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

Rachel Henley is the working lands and state advocacy specialist where she handles the Urban Legislative Program, ag land preservation, energy, labor and policy development. Prior to this role, she worked as an agriculture and natural resources Extension agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension and co-led state efforts related to farm transition and farmland preservation. She holds two bachelor’s degrees from Virginia Tech in Agribusiness Management and Livestock Production Business. She also received her Master’s of Agriculture from Colorado State University in Integrated Resource Management. Rachel grew up in Hanover County participating in 4-H. She is married to Thomas, a fourth generation dairy and grain farmer, and they reside in Hanover County with their two children. They are growing a beef operation and Rachel supports the family farm with agritourism efforts.

Jake Tabor is the legislative specialist where he handles commodity Issues (animal- and plant-based), environmental issues, wildlife and game laws, advisory committees and policy development. Prior to this position, Jake worked for the Mount Rogers Regional Partnership for four years, doing regional economic development in Southwest Virginia. Jake is a 2019 graduate of Virginia Tech, where he earned a bachelor’s in Agribusiness with minors in Political Science and Animal Science. While at Virginia Tech, Jake was on the Livestock Judging Team, and involved with Student Government and Block & Bridle. He is very involved with his family’s commercial cow/calf operation in Pulaski County and now resides in Richmond.