballou, 70, of 1231 Sinai Road, South Boston died February 9 at Halifax Regional Hospital.

Mrs. Ballou was born in Kemper County, Mississippi on December 13, 1933, the daughter of the late Matthew Dee Warren and Ophelia Payne Warren, and was married to Herbert Hoover Ballou. She was a member of Banister Hill Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband; four daughters, Felicia B. Louis, Joannie Ballou and Shelia B. Lewis, all of New York, and Regina Ballou of South Boston; one son, Herbert E. Ballou Jr. of South Boston; four grandchildren; three brothers, Paul Warren, David Warren and Matthew Warren, all of Long Island, N.Y.; six sisters, Murlene Frierson, Arguther Carbo, Joan Northern, Jeanette Warren and Ophelia Warren, all of Bronx, N.Y., and Earlene Cloud of Teaneck, N.J.; one daughter-in-law, Martha Ballou; devoted friends, Janice White, Delois Logan, Diane Johnson, Hattie Sims and Loraine Dance.

A funeral service for Mrs. Ballou will be held February 14 at 11 a.m. at Banister Hill Baptist Church with Bishop Allen Graves officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

After 11 a.m. February 13, the remains will lie-in-state at the Crawford House in Halifax. The family will receive friends at the home.

Ricky Lee Brame

Rickey Lee Brame, 53, of Clarkston, Ga., formerly of South Boston, died February 10 in Atlanta, Ga.

Mr. Brame was born September 8, 1950, the son of Andrew Brame and Martha Green Brame and was married to Arlis Bishop Brame. He was a member of Memorial Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Dannette Bishop and Chamarla Brame, both of Atlanta; his father of South Boston; two brothers, Andrew Brame Jr. of Forestville, Md. and Randy Brame of Clinton, Md.; his father-and-mother-in-law, James and Delores Bishop of Baltimore, Md.

A funeral service for Mr. Brame will be held February 15 at 2 p.m. at Memorial Baptist Church with the Rev. Richard Terry officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Mae Willie Clark

Mae Willie Clark, 90, of 1080 Green Level Road, Scottsburg died February 10 at her home.

Mrs. Clark was born September 27, 1913, to the late Julius Clark and Eva Allen Clark.

Survivors include one sister-in-law, Lalar Clark of Hackensack, N.J.; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mrs. Clark will be held tomorrow, February 14 at 2 p.m. at St. James Baptist Church with the Rev. B.B. Blackwell officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Steven Edward Milam

Steven Edward Milam, 35, of 200 Leigh Street, South Boston died February 11.

Mr. Milam was born in Halifax County on November 12, 1968, the son of Woodrow Wilson Milam and Daisy Lee Milam. He was a member of Second Baptist Church and was employed as a machinist at ABB.

Survivors include his parents, his wife, Anita R. Milam; one daughter, Lauren Hope Milam, all of South Boston; a stepdaughter, Kailey J. Guill of Halifax; one brother, Tony Milam and his wife, Dawn; one sister, Teresa Barnett and her husband, Barry; one uncle, James Kenneth Milam, all of South Boston; four nephews, Josh, Jonathan and Jason Milam and Alex Barnett; and one niece, Anna Barnett.

Funeral services for Mr. Milam will be held February 15 at 2 p.m. at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jason Murray officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Brooks Funeral Home February 14 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and at other times at the home of his father, Woodrow Milam, 204 Cherry Street, South Boston.