Virginia Association Farming: The Seed Farmer Guide

Cover of a research bulletin on conducting research on a farm or ranch.

Articles and Research VABF News

How to Conduct Research on Your Farm or Ranch

Online Version (Free): Download File Online Text Version Print Version: Free This 32-page Ag Innovations…

VABF AdminOctober 17, 2018

Book cover of 'Resilient Agriculture' by Laura Lengnick.

Book Reviews VABF News

Resilient Agriculture: Cultivating Food Systems for a Changing Climate by Laura Lengnick

Book Review, Resilient Agriculture: Cultivating Food Systems for a Changing Climate Laura Lengnick. New Society…

Mark Schonbeck MarkOctober 16, 2018

Policy VABF News

Opposition Mounts to USDA Relocation and Reorganization Proposals

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue’s proposal to relocate the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute…

Mark Schonbeck MarkOctober 16, 2018

Infographic on building equity in agriculture with statistics and goals.

Policy VABF News

2014 Farm Bill Expires: Key Programs Suspended until 2018 Farm Bill Passes

On September 30, the 2014 Farm Bill expired, with neither a new Farm Bill nor…

Mark Schonbeck MarkOctober 16, 2018

Raw chicken parts and herbs on a wooden board.

Recipes VABF News

Edible Goose Creek Chicken Bone Broth

2 chicken backs 4 chicken feet shiitake mushrooms dried or fresh herbs 2 tablespoons vinegar…

Mark Schonbeck MarkOctober 16, 2018

Close-up of curly kale leaves in a garden.

Garden Tips VABF News

October Gardening Tips

According to the calendar fall is here but for now our veggie garden is still…

Mark Schonbeck MarkOctober 16, 2018

Various bottles of herbal tinctures and remedies on display.

Policy

An Eater’s Guide To Congress

Explore how your member of Congress voted on policies that make our food system more…

VABF AdminSeptember 27, 2018

Sunflowers blooming in front of a greenhouse in a field.

Policy

Farm Bill Expires Sept.30…

It is time to call or e-mail your Representative and Senators with an urgent message: we…

Mark Schonbeck MarkSeptember 26, 2018

Close-up of cooked mushrooms in a creamy sauce on a plate.

Recipes

Pastured Pork Chops and Foraged Mushrooms

This summer has been a wet one for many of us in Southwestern Virginia.Â At…

Mark Schonbeck MarkSeptember 13, 2018

Cluster of ripe and unripe tomatoes growing on the vine.

VABF News

Farmer John’s Column

I can still remember the smells of my first garden back home in small town Indiana.…

Mark Schonbeck MarkSeptember 13, 2018

Cover of a book titled 'Start Your Farm' with images of farming activities and produce.

Book Reviews

Start Your Farm: The Authoritative Guide to Becoming a Sustainable 21st Century Farmer. Essentials for Growing and Raising Vegetables, Fruits, Livestock, Grains for Market.

Forrest Pritchard and Ellen Polishuk The Experiment, New York. ISBN 978-1-61519-489-6 Here is a book…

Mark Schonbeck MarkSeptember 13, 2018

Policy

USDA Reorganization Proposal Could Undermine Research Endeavors

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recently announced plans to move the headquarters of the National…

Mark Schonbeck MarkSeptember 13, 2018

Close-up of green leafy plants with a textured pattern.

Garden Tips

September Gardening Tips

Cool evening and warm days make fall in Central Virginia a second spring. Time to…

Mark Schonbeck MarkSeptember 13, 2018

Book cover of The Urban Farmer by Curtis Stone.

Book Reviews

Book Review: The Urban Farmer: Growing Food for Profit on Leased and Borrowed Land

Curtis Stone New Society Publishers, 2016 The Urban Farmer is part of the movement to…

Mark Schonbeck MarkSeptember 6, 2018

A pot of creamy tomato and mushroom stew.

Recipes

EDIBLE GOOSE CREEK’S Chicken in Fresh Tomato-Shiitake Sauce

2 teaspoons grapeseed or olive oil 2 large split chicken breasts, bone-in (about 2-2.5 pounds)…

VABF AdminSeptember 6, 2018

Purple carrots with green tops on a white plate.

Garden Tips

August Gardening Tips

By Ira Wallace of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange and the author of The Timber Press…

Mark Schonbeck MarkSeptember 6, 2018

A woman smiling while holding a black rooster with a red comb.

Surveys and Action Items

Free on Farm Readiness Review

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is teaming up with Virginia Cooperative Extension…

VABF AdminSeptember 3, 2018

A garden with blooming flowers and a building in the background.

Articles and Research

Bugs in a Jug: making the best use of Microbial-Based Biostimulants (MBBS)

Recent years have seen a proliferation of commercial microbial products that are claimed to improve…

VABF AdminAugust 30, 2018

A person driving a red tractor in a plowed field under a clear blue sky.

Articles and Research

Fresh from the Fields: OFRF Farmer Stories

Farmer stories are often the best way to gain practical, down-to-earth information and guidance to…

VABF AdminAugust 30, 2018

Hands holding a small plant with soil, symbolizing farming and growth.

VABF News

2018 Farm Bill Conference – A critical time for sustainable agriculture policy on Capitol Hill.

When Congress returns from recess after Labor Day, a Conference Committee comprised of nine Senators…

VABF AdminAugust 22, 2018

News & Resources

How to Conduct Research on Your Farm or Ranch

Resilient Agriculture: Cultivating Food Systems for a Changing Climate by Laura Lengnick

Opposition Mounts to USDA Relocation and Reorganization Proposals

2014 Farm Bill Expires: Key Programs Suspended until 2018 Farm Bill Passes

Edible Goose Creek Chicken Bone Broth

October Gardening Tips

An Eater’s Guide To Congress

Farm Bill Expires Sept.30…

Pastured Pork Chops and Foraged Mushrooms

Farmer John’s Column

Start Your Farm: The Authoritative Guide to Becoming a Sustainable 21st Century Farmer. Essentials for Growing and Raising Vegetables, Fruits, Livestock, Grains for Market.

USDA Reorganization Proposal Could Undermine Research Endeavors

September Gardening Tips

Book Review: The Urban Farmer: Growing Food for Profit on Leased and Borrowed Land

EDIBLE GOOSE CREEK’S Chicken in Fresh Tomato-Shiitake Sauce

August Gardening Tips

Free on Farm Readiness Review

Bugs in a Jug: making the best use of Microbial-Based Biostimulants (MBBS)

Fresh from the Fields: OFRF Farmer Stories

2018 Farm Bill Conference – A critical time for sustainable agriculture policy on Capitol Hill.

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