Beginning farmers are invited to free seminars on Farm Finance and Conservation Planning.

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is asking hunters for their continued support and assistance with the Department’s chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance efforts. Each deer hunting season, DWR works closely with local hunters, processors and taxidermists to monitor the geographic spread of the disease and prevalence trends in deer populations.

Fall is the breeding season for deer, so they will be more active over the next couple of months than at any other time of the year.

The helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and has interpretation services for 160 languages. Farmers can call or text 833-897-2474 to speak directly with a healthcare professional. Crisis specialists have access to a Virginia-specific database of agricultural and health resources. “Stress on a farm never ends,” said Dana Fisher, chair of the VFBF Safety Advisory Committee, which is spearheading the organization’s mental health support efforts. “Stress and mental health issues are always a problem in the agriculture community, and stress can lead to costly mistakes on the job.

Va. Governor Glenn Youngkin today, Nov. 3, announced that Ronald Mark Associates, Inc. (RMA), a leader in custom resin and vinyl fabric formulations and technical services, will invest $13.5 million to establish a manufacturing operation with 29 new jobs in the former Komatsu Mining Corp. facility in Bluefield.

15. The Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) reminds everyone to be extra careful when burning yard debris, or enjoying a campfire or backyard fire pit.

As some of you are aware, the Virginia State Board of Elections recently sent incorrect voting information to residents in a number of towns in Northern Virginia, including Occoquan. The local Prince William County Office of Elections is in the process of sending out corrected information.

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that civil rights have been restored to more than 800 Virginians. Rights were restored for approved individuals last week in order to ensure those who are interested in voting in the November 8th election could register to do so before Monday's registration deadline.