Agriculture

The craft brewing industry is driving up demand for barley, which can be used to make malt, one of the main ingredients to make beer. A new effort is underway to help more farmers grow malt barley in southwest Virginia.

Some studies have shown that people in immigrant communities may be more likely to face food insecurity, particularly in urban areas. They often can’t access, or afford, fresh, healthy vegetables. And the types of foods they grew up eating usually can’t be purchased in grocery stores.

Virginia Tech’s agricultural program is about to get a boost— $31 million went into constructing five new buildings that will be used for teaching students how to raise chickens, pigs, cattle and horses.

Last month, one of Virginia’s largest producers of flour and cornmeal announced they would be closing their business. Big Spring Mill has been in operation along the Roanoke River between Christiansburg and Roanoke since 1850. Meanwhile, another mill in nearby Floyd County is stepping up its production.

In the age of climate change, this country’s land grant universities are working overtime to assure that farmers can feed a growing world population. For Virginia State and Virginia Tech, that means reaching out to cities and to countries around the world.

Becoming a butcher requires skill, strength, and stamina.It also involves technical skills, and a regional non-profit is stepping up to teach students what they need to know.

Over the last two years, appetite for local, sustainably raised meat has grown.But a continued shortage of meat processors in Virginia is taking a bite out of many farmers’ profits.

Virginia legalized small amounts of marijuana this July, but hemp, which comes from the same plant, has been regulated in the state since 2015. The USDA is asking farmers about their hemp crops for the first time nationwide. The survey could give valuable data to hemp farmers who lack information and for investors looking to build infrastructure for the burgeoning industry.

Virginia is known for peanuts and tobacco, but in this age of farm to table, another crop is taking center stage – the tomato.When I reached David…

It’s been a difficult summer for many of Virginia’s farmers. There was too much rain for some, and the pandemic made marketing their products more…