Up and running

Editor’s note: Last week, Scott District Supervisor Holder Trumbo named the Fauquier Livestock Exchange as his choice for 2011 Citizen of the Year.

We thank the Fauquier County supervisors for your support of this long-standing and very vital institution to this county and what’s left of the rural way of life we have always enjoyed.

We appreciate the encouragement from this board and also thank many other individuals and community and civic organizations that have joined in to help us.

With this community support and the support of our board and members of administration, we have succeeded in 50 years of continuous sales at Fauquier Livestock Exchange, Inc., to be celebrated this spring. The first sale was held in April 1962.

The first sale at the new facility was held Dec. 13, with more than 1,100 head of cattle in two sales held that day at record prices.

Also starting 2012 off right, we thank the good Lord for a great sale Jan. 10, with all-time record high prices and more than 600 head of cattle in both sales.

In rebuilding our facility, the livestock exchange has installed the largest privately owned building integrated solar system in the State of Virginia. The solar laminates cover more than 42,000 square feet. We can generate enough electricity to power 70 town homes.

This system will be of benefit to many in the future as we strive to protect our environment as well as provide vital energy production through this green-energy system. Thank you again for helping us provide Fauquier County with our vision to continue a vital agricultural enterprise with the environment in mind.

Ross Poe, chairman

Mark Seitz, president

Lindsay Eastham, vice president and general manager

Kevin Jennings, director

Roger Beavers, director