Across the farming and food production landscape, urban farming is often excluded from the agriculture conversation. Urban growers are frequently ineligible for many federal programs that are designed for more rural or larger farming operations. Until recently, efforts to address this issue were localized. In 2023, Virginia State University (VSU) secured $4 million in grant funding, primarily from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 's Farm Service Agency (FSA) to make a consolidated effort to connect farmers to nationwide services and programs offered through FSA, and understand the needs of, and suggest policies and programs that could benefit, small and innovative producers. Called the National Urban Ag Initiative , or NUag for short, this effort intends to help more urban producers use finance, education, research and outreach resources that would benefit their operations. NUag is now in full swing with 27 pilot cities and Native tribes, under the leadership of Virginia State's Small Farm Outreach Program and partnering institutions, Virginia Tech's Center for Food Systemns and Community Transformation, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the Jackson, Mississippi-based organization To Improve Mississippi Economics (T.I.M.E.).

Sweet potatoes are a popular food across the United States and the world. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that American consumption of sweet potatoes has almost doubled since the late 1990s, and the U.S.' annual value of sweet potato exports grew from $14 million to $187 million between 2001 and 2021. Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients and fiber and have an established place in cultural and traditional dishes, healthy lifestyles and a variety of diets. This flexible, resilient crop has low input requirements and can grow in sandy soils and small spaces, as long as it receives plenty of sunlight. While neighboring state North Carolina is the leading producer for the United States' massive sweet potato market, Virginia producers have an opportunity to meet growing local demand. As the sweet potato industry in Virginia evolves, Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) at Virginia State University (VSU) works to put knowledge into action to help commercial, small-scale and backyard growers learn to produce, manage and market sweet potatoes.

For 123 years, 4-H has helped America’s youth grow and learn through hands-on experiences. As one of the most well-known Extension programs, 4-H brings the bold purpose to “empower young people with the skills to become confident, responsible and engaged citizens…all guided by the principles of ‘Head, Heart, Hands and Health.’” 4-H helps foster positive youth development and can leave a lasting impact on participants. Recent Virginia State University (VSU) graduate Ms. Desmyn Owens learned she could impact her community and has carried her 4-H experiences into her career. Earlier this summer, she was hired as the 4-H Extension agent for Virginia Beach, Virginia, where she is using her knowledge and leadership skills to impact the next generations of 4-H youth.

On Tuesday, March 18, Virginia State University’s College of Agriculture (COA) hosted its 3rd annual AgFest to celebrate National Ag Day’s theme of “Together We Grow.” Community members, vendors and VSU students, faculty and staff came together to showcase agriculture’s integrated connections. “AgFest is a powerful reminder of how agriculture connects us all—across generations, communities and industries,” said Erica Shambley, director of marketing and communications for COA. “This year’s turnout truly embodied the spirit of ‘Together We Grow,’ as students, educators, farmers and community members came together to celebrate the important role agriculture plays in our everyday lives.” This year’s celebration was also the largest, with almost 400 visitors who registered in advance including over 100 K-12 students, plus many more who joined the event day-of.

At VSU, the Dietetic Internship Program integrates teaching, research and Cooperative Extension to give students a well-rounded understanding of the food production process, as well as nutrition education and how to address food insecurity in low-income communities.

In Virginia, 10,862 Virginia farmers earned less than $1,000 from their farm operation (USDA, 2017). Conversely, USDA (2018) reported that Virginia producers sold nearly $1.3 million in value added products, which were sold directly to customers through farm stands, farmers markets, Community Supported Agriculture and online sales.