A Little Lift: REC Crew Helps Local Grower Harvest Record-Setting Plants
Photos: Courtesy of Jason Loris
102026_REC_Brandon_Pickeral_Sunflower_Harvest - "Brandon Pickeral, First Class Lineman, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative"
102026_REC_Truck_Crew_Sunflower_Harvest - "The tallest of Loris’ sunflowers measured 25 feet 10 inches and set a new record at the 2026 State Fair of Virginia."
A Little Lift: REC Crew Helps Local Grower Harvest Record-Setting Plants
Fredericksburg, Va. — Harvesting a garden rarely requires a bucket truck. But when Jason Loris needed help to successfully harvest his giant cornstalks and sunflowers, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) sent a crew and trucks.
On Sept. 21, First Class Lineman Brandon Pickeral worked high above Loris’ Amissville garden, carefully helping lower three giant cornstalks and five sunflowers to the ground. Their next stop: the State Fair of Virginia.
Pickeral was joined by Service Foreman Lee Taylor, Area Serviceman Troy Jenkins and volunteers from Virginia Cooperative Extension to help harvest the towering plants.
The careful handling paid off. Loris, a Rappahannock County grower competing at the fair for the fifth year, set four Virginia state records: tallest sunflower at 25 feet, 10 inches; tallest cornstalk at 18 feet, 4 inches; longest cucumber; and longest carrot.
"The REC team did an amazing job. I couldn't have done it without them," Loris said.
For Pickeral, working from the bucket was familiar. The harvest was something new.
"Definitely not your average day at the office! Our team had the opportunity to help, and I'm honored to have been part of this experience as Mr. Loris harvested his impressive 25-foot sunflowers," said Pickeral. "It's moments like these that remind us of what being a cooperative is all about — coming together, lending a helping hand and supporting our neighbors and community whenever we can."
About Rappahannock Electric Cooperative
Serving more than 185,000 connections across portions of 22 Virginia counties, REC is a pillar in its communities, with over 18,000 miles of power lines extending from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. For more information about REC, please visit www.myrec.coop. Follow REC on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative
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Casey Hollins Managing Director, Communications and Public Relations
- October 21, 2026
- (540) 891-5908
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