Below is our final General Assembly update featuring our “smiley-face scorecard.” Thanks for watching!
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Troops Transitioning to Agriculture Can Get Tips at Conference
Veterans and active military personnel interested in post-military careers in farming can learn about available resources during a two-day conference in mid-March.
Virginia State University’s Small Farm Outreach Program and the Veteran Farmer Coalition will host “Boots to Roots” March 17 and 18 at the Gateway Event Center in Colonial Heights.
Opening day seminars will teach veterans how to apply for grants available to retired military personnel and how to utilize resources offered by U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies. Conference attendees also can take a bus tour of Slade Farms in Surry County, which is operated by military veteran and retired Virginia Cooperative Extension agent Clif Slade.
Acreage Survey Projects Crop Production Increase in 2020
The U.S. Department of Agriculture can’t predict the future, but it can make an educated guess with data from prospective planting surveys submitted by the nation’s farmers.
Intentional acreage reports––a collection of annual surveys asking farmers how many acres of specific crops they intend to plant––will be merged into a comprehensive report to be released on March 31. The USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service’s report will help speculators predict how many acres of crops will be planted this year and aid commodity traders in setting prices.
Agritourism Experts to Share Industry Information
Representatives of Virginia’s leading agricultural organizations will share industry tips and resources during the Virginia Agritourism Conference at the Smithfield Center March 30 through April 1.
Virginia is home to popular agritourism attractions like creameries, wineries, pick-your-own farms, corn mazes and pumpkin patches. Conference speakers and topics will provide insight on developing new and marketing existing agritourism operations.
Pilot Programs Produced a Mixed Crop for Hemp Growers
U.S.-planted hemp acreage soared to a 75-year high in 2018, but it hasn’t all been smooth sailing, according to a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture report.
In USDA’s review of state pilot programs for hemp production introduced under the 2014 Farm Bill, industrial hemp acreage increased from zero in 2013 to over 90,000 acres in 2018—the most since 1943. While some benefited from the boom, the review also identified challenges many programs faced as hemp made its return to fields after a 45-year hiatus.
Merchandiser Minute- Feb. 28, 2020
Check out this week’s Merchandiser Minute!
Virginia Farm Bureau General Assembly Update: Week 8
Check out a special edition of our General Assembly update video featuring interviews with Del. Wendy Gooditis, vice-chair of the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, and Del. Michael Webert, also a member of House Ag.
USDA Farm Income Forecast Predicts Greater Income in 2020
Farmers are expected to see total income increase overall in 2020, though their accounting spreadsheets might indicate otherwise.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service released its 2020 Farm Income Forecast, which predicts simultaneous increases and declines.
Virginia Farm Bureau General Assembly Update: Week 7
This week’s update focuses on budget issues. Check it out!
Merchandiser Minute- Feb. 21, 2020
Check out this week’s Merchandiser Minute!
