U.S. net farm income is expected to increase 10 percent this year, according to projections from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But the increase follows a 16 percent drop in 2018.

Virginia forests provided $21 billion to the state’s economy in 2017. More than 62 percent of the commonwealth qualifies as forestland, according to the Virginia Department of Forestry.

Virginians will be able to feed their families a Thanksgiving meal for about $5.23 per person this year, according to an informal price survey conducted by the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.

The number of turkeys raised in Virginia is expected to total 17 million this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That’s up from 16,800 last year, carving out a plentiful market of local birds available for the holiday table.

Americans are spending more on food, and they’re dining out more. One consequence of that, other than leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch, is that farmers are seeing less of each consumer food dollar.

The National Weather Service confirmed that eight tornadoes hit Virginia Sept. 17, but excessive rains from Hurricane Florence are what did the most damage in rural parts of the state.

The number of people facing hunger in the U.S. has been steadily declining, and a new U.S. Department of Agriculture report showed a significant drop last year. 

An update on current market trends and news from Robert Harper of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Grain Division

An update on current market trends and news from Robert Harper of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Grain Division

The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Commodity Marketing Department has launched a new tool to assist farmers with frequent decisions they must make about grain market pricing.