A new book by a local author is designed to teach children about Virginia’s beef cattle industry.
Written by Honaker author Angela White Ball, “For the Love of Virginia Beef” will take young readers through the seasons of beef cattle production, offering a true-to-life depiction of the industry.
Each year books about Virginia agriculture industry are presented to schools. Ball said she was approached by Bruce Warner, president of the Russell County Farm Bureau. Warner suggested a book with local ties might be appealing for students.
For a moment, Ball felt like she was back in school getting an assignment as Warner was her middle school principal when she was a child.
In partnership with the Russell County Farm Bureau and the Russell County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee, Ball began the task of writing the book.
“I started in August of 2025 and I was done by December,” Ball said. “That was the manuscript part. I sent it to several people I trust in the agriculture business for editing.”
From there, Grayson B. McMurray was hired to do the illustrations. The book is published by Skippy Creek Publishing. The book’s official launch was last week.
“The book goes through all the seasons of beef cattle production,” Ball said. “It highlights 25 of the top beef-producing counties, which of course, includes Russell County.”
The book also features “A Note from the Author” that lists the key features of the book and how to utilize those to best support all ages and types of readers:
Moo-vement Moments – short playful activities to keep young children engaged and active as the book is read
Stretch & Moo Breaks – fun pauses throughout the book
Beef Up Your Knowledge Section: Extra facts for curious readers who want to dive deeper
Ball grew up on a beef cattle and tobacco farm in Russell County. She is the seventh generation of her family to farm the land.
She is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a Virginia Teaching License in the subject of Agricultural Education. She resides on Ball Farms, LLC where she and her family tend to commercial beef cattle, hair sheep and American Quarter horses.
“I really couldn’t have done this without the Russell County Farm Bureau and the Russell County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee,” Ball said. “Especially Bruce Warner and Pat Rasnake. It was a great relationship.
“For the Love of Virginia Beef” is available through Amazon Books, Barnes and Noble Books and Jan-Carol Publishing.
