Crops
- Roanoke region remains in emergency drought conditions despite rain in other areas
A map shows the Roanoke region of Virginia in emergency drought conditions in October 2026.
- Governor Spanberger Celebrates Virginia Wine Month, Invites Virginians to Support Local Growers
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today is celebrating the start of Virginia Wine Month and inviting Virginians to support the growers, winemakers, and small businesses that make the industry an important part of local economies and communities across the Commonwealth.
- Valley Link Transmission Line Threatens Generational Farm in Orange County
Michael Carter Jr.
- Need for Volunteer Fire Fighters
This post was originally published on this site.This post was originally published on this site. Walt Bailey, Phenix Fire chief, is encouraging residents to volunteer with their local fire departments and EMS services. Rural communities in the region are struggling to keep enough personnel on hand to respond to emergency situations. Bailey, who has more […]
- Virginia Governor Signs Bill Requiring Invasive Species Management on Highways
In a significant development for Virginia’s transportation and environmental management, Governor Abigail Spanberger has signed House Bill 88 into law. This legislation updates the state’s approach to managing plants along highway rights-of-way by prohibiting the planting of invasive species and requiring their removal. The bill amends section 33.2-217 of the Code of Virginia. It directs […]
- Virginia Enacts Legislation to Update Noxious Weeds Regulations and Close Commercial Loophole
In the recent 2026 session of the Virginia General Assembly, House Bill 109 was enacted into law, bringing important changes to the management of noxious weeds in the Commonwealth. The legislation, which amends sections 3.2-800 and 3.2-802 of the Code of Virginia, focuses on updating the definition of noxious weeds and removing barriers that had […]
- Farmers, retailers worry as state and federal regs for hemp, marijuana shift
A legal cannabis market is set to take effect in Virginia next summer pending a final state budget, but Mannassas-based Barbara Biddle has already given notice to her landlord to shut down one of her two hemp stores. As a purveyor of hemp-infused products, her District Hemp Botanicals shops sell creams, bath salts, infused drinks […]
- Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs wetlands, PFAS and flooding bills
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs an environmental bill into law in Stafford, VA on May 6, 2026. (Photo by Shannon Heckt/Virginia Mercury) On the banks of Aquia Creek in Stafford, Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Wednesday signed a slew of bills designed to protect Virginia’s clean water from harmful forever chemicals and aid communities as sea levels […]
- Virginia farmers talk meat production, fertilizer costs with USDA officials
United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy traveled to Doswell Wednesday to meet with Virginia farmers and meat producers and discuss the challenges they face – and what the federal government can do to help. Limited access to local meat processors is a persistent challenge […]
- Over 80% of Virginia experiencing severe drought conditions
A farm in King William County in April 2020. (Photo by Sarah Vogelsong /Virginia Mercury) The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report shows the entirety of Virginia is experiencing some level of drought conditions right now. The majority of the state is classified as “severe drought” with the greatest deficits in the counties along the North […]
- Loudoun County Farmer Highlights Concerns on Agrotourism’s Impact on Rural Preservation
Rockland Farm’s history traces back over 200 years within the Rust and Brown-Devlin family lineage, including figures like Elizabeth Devlin. The site has weathered regional changes, such as legal issues surrounding White’s Ferry operations that halted service in 2020. Since launching his farm in 2020, Devlin has engaged with networks of seasoned Loudoun farmers committed […]
- Wet spring keeps Virginia crops growing despite early summer’s blazing heat
This week Virginia has set new heat records and come close to beating old ones for this time of year. The Richmond airport recorded a temperature of 99 degrees at the hottest part of the day on Tuesday, Roanoke reached 99, and Alexandria reached 98. Those high temperatures come at a crucial time for many […]