Tag: agriculture
Agriculture impacted by new government appointees
Gov. Ralph Northam has made appointments for key positions that may impact agriculture.
Free sustainable farming resources available for high school teachers
Free lesson plans about sustainable agriculture are now available for high school teachers.
AITC marks 25 years of connecting Virginia children to agriculture
The Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
Candidates pledge support of agriculture, forestry during Roanoke forum
The candidates for governor vowed to support the state’s largest industries during the 2017 Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Gubernatorial Candidates’ Forum.
Farm Bureau calls agriculture education bill before Congress ‘critical’ for industry’s future
The nation’s largest agricultural organization is calling an ag education bill before Congress critical for ensuring the industry’s future.
Farm Bureau says modernized NAFTA must work for U.S. agriculture
North American Free Trade Agreement renegotiations need to protect valuable market gains for U.S. agriculture.
June 30 deadline for new farmers to sign up for 2017 Census of Agriculture
New farmers and ranchers have until the end of June to ensure they are represented in this year’s Census of Agriculture.
Politicians get on-the-farm lessons during ag tour
Lynchburg area politicians acquired some on-the-farm knowledge May 13 during a tour of three Bedford County farms.
Wheat buyers checking quality during Mid-Atlantic tour
Imagine touring a factory and inspecting the quality of the materials that will be used to build your next car.
Farmers can ensure they are counted in 2017 Census of Agriculture
New farmers and producers who did not receive a 2017 Census of Agriculture survey still have time to ensure they are counted in the next census.
Farm leaders pleased with confirmation of Perdue as agriculture secretary
Former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue was confirmed as the 31st secretary of agriculture.
Pass it on: Without agriculture, we’d all starve
Agriculture is sort of a big word but a simple concept: at its heart, agriculture equals food.
VSU will offer urban agriculture certification program this spring
Virginia State University will offer a 10-week certification program in urban agriculture starting March 11.
Virginia’s top corn, soybean producing counties
Accomack County leads Virginia in corn and soybean production, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Agriculture Literacy Week to feature readings of Sleep Tight Farm
Virginia’s Agriculture in the Classroom program will holds its seventh annual Agriculture Literacy Week March 6-10.
Improvements in the agricultural sector
Farmers have welcomed the appointment of former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue as Secretary of Agriculture.
Preliminary work on next census of agriculture begins
The 2017 Census of Agriculture is coming, and farmers are urged to promptly reply to a preliminary letter arriving soon in the mail.
Study: Fear-based messaging negatively affects consumption of fresh produce
A recent study found that fear-based messaging tactics have led to a decline in produce consumption among low-income shoppers.
Industry strives to attract next generation to agricultural careers
Even though there is a shortage of young people considering careers in agriculture, there are signs more students are pursuing ag education.
Virginia wheat and barley production down in 2016
Virginia farmers harvested 9.28 million bushels of winter wheat during the summer of 2016 according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Grants available for incorporating agriculture into the classroom
Virginia’s Agriculture in the Classroom program is offering Garden and Agriculture Experience Grants to teachers looking to incorporate agriculture into their classroom.
Agriculture license plate drives home support for Virginia farms
Since the Virginia agriculture license plate initiative started in 2004, Virginians who display the specialty plate have been driving home their support for the state’s farmers.
New funding to broaden state’s network for farm and forestry exports
Virginia will invest $850,000 over the biennial budget to expand its international trade initiatives promoting Virginia’s agriculture and forestry products.
National survey, Virginia program noting farms’ conservation efforts
The National Agricultural Statistics Service is conducting its second annual survey to measure the environmental benefits associated with conservation practices on agricultural land.
New funding for agriculture, forestry export promotion efforts
Virginia will invest $850,000 over the biennial budget to expand its international trade initiatives promoting Virginia’s agriculture and forestry products around the world.
Ag industry asks for children’s books about modern farms
If children are influenced by the books they read, then conveying accurate information about agriculture has never been more important.
Wheat tour showed promising harvest, potential for expanded market
A tour of Virginia’s wheat fields revealed some pleasant surprises as growers began this year’s soft wheat harvest.
Virginia Tech training in Nepal changes lives of merchants and farmers
In Nepal, more than 70 percent of the population works in agriculture, yet problems such as crop pests and diseases are a threat.
Performance Livestock and Feed Company to establish feed production operation in Virginia
Performance Livestock and Feed Company, Inc., will invest $4.2 million to establish a new feed production operation in Henry County.
Virginia winter wheat production forecast down 16 percent from 2015
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced Monday that Virginia farmers expect to harvest 11.7 million bushels of winter wheat during 2016.
Agriculture-based teacher development series set for July, August
The Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom program will host “Sprouting Success,” a free professional development series.
New tour in Virginia may help expand production of soft wheat
Industry stakeholders have conducted wheat quality tours in the Midwest for decades, but mid-Atlantic soft wheat tours are still in their infancy.
Virginia Farm Bureau Grain Marketing key player in supply chain
According to the USDA, Virginia farmers produced more than half a billion bushels of grain and soybeans between 2006 and 2012.
Every modern strawberry has a taste of Virginia in it
The genesis of the modern strawberry is perhaps the greatest long-distance plant breeding project of all time.
Virginia wheat forecast down 16 percent from last year
Virginia farmers expect to harvest 11.7 million bushels of winter wheat in 2016 according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Breakthrough egg production study reveals significant reduction in environmental impact
A landmark study conducted by the Egg Industry Center has given the industry something to crow about.
Commodity prices concern farmers, not consumers
It’s been a year since corn and wheat prices tumbled on the Chicago Board of Trade. Milk prices took a steep nose dive last November.
USDA expands safety net for dairy operations
Dairy farms participating in the Margin Protection Program can update their production history when an eligible family member joins.
Virginia continues to lead in clam and oyster aquaculture
Virginia’s hard clam sales of $32.3 million led the nation, while its $16 million in oyster sales is the front-runner on the East Coast.
New tools coming to handle Big Data
The average farmer is generating an enormous amount of data every time he or she runs modern farm equipment.
Governor McAuliffe announces 2015 Virginia agricultural, forestry exports figures
Virginia is the second largest exporter of agricultural goods on the East Coast, and narrowed the gap between the Commonwealth and first place Georgia.
Number of US and Virginia farms dropped slightly in 2015
There were 2.07 million farms in the United States in 2015, 1 percent fewer than in 2014, according to the National Agriculture Statistics Service.
Virginia’s, nation’s largest industry to be celebrated March 14-20
Agriculture, America’s and Virginia’s largest industry, will be celebrated March 14-20, National Ag Week. March 15 has been designated National Ag Day.
Farmers to learn about communicating at inaugural Farming Leaders Conference
To better prepare farmers to communicate with the public, several organizations will host a Farming Leaders Conference March 19 at Blue Ridge Community College.
Virginia corn yields were good in 2015, though acreage was down
Virginia corn growers had good weather and great yields in 2015, according to the latest crop production estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Indoor agriculture called ‘next major enhancement’ to US food supply
Indoor agriculture typically entails growing produce with hydroponic and aeroponic technologies in greenhouses, warehouses and containers.
State oversight of biosolid applications is sufficient, farmers say
Virginia farmers are asserting current state oversight of the use of biosolids as a source of nutrients for farmland is sufficient, though the practice merits an impartial study.
Farm profits down as 2015 ends
America’s farmers probably will see lower profits this year, according to the latest forecast by the USDA Economic Research Service.
Governor’s bond package includes VT livestock, poultry research facilities
Virginia’s agriculture community had reason for a pre-holiday celebration when Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced a $2.43 billion bond package on Dec. 9.
Virginia Tech’s John Munsell awarded $1.4 million for agroforestry projects
John Munsell has been awarded $1.4 million to expand uses of agroforestry to enhance farm and forest production while achieving strategic conservation goals.
County Farm Bureaus recognized for excellence of local programs
Farm Bureaus in the counties of Hanover, Nottoway, Powhatan, Russell, Stafford and Tazewell were recognized Dec. 2 by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation for their work in educating the public and promoting agriculture and Farm Bureau.
McAuliffe remains intent on making Virginia the East Coast capital for ag, forestry exports
Gov. Terry McAuliffe said the commonwealth’s farmers and foresters will help him “take Georgia down,” establishing Virginia as the East Coast capital for agricultural and forestry exports.
Regulatory reform lawsuits proving necessary, farmers told
In 2015 the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation joined several legal cases in support of the organization’s policy positions.
Commercial market for drones in agriculture is robust, farmers told
The market for commercial drone use in American agriculture has been recognized by aviation and agriculture experts. But some specifics remain up in the air.
Old Man Winter can’t stop Virginia farmers’ markets
Farmers’ markets may seem like a summer event, but many are going strong through the winter months. In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s national farmers’ market directory lists 116 winter markets operating in Virginia.
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