An Iowa farm advocacy group wants the state s U.S. senators to oppose a deal to allow one of the world s largest pork processors to buy large parts of a southeast Iowa hog supplier, a deal which would expand so-called "factory farming" in the state. Brazil-based JBS Foods Group has agreed to buy parts of TriOak Foods, one of the nation s largest pork suppliers. .
A labor union representing agricultural workers in Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia says it isn t waiting around for federal immigration reform to continue pushing for undocumented workers rights. Nearly 200 delegates recently voted to re-elect union President Baldemar Velasquez to a 14th term. Velasquez said the Farm Labor Organizing Committee plans to focus on defending workers employed on some of the state s largest farms who often face wage and working-conditions exploitation. .
Farmers are facing record-high land prices due to a bevy of factors. According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report, Virginia farm real estate prices have risen 8.5% in the last four years, and cost is not the only problem farmers face in trying to acquire land. .
Farmers in and around Virginia are working to educate children about agriculture and provide a deeper understanding of their work. These programs don t just teach kids about farming, but are designed for them to understand where their food comes from. Other goals include dispelling certain ideals about what farming is. .