Farming

President Biden recently announced he wants to end childhood hunger in the U.S. by 2030, and increase access to nutritious foods. One of the strategies he announced is to provide more federal funding for schools who buy locally sourced fruits and veggies. But there are logistical challenges to connecting farmers with cafeterias. Schools in southwest Virginia are trying to bridge the gap.

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.

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.

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.

It wasn’t that long ago that one of every three people in this country were farmers. But over the last century small farming has been almost entirely…

We’ve heard a lot about climate change – greenhouse gases in the atmosphere – and about how our oceans are getting warmer and more acidic. Now comes a…

The city of Petersburg was once a prosperous place where railroads crossed and tobacco money changed hands. Today it’s economically depressed, but a…

First came torrential rains, then record heat, then more rain. Add the tariff battle with China and farmers are having a tough year.Virginia's Northern…

Increasing demand for locally grown food is creating new markets for small farmers. But boutique growers face challenges that factory farmers don't. And…