RICHMOND—Five agricultural innovators and entrepreneurs in Virginia will be competing for up to $30,000 this December.

In the third annual Bull Pen challenge, the state finalists will showcase their innovative ideas that enhance agricultural and forestry labor and sustainability; food safety; rural health; or supply chain resilience.

Hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation and Rural Sustainability, the competition provides a platform for enterprising contestants to develop and promote their business ventures and present them for professional review and critique. The contest also exposes them to potential investors and customers.

“The Bull Pen provides an opportunity to showcase rural entrepreneurs and businesses from across the state,” said Tony Banks, VA FAIRS senior assistant director. “This competition also enables us to provide the competitors with the opportunity to compete for cash prizes that can help them expand their businesses.”

The finalists are:

• 10114 Pure Virginia Honey LLC in Prince George County was founded by a U.S. Air Force veteran with a passion for sustainable practices that ensure the well-being of their honeybees and provide a nutritious product. The company plans to double its honey production in the next two years by expanding the apiary from five to 10 hives. This will enable them to produce 700 pounds of honey by 2026, allowing them to serve a wider range of health-conscious customers in Prince George, at farmers markets and through other direct-to-consumer channels.
   
• Agricision Inc. in Southampton County is a farmer-led agricultural software and drone manufacturing company. Agricision is devoted to transforming the way drones and farming work together to improve efficiency and sustainability on farms. The drones that the company builds are engineered specifically for the agriculture sector to meet the unique demands of modern farming. Additionally, Agricision’s proprietary pest detection software accurately identifies, verifies and geotags pests in real-time while in flight. This boosts farm productivity, while promoting eco-friendly practices and reducing chemical use.
   
• Edgewood Apiaries in Fluvanna County is a producer of premium, nectar-specific Virginia honey and hive-based products like soaps, lotions and candles. The company plans to expand its production by purchasing honey from a network of small-scale Virginia honey producers and promoting transparency by labeling the honey in a way that drives consumers to videos of the beekeepers. Edgewood sells through boutique wholesale, direct-to-consumer channels and a growing online platform. The company also participates in business-to-business partnerships, including recent collaborations with Tarnished Truth Distillery, Max Meadows Lavender Farm and The Veil Brewery.
   
• Samurai Creatives LLC in Orange County pairs locally grown floral arrangements with unique vessels and exquisite ikebana vases imported from Japan. Specializing in customized floral installations and professional development workshops, the company blends nature and art to help individuals and professionals enhance their productivity and mental health. Samurai’s sustainable products promote local agriculture and craftsmanship.
   
• Studley Farms LLC in Hanover County is a small family farm specializing in the sale of fresh local meats through direct-to-consumer sales and wholesale customers. Studley Farms seeks to strengthen food security in the community, and spur economic growth by creating opportunity, and to be good stewards of the environment through the implementation of best management practices.

Live judging will take place at Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention Dec. 2 and 3, followed by awards, including a $2,500 People’s Choice Award winner. The public is encouraged to view each Bull Pen finalist’s entry summary, video and photos, and vote for their favorite by Dec. 3 at vafairs.com/bullpen.

Contest sponsors include VA FAIRS, Virginia Grown, Virginia’s Finest, VFBF, Farm Credit, Farm Credit Knowledge Center, and Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Media: Contact Banks at 804-290-1114.