Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 1, 1993 TAG: 9312020223
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By MELISSA DeVAUGHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FLOYD LENGTH: Medium
It was for these reasons that Alma Lou Manning, 57, of Copper Hill was given the honor at a special Virginia Farm Bureau luncheon held Tuesday at the Roanoke Sheraton Airport Inn.
The award recognizes a woman whose achievements in farming mark the importance of women in the agriculture industry. Manning was nominated by several people who recognized early-on her importance to the family farm.
Floyd County Extension agent David Gardner nominated Manning because ``she's just such a strong, solid individual that has been a major part of dairy farming in the community.
``She`s been involved in agricultural type organizations and a behind-the-scenes worker in many ways,'' Gardner said. ``She's really a deserving lady.''
William Murphy, a Virginia Tech agriculture and life sciences extension education specialist, also nominated Manning for the award.
``She has always been a strong believer in the family farm, not only as the backbone of American agriculture, but as a way of life,'' Murphy wrote of Manning.
Manning has been a Farm Bureau member for 30 years and served as chairwoman of the Floyd County Women's Committee. She was involved in 4-H, especially when her daughters were growing up and active in 4-H activities. She also was past president of the Extension Homemakers.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the award is the fact that Manning is a hands-on farmer. She keeps records on the farm, milks the cows twice a day, bales hay, fills silos and does most of the painting. She and her husband, Vester, along with other family members, grow 50 acres of corn and 45 acres of alfalfa. They have 80 milking cows, 25 bred heifers, 25 ready-to-breed heifers, 50 replacement heifers and 25 Angus cows and calves, making their dairy farm ``one of the best in the county,'' Gardner said.
One other Floyd County woman, Evelyn Janney, received the Farm Woman of the Year Award several years ago. Janney is currently president of the Floyd Farm Bureau. ``We are an agriculture county and women are a big part of farm operations here,'' Gardner said. ``The women are keeping things going and we want to recognize that.''
by CNB