Pictured left to right: Rachel Henley, VCE-Powhatan County; Laura Maxey-Nay, VCE-Hanover County; Jessica Isbell; Landon Isbell; Faith Isbell, and; CJ Isbell.

Charles Edwin (“CJ”) Isbell Jr. is carrying on a seventy-year family tradition at Keenbell Farm in western Hanover County. His grandparents, Joe and Kathleen Isbell, purchased the original 175 acres in 1951. Today, at 340 owned and leased acres, the farm specializes in grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork, free range poultry, turkeys, eggs, and specialty non-GMO grains. Isbell recalled, “All that was on the property back in the early fifties was a two-story wooden house with daylight showing through the boards and an old corn crib.”

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After surviving late spring frosts and a soaking start to summer, weather is again testing Virginia’s farmers as the threat of drought looms over most of the state.

As recently as July 5, the National Agricultural Statistics Service reported some topsoil and subsoil in Virginia showed a moisture surplus. But the NASS crop report for the week ending July 19 indicated the surplus had quickly evaporated.

According to the report, topsoil moisture is short or very short for 72% of the state, and 63% of subsoil moisture is the same. With dry conditions aligning with a prolonged period of extreme heat, some farmers and their crops are beginning to feel the strain.

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The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has been notified that several Virginia residents have received unsolicited packages containing seeds that appear to have originated from China. The types of seeds in the packages are unknown at this time and may be invasive plant species. The packages were sent by mail and may have Chinese writing on them.

Please do not plant these seeds. VDACS encourages anyone who has received unsolicited seeds in the mail that appears to have Chinese origin to contact the Office of Plant Industry Services (OPIS) at 804.786.3515 or through the ReportAPest@vdacs.virginia.gov email.

Invasive species wreak havoc on the environment, displace or destroy native plants and insects and severely damage crops. Taking steps to prevent their introduction is the most effective method of reducing both the risk of invasive species infestations and the cost to control and mitigate those infestations.

The USDA released a report on its investigation into disparities between prices paid to farmers and beef prices at grocery stores.

“We appreciate the USDA’s thorough examination of the beef markets. There’s little doubt that something is wrong when consumers are paying higher prices for meat and at the same time America’s farmers and ranchers are being paid less,” said American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall. “We are pleased the USDA responded to our call for an investigation, but it’s important to note the scrutiny of the markets is not concluded. USDA indicates their examination continues and investigations by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, as well as the Department of Justice, are ongoing. We are reviewing the policy recommendations the USDA put forth in the report and look forward to working with them and Congress to ensure markets remain fair for everyone involved.”

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USDA offers many support options for small scale processing. USDA’s Rural Development offers loans, grants, and loan guarantees to assist small and very small meat processors, and USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service provides inspection services that broaden the marketplace for processors who are looking for more retail and commercial outlets.

Join Under Secretary for Food Safety Mindy Brashears and Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand to learn how these opportunities and programs work together to support small scale meat processing on Tuesday, July 28 at 3:30 p.m.

Programs To Be Featured: Business and Industry (B&I) Loan Guarantee Program, B&I CARES Act Program, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Loan and Grant Program (REAP), REAP Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants, Value-Added Producer Grants Program, Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program, Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program, Intermediary Relending Program, Federal and State Inspection Programs.

Webinar Topics: Funding for Small Scale Processing, How to Get a Federal Grant of Inspection, State and Custom Exempt Inspection Programs.

To register, visit https://ems8.intellor.com/?do=register&t=1&p=830079

The Virginia Farm Bureau board of directors has announced the decision to cancel the 2020 State Fair of Virginia, and instead hold a modified State Fair 4-H Livestock Show. The traditional fair that was scheduled for Sept. 25 through Oct. 4 will not take place due to complications associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This was a difficult decision, but safety is our number one priority,” said Marlene Jolliffe, the fair’s executive director. “We’ve spent months developing plans and scenarios that would allow us to still host the fair this year, but with the ever-changing, unpredictable COVID-19 situation, we just couldn’t make it work.”

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From American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall:

AFBF President Zippy Duvall

Many of you know that I was diagnosed with COVID-19 two weeks ago. I want to begin this column with a heartfelt thank you for everyone’s thoughts and prayers. Your messages of caring and encouragement have meant a lot to me.

It is amazing how this virus hits people in such different ways. My COVID-19 experience has been much lighter than others have had. I’m blessed and grateful for that, but I also want to send prayers to everyone whose health has been more severely impacted, as well as those whose livelihoods have been threatened.

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Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. was named among the 2020 Property-Casualty Ward’s 50 Companies—for the third year in a row.

The list is compiled by Ward Group, a consulting firm specializing in the insurance industry and a leading provider of industry benchmarking.

“During this time of continued uncertainty, it brings us great pleasure to be named one of the 50 top property and casualty companies in the country for the third consecutive year,” said Darlene Wells, VFBMIC executive vice president and general manager. “This recognition stems from our strong financial stability, superior customer service and competitive products. Our local agents do a phenomenal job serving our policyholders.”

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Virginia Farm Bureau’s strength has always been rooted in our membership. Our members live in every corner of the Commonwealth, raise an unbelievable variety of crops and commodities, and carry diverse views that all come together through our grassroots structure to serve as a united representative of the Virginia agriculture industry.

This week, we were proud to have four of our members travel to the White House to represent our membership, our industry, and rural Virginia at an event focused on an issue that impacts all of us: burdensome regulation.

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Check out this week’s Merchandiser Minute!