Virginia's governor-elect pledges support for farmers and agribusiness sector
By Jeff Ishee December 15, 2025 - Virginia’s next gubernatorial inauguration will take place on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the State Capitol in Richmond. Abigail Spanberger will be sworn in as Virginia’s 75th governor, becoming the first woman to hold the office. Governor-elect Spanberger has made agriculture and rural Virginia central to her platform, pledging strong support for farmers, producers, and agribusinesses. On December 3, the Richmond Times-Dispatch quoted h
Repurposed grain bins are turned into livable spaces
Source: VA Farm Bureau CULPEPER, VA — From chic commercial spaces to outdoor gazebos, ambitious designers and innovative farmers are breathing new life into old grain bins—reimagining their form and function in unexpected and cost-effective ways. Ryan Kearney, the general manager of Old House Vineyards in Culpeper, converted a grain silo into a multi-level family home. From a distance, the rustic exterior of his circular, cantilever home vanishes into the agricultural landsca
Maryland encourages farmers and landowners to plant trees
December 11 - Maryland is offering tree-planting incentives to support a range of agroforestry practices that integrate farming and forestry. These practices can help generate additional farm income, create healthier conditions for livestock and crops, and promote cleaner air and streams. Programs include: Conservation Buffer Initiative This program offers farmers attractive incentive payments to plant streamside buffers to improve the health of local streams and the Chesa
Many states are setting minimum wages above the federal level
Source: American Farm Bureau by Samantha Ayoub - Economist Washington, DC -- When minimum wages were first established in the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), agricultural workers were exempt. Over time, amendments to the rule brought groups of farmworkers under minimum wage laws until all agricultural workers were included in 1978. Yet, the federal minimum wage has not risen since the current $7.25 per hour was set in 2009. Thirty-one states and Puerto Rico have raised
Farm Credit of the Virginias’ Chief Brand Officer Appointed Virginia Sec. of Agriculture & Forestry
Source: Farm Credit of the Virginias December 4, 2025 - Farm Credit of the Virginia s (FCV), an agricultural lending cooperative serving Virginia, West Virginia and western Maryland, proudly announces that Katie Frazier, chief brand officer, has been appointed by Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger as Virginia’s next Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. Katie Frazier will be the next Sec. of Agriculture and Forestry in Virginia. Image Credit - Farm Credit of the Virginias F
Farmer sentiment jumps higher in November
Source: Purdue University WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — November brought the highest farmer sentiment reading since June, with the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer jumping 10 points from October to 139. The increase was driven primarily by producers’ more optimistic outlook for the future, as the Future Expectations Index climbed 15 points to 144, while the Current Conditions Index dipped 2 points to 128. November’s survey is the first conducted after the late-Octob
NC asks horse owners to be on lookout for signs of equine herpes
Source: NCDA&CS RALEIGH - State veterinary officials are asking horse owners in North Carolina to watch for symptoms of a highly contagious equine disease following diagnoses of multiple horses with Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy, the neurologic disease associated with Equine Herpes Virus. Cases were confirmed in early November by the Texas Animal Health Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Currently, there are no confirmed cases of EH
Program hopes to builds confidence, skills for Spanish-speaking ag workers in PA
By Alexandra McLaughlin UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A year and a half ago, producers in Pennsylvania’s tree-fruit and poultry industries turned to Penn State Extension with a critical need. They cited language barriers, safety concerns, and workforce retention as top challenges, and asked for help training Spanish-speaking workers in English, safety, and workplace skills. With its statewide reach, trusted relationships, and history of bilingual education and outreach, Penn State
Farm Bureau: Farmers urgently need economic assistance
By John Newton, VP of Public Policy and Economic Analysis, American Farm Bureau Federation Washington, DC -- USDA's most recent Commodity Costs and Returns , World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates and Farm Sector Income & Finances reports confirm what those in agriculture have known for several years: U.S. farm income is under immense pressure as input costs have increased dramatically while crop prices have fallen sharply - resulting in crop and specialty crop marg
2025 National Christmas Tree is from Highland County, Virginia
Source: USDA Forest Service Roanoke VA, Nov. 21, 2025 —The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest delivered a 32-foot red spruce tree to the nation’s capital for the holiday season. In collaboration with the National Park Service, on November 15, the James River and Warm Springs Ranger District selected the tree from the high-elevation mountains of Highland County, Virginia for transport to the White House. This year's National Christmas Tree is a 32-foot red spruce
