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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

Source: USDA WASHINGTON, DC - Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins has announced the next phase in the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program (FBA), the eligible commodity per-acre payment rates. A total of $12 billion will be paid to American farmers in 2026. Of that amount, $11 billion consists of one-time FBA program payments. This is in response to four years of disastrous Biden administration policies that created record-high input and production costs, zero new trade d

Source: NCDACS RALEIGH, NC - Large animal veterinarians in North Carolina are eligible to apply for up to $25,000 in funds to help support their large animal practice. The funding opportunity is available to veterinarians who practice in one of the 70 North Carolina counties with a population of 100,000 or fewer and who spend 30% or more of their patient care involved in large animal veterinary care. Image credit - Mark Stebnicki “Since the Large Animal Fund was established,

By Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa . — Weed control is essential in apple orchards because weeds compete with trees for nutrients, water and sunlight, which can reduce fruit yields. However, physically removing weeds is not only labor-intensive, but it also can damage soil structure and tree roots. Using chemical sprays to kill weeds can lead to other problems, such as pollution, herbicide resistance and excess chemical residues on apples. Another option called

by Jeff Ishee Source: USDA Economic Research Service December 24 - The month of December is a time for many farmers to finalize planting intentions for the following year. Sitting at their desk with a calculator handy, the big question on every farmer's mind is "Will 2026 be a profitable year?" To assist in answering that question, the USDA's Economic Research Service offers national estimates for crop production every six months. The USDA estimates the national average cost

by Jeff Ishee Mount Sidney, VA - With only a few days remaining in calendar year 2025, Virginia farmers are already planning ahead for the 2026 growing season. Crop input prices are expected to rise modestly next year, with fertilizer leading the way, while seed, chemical, fuel, and land costs remain relatively stable. The cost for farm labor is expected to increase in 2026. That’s one reason why we see many Virginia dairy farms and orchards turning to robots and autonomous

Source: GA Farm Bureau On Dec. 2, Walmart celebrated the grand opening of its owned and operated milk processing facility in Valdosta — a major milestone the company said will create more than 400 new jobs, strengthen Walmart’s end-to-end supply chain for affordable, high-quality milk, and advance the company’s long-standing commitment to U.S. manufacturing and local sourcing. The 300,000+ square-foot state-of-the-art facility represents a $350 million investment. According t

December 18, 2025 - The United Nations has officially declared 2026 the “International Year of the Woman Farmer,” a landmark initiative to spotlight women’s vital contributions to global agriculture and food systems. At a ceremony in Rome, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched the observance, emphasizing that women farmers are central to food security, nutrition, and rural economic resilience. Despite making up nearly half of the world’s agricultural workforce

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

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