KY chefs advocate for farm-to-school-program
Source - KY Dept. of Agriculture FRANKFORT, KY – For nearly 30 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (DoD Fresh) has worked to increase access to farm-fresh produce for school children through various funding sources. Operating through a partnership between the USDA and the DoD Defense Logistics Agency, as well as the state distributing agencies in each participating state, DoD Fresh has programs in 49 states, inc
Winners announced in NC giant pumpkin and watermelon competitions
RALEIGH, NC – A site-record and big prizes were awarded at the giant pumpkin and watermelon competition at the N.C. State Fair on October 21. The winning entries will be on display in the Agri Supply Expo Center for fairgoers to see and photograph at the N.C. State Fair, Oct. 16-26. Tuesday’s weigh-in included the special competition sanctioned by The Great Pumpkin Commonwealth and hosted by the N.C. State Fair. The competition is open to competitors from other states. Imag
New England farms suffering from Extreme Drought
by Jeff Ishee, On the Farm Radio The most recent report from the U.S. Drought Monitor (October 23) indicates that a large area of New England is now officially experiencing Extreme Drought Conditions. This includes the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. As of October 21, categorical designations included: New Hampshire - 53% in extreme drought; 29% in severe drought Vermont - 59% in extreme drought; 29% in severe drought Maine - 36% in extreme drought; 57% in severe
Virginia FFA State Forestry Field Day featured timber competitions and exposed youth to industry careers
Source: VA Farm Bureau DOSWELL, VA — You could follow a trail of sawdust across the grounds at the State Fair of Virginia to find hundreds of Virginia FFA students participating in Department of Forestry timber sports competitions. The annual event is hosted by the Virginia FFA organization in partnership with DOF. This year’s competition, held at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County on Sept. 30, featured various timber sports including crosscut saw and bow saw use, log
Wild mushroom harvesters in mid-Atlantic region collect fungi, build community
Source: Penn State By Jeff Mulhollem UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Foragers have been harvesting wild mushrooms in what is now Pennsylvania and the rest of the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region for centuries, but the extent and specifics of the practice in the region had not been formally studied. New research conducted by ethnobiologists — scientists who study the relationships between people and their environments — at Penn State revealed that harvesters collect a surprisingly wide variet
West Virginia organizations receive $302,000 in Specialty Crop Block Grants
CHARLESTON, WV – Five West Virginia agribusinesses, organizations and agencies will share more than $302,000 in FY2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), administered through the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA). The grants will support marketing, education, and research initiatives that strengthen West Virginia’s specialty crop industry. USDA defines specialty crops as fruits, vegetables,
Bat Week begins October 24
Bat Week is an annual international celebration dedicated to raising awareness about the critical roles bats play in maintaining healthy ecosystems around the world. Held from October 24-31 , Bat Week is organized by a diverse group of representatives from conservation organizations and government departments across North America. The event strives to highlight the importance of bats and the ongoing conservation efforts needed to protect these incredible creatures. Why Bats M
Farm Bureau hosts event forging partnership between EPA and Virginia agriculture
Source: VA Farm Bureau The agreement encourages "honest and recurring discussions between EPA and the agriculture community" RICHMOND, VA...
CareSource invests $100,000 in farmer mental health programs in Georgia
Source: Georgia Farm Bureau During a press conference held at the Georgia National Fair on Oct. 2, CareSource, a nonprofit, managed care...
Virginia citizens asked to help with biosecurity efforts to combat bird flu
Source: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Richmond, Va. – As the annual migration of wild waterfowl resumes this fall, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and the Virgina Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) encourage backyard bird owners to practice biosecurity to protect their flocks from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The public is also encouraged to report instances of wild bird deaths that meet the fol
