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Agriculture 2025: LOHR, MATTHEW J.
With a combined annual economic impact of more than $105 billion, agriculture and forestry provide more than 490,000 jobs in Virginia. Lohr’s office and its three agencies oversee these industries among other duties, including supporting rural economic development. Virginia’s secretary of agriculture and forestry since January 2022, Lohr previously served as a three-term state delegat[...]
Smithfield Foods to move 115 jobs to Virginia
Smithfield Foods announced Tuesday that it's bringing about 115 jobs to Virginia’s Tidewater region over the coming months.
Hubbard Peanut Co. names new CEO
Southampton County-based Hubbard Peanut Co. announced Tuesday that it has appointed Marshall Rabil as its new president and CEO.
Wisconsin co. breaks ground on $26M Portsmouth export facility
The DeLong Co. on Thursday broke ground on a $26 million agricultural export facility in Portsmouth that will prepare whole grains for shipment.
Despite bankruptcy, Plenty to finish Chesterfield vertical indoor farms
Despite filing for bankruptcy in March, Plenty Unlimited says it will be able to finish construction of its vertical indoor farm in Chesterfield County.
Companies sue over Valley medical marijuana permit
Seven businesses are suing Virginia over a disputed medical marijuana permit in the Shenandoah Valley region, citing violations of FOIA and VAPA laws.
Farm Credit of Virginias CEO to retire
Brad Cornelius will retire in late 2025 after leading Farm Credit of the Virginias for five years. He grew the cooperative's loan portfolio to $2.3B and 12,500 customer-owners.
Tariffs, policy shifts cloud economic outlook, Barkin says
Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin says U.S. economy looks solid by data, but tariff policies and uncertainty are clouding forecasts and business confidence.
Company behind Chesterfield indoor farm files for bankruptcy
Plenty Unlimited, a San Francisco-based agricultural technology company that counts tech billionaires Jeff Bezos and Eric Schmidt among its investors, has filed for bankruptcy but plans to continue operating its vertical strawberry farm in Chesterfield County throughout the restructuring, according to a company announcement. “This is a challenging time for the vertical farming industry and [[...]
Trump probes lumber, timber imports for potential tariffs; names furniture as derivative product
WASHINGTON – Does the U.S.’ reliance on imported lumber and timber constitute a threat to national security? That’s what the Trump Administration aims to find out through a new executive order. “The wood products industry – composed of timber, lumber, and their derivative products (such as paper products, furniture, and cabinetry) – is a critical manufacturing […]
New indoor farming operation to bring 118 jobs to Carroll County
U.K.-based business development firm Oasthouse Ventures, which specializes in low-carbon greenhouses, is investing $104.8 million to construct its first U.S.-based controlled environment agriculture operation in Carroll County, where it plans to produce tomatoes. Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday that the project will initially create 118 jobs, with a total of 265 full-time and part-time positi[...]
Virginia Agribusiness Council appoints new CEO
The Virginia Agribusiness Council announced Monday that it is appointing Trey Davis, an agriculture industry veteran, as its new president and CEO effective March 3. The council is a nonprofit member organization that advocates for government policies that support Virginia’s agriculture industry and provides resources and education for agribusiness professionals. In his new role, Davis [&hel[...]
