Virginia Farm Bureau’s Governmental Relations department has seen a few changes during the past year, and we’re excited to help you get to know our new staff members.

Zach Jacobs is a Legislative Specialist on Virginia Farm Bureau’s Governmental Relations team. Prior to this role, he worked on agriculture, transportation, defense and energy policy for a few Congressmen and served as a Legislative Analyst at the U.S. Department of Agriculture under Secretary Sonny Perdue in Washington, D.C. Zach was a first-generation college student obtaining a B.S. in Agribusiness Management and National Security and Foreign Affairs from Virginia Tech in 2019 before receiving a Master of Strategic Communication from Liberty University in 2021. Zach is a former Virginia FFA State Officer and currently serves on the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Organization Board of Directors at Virginia Tech. He was born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley.

Tenille Nuckols is our new Social Media and Member Engagement Coordinator. She has a hybrid role working with the Governmental Relations and Communications departments where she manages Virginia Farm Bureau’s social media presence and member communications regarding legislative and regulatory issues. Prior to this role, she worked as the marketing manager for one of the leading commercial general contractors in Virginia. She is a Certified Professional Services Marketer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Virginia Tech. Tenille grew up on a grain farm in Sussex County. Currently, she and her husband Taylor reside with their two children on Eastview Farm in Hanover County. The farm produces soybeans, hay, beef and formerly dairy.