Month: April 2015

New Specialty Poultry Production, Processing Facility to Locate in Albemarle County

/ VFB Governmental Relations / Leave a comment
Governor Terry McAuliffe has announced that Kelly Turkeys USA, LLC will locate new operations for its specialty poultry production and processing facility in Albemarle County.  The company, which grows, processes, and sells high-end, heritage breed turkeys through direct and retail markets, will invest $1.4 million in a new facility.  The investment will allow the company to create 33 new jobs in the area and to grow production to 10,000 turkeys annually, over three years.  The Commonwealth is partnering with Albemarle County and Kelly Turkeys USA on this project through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund.
VA FAIRS, the Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation and Rural Sustainability, is also assisting Kelly Turkeys USA with other funding opportunities. Virginia FAIRS offers a cohesive and transparent mechanism to foster program delivery and project development between Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Department of Business Assistance, Virginia Tech and other stakeholders with an interest in agricultural economic development, administration of programs, and assistance with obtaining grant funding. The Center acts as a vehicle where a multitude of talented and experienced stakeholders cooperatively enhance and expand services and programs to rural Virginia. VA FAIRS offers services to all Virginia producers and rural areas, including farmers, groups, associations, and agricultural and rural development centers. 

Speaking about the announcement, Governor McAuliffe stated, “I am pleased to announce Kelly Turkeys’ investment in Albemarle County, which creates new jobs and grows the poultry industry, the largest sector of Virginia agriculture.  This investment bolsters Virginia’s reputation as a center for artisanal food production and highlights the importance of the growing agricultural economy of Albemarle County.  My administration is committed to expanding our diverse agriculture industry, one of the Commonwealth’s greatest assets, to help build the new Virginia economy.”
Founded in the United Kingdom in the 1970s, Kelly Turkeys U.K. is known for its unique breed of turkeys, the KellyBronze turkey.  The company has grown steadily in sales and reputation for the past 25 years and has been voted the best turkey in the United Kingdom for eight consecutive years.  Kelly Turkeys USA will bring the same brand and production methods to Virginia, establishing the company’s first United States facility.  The new U.S. location for the long-standing and established Kelly Turkeys brand will produce 100% Virginia-grown premium turkeys.
“The demand for artisanal foods is growing quickly, and companies like Kelly Turkeys are meeting that demand right here in Virginia,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore, who represented Governor McAuliffe at the announcement.  “Virginia has long been known for its quality agricultural products, and we are excited to further cement our reputation as an artisanal food producer.  As we work to build the new Virginia economy, I’m pleased the Governor’s AFID Fund could support this project and Albemarle’s commitment to it.”
“It’s great to see Albemarle County continuing to develop and diversify its agricultural economy,” added First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, who also attended the announcement.  “Artisanal products like KellyBronze Turkeys contribute significantly to growing the new Virginia economy, and I am pleased that customers across the country will have access to these 100% Virginia-grown products.”
Through this announcement, Kelly Turkeys USA will help to grow the already diverse agricultural economy of Albemarle County.  The company’s new facility will utilize working farmlands in Albemarle County to support the Commonwealth’s largest private sector industry, agriculture.   This artisanal product will supply the growing market for premium turkeys in the Commonwealth and around the country. 
“The artisan quality of the KellyBronze Turkey fits in perfectly with the local food movement that is so strong in this area,” said Judd Culver, owner of Kelly Turkeys USA.  “The positive feedback we have earned from our customers for our Thanksgiving and Christmas KellyBronze Turkeys has been remarkable.  Most of our customers honestly say that it is the best turkey they have ever tasted and we can’t help but be over the moon about that!”
VDACS partnered with Albemarle County to secure this project for Virginia.  Governor McAuliffe approved a $29,000 grant from the AFID Fund to assist with the project and Albemarle County will provide a $29,000 cash match. 
“Albemarle County is extremely pleased to partner with Governor McAuliffe and Kelly Turkeys USA through this important grant, which furthers our long standing priority of supporting the County’s agricultural heritage and economy,” said Tom Foley, Albemarle County Executive.  “Through the AFID grant, we are utilizing an important economic development tool that is not only creating jobs and spurring capital investment in Albemarle, but is adding to the quality and diversity of our agricultural products.”
Speaking about the announcement, Senator Creigh Deeds, D-Bath County said, “Thanks to Kelly Turkeys USA working in partnership with the Commonwealth and Albemarle County, we have another expanding business creating new jobs and Virginia-grown products.  I am pleased to be a part of this company’s first commercial-scale poultry production and processing facility in the County.”
Delegate R. Steven Landes, R-Weyers Cave, who sponsored the legislation creating the AFID program in 2012, added, “I am thrilled to see the AFID program being utilized once again to support important economic development projects in this region.  As Virginia’s largest industry, it is important to do all we can to promote economic development and job creation in agriculture throughout the Commonwealth, and I am pleased to know that Governor McAuliffe agrees and supports this vital economic sector.” 
About the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund
The AFID Fund was created during the 2012 session of the General Assembly and is being embraced by the McAuliffe Administration as an important tool in growing the Commonwealth’s agriculture and forestry sector and helping to make Virginia the leading exporter of agricultural and forest products on the East Coast.  More information about the AFID grant, which has the flexibility to assist projects large and small throughout Virginia, can be found at http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/agribusiness/afid.shtml.

Vote for Roanoke County Farm Bureau Member Megan Seibel for Farm Mom of the Year

/ VFB Governmental Relations / Leave a comment
Congratulations to Megan Seibel of Roanoke for being named the 2015 southeast regional winner of the America’s Farmers Farm Mom of the Year contest! This is the third time in the past four years that a Virginia Farm Mom has been named the southeastern winner! Dee Dee Darden from Smithfield won in 2012 and Betty Rosson of Louisa won in 2013.
Megan is now in the running to be named the national winner of the contest. Voting starts today and goes until May 5.
Please spread the word and vote for Megan, by using this link:http://www.americasfarmers.com/reco…/farm-mom-nominees-2015/

From the Field: Farm Bureau Coordinates Career Fair

/ VFB Governmental Relations / Leave a comment
From the Field is a bi-monthly column written by Mark Campbell, Farm Bureau Field Services Director for the Central District. He writes about Farm Bureau member benefits and County Farm Bureau activities.

I’m sure you are familiar with career fairs, but how about one specifically for agriculture careers? 
On April 20, more than 350 FFA students from middle and high schools came to the Rockingham County Fairgrounds to learn more about career opportunities.  Counties represented were Augusta, Botetourt, Clarke, Highland, Frederick, Page, Rockbridge, Rockingham, and Shenandoah.  The students were able to speak with agribusinesses and organizations in order to determine which sector of agriculture they would like a career.

Lord Fairfax Community College, Dabney Lancaster Community College, and Blue Ridge Community College were present with guidance and career counselors to help the students find a field that suited them.
Dana Fisher, former agriculture teacher and now District Field Services Director for Virginia Farm Bureau, coordinated the event.  He reached out to 4-H, Virginia Agribusiness Council and of course Farm Bureau to provide resources for the event.  
VFB had a significant presence representing numerous facets of the agriculture industry and showcasing our Young Farmer program.  Several Rockingham County Farm Bureau producer members were on hand to meet and speak with the next generation of agriculturalists.  The VFB exhibit also had a “selfie” area where students wrote down what they thought what Farm Bureau was and took their picture in front of a large background of a farming scene.  While at the VFB exhibit, we encouraged their FFA chapters to participate in a membership recruitment contest to win some Milwaukee and Dewalt power tools.
The students at this career fair were genuinely interested in being there, which was great to see in comparison to some other career fairs that I have attended were the students were more interested in having free time and visiting with friends. 
FFA and 4-H always provide hope and promise of a bright future for agriculture.  Sometimes we can get a little pessimistic in the ag industry about how we are a smaller percentage of the population.  But if you get around some FFA and 4-H kids, your mood will soon be lifted to optimism.  However, we in the ag industry do need to provide encouragement and stepping stones for the upcoming generation and this agriculture career fair was one way that we enjoyed doing that.  
Until next time,

Mark

Governor McAuliffe Announces Major Conservation Initiative

/ VFB Governmental Relations / Leave a comment
Governor Terry McAuliffe has announced the launch of Virginia Treasures, the Commonwealth’s new strategy for conserving land and expanding access to public outdoor recreation.
Governor McAuliffe made the announcement during an Earth Day visit to Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield County. Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Ward, members of Virginia’s land conservation community and representatives from the state’s natural resources agencies also attended.
“Virginia Treasures will enable us to focus on what’s important for land conservation and public outdoor recreation,” Governor McAuliffe said. “This initiative will prioritize our land conservation efforts, taking into account factors such as biodiversity, public access and wetlands preservation.”

The administration’s goal is to identify, conserve and protect at least 1,000 treasures by the end of the governor’s term. Criteria for what constitutes a treasure have been developed by the Commonwealth’s natural resources staff. Treasures could fall into one of two defined categories: land conservation or natural, cultural and recreational.

Land conservation treasures include agricultural lands, forests that provide water-quality benefits, wetlands, and habitat for rare or threatened plants and animals.
Natural, cultural and recreational treasures include trails, water-access points, parks, scenic byways, rivers and viewsheds, public gardens and wildlife-viewing areas.
Governor McAuliffe announced a new Virginia Treasure at Pocahontas State Park: a monarch butterfly garden. The garden will provide native plants and grasses for monarchs and other pollinators as part of an initiative to restore the monarch population, which has been on the decline due to the loss of food sources and habitat.
“Parks, natural areas, agricultural lands and historic sites are part of the foundation needed to build a new Virginia economy,” Governor McAuliffe said. “These are the assets that support our thriving tourism, fishing and farming industries, and enhance the quality of life for thousands of Virginia residents.”
“Expanding access to public outdoor recreation is a critical component of the initiative,” Secretary Ward said.
“When we give children and adults opportunities to experience nature, we help to instill a sense of stewardship not only in this generation but in future generations,” Secretary Ward said. “This sense of stewardship is critical to protecting Virginia’s natural resources for years to come.”

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is the lead agency charged with tracking Virginia Treasures. Multiple state agencies, land trusts, local governments and private groups are involved in the initiative.

House Passes Bill to Eliminate Estate Taxes

/ VFB Governmental Relations / Leave a comment
In their first vote on estate tax repeal in 10 years, House lawmakers passed the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015, bringing farmers one step closer to tax reform that will help their families invest in the future and pass their businesses onto the next generation, according to American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman.

“Farmers’ and ranchers’ assets are tied up in the land, not sitting in a bank. And farm families certainly don’t have cash on hand to pay a double tax at death,” Stallman said in a statement. “This leaves many surviving family members with few options other than selling off part or all of their land to pay estate taxes. Too often, cashing in these assets can cripple their business.”

Many farmers have benefited greatly from previous congressional action that increased the estate tax exemption to $5 million indexed for inflation, provided portability between spouses, and continued stepped-up basis, Stallman noted in a letter urging House lawmakers to approve the repeal bill. Instead of spending money on life insurance and estate planning, many farmers today can expand their businesses, upgrade buildings and purchase needed equipment and livestock.


“And more importantly, they can continue farming when a family member dies without having to sell land, livestock or equipment to pay the tax,” Stallman wrote.

Still, estate taxes continue to be a problem for farmers and ranchers for a couple of reasons. First, the indexed estate tax exemption is still working to catch up with the increase in farmland values over the past several years. Second, the value of family-owned farms and ranches is usually tied to illiquid assets, such as land, buildings and equipment.

“When estate taxes on an agricultural business exceed cash and other liquid assets, surviving family partners have few options other than to sell off farm and ranch assets, jeopardizing the viability of their business,” Stallman explained.

Farm Bureau Endorses Bill to Sink Controversial WOTUS Rule

/ VFB Governmental Relations / Leave a comment
The American Farm Bureau Federation today asked Congress to pass legislation ordering the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw the controversial “Waters of the United States” proposal.
In a letter copied to all members of Congress, AFBF President Bob Stallman wrote that the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act of 2015 represents an opportunity for Congress to take “the first important step toward resolving this issue fairly.” The bill was approved this week by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.)
If the legislation does not pass and EPA moves forward with a final rule, the likeliest result would be landowners “being forced to engage in expensive litigation to protect their rights.”
Farm Bureau also called into question a “Dear Colleague” letter circulating on Capitol Hill that mentions the American Farm Bureau by name. That letter states that delaying the rule would be “bad for farmers.”

“Because our name has been used, we feel obliged to make our position clear,” Stallman wrote. “Our members overwhelmingly oppose this rule. It is a bad rule for farmers. There is no question about that. Anyone who alleges the opposite either misunderstands the rule or misunderstands farming.”
AFBF also questioned the “Dear Colleague” letter’s assertion that delaying the WOTUS rule would leave “many of our nation’s waters unprotected.”
“As a matter of record, EPA has made repeated statements that the proposed rule does not expand its jurisdiction, while its proponents take the view … that without the rule, waters would be left unprotected. Proponents (of the WOTUS rule) cannot have it both ways.”
Farm Bureau believes without question that the WOTUS rule expands EPA’s authority beyond congressional intent and the limits imposed by two Supreme Court opinions. Among other provisions, AFBF said the proposed rule improperly extends federal regulation to isolated waters and, in cases, regulates land use under the guise of the WOTUS rule. The organization commended Chairman Shuster and the committee for their effort to draft and approve the bill for wider congressional consideration.

Agriculture Mediation Services Available for Farm-Related Disputes

/ VFB Governmental Relations / Leave a comment
Mediation is a valuable tool for resolving the occasional agriculture-related dispute before it ends up in court. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announces that agricultural mediation services are now available to Virginia’s agriculture community through a partnership with the North Carolina Agriculture Mediation Program (NCAMP), which operates out of Western Carolina University.
Known as FARM-VA, the program is certified through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency. Although the Virginia agricultural mediation program is based in North Carolina, mediations are held in the county where the parties work or reside.
“Conflicts often result from a lack of communication,” said Jayne Zanglein, Executive Director of NCAMP and FARM-VA. “We cultivate a resolution by providing a trained mediator to guide discussions and help settle agricultural disputes quickly, confidentially and amicably, saving everyone involved time and money.”

FARM-VA helps settle disputes between USDA agencies and their customers and clients. Those disputing USDA actions that directly affect them are offered the opportunity to request mediation services as part of the department’s informal appeals process. No fee is charged for USDA-related mediations. In addition, FARM-VA services are available to help resolve agricultural-related disputes between producers and suppliers, vendors, lenders and others. These mediations are subject to a fee based on the mediator’s time and travel.
NCAMP, the administrating organization of the FARM-VA program, offers trained and certified agricultural mediators. Since its inception in 2006, NCAMP has successfully mediated more than 130 North Carolina cases affecting more than 400 individuals.
To request mediation services or additional information on FARM-VA, contact 336.303.0466 or farmva@att.net. The NCAMP website is http://ncamediation.org.