

"Eat real food." That's the advice of Rollins and Kennedy in new op-ed
Source: USDA news release Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. published a joint opinion piece in Fox News highlighting the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030, which call for Americans to eat real foods, including more protein, dairy, and vegetables, and reduce highly processed foods. Unprocessed, farm-fresh foods offer numerous nutritional benefits. Image credit - Je


Winter drought envelops much of Virginia
by Jeff Ishee January 8, 2026 - Farmers in the Commonwealth of Virginia have seen a dry winter so far - very dry in some areas. As of January 6, 2026, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported that 42.29% of Virginia was in severe drought, while 29.48% was in moderate drought. This represents a significant increase in drought conditions since the previous week of December 30. The report that week indicated that only 16% of Virginia was in severe drought. One week comparison in Virgi


North Carolina confirms 9th case of HPAI since October
Source: N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services RALEIGH, NC – A backyard flock in Franklin County, North Carolina has tested positive for High Path Avian Influenza (HPAI). The positive sample was identified by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Raleigh. Avian influenza (AI), often called bird flu, is a viral infection that affects domestic poultry—especially chickens, turkeys, and gamebirds. It is carried natura


USDA: Food shoppers are label readers
Source: USDA Washington, DC -- From 2017 to March 2020, 79 percent of U.S. adults aged 18 and older reported they regularly used the Nutrition Facts label when deciding to buy a packaged food product, according to the nationally representative Flexible Consumer Behavior Survey (FCBS) module of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Regular use is defined as using the label "sometimes," "most of the time," or "always" in food purchasing decisions. Cons


Farms on Eastern Seaboard threatened by winter drought
by Jeff Ishee January 3, 2026 - The most recent forecast (December 31) from the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center indicates several states along the East Coast may see drought conditions develop or persist between now and the end of March. Regions that may see a winter drought develop include the Tidewater area of Virginia, a portion of central Florida, eastern North Carolina, and much of eastern and central South Carolina. Regions that may see drought condit


Regenerative egg production amongst special projects funded in KY
Source: Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund FRANKFORT, KY - The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $583,688 for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the Commonwealth Friday at its monthly board meeting. Special projects approved include regenerative egg production. Victoria and Patrick Samuels started Sunnyside Egg Company after leaving the military and purchasing a small, nine-acre farm in Western Kentucky. They began the oper


Grant will expand milk dispenser program in Virginia schools
Source: VA Farm Bureau BRIDGEWATER, VA — The Virginia State Dairymen’s Association has received a $115,000 grant to expand the use of bulk milk dispensers in school cafeterias across the commonwealth. The grant was made possible by the Van der Lely Foundation, an independent initiative contributing to a better world through entrepreneurship and innovation. Switching to milk dispensers eliminates cartons, which lowers packaging waste. Image credit - VA Farm Bureau This investm


WV encourages military veterans to pursue a career in agriculture
Source: West Virginia Department of Agriculture Charleston, WV - The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) is now accepting applications for the 2026 Veterans & Heroes to Agriculture Agribusiness Pitch Competition , an annual event designed to support veterans and other emergency responders pursuing agricultural careers and small-business ventures in the Mountain State. The competition provides qualified applicants an opportunity to present their ideas for innovativ






























