Results of first-ever, wide scale survey of organic farms

Virginia producers reported organic sales of $19.2 million, or about 1 percent of all U.S. organic sales. Nationwide, 2008 organic sales totaled $3.16 billion, including $1.94 billion in crops sales and $1.22 billion in sales of livestock, poultry and their products.

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News Section: Farming,

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Which Farmer Feeds You?

Each day in Virginia, consumers witness an extraordinary event. Food appears as if by magic on the grocer's shelves. It's wholesome, nutritious, delicious and affordable, and according to many people, it comes from somewhere in the back of the store. But behind that fancy packaging and those slick displays is a surprising reality: before food comes from the store, it comes from the farmer, the backbone of Virginia agriculture.

 

 

The average farmer today feeds 129 people, about 95 of them in the United States and the remaining 34 of them abroad. So which farmer feeds you?

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News Section: Farming,

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VDACS' Speciality Food Advisory Committee Appoints Four New Members To Help Market and Promote Virginia's Speciality Food and Beverages

"I am pleased to welcome the new members and their particular expertise and private sector backgrounds to the Specialty Food Advisory Committee. Working together with the committee's current members, these individuals will help guide VDACS' marketing and promotion efforts, including the Virginia's Finest program, on behalf of the state's successful and growing specialty food industry," said Haymore.

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News Section: Farming,

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Governor Bob McDonnell Announces $500,000 in Specialty Crop Grants

VDACS administers the grant program to improve the competitiveness of specialty crops in Virginia, encourage economic development in Virginia's farm economy, and support the creation of agricultural jobs related to specialty crop production in the Commonwealth. Industry groups are eligible to submit proposals for grants up to $30,000 per project. Although individual producers are not eligible, they may join with groups and organizations to apply for these grant funds.

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News Section: Farming,

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VA Food Festivals - The Ultimate Buy Loal Experience

February is full of romance with wine and chocolate festivals, and March highlights maple festivals and Restaurant Week. April features wine, beef, shad and herbs and May kicks off berry season and the spring market fairs. June, July and August are packed full of festivals celebrating Virginia's diverse offerings of berries, sweet corn, tomatoes, seafood and cantaloupe. There are summer festivals to celebrate Cajun food, South African cuisine and a Summer Save Our Food Festival.

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News Section: Farming,

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