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Ag news and policy updates

Farmer holding a box of eggplants

Virginia Black Farmer Directory

The directory interface is interactive, featuring a map and filtering capability. Unfortunately, there is only one black farmer listing on the NNK and that is Haynie Farms LLC in Reedville. No matter, this is an important resource, described by the developers as

. . . cumulative project and effort to centralize black farmer unity and resources. We hope that this directory serves as a resource for connecting black farmers with consumers, wholesalers, markets, and other farmers. We strive to capture farmer stories and portray farmers the way they would like. We also strive to give voice to those that have been systematically oppressed in their relationship with the land.


Public comment sought on a variety of farm and ranch topics

NNK farmers and ranchers should participate in the USDA's public inquiry on the topic of farmers’ and ranchers’ growing concerns regarding seeds and agricultural inputs, fertilizer, and retail markets. The July 9, 2021 Executive Order 14036, “Promoting Competition in the American Economy” prompted the request for information. The deadline for submitting comments is June 15.

Northern Neck Soil & Water Conservation District June meeting delayed to June 29

As Kathy Clarke, District Operations Manager, wrote in a May email, "As the Virginia State Budget has yet to be finalized, the Virginia Soil & Water Conservation Board (VSWCB) postponed their May 18th meeting until June 24th. This now means our FY23 grants and subsequent funding for operations, cost-share, and technical assistance will not be approved until after our previously scheduled June 22nd Board Meeting. With this in mind, we are postponing our June Meeting until Wednesday, June 29th at 6PM in the Richmond County Public Meeting Room."

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Community meals and food events (free and paid)

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Quilting in red, white, and blue: Celebrating Our Independence Quilt Show, July 1-7

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The blue crab population has declined 25% according to latest dredge survey results

The Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC) has announced the 25% decline of the blue crab population between 2024 and 2025. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) calls the results a “distressing low.” Many in the Bay watershed would likely agree with CBF’s reaction. Not two months ago, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation released the results of the IPSOS poll of 2,000 people living across the Chesapeake Bay watershed―DC, MD, PA, and VA―which found that the Bay animal most in need of protection was the blue crab (70%). Other top animals identified were bald eagle (68%), oyster (49%), and striped bass (36%). Read the full press release, “Virginia’s Adaptive Management Addresses 2025 Blue Crab Population Fluctuations,” here: HAMPTON, VA - The 2025 Bay-wide Winter Dredge Survey results indicate the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population has declined from an estimated 317 million crabs in 2024 to 238 million crabs. Virginia’s blue crab managers are not surprised by these findings, as c...