News & Features

Virginia Farm Bureau News & Features is your place for news and information from around Virginia. From gardening tips and recipes to politics and events, stay up to date with what matters to Virginians.

FDA study shows extremely low rate of drug residues in milk

A study of the U.S. milk supply by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration shows little evidence of drug residues in milk.



New list identifies invasive plants in Virginia

Specify Alternate Text
Virginians considering adding English ivy, golden bamboo or Japanese barberry to their yards might want to reconsider. Those plants and 87 others are on the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s new list of non-native invasive plants at dcr.virginia.gov.



Farmers: Closing elk hunting would put farms, drivers at risk

A proposal by the Virginia Board of Game and Inland Fisheries to close the elk hunting season in 31 counties west of the Blue Ridge is cause for concern among farmers.



Farm Bureau still supportive of FDA authority for GMO labeling

Citing a need for consistent and credible messaging, the American Farm Bureau Federation again voiced its support for legislation that would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authority on the use and labeling of foods containing genetically modified ingredients.



FDA deems GMO apples and potatoes safe for consumption

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has completed its evaluation for two varieties of genetically engineered apples and six varieties of genetically engineered potatoes and concluded that those foods are as safe and nutritious as their conventional counterparts.



Farm Bureau says ‘Waters’ rule would disregard exemptions for normal farming activities

Without dramatic alterations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed “Waters of the U.S.” rule will result in potential Clean Water Act liability and federal permit requirements for a tremendous number of commonplace and essential farming and forestry practices nationwide.




New law opens door for hemp research in Virginia

A crop that was grown in the early years of the Virginia colony could be returning to farm fields in a few years.



Virginians planting, harvesting more wine grapes

Virginia’s 2014 commercial wine grape harvest was more than 17 percent larger than that of 2013 with 8,039 tons, up from 6,862 tons. The 2014 harvest is second only to the 2009 harvest of more than 8,600 tons. 



Poultry farms taking steps to prevent avian influenza

Virginia officials have urged commercial poultry farmers and backyard flock owners to observe strict biosecurity measures in light of avian influenza outbreaks in the Pacific Northwest, California and Midwestern states.



Lunenburg County farmer and educator receives first Farm Bureau Lady Leader recognition

Dr. Dixie Watts Dalton of Kenbridge was named the first honoree in the Virginia Farm Bureau Lady Leader recognition program March 21 at the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Conference in Roanoke.



Get Recognized

If your publication or radio or television station is delivering stellar coverage of agriculture on an ongoing basis, this is the award competition to enter. Learn More