Tag: USDA
Only 45 percent of Virginia farmers have responded to the Census of Agriculture: But there’s still time
Farmers and ranchers still have time to respond to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.
USDA Specialty Crop Block Grants available for Virginia agricultural interests
Groups seeking to improve the competitiveness of specialty crops in Virginia are eligible to submit proposals for grants up to $60,000 per project.
USDA expands flexibility, encourages program integration in SNAP administration
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service issued national program guidance that gives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) state operators new flexibility to make their operations more efficient while improving customer service.
McAuliffe announces $481,410 in USDA New Specialty Crop Block Grants for Virginia
Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced an award of $481,410.50 in grant funding for 10 agriculture-related projects from the USDA.
Virginia farmers storing more wheat, barley, oats than last year
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service September Grain Stocks report shows more Virginia wheat, barley and oat stocks.
Census of Agriculture: Gold standard for reliable information
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service will mail census forms to farmers in about eight weeks.
Tobacco remains Virginia’s top organic commodity
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service released its 2016 Certified Organic Production Report today from the survey conducted earlier this year.
Rising farm income should benefit Virginia farmers
Farm profits are expected to increase in 2017 following three years of decline, according to the USDA. Virginia farmers stand to benefit.
Virginia cotton forecast up 90 percent from 2016
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service September Crop Production report shows large increases in projected yields for cotton and peanuts.
USDA to measure small grains production with fall 2017 surveys
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service will be conducting two surveys critical to small grains producers around the country.
Crop report stirs up grain market speculation
The USDA’s most recent monthly crop production report stirred up the grain markets.
National Farmers Market Week celebrates growing connection between farmers and consumers
The USDA National Farmers Market Week, Aug. 6-12, will celebrate the vital role markets play in supporting local economies.
Virginia farmers planting more cotton, peanuts
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced the latest USDA Acreage and Grain Stocks reports.
USDA grant to support Virginia farm-to-school programs
A USDA farm-to-school grant will support efforts of school nutrition programs to serve locally grown-and-raised food in school cafeterias.
USDA grant aimed at improving summer food security
A $935,000 grant from the USDA Food Nutrition Service will provide approximately 9,000 students and their families with increased food security.
Farm leaders pleased with restoration of NASS funding
The deal Congress struck to keep the federal government funded through Sept. 30 restored funding to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Virginia agriculture receives $95 million budget deal
The bill Congress passed last week to fund the government through Sept. 30 restored $95 million to the USDA Rural Business and Cooperative Service.
Dorothy McAuliffe on USDA action on child nutrition
The USDA will delay full implementation of the nutrition standards passed into law by the 2010 Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act.
Virginia farmers intend to plant more soybeans, less corn this year
The USDA released its Planting Intentions report showing Virginia farmers intend to plant more soybeans, but less corn this year.
USDA reports spike in number or organic certifications
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service has announced a significant increase in the number of accredited certified organic farms.
USDA to measure financial well-being of dairy farmers
Representatives of the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service are visiting dairy farms across the nation in January.
Proposed rule could help consumers make informed food choices
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service has proposed an amendment to nutrition labeling regulations for meat and poultry products.
New USDA initiative expands conservation tools for farmers
The USDA has announced a new initiative that expands opportunities for farmers and ranchers to enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program.
Survey of Virginia cattle farms coming in January
In January the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service will survey about 920 cattle operations in Virginia to provide an up-to-date measure of cattle inventories.
USDA to measure financial well-being of farm families
Representatives of the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service will visit dairy farms across the nation, including Virginia, in January.
Virginia ranks ninth in the nation in local food sales
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service released its results for the first-ever nationwide Local Food Marketing Practices Survey.
USDA sends preliminary survey for the 2017 Census of Agriculture
In preparation for the 2017 Census of Agriculture, the USDA is sending surveys to 1 million potential farmers and ranchers nationwide.
NASS publishes small grains county estimates
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service released the first of its county estimates today from the 2016 production year.
Opportunities to enroll in popular conservation programs
Tthe USDA will offer farmers and ranchers more opportunities to enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program.
USDA funds available for fencing livestock out of Virginia streams
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is making $874,000 available to farmers in 21 Virginia localities.
USDA designates localities for disaster relief following flooding
Two localities in Virginia have qualified for natural disaster assistance from the USDA due to losses caused by flooding due to excessive rains since Sept. 1.
Virginia corn, soybean, cotton, peanut crop forecasts up from 2015
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced the state’s estimated crop production for 2016.
Fields of Gold Farm Trail awarded $98,625 USDA Rural Development Grant
The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission will receive a $98,625 grant from USDA Rural Development to provide technical assistance.
USDA invests $688,289 to support renewable energy, energy efficiency
The USDA Rural Development office in Virginia announced $688,289 in grants for 11 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects statewide.
Virginia receives USDA grants for telemedicine
Virginia will receive more than $587,000 in Distance Learning and Telemedicine grants through the USDA to improve rural health care services.
USDA Rural Development marks affordable housing in Rockingham County
USDA Rural Housing Service Administrator Tony Hernandez today in Rockingham County celebrated affordable rural housing opportunities.
USDA unveils new improvement to streamline crop reporting
A streamlined program of the USDA that will allow farmers and ranchers filing crop acreage reports with the Farm Service Agency.
Warner, Kaine on Senate vote to repeal USDA catfish inspection program
U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine comment after the Senate voted 55-43 to repeal the USDA catfish inspection program that is harmful to Virginia seafood producers.
USDA seeks feedback from growers
During the next several weeks, the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service will conduct two major mid-year surveys.
Heat meats properly to ensure a safe cookout
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service gets lots of questions about safe grilling during the spring and summer months.
