DOSWELL—It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s an ag superhero! The State Fair of Virginia is encouraging individuals to nominate Virginia’s agricultural stars for its 2024 Ag Superhero Trading Cards.

Following the success of the program’s launch last year, fair organizers are seeking a new round of nominations to celebrate those who contribute to and exemplify Virginia’s agricultural sector. Nominations will be accepted through Feb. 26, and 12 Virginians working in various agriculture and natural resources professions will be featured on the cards.

“An individual working in agriculture and related fields is not your average person,” noted Sarah Jane Thomsen, manager of agriculture education and strategic partnerships programming for the State Fair. “Agriculture today is sprinkled with technology, science, passion, dedication and advocacy. It encompasses hundreds of career opportunities and skillsets, all with a goal bigger than oneself to feed the world and protect the land for future generations.”

The commonwealth is known for its rich array of agriculture and natural resources—and the trading cards aim to showcase that diversity. Nominees can include not only farmers, but also anyone in agriculture- and natural resources-related jobs like crop researchers, health care workers who serve farmers or agriculture advocates.

“I think the range is amazing,” said Candace Monaghan, owner of Beaver Dam Sunflowers in Botetourt County and one of last year’s ag superheroes. “You had drivers (on the cards) as well. Without those drivers, farm products are not going to get where they need to be. You had vegetable farmers and then you had people like me who are involved in agritourism.”

Monaghan added that participating in the program was “a lot of fun.” She and several other ag superheroes donned capes and passed out cards to fairgoers while sharing their own unique agriculture stories.

“It’s not every day you get to have your face on a trading card,” she quipped.

In addition to being handed out during the 2024 State Fair of Virginia and its Educational Expo, the trading cards will be distributed to teachers as educational resources, along with related lesson plans and activities.

To nominate an ag superhero, visit bit.ly/Ag-Superheroes. Nominations will be reviewed by a committee that will select 12 individuals to be featured on the 2024 trading cards. Other nominees may be featured on cards in future years.

Sponsorship opportunities to support production and distribution of the trading cards also are available.

To view last year’s Ag Superheroes or for more information, visit bit.ly/3uhiKU0.

Media: Contact Thomsen at 804-994-2743 or Monaghan at 540-797-4336.