Meet Virginia

Hello Everyone! Here I am. This is me, one of the people behind the Firefly Fields’ Dream. 

My name is Virginia, and I’m a second generation farmer & first generation beekeeper. 

I’m named after the wild and wonderful state of West Virginia, where my father was born and raised.

I’m daughter of Archie & Mattie, my dad calls ‘our breed’ Hillbilly-Amish.

I’m third child of four with two older sisters and one younger brother.

I was once voted by my siblings as the first sibling to throw a punch in a fist fight.

I grew up on my family’s farm raising pigs, chasing chickens, and taming cats. 

Ben is my Lover & Life Partner, and I’m a Bonus Mom to Tristan (11) & Jude (9).

I’m a Sagittarian & an INFJ – if you know what I mean.

I’m 39, but not for long!! (December 11^th) 

I left home at 18 on a full-ride basketball scholarship.

The first job I ever had was picking sweet corn and selling it out of the back of a truck. 

I have three degrees – the last one is a PhD in Biology from Utah State University – I’m a bug chic.

I LOVE to travel, most recently to Turkey, Nicaragua, UAE, and India.

I play the guitar and piano.

I am a research professor at Purdue University. #boilerUP

My personal theme song is obviously, ‘Meet Virginia.’ @train 

I have lived in six states: Michigan, New York, Utah, Ohio, California, Indiana.

Pure Michigan is the place I call home. 

My heroes are my mom, dad, and Michelle Obama. 

I love ALL the SEASONS – Change is Good! 

I’m fiercely passionate about healthy food & healthy environments for healthy people. 

I snowboard, kiteboard, and LOVE the WATER. 

I believe in small family farms.

I’m determined to see my family’s farm outlive and thrive beyond my own life.

I’m serious and goofy, AND LIVE to LAUGH!

A dream day would be waking up to nature with a stiff cup of hot Turkish coffee. Going on a hike in a hilly woods with just me, the trees, the squirrels & beetles, and breeze. Making a from scratch, delicious meal for friends and family with great drinks and lots of laughs. Walking my rounds through the bee yards at whatever pace I choose, and then spending whatever parts of the day that are left, listening to people’s stories and writing their stories with a cat on my lap…Maybe a late night hoops session of H-O-R-S-E to round out the night. Who needs sleep?!?