A planning grant was awarded from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund to Augusta, Rockingham, and Shenandoah counties to support the development of an innovative local foods program and share the program with other communities. The AFID planning grant program helps localities engage and promote the agriculture industry by providing and expanding new market opportunities at the local and regional level. Shenandoah County is serving as the lead for this project, which leverages an AFID award of $11,885 with an additional $14,000 in local funds.
Merchandiser Minute- Feb. 8, 2019
🚨 Special edition Merchandiser Minute with Robert Harper and Stephen Ellis!
We had the opportunity to sit in on lockdown for the Crop Production Report at the USDA. Tune in to hear how it’ll play a role in your future prices!
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Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom Awards $10,000 in STEM grants
Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom has awarded 21 STEM grants to schools and 4-H chapters.
The funds total $10,000 and will provide 7,500 children and youth in 17 localities with an agriculture experience integrating science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Projects include topics such as hydroponics, animal agriculture and leadership development.
Grants were made possible through funding by the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom.
American Farm Bureau Comments on FDA Dairy Food Labels
Consumers associate dairy foods with specific positive nutritional characteristics, and those qualities do not necessarily carry over to nut- or plant-based products labeled as “milk,” “yogurt” or “cheese,” the American Farm Bureau Federation told federal regulators this week.
In formal comments to the Food and Drug Administration, AFBF said the mislabeling of nut- and plant-based beverages as “milk” confuses consumers from a nutritional equivalency standpoint. The FDA expects to issue a rule on the use of the names of dairy foods in the labeling of plant-based products later this year.
Farm Bureau General Assembly Update- Week 4
Disaster Designations for Grayson, Carroll, Patrick, Henry, Halifax, Mecklenburg and Pittsylvania Counties Due To Hurricane Michael
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced today that the USDA has issued disaster designations for counties affected by Hurricane Michael in Oct. 2018. The designations are for extensive flooding and winds caused by the hurricane. These were contiguous designations for counties adjacent to North Carolina counties named by USDA as primary disaster areas. This is the second round of designations for Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg, They also received designations in late 2018.
A Secretarial disaster designation makes farm operators in both primary and contiguous counties eligible for consideration for assistance from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. This assistance includes FSA emergency loans.
Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of a Secretarial disaster declaration to apply. FSA considers each emergency loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of production losses on the farm and the security and repayment ability of the operator.
Local FSA offices can provide affected farmers with additional information.
Va. Farmers Share Concerns with Representatives during Legislative Day
County Farm Bureau presidents and other Farm Bureau volunteer leaders crowded the halls of the Pocahontas Building Jan. 28 to meet with delegates and senators during the annual Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Legislative Day.
A group from Pittsylvania County met with Sen. Frank M. Ruff Jr., R-Clarksville, and discussed issues that have an impact on agriculture, including the farmers’ ability to grow industrial hemp, expansion of rural broadband service and funding for Virginia Cooperative Extension personnel.
Farmers Commended for Keeping Waterways Clean, Educating Legislators
Secretary of Natural Resources Matthew Strickler
Virginia farmers received praise for their stewardship and political involvement Jan. 27 from a state official and a delegate whose district is urban and suburban.
County Farm Bureau presidents and other volunteer leaders gathered Jan. 27 and 28 for a Virginia Farm Bureau Federation conference for county presidents and the annual VFBF Legislative Day. Participants in the latter met with state senators and delegates about issues that have an impact on agriculture.
Secretary of Natural Resources Matthew J. Strickler commended farmers for their work to protect the Chesapeake Bay, its tributaries and other waterways. “These are exciting times” for those with an interest in farming and food, he said.
Farm Bureau General Assembly Update- Week 3
Legislators will see ‘Farmers in Action’ at Jan. 28 Farm Bureau event
State legislators will learn more about issues important to the commonwealth’s farmers Jan. 28 during Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Legislative Day.
The theme of the event is “Farmers in Action” to emphasize the importance of farmers being politically active. County Farm Bureau leaders from across Virginia will meet with their state senators and delegates, as well as with legislators whose districts are primarily urban.
Plows and Politics 