A Daily News Radio Program Committed to Agriculture!

by Jeff Ishee Virginia’s farmers’ markets trace their roots to the earliest days of the Commonwealth, when town squares served as hubs for trading produce, livestock, and handmade goods. By the 18th and 19th centuries, cities like Alexandria, Lynchburg, and Roanoke had established some of the nation’s oldest continuously operating markets, anchoring local commerce and community life. The Leesburg Farmers' Market has a strict 125‑mile vendor radius — All vendors must be locate

By Ryan Hanrahan, University of Illinois' FarmDoc project Progressive Farmer's Russ Quinn reported that "farmers could see even higher fuel and fertilizer costs for this spring with the start of the military conflict between the U.S. and Israel against Iran in the Middle East." "The now closed Strait of Hormuz moves about 20 million barrels of crude oil and other petroleum products each day, which is about 20% of global demand. Diesel futures prices moved to a two-year high o

by Jeff Ishee Mountain State Maple Days in West Virginia will return on March 21 with sugar camps, small‑town hospitality, and a new regional twist that’s drawing visitors deeper into West Virginia’s maple country. The statewide celebration marks the second of two official maple weekends, inviting travelers to explore farms, restaurants, and community events across Pendleton, Pocahontas, Grant, and Randolph counties. Image credit - Jeff Ishee This year’s event expands with th

by Jeff Ishee March 1, 2026 - Farmers across the eastern United States are keeping a close eye on the rapidly expanding conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, worried that rising instability in the Middle East could drive up the cost of essential farm inputs. Their concern centers on energy prices, fertilizer markets, and the shipping routes that tie both to global volatility. Escalating military strikes and retaliatory attacks have heightened fears of disrup

Source: Kentucky Dept. of Agriculture FRANKFORT (Feb. 20, 2026) – The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $700,317 for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the Commonwealth at its monthly board meeting in February. “Diversity in our agricultural landscape spells success for our farm producers,” Commissioner of Agriculture and Board Chair Jonathan Shell said. “The projects awarded today by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board

Source: Univ. of Maryland by Graham Binder Seeking to combat diet-related illness in food-insecure communities across Maryland, Professor and Extension Specialist Hee-Jung Song is creating a produce-prescription program, backed by almost half a million dollars in funding from the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The program will provide locally sourced fruit and vegetables to Marylanders at-risk of heart disease and associated illnesses and track both their

WASHINGTON, DC — During this year’s Ag Safety Awareness Program Week, March 2-6, American Farm Bureau Federation and safety and health professionals are encouraging farmers to prioritize their health and wellness. Observed ahead of the busy spring season, ASAP Week raises awareness about health and safety hazards facing agriculture while reminding farmers, ranchers and farmworkers to keep safe practices top of mind. Image credit - VA Farm Bureau This year’s theme, “Live Well,

by Jeff Ishee Late February rains and snowfall have been beneficial to many farms in the Southeastern United States, bring much needed soil moisture. Looking at the bigger picture, however, it is quite evident that winter drought is expanding in an area stretching from Virginia to Florida. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor , only 1% of the Southeastern US was in “extreme” drought on December 30th, 2025. As of February 24, however, the area had increased to 23%. The region

Source: National FFA INDIANAPOLIS - More than one million FFA members, alumni, and supporters are getting ready to celebrate National FFA Week this month, an annual tradition coordinated by the National FFA Organization to share the value of FFA and the impact it has on its members every day. National FFA Week kicks off on Saturday, February 21, and runs through Saturday, February 28. FFA is the top school-based youth leadership development organization in the country, wit

RALEIGH, NC – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has confirmed an established presence of the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in Davidson, Rowan and Caswell counties, bringing the total number of counties where established populations of this destructive pest has been found in the state to seven. Breeding populations have been found along Interstate 85 and I-285 corridors through Davidson County and as far south as Salisbury in Rowan Co