Winter Storm Fern damages farms across the Valley

News to know valley graphic created by Royal Broadcasting employee Brooke Greene used by permission

Work is continuing across the Shenandoah Valley as farmers, first responders, and state agricultural agencies assess damage from Winter Storm Fern.

Poultry houses, greenhouses, and other farm structures were among those impacted by heavy snow.

Virginia Poultry Federation President Hobey Bauhan says at least ten poultry houses in the Valley suffered structural damage from snow load.

Meanwhile, Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance reports nearly 50 storm-related claims so far, ranging from auto crashes and collapsed buildings to downed trees and frozen pipes.

State agricultural leaders say while the damage is serious, it could have been worse. Bauhan noted that a similar storm in 2003 caused more than 50 poultry house collapses statewide.

As damage assessments continue, organizations including the Virginia Poultry Federation, Virginia Farm Bureau, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and the Farm Service Agency are working with farmers to document losses and coordinate assistance.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

Congressman Cline hosts Agriculture Listening Session

Congressman Ben Cline along with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson hosted an Agriculture Listening Session with over 50 farmers and other agricultural industry leaders in Weyers Cave.

Groups represented included the Virginia Farm Bureau, Virginia Agribusiness Council and other organizations focusing on the cattle, poultry, dairy, pork, and grain industries.

Virginia’s Sixth District is home to over 8,000 farms, the most in the Commonwealth.

Each year in the state, over 41,500 farms have an economic impact of $82.3 billion.

During the session, participants discussed the upcoming Farm Bill and how it can be used to support local farmers and the industry as a whole.

They also discussed recent federal changes, the reintroduction of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and commended the work of Virginians in handling the recent avian flu outbreak.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.