Recapping the VALOR Experience with Adam McKenery

By Adam McKenery, Chief Audit Officer

While sitting in a conference room in 2022, my former manager and chief audit officer, Dewey Brown, slid his phone over to me and asked, “Is this something you would be interested in?” I read the webpage he had pulled up on his phone and while sliding his phone back, replied, “Yes.” In that moment, I had no idea that this simple exchange would result in an incredible journey that will forever change who I am. VALOR has become a part of me, and I am so appreciative that FCV offered me this opportunity and proud to have been a part of the experience.

My class (Class VI) is comprised of ten individuals from a variety of backgrounds who, through this experience, have become more than a part of my network — they have become lifelong friends. Together we have travelled and learned about the diverse agriculture industry (photos below). In addition to the tangible lessons my class has learned about agriculture and leadership, we have grown from our different perspectives. Thanks, VALOR, for connecting me to my classmates and for an incredible experience. 

What is VALOR?

Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results (VALOR) is a premier adult leadership development program for Virginia’s largest industry – agriculture. It is a two-year program for adults in agriculture who want to develop their communication, problem solving and critical thinking skills in addition to broadening their knowledge of global and local agriculture in the pursuit of becoming an advocate for agriculture and a leader in the industry.

Applicants must complete an application and participate in a face-to-face interview. If selected, fellows will attend twelve seminars over the course of two years. Eight of these seminars are spread across the Commonwealth, two capital seminars are held in Richmond and Washington, D.C., one seminar is scheduled somewhere else in the U.S. and one seminar is international.

Takeaways from the VALOR (Class VI) Experience

• The Virginia agriculture industry is efficient. The majority of peanuts grown in Virginia come from a small number of farmers on relatively few acres.
• Virginia cotton may very well be in the shirt you’re wearing. Similarly, the meat you buy at your local grocery store may have been processed and packaged right here in Virginia. Commodities and products are shipped both domestically and internationally from Virginia ports.
• Urban sprawl has contributed to a shrinking amount of viable farmland, so urban agriculture will play a greater role within the industry in the future.
• The political world greatly impacts the agriculture industry, but agriculture has the ability to influence political decisions, so it is important to make sure our voices are heard.
• Communities that support their agriculture roots are strong, collaborative and successful.

This story was originally published in the June 2024 Leader Magazine. Access the full magazine (digital version) HERE.