Maryland permanently preserves 5 working farms
Source - Maryland Department of Agriculture ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 07, 2026) – On May 6, 2026, the Maryland Board of Public Works approved five new easements through the Maryland Agricultural Preservation Foundation, protecting 534 acres of prime farmland in Caroline, Charles, and Dorchester counties for future generations and agricultural endeavors. In Maryland, agricultural easements preserve productive farmland and woodland to ensure the continued production of food and fiber.
EPA's Gulf of America Division to offer $50 million to advance innovative farmer-led conservation
Source: EPA news release LENEXA, KAN. - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Gulf of America Division announced up to $50 million in new grant funding to improve water quality, habitat, resilience, and environmental education by demonstrating innovative practices on America's working lands. The Farmer-to-Farmer grant program provides targeted support to farmer-led and farm-focused organizations operating within the Gulf of America watershed, encompassing EPA Regions 3
Pennsylvania webinar - Communicating with farmers under stress
‘Communicating With Farmers Under Stress’ webinar aimed at ag professionals UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — An upcoming Penn State Extension webinar, “Communicating With Farmers Under Stress,” is aimed at helping participants learn the signs of stress and how to help. This webinar will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on June 9, 2026. Image credit - Penn State The program is designed for agriculture industry professionals, loan officers, family members of farmers and concerned citi
$240 million dedicated to support on-farm conservation projects in NY State
Source: NY Department of Agriculture and Markets New York has invested more than $240 million since 2021 to help farmers adopt environmental practices that improve soil health, protect waterways, and cut greenhouse‑gas emissions, Governor Kathy Hochul announced during Earth Week. The funding supports the Climate Resilient Farming Program, the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program, the Enhanced Nutrient and Methane Management Program, and expanded aid for
Virginia fruit growers navigate aftermath of sweeping spring freezes
Source: Virginia Farm Bureau WINCHESTER, VA — With crop damage ranging from disruption to devastation, fruit growers across Virginia have felt the strain of an exceptionally frigid spring. Statewide growers navigated a roller coaster of erratic weather throughout the late winter and early spring, with spurts of summer heat accelerating the growth of frost-sensitive crops ahead of multiple freeze events. Vineyards across Virginia were damaged by extreme temperatures in late Ap
Farm Credit of the Virginias returns $31 million in cash dividends to customers
Farm Credit of the Virginias (FCV), a cooperative lending institution serving Virginia, West Virginia and western Maryland, will return $31 million this month to its members through their annual patronage program.* FCV’s cooperative framework allows the Association to return a portion of its profits back to members on an annual basis. During 2025, agricultural producers and rural homeowners faced economic uncertainty, market volatility, as well as high interest rates and inpu
Andy Seibel shares the history of the FFV - predecessor to the FFA
by Jeff Ishee Andy Seibel April 26, 2026 - Many people may not be aware that, before there was ever an FFA organization, there was an FFV organization. It was 100 years ago this spring that a vote was taken to form the Future Farmers of Virginia. That organization eventually was the model for the Future Farmers of America, the National FFA, which consists of more than a million members. Andy Seibel, a long-time leader in Virginia FFA, shares the story of how the Future Farmer
Farm Bureau addresses the impact of data centers on agriculture
Source - American Farm Bureau Federation by Autumn Lankford Higgins and Bernt Nelson Key Takeaways Farmland conversion is generally permanent, making site selection and land-use policy critical for long-term agricultural viability. Data centers create both economic opportunities and resource pressures, particularly around land, water and energy. Data centers represent multi-billion-dollar investments that can bring jobs, tax revenue and infrastructure improvements to rural co
Penn State students fare well in soil judging contest
by Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Soil Judging Team finished second in the Group Judging category and tied for 10th place overall in the 2026 National Collegiate Soil Judging Contest at North Carolina State University on March 22-27. More than 120 students from 28 universities across the United States gathered in Raleigh, North Carolina, for the premier hands-on competition designed to prepare the next generation of agronomists, soil scientis
Devastating crop losses caused by freezing temperatures in Virginia
by Jeff Ishee April 24, 2026 - Virginia fruit growers and wineries are reporting significant crop losses after a hard freeze on April 20–21. The extreme temperatures damaged tender buds and young fruit across the state’s orchards and vineyards. Temperatures plunged into the mid‑20s in many areas, striking at the most vulnerable point of early bloom. The week prior saw daytime highs well above the statewide average, causing many crops to advance in maturation. In some areas of
