Sign In
Free Newsletter
SAIC claims spot on $620M USDA blanket purchase agreement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded Reston-based Fortune 500 defense contractor Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) a position on the department’s potential five-year, $620 million Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) multiple-award blanket purchase agreement (BPA), SAIC announced Wednesday. Under the BPA, SAIC will compete for USDA task orders for IT support services for t[...]
Smithfield Foods CEO to retire
Smithfield Foods Inc., the world’s largest pork processor and hog producer, announced Monday that President and CEO Kenneth M. Sullivan will retire in early 2021 after nearly 20 years with the company. Chief Operating Officer Dennis Organ will succeed Sullivan as president and CEO following his retirement. Organ joined the company in 2010 and for […]
Loudoun County Farm Fall Tour launches online Oct. 27
Loudoun County’s 25th annual Farm Fall Tour will launch online on Saturday, Oct. 27, to connect farmers with consumers for the harvest season. This year, 25 farms will be featured on the virtual farm tour. “This initiative follows a successful virtual Spring Farm Tour, which connected thousands of people from 16 countries with Loudoun farms […]
The soybean dilemma
One thing’s for certain: The one-two punch of the U.S.-China tariffs battle followed by the coronavirus pandemic has hurt farmers in Virginia. But opinions are divided on the future of agriculture and forestry in the commonwealth, and which presidential candidate has better policies to protect jobs and profits here. On the side of Democratic nominee […]
Universal Corp. completes acquisition of dehydrated foods company
Richmond-based international tobacco leaf supply company Universal Corp. announced Thursday it has completed the acquisition of Momence, Illinois-based dehydrated vegetable, fruit and herb processing company Silva International for $170 million in cash. The acquisition was previously announced in early September. Silva will operate as part of Universal’s plant-based ingredients platform, which[...]
Smithfield Foods to contest OSHA citation
Smithfield Foods Inc. intends to contest a citation from the U.S. Labor Department stating that Smithfield failed to protect workers during an April outbreak at its Sioux Falls, South Dakota, plant, where approximately 1,300 workers contracted COVID-19 and four employees died. The Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed fining the world’s largest [&[...]
Universal Corp. to acquire dehydrated foods company for $170M
Richmond-based international tobacco leaf supply company Universal Corp. announced Tuesday it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Momence, Illinois-based dehydrated vegetable, fruit and herb processing company Silva International for $170 million in cash. Following the transaction, Silva will operate as part of Universal’s plant-based ingredients platform, which includes FruitSmar[...]
Agriculture
CHAD BALLARD PRESIDENT, BALLARD FISH & OYSTER CO. INC., CHERITON Ballard represents the fifth generation of the 120-year-old-plus Cheriton-based Ballard Fish & Oyster Co. Before dedicating his time to the family business, Ballard worked in investment banking with BB&T Capital Markets. Ballard Fish & Oyster Co. is the parent company of Cherrystone Aqua-Farms and Chincoteague [&helli[...]
Wythe County lumber company announces $2.4M expansion
Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday that Wythe County-based Musser Lumber Co. Inc. will invest $2.4 million to expand its operations and increase 12 jobs — which, during the next three years, will lead to more than $8.5 million in forest product purchases. “Musser Lumber’s continued growth and success in Wythe County is a testament to […]
$17M greenhouse coming to Goochland County
Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday that Greenswell Growers Inc. will invest more than $17 million to build a commercial hydroponic greenhouse in Goochland County, creating 27 jobs. “Greenswell Growers’ decision to establish a new greenhouse operation in Goochland County is a great win for the region and the commonwealth,” Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian […]
Richmonders launching large hemp processing facility in South Boston
Blue Ribbon Extraction, a company started by two Richmonders, is investing $3.26 million to establish Virginia’s first large-scale industrial hemp processing and cannabidiol (CBD) oil extraction facility in South Boston, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday. The project will create 22 jobs and the company plans to source about $70 million in hemp — more than […]
Dairy farms worry about staying afloat during pandemic
With milk prices dropping to the lowest point in years during the COVID-19 pandemic, Virginia dairy industry representatives fear that as many as 30 to 40 of the commonwealth’s 450 dairy farms could be forced out of business by the end of the year. The dairy industry in Virginia has been in decline for several […]
