You have fallen in love with Virginia and want to buy a farm of your own. Virginia is the perfect place to start your very own farm. Farming is the largest private industry in Virginia with almost 46,000 farms in the state. Some things you may want to consider as you are looking at Virginia farms for sale. Continue reading
Whether you’re a farmer in Virginia or elsewhere in the US, hemp is becoming increasingly profitable across the country as it becomes easier for farmers to legally grow. Industrial hemp has so many uses, and more and more uses are being discovered regularly as increased legalization efforts make research easier. From textiles to bioplastics to a new plant-based source of protein, hemp is an amazing plant that has all kinds of uses – and an incredibly high demand! Virginia farmers looking to diversify their crops and break into new markets should consider whether their land is suitable for planting industrial hemp. Virginia’s moderate climate is ideal for hemp farming, so consider whether your farm would benefit from planting the market’s newest cash crop! Continue reading
As technology improves (and lowers in price) each year, more and more agricultural problems can be solved by adopting a new digital technology. For farmers, new technology can make their farm safer and more efficient with less work on their part. Many farmers are embracing technology that gives them data to make better decisions that make their farms more profitable and sustainable. The number of new digital products and services available can be overwhelming, so here are two of the top tried-and-true recommendations from Virginia farmers. Continue reading
It’s true, farming isn’t just about dirt. If someone asks what you think about when you hear the word farm, the most likely mental images that first appear are flat fields of golden winter wheat, high corn stalks glistening in the morning dew, or cows lined up head deep in the feed trough. Farming is more than growing crops and raising livestock. Farming teaches you lifelong emotional, mental, and physical lessons to carry with you through all walks of your life. Continue reading
While Virginia winters are mild compared to those in the northern United States, cold weather can nonetheless bring many dangers for farmers. As climate change increases the intensity of storms, Virginia farmers should prepare their farms for potential emergency weather conditions. Winterizing your farm will help protect you against costly winter accidents and can save you a lot of money on your energy bill. Continue reading
Virginia’s soil and temperate climate are ideal for growing wine grapes, but since Virginia’s wine industry has taken off in local years, local wineries can’t seem to get enough fruit! Many farmers in Virginia looking for financial security are transitioning to growing wine grapes since the demand is only going to grow in the next few years. Wineries generally buy grapes by the ton, so farmers can easily sell off their entire harvest to a single buyer. Whether you’re considering buying a farm in Virginia for the first time or transitioning your current farm to wine grapes, consider this advice on finding the right winery to sell to and how to pick the best wine grape varieties for your farm. Continue reading