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Governor Youngkin Announces New High-Tech Hydroponic Growing Operation in Louisa County

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Governor Youngkin Announces New High-Tech Hydroponic Growing Operation in Louisa County


RICHMOND, VA  Governor Glenn Youngkin introduced right this moment that Higher Future Farms, Inc. will construct a brand new progressive hydroponic greenhouse and processing facility on a 61-acre web site within the Louisa County Industrial Air Park. The corporate just lately secured funding by means of Generate Capital, a number one sustainable infrastructure funding and working platform. The mission will convey tens of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in new capital funding to the county and create native year-round jobs. At full capability, the ability is anticipated to supply a number of million kilos of leafy greens per 12 months. The corporate has a gross sales settlement for its manufacturing with Taylor Farms, the nation’s largest salad and fresh-cut vegetable producer. This mission additional secures Virginia’s place as a nationwide chief in indoor agricultural manufacturing.

“I wish to thank Higher Future Farms and Generate Capital for making this necessary funding in Virginia,” stated Governor Glenn Youngkin. “I commend them on the brand new jobs and contemporary, native produce this mission will present to customers within the Commonwealth and past.”

“This funding in managed atmosphere agriculture helps enhance the Commonwealth’s place as a frontrunner within the subsequent era agricultural sector,” stated Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr. “I’m happy that the Commonwealth might companion with Louisa County by means of the Governor’s AFID Fund to safe this thrilling win for Virginia.”

“Higher Future Farms’ world-class indoor greenhouse operation in Louisa County will convey new year-round jobs and strengthen Virginia’s standing as a high state within the managed atmosphere agriculture business,” stated Secretary of Commerce and Commerce Caren Merrick“An funding like this gives not solely a extremely sustainable leafy greens supply, it additionally represents rising profession alternatives for Virginians. Whereas hiring for jobs at Higher Future Farms received’t start till 2024, candidates can get in on the bottom flooring now by visiting www.careers.betterfuture.farm.”

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“That is one other step within the evolution of our 28-year journey to offer contemporary, high-quality produce to prospects throughout North America,” stated Bruce Taylor, Chairman and CEO. “We sit up for bringing native, greenhouse grown lettuce to Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic area.”

“We’re excited to convey high-quality, domestically grown lettuce to Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic area at scale,” stated John McMahon, COO, Higher Future Farms, Inc. “Our farm will develop year-round and in a strategic partnership with Taylor Farms, will ship to retailers inside hours of harvest.”

“Generate believes that scalable, sustainable options for agriculture have a vital position to play in future-proofing communities,” stated Scott Jacobs, Chief Govt and Co-Founder, Generate Capital. “We’re happy to assist Higher Future Farms and Louisa County within the building of this cutting-edge facility to enhance water effectivity and scale back the carbon impression of meals miles.”

“This mission exemplifies agricultural innovation,” shelp Louisa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Duane Adams. “We’re happy this facility will convey new job alternatives for our residents whereas affirming the county’s dedication to agribusinesses as a rising and very important a part of our native economic system.”

“This mission is an incredible enhance for Louisa County and a strategic funding in Virginia agriculture, the Commonwealth’s largest personal business,” stated Senator Bryce Reeves.

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“Contemplating the common age of farmers is age 58, I’m delighted that Higher Future Farms is increasing their disrupting innovation of farming to Louisa County. Their funding will contain our youth and will remodel farming for future generations whereas creating jobs that may preserve our graduates in Louisa County,” stated Delegate John McGuire.

The Virginia Division of Agriculture and Client Companies (VDACS) and the Virginia Financial Improvement Partnership (VEDP) labored with Louisa County and the Louisa County Industrial Improvement Authority to safe the mission for the Commonwealth. Governor Youngkin accredited a $200,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Improvement Fund, which Louisa County will match with native funds.

Help for Higher Future Farms’ job creation will probably be offered by means of the Virginia Expertise Accelerator Program, a workforce initiative created by VEDP in collaboration with the Virginia Neighborhood School System and different greater training companions, with funding assist from the Governor’s administration and the Virginia Normal Meeting. Launched in 2019, this system accelerates new facility start-ups by means of the direct supply of recruitment and coaching providers which are absolutely personalized to an organization’s distinctive merchandise, processes, tools, requirements, and tradition. All program providers are offered without charge to certified new and increasing corporations as an incentive for job creation.

About Higher Future Farms, Inc.

Based in 2022, by enterprise companions John McMahon and David Drescher, Higher Future Farms will produce quite a lot of contemporary leafy greens year-round for the wholesale market in its first state-of-the-art indoor hydroponic greenhouse operation. McMahon and Drescher are seasoned entrepreneurs who convey a wealth of enterprise and indoor rising expertise to the brand new firm together with established produce business relationships. Higher Future Farms’ first facility is underneath building in Louisa, Virginia. Be taught extra data, please go to www.betterfuture.farm.

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About Generate Capital

Generate Capital PBC is a number one sustainable infrastructure firm driving the infrastructure revolution. Generate builds, owns, operates, and funds options for clear power, transportation, water, waste, agriculture, and digital infrastructure. Based in 2014, Generate companions with over 50 know-how and mission builders and owns and operates greater than 2,000 property globally. Generate is the one-stop store providing pioneers of the infrastructure revolution tailor-made funding and assist wanted to get initiatives constructed. The corporate’s Infrastructure-as-a-Service mannequin delivers inexpensive, dependable and sustainable assets to hundreds of shoppers, corporations, communities, faculty districts and universities. Collectively, they’re rebuilding the world. For extra data, please go to www.generatecapital.com.

About Taylor Farms

Taylor Farms is a number one North American producer of salads and wholesome contemporary meals with manufacturing services throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Taylor Farms is grounded in a dedication to high quality, assured provide, innovation, sustainability, and meals security. Taylor Farms is household owned and primarily based in “The Salad Bowl of the World” Salinas, California. For extra data, scrumptious recipes, and extra, please go to www.taylorfarms.com and observe Taylor Farms on social media.



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Virginia Mountains Region

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Virginia Mountains Region


Virginia’s Blue Ridge is located within the Virginia Mountains Region, a premier destination for a mountain vacation. The Roanoke Region is located within the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers over 1,000 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and paddling.

It’s a mountain landscape full of amazing opportunities for outdoor recreation, with stunning vistas, thrilling trails, breathtaking waterfalls, and exciting summits.

The Virginia Mountains Region showcases the scenic beauty of the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains, as well as vibrant cities and small towns that introduce visitors to unique local culture, history, arts, and flavors.

Virginia’s Blue Ridge consists of the City of Roanoke and surrounding communities within an hour radius, including the City of Salem, Botetourt County, Franklin County, and Roanoke County.

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In addition to the communities that make up Virginia’s Blue Ridge, the Virginia Mountains Region also includes the Alleghany Highlands, Bath County, Bedford County, Craig County, and Highland County.

A visit to the Virginia Mountains Region offers unique mountain experiences, such as driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiking the Appalachian Trail, paddling the James River, fishing at Smith Mountain Lake, and making your way across the Humpback Bridge.

Visit sites such as the National D-Day Memorial, the Old Brick Hotel, The Omni Homestead Resort, and the Blue Ridge Institute & Museum to learn more about the region’s rich history.

As you plan your next vacation, consider a getaway to the Virginia Mountains Region.

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Virginia is for Mountain Lovers



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FOIA Friday: Unsealed cannabis warrants and ‘highly variable’ transparency policies • Virginia Mercury

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FOIA Friday: Unsealed cannabis warrants and ‘highly variable’ transparency policies • Virginia Mercury


One of the less noticed features of the Virginia Way is the long-running tendency of the commonwealth’s leaders to conduct their decision-making behind closed doors. While the Virginia Freedom of Information Act presumes all government business is by default public and requires officials to justify why exceptions should be made, too many Virginia leaders in practice take the opposite stance, acting as if records are by default private and the public must prove they should be handled otherwise.

In this feature, we aim to highlight the frequency with which officials around Virginia are resisting public access to records on issues large and small — and note instances when the release of information under FOIA gave the public insight into how government bodies are operating. 

Unsealed warrants shed light on Southwest Virginia cannabis sweep

Last fall, officials announced a large-scale drug operation in nine Southwest Virginia counties targeting businesses involved in the cannabis industry.

Many of those search warrants were sealed for 180 days, according to Cardinal News, and some recently unsealed documents “detail weeks of undercover buys and catalog the seizure of ATMs, thousands of dollars in cash and containers of plant materials bearing labels like ‘Grease Monkey’ and ‘Stomp Purple.’”

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Other documents related to the operation remain sealed however, and officials gave Cardinal News conflicting information about whether any charges have been filed. A spokeswoman for the Virginia State Police said there were no charges, but an investigator with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office said charges had been filed in that county but refused to provide names.

Several officials didn’t respond to inquiries from Cardinal News seeking more information about the results of the law enforcement searches described as part of an “extensive, ongoing criminal investigation into allegations of money laundering and illegal narcotic distribution network by retail establishments.” 

Martinsburg reverses course on compensation for former city attorney

After documents released under FOIA showed that Martinsville’s former City Council majority approved a plan to boost the compensation of the departing city attorney in 2022, the current City Council voted to settle the matter by paying him $110,000, according to the Martinsville Bulletin.

The former attorney, Eric Monday, had “initially demanded that the city pay him $3,025 every month for the rest of his life,” the paper reported.

Modifications to Monday’s employment contract in late 2022 gave him full time credit for years he had spent working part time.

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“While this dispute was unfortunate and could have been avoided, we made a decision that was in the best interest of the residents of the city of Martinsville,” Councilman Lawrence Mitchell said as he read from a prepared statement. “As we move forward to solidify and strengthen the city with fiscal and policy best practices, it is our belief that this settlement of $110,000 is in the best interest of our community.”

RVA Dirt digs into differing FOIA responses

The activist watchdogs at RVA Dirt, a site that covers local government in the Richmond area, filed FOIA requests throughout the region to gauge the responsiveness of various agencies.

A blog post reporting the findings notes that the results were “highly variable,” with some agencies responding within hours and the city of Richmond blowing the full five-business day window for legally acceptable response times.

The exercise also revealed major differences in how local governments process FOIA requests and what kind of fees they charge for their time.

Even though FOIA seems like something only journalists and activists care about, RVA Dirt opined, it affects citizens too.

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“It’s tempting, then, to dismiss this as someone else’s problem,” the post reads. “But FOIA hits local media’s headlines the way your car hits potholes: both are easy to ignore, both reveal a level of government failure. It’s only after you hit too many that you know you’ve got a real problem on your hands.” 

Have you experienced local or state officials denying or delaying your FOIA request? Tell us about it: [email protected]



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Virginia brewery claims gold at 2024 World Beer Cup

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Virginia brewery claims gold at 2024 World Beer Cup


Fairfax County is now officially home to one of the best beers in the world.

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Port City Brewing Company’s Optimal Wit was awarded a gold medal Wednesday in the Belgian-Style Witbier category at the 2024 World Beer Cup, which bills itself as the most prestigious beer competition in the world.

Fairfax County brewery claims gold at 2024 World Beer Cup

“To win for a traditional style, you know, you’re beating the top breweries in the world,” lead brewer Mike Benish said Thursday.

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Fairfax County brewery claims gold at 2024 World Beer Cup

The World Beer Cup awards ceremony was held in Las Vegas, and it honored the best beers in 110 categories. Organizers said that throughout 14 sessions spanning seven days, a panel of 280 judges from 37 countries evaluated more than 9,000 entries.

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Optimal Wit competed against 88 other entries in the Belgian-Style Witbier category.



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