Near the conclusion of each two-year Session of Congress, Virginia Farm Bureau presents the “Friend of Farm Bureau Award” to members of Congress. Member of the Virginia delegation are nominated for the award by the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation (VFBF) and approved by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Board of Directors.

We are proud to announce that seven members of Virginia’s congressional delegation have been recognized with the Friend of Farm Bureau Award for supporting agriculture-related policies in the 117th Congress.

To be eligible for nomination, members of Congress must consistently vote in support of Farm Bureau’s policy positions. The voting records are based on AFBF priority issues, as determined by its Board of Directors. The Friend of Farm Bureau Award is not a political endorsement but rather a recognition of the member’s support for agriculture as demonstrated over the past two years.

The Virginia Friend of Farm Bureau recipients for the 117th Congress are:

• Representative Robert Wittman (VA-1)
• Representative Robert Scott (VA-3)
• Former Representative A. Donald McEachin (VA-4)
• Representative Ben Cline (VA-6)
• Representative Abigail Spanberger (VA-7)
• Representative Morgan Griffith (VA-9)
• Representative Jennifer Wexton (VA-10)

“On behalf of Virginia Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general farm organization, we’d like to thank these members of Virginia’s congressional delegation for supporting policies that benefit agriculture,” said VFBF President Wayne Pryor. “The 117^th Congress saw some of the greatest challenges to face the agriculture industry in modern times. This Session saw continued challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues, inflation and ever-changing foreign market conditions. Their support helps to preserve the future of family farms in the Commonwealth, maintain our ability to feed a growing population and provide resources to assist farmers in implementing sustainable practices on the farm. Farm families continue to be greatly challenged going into 2023, and continued support from our Congressional delegation is vital to ensure the future success of our industry.”

“I am honored to be a recipient of the ‘Friend of Farm Bureau Award’ for the 117th Congress. Our nation’s agriculture industry has faced incredible challenges due to factors such as supply chain disruptions, inflation, and changing and burdensome regulations,” said Congressman Rob Wittman. “We must ensure our nation’s farmers have the tools and resources they need to continue to support our nation’s families and businesses. I am grateful to the Virginia Farm Bureau for all they do to support the agriculture industry not only in the Commonwealth of Virginia, but throughout the entire nation.”

“I’m proud to once again receive the Friend of the Farm Bureau Award from the Virginia Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation,” said Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger. “As the only Virginian on the House Agriculture Committee, I’ve been grateful to work directly with the Virginia Farm Bureau, its membership and the communities it serves to make progress on issues important to rural America. Too often, crop and livestock producers are left out of important policy discussions in Washington — and I’ve worked since day one to make sure they have a seat at the table, a voice that is heard and a stronger future here in the Commonwealth.”