Author: VFB Governmental Relations

Virginia Derby to Become Kentucky Derby Qualifier Race

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The Virginia Derby has earned the prestigious distinction as a qualifying race for the Kentucky Derby at the Colonial Downs racetrack.  

“The future for thoroughbred racing in Virginia is bright and this opportunity will allow us to shine on horseracing’s biggest stage. Churchill Downs has worked with partners throughout the Commonwealth to reinvigorate Virginia’s proud legacy of thoroughbred racing and secure our place as a world-class destination for racing fans and equine talent from around the world and in our own backyard,” said Gov. Glenn Youngkin.  

The Virginia Derby will be held on March 15, 2025, contingent on formal approval of the Virginia Racing Commission. The winner of the Virginia Derby will be awarded 50 qualifying points, which has historically secured a post position in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby in May at the legendary Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. 

“Our company is proud to fulfill our promise to invest in the horseracing industry in Virginia, and we are thrilled to deepen that interest with an expanded race schedule at Colonial Downs and by placing the Commonwealth’s signature race, the Virginia Derby, on the prestigious Road to the Kentucky Derby,” said CEO of Churchill Downs Incorporated Bill Carstanjen. “We are thankful for the support of the community and elected officials, and we look forward to many years of continued collaboration as we work to grow this sport and industry throughout Virginia.”  

Research Needs Assessment Input Needed by Virginia Tech

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The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech launched a comprehensive research needs assessment survey, aimed at steering the future direction of its agricultural research initiatives. This strategic effort is currently underway, and the survey is open until fall. The survey, open to faculty, students, industry partners, and stakeholders, seeks to identify the most pressing research needs within the agricultural sector. It covers a range of topics, including sustainable farming practices, crop science, animal husbandry, agricultural technology and the life sciences.

Take the Survey

Mary Burrows, associate dean of research and director of the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, emphasized the importance of this endeavor.

“In a rapidly evolving world, it’s crucial that our research stays ahead of the curve,” Burrows said. “This survey will help us align our resources with the most urgent and impactful areas of agricultural research.”

The college anticipates releasing the findings in late 2024 with the goal of implementing new research projects that reflect the community’s needs and priorities.

This initiative helps College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in its mission to contribute to the advancement of agricultural sciences and to support sustainable and innovative practices in the field and beyond.

From Farm to Future: Savannah Goodwin’s Journey in Agriculture

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Savannah Goodwin, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s summer intern, represents the future of agriculture. Raised on a beef cattle farm in Louisa County, Goodwin’s roots in rural Virginia run deep, with experiences in cattle farming, hay production and horseback riding.

“This internship at Virginia Farm Bureau has allowed me the opportunity to learn and advocate especially as it relates to preserving the field of agriculture for future generations,” says Goodwin. “The position stuck out to me as a way to pursue these passions while gaining a broader understanding of a variety of topics which will be valuable as I decide on my career path.”

FFA has been instrumental in shaping Goodwin’s path. Her involvement led to roles as a state officer and national officer candidate. In 2023, she won a proficiency award in equine entrepreneurship, highlighting her dedication to the field.

Now a junior at Virginia Tech, Goodwin is majoring in International Trade and Development with a minor in Political Science. This academic focus reflects her understanding of agriculture’s global impact. Outside the classroom, she’s active in various agricultural and equestrian organizations, including Virginia Tech Young Farmers, National Agri-Marketing Association, Virginia Tech Equestrian Team and Sigma Alpha.

Goodwin considers her FFA accomplishments, particularly the equine entrepreneurship award, as her proudest achievement to date. It represents years of hard work on her Supervised Agriculture Experience project.

In 2023, she served her community as the Louisa County Agricultural Fair Queen. In her spare time, Goodwin enjoys spending time with her horse, Easter Bunny, who has transitioned from a competition partner to a beloved companion and lesson horse.

We sat down with Goodwin to talk about her internship experience, food and farming. Here’s a few of the highlights:

What’s the most interesting or unique fact you’ve learned about agriculture so far?

The most interesting agriculture fact I have discovered so far is that chewing gum is a wheat-based product. On the Wheat Tour one farmer shared that if you were to decide to chew on the seeds of a wheat stalk, it would have a similar consistency as chewing gum.

What’s your favorite recipe or dish with a Virginia-grown ingredient?

While it’s not really a dish, homegrown tomato sandwiches are always a summertime staple at my house. My grandparents always have tomatoes in their garden and it’s a great excuse to have dinner as a family when they’re ripe.

What’s something most people don’t know about the agriculture industry that you think they should know?

I wish that people understood more the day-to-day impact that they can choose to have on the agricultural industry. Whether wheeling a cart in the grocery store, following a tractor along the road, or just picking out your outfit in the morning. Agriculture is all around and we have the ability to impact the industry in numerous ways throughout our day.

What’s your favorite book and why?

My favorite book is called The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. It’s a short story about a journey between friends that has some really important life lessons within. 

Drought watch advisory lifted for 15 counties and cities in Virginia

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Drought drought warning advisory expanded to 60 counties and cities

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in coordination with the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force, has expanded the drought warning advisory to now include 60 counties and cities, and has maintained a drought watch advisory for 32 counties and cities. Due to improving conditions related to recent precipitation, the drought watch advisory previously issued for the Chowan and Southeast Virginia drought evaluation regions has been lifted. All other regions within the Commonwealth remain affected by drought. Continued precipitation deficits in combination with sustained increased temperatures have resulted in rapid intensification of drought throughout the majority of the Commonwealth.
The following regions have been lifted from a drought watch advisory:

  • Chowan: Lunenburg, Nottoway, Brunswick, Dinwiddie, Greensville, Sussex, Prince George, Southampton and Surry counties
  • Southeast Virginia: Suffolk, Isle of Wight, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth and Norfolk

A drought warning advisory indicates a significant drought is imminent and is in effect for the following areas:

  • Big Sandy: Lee, Wise, Buchanan, Dickenson, Scott, Russell, Tazewell, Washington and Smyth counties
  • Middle James: Albemarle, Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, and Nelson counties and the cities of Charlottesville and Lynchburg
  • New River: Grayson, Wythe, Bland, Carroll, Floyd, Pulaski, Giles, and Montgomery counties
  • Northern Piedmont: Greene, Madison, Rappahannock, Orange, Culpeper, Louisa, Spotsylvania, and Stafford counties
  • Northern Virginia: Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Arlington, and Fairfax counties
  • Roanoke River: Patrick, Franklin, Roanoke, Henry, Bedford, Pittsylvania, Campbell, Halifax, Charlotte, and Mecklenburg counties
  • Shenandoah: Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Frederick, Page, Warren, and Clarke counties
  • Upper James: Craig, Alleghany, Bath, Highland, Botetourt, and Rockbridge counties

A drought watch advisory is intended to help Virginians prepare for a potential drought and remains in effect for the following areas:

  • Eastern Shore: Accomack and Northampton counties
  • Middle James: Fluvanna, Prince Edward, Cumberland, Goochland, Amelia, Powhatan, Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover counties and the cities of Petersburg, Hopewell and Colonial Heights.
  • Northern Coastal Plain: Caroline, King George, King William, King and Queen, Essex, Richmond, Westmoreland, Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex, Lancaster and Northumberland counties
  • York-James: Hampton, Newport News, James City, York, Charles City and New Kent counties

Several factors have contributed to the lifting of advisories, maintenance of drought watch advisories and the expansion of warning advisories in the affected regions. Precipitation over the past 7–14-day period showed localized heavy rainfall (1.5 – 4.0 inches) along the southeastern portion of the state resulted in improvements in soil moisture, stream flow and groundwater levels. Conversely, precipitation over the central and western part of the Commonwealth has been sparse leading to exceptional dryness within large portions of the Shenandoah, Upper James, New River, Roanoke and Big Sandy drought evaluation regions. Stream flows are currently below the 25th percentile of normal values for seven of the 13 drought evaluation regions with three of these regions currently below the fifth percentile (Big Sandy, Roanoke River and Shenandoah). Groundwater levels for monitoring wells in the Climate Response Network have shown continued declines within the central and western portion of the Commonwealth with nine regions currently below the 25th percentile. Of these, groundwater levels within six drought monitoring regions are currently below the fifth percentile including the Big Sandy, New River, Upper James, Shenandoah, Northern Virginia and York-James.

DEQ is working with local governments, public water works and water users in the affected areas to ensure that conservation and drought response plans and ordinances are followed. Localities and Virginians that are supplied water from the Potomac River should consult the Metropolitan Washington Water Supply and Drought Awareness Response Plan for specific triggers and actions to be taken. All Virginians are encouraged to protect water supplies by minimizing water use, monitor drought conditions and detect and repair leaks.

See the current drought status on the DEQ website.

Homestead Creamery Expansion Planned

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Homestead Creamery to expand processing capacity, purchase nearly $1.9 million in Virginia-produced cream

Homestead Creamery Inc. will invest over $2.5 million to renovate and expand their Franklin County production facility. The company will construct a new ice cream production room and install additional production and refrigeration equipment and freezers, in response to increased customer demand for their premium churned ice cream products. Through this expansion, the company will add two new jobs and purchase an additional $1.9 million of Virginia-produced cream over the next three years.

“I’m grateful to Homestead Creamery for their investment into one of Virginia’s top milk-producing counties and for supporting the growth of Virginia’s dairy industry—the fourth largest commodity in the Commonwealth,” said Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

“Homestead Creamery was the very first recipient of an AFID Facility Grant in 2012. I am extremely pleased that we could partner with the company again with another AFID Facility Grant to support this expansion project,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr. “This project builds on the success of a small, Virginia company and positions Homestead for future growth opportunities.”

Founded in 2001 in Burnt Chimney (Franklin County), Homestead Creamery, Inc. utilizes high-quality A2A2 milk from its network of local dairy farms to produce a variety of premium drinkable milk, ice cream, eggnog, and other dairy products that are sold through retail and wholesale networks. The company also operates an on-site retail market and deli featuring a variety of its dairy products along with Virginia’s Finest and Virginia Grown products. Homestead has grown steadily over the years and now sells its dairy products and specialty lemonade in approximately 100 stores across Virginia. Homestead Creamery’s super-premium ice cream is available in twenty-nine flavors across 13 states and Washington D.C.

Homestead Creamery, Inc. Controller Jesse Novak says, “This grant will fuel our vision for impactful building improvements, empowering us to better serve our customers and community. Together, we’re nurturing growth, innovation, and prosperity.”

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) worked with Franklin County to secure this expansion project for the Commonwealth. Youngkin approved a $20,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Facility Grant program, which Franklin County will match with local funds.

The Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Facility Grant program supports agribusinesses of all sizes including produce companies, dairy processors, meat and poultry processors, specialty food and beverage manufacturers, greenhouse operations, forest product manufacturers and more. The fund can also support aquaculture projects such as oyster production and nurseries producing native plants for stormwater BMPs.

Interested businesses should contact their local economic development office or the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for more information.