For almost 100 years, Virginia Farm Bureau has spoken on behalf of the state’s farmers. Our farmer members shape every policy position we take, and their relationships with lawmakers—both rural and urban—are key to moving agricultural issues forward.
These key policy positions include some of the legislative issues considered by the General Assembly that relate to Virginia Farm Bureau policy. While many of our priorities had positive outcomes, several issues remain unresolved because the legislature adjourned without passing the state budget. As of mid-May 2026, the Virginia General Assembly has not passed a new state budget, with negotiations stalling over a proposed biennial plan. A special session is underway to break the stalemate before the new fiscal year starts on July.
KEY POLICY POSITIONS ADOPTED
- Protected the viability of Virginia farming operations by maintaining the farmworker exemption to overtime.
- Maintained exemptions for H-2A and H-2B workers from minimum wage.
- Strengthened truth in labeling rules by requiring that any product made from manufactured proteins cannot be labeled or marketed as an animal-based food.
- Established a producer-first definition of agrivoltaics.
- Granted local governments the authority to require the installation of solar canopies over parking lots to alleviate pressures imposed by solar development on farm and forest lands.
- Gave localities the authority to consider how data centers (high energy use facilities) impact water, agriculture, parks, historic sites and forestland.
- Protected the ability for farmers to utilize biosolids on their operations, while also creating testing protocols and protections from dangerous levels of PFAS.
- Prevented efforts to ban farmers from using paraquat.
- Streamlined the kill permit process for farmers addressing damage caused by deer on farmland.
- Directed the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry to develop an economic development plan for agriculture and forestry at the start of each new gubernatorial administration.
FARM BUREAU POLICY DID NOT PREVAIL
- Failed to maintain the broad farmworker exemption from minimum wage.
- Removed and limited the decision-making ability of local governments
- when siting utility-scale solar facilities in the creation of state standards for ordinances.
- Increased the number of mandates placed on employers with the establishment of an increased minimum wage, paid family medical leave and paid sick leave programs.
- Failed to create a tax incentive program to attract a sustainable aviation fuel manufacturer to increase market opportunities for biomass from wood residuals or grain.
Plows and Politics 