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.

Agricultural group releases first-ever sustainability report

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The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance has released the agriculture industry’s first-ever sustainability report, which highlights examples of sustainable practices on farms and ranches across the nation.



Produce growers to get extension on water standards

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced its intention to extend the compliance dates for the agricultural water standards established by the Food Safety Modernization Act’s produce safety rule. The rule sets microbial quality standards for agricultural water, including irrigation water that comes into contact with produce.



Meals on the farm gaining in popularity

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In an era when many Virginians have never visited a working farm, some farmers have begun hosting visitors. The Arbogast family in Rockingham County hosted a Breakfast on the Farm event May 27, and Richlands Dairy Farm will hold Dinner on the Dairy June 23 in Dinwiddie County.



Bay celebration to showcase farm conservation efforts

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Virginia farmers will be part of a June 10 celebration marking Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week.



Americans agree across party lines when rating sustainability of farms

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Some common ground: Democrats and Republicans agree that agriculture is a sustainable industry, and both believe sustainability incentives should be used instead of government regulation of farms.



Transfer of CRP land to next generation of farmers is now easier

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On Jan. 9 the U.S. Department of Agriculture began allowing farmers and ranchers to terminate their Conservation Reserve Program contracts early in order to transfer property to the next generation.



Farm Bureau: New data points to need for immigration reform

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Virginia Farm Bureau Federation leaders say new data emphasizes the contributions of immigrants to Virginia agriculture and the need for immigration reform.



Organic food producers, handlers eligible for certification cost share reimbursements

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Starting March 20, organic food producers and handlers will be able to apply for federal reimbursement to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic transitional certification, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.



Farm group working to find funding for environmental practices

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If it hadn’t been for state cost-share money, Ronnie Nuckols said, he wouldn’t have been able to install 14 fences to keep his cattle out of streams.



US farmers: GMO crops help reduce inputs, enhance conservation

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A majority of U.S. farmers and ranchers surveyed recently indicate biotechnology and genetically modified crops play an important role in farming more efficiently, according to findings released Dec. 15, 2016, by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance and National Corn Growers Association.



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