Author: VFB Governmental Relations

Specialty Crop Block Grant Funding for Virginia Announced

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More than $557,600 in federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funding has been awarded to eight agricultural projects in Virginia to help promote and enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in the state. 

“I applaud each of these awardees for their ingenuity and innovation in research and development initiatives that enhance the competitiveness of Virginia’s specialty crops. Not only will these projects help boost economic development in the Commonwealth, but they will enhance and expand new market opportunities for agricultural producers,” said Gov. Glenn Youngkin.  

The purpose of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, by funding research and development initiatives that are developing improvements for the sector. Agricultural associations, industry and producer groups, localities, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and non-profits are eligible for this grant opportunity. The competitive grant process established by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) gave priority to projects that included the following activities: 

  • Assist farmers transitioning into specialty, high-value agricultural initiatives that address the eligible specialty crops. 
  • Increase net farm income through high-value or value-added enterprises. 
  • Find new ways to market or add value to specialty agricultural products. 
  • Develop pilot and demonstration programs in specialty agriculture that have the potential for transferability within rural Virginia. 

“By supporting strategic research that helps to increase success for Virginia producers, these grant awards help to further our efforts of encouraging economic growth in rural areas through the use of agriculture,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr. “Congratulations to each of the awardees for their innovative research and programs that will help improve the competitiveness of Virginia’s specialty crops, strengthen food safety and resiliency, and help our producers access new markets. 

Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. Among this round of specialty crop grant awards are projects that advance research with different crop varieties and disease management, while also improving economic resilience, food safety, and market access. For more information, please visit the Virginia’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program website. 

During this grant round, the following recipients and projects received funding: 

Increasing access to diverse markets for specialty crop farmers with pathways to food safety training and certification 
Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD), Duffield, Va., Robin Robbins 
ASD and its partners will conduct food safety classroom training, provide individual technical assistance, and conduct mock audits to increase the competitiveness of Virginia specialty crop producers. This effort will help producers reduce food safety risks, while expanding their knowledge and business model by enabling them to access new markets. 

New disease management approaches to improve the quality of fresh market snap beans 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC) Painter, Va., Dr. Douglas Higgins  
Research will determine the prominence of fungal pathogens, Alternaria alternata and Plectosporium tabacinum, in Virginia snap beans and determine their resistance to strobilurin type fungicides. The goal of this research is to provide new disease management approaches to improve snap bean pod quality.  

New blackberry varieties: Yield, post-harvest traits, and antioxidant capacity determination 
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va., Dr. Dennis Cladis 
Researchers will evaluate the yield, post-harvest traits, and antioxidant content of new and established Virginia blackberry cultivars. This project will enhance the competitiveness of Virginia blackberries by identifying cultivars that maximize yields for growers while also producing a high antioxidant content which optimizes the health benefits for consumers. 

Protecting Virginia vegetable crops from pests through novel biofumigation approaches 
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va., Dr. Steven Rideout 
As many specialty crop producers are interested in biofumigation with brassica crop covers, Virginia Tech researchers, in cooperation with Virginia Cooperative Extension, will conduct research to explore the usefulness of BioFence applications (granular, irrigation, and foliar) for disease control and the safety of produce produced using these tactics.  

Do floating row cover types influence yield and disease carry over potential in strawberry crop? 
Virginia Tech, Hampton Roads AREC, Virginia Beach, Va., Dr. Jayesh Samtani 
Led by Virginia Tech’s Hampton Roads AREC, in partnership with the Southern Piedmont AREC and Virginia Seafood AREC, researchers will study row cover usage to assist growers in managing diseases and improving crop yield with the increase in climate change and temperature fluctuations. 

Profitable faba bean production and marketing in Central and Southeastern Virginia 
Virginia State University, Petersburg, Va., Dr. Shahram Torabian 
The Virginia State University Agricultural Research Station will explore profitable strategies for faba bean production and marketing in Central and Southeastern Virginia.  

Assessing and mitigating food safety risks associated with using freeze dryers to enhance competitiveness of value-added specialty crops 
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va., Dr. Alexis Hamilton 
Virginia Tech will help specialty crop producers safely produce freeze-dried products by assessing the impact of pre-processing acid rinses on the activation of Salmonella enterica prior to freeze-drying.  

Farm2Food Accelerator: Energizing growth for Virginia’s small-scale specialty crop producers 
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Foundation, Arlington, Va., Chris Jones 
NASDA Foundation will adapt the Farm2Food Accelerator curriculum to serve Virginia’s specialty crop producers launching/refining food/beverage value-added products to reduce food waste and improve economic resilience, food safety, and market access. 

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.