Author: VFB Governmental Relations

Regenerate Virginia Healthy Soils Grant Program Now Open

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American Farmland Trust and the Virginia Soil Health Coalition are collaborating to offer the Healthy Soils Grant Program. The program encourages producers and partners to pilot impactful ideas that innovatively fill gaps and address barriers to the adoption of soil health-building systems. This program aims to incentivize the adoption of practices and transformation of systems that go above and beyond current standards, supporting farmers, ideas, and expenses that are ineligible for other programs. Awards up to $30,000 for a single producer or $50,000 for a group of producers will be considered.

Applications for the 2024-2025 grant cycle are now open and will be accepted through November 15, 2024.

Learn more and see the application.

Cattle Traceability Rule Becomes Effective in November

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A new USDA- APHIS rule for animal disease traceability begins November 5 regarding what type of identification is used for transporting certain classes of cattle across state lines. This new rule covers the same classes of cattle that have been required to have some type of visual identification since 2013. Those classes of cattle are breeding cattle that are sexually intact over 18 months of age, all female dairy cattle of any age, male dairy cattle born after March 11, 2013; and all cattle used for rodeo, recreational events, showing or exhibitions.

The former “official identification” included metal ear tags, RFID tags, tattoos and, in some cases, brands. The new 2024 rule requires that the “official identification” be both visually and electronically readable. The only approved electronic identification will be an 840-RFID tag. Cattlemen can currently order the 840-RFID tags at no cost by contacting the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Office of Veterinary Services- Richard Odom at 804-692-0600 or richard.odom@vdacs.virginia.gov.

This rule does not apply to feeder cattle, cattle of any age going directly to slaughter or cattle being transported within the state and not crossing state lines. For example, if you sold bred heifers into another state or purchased bred heifers from another state, those heifers would have required some type of visual permanent identification. The change this year will require that the identification be visually and electronically readable, which will be the 840-RFID tag.

More detailed information and frequently asked questions can be found here:

V5 FAQs for ProducersDownload

2024 Presidential and Congressional Candidates Sound Off on Ag Issues

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Both American Farm Bureau and Virginia Farm Bureau have published responses to their respective candidate questionnaires on agriculture issues.

Presidential Candidate Questionnaire

For more than 40 years, American Farm Bureau has asked every presidential candidate to provide responses to issues likely to impact and affect farmers and ranchers and rural communities in the next four years. Both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have provided their answers. We are sharing their unedited responses so you can read directly from the candidates on their policy positions and direction for our country. Click the button to view their positions.

Presidential Candidate Questionnaire

Congressional Candidate Questionnaire

While Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC issues endorsements in state races, it does not endorse congressional candidates during federal election years. Instead, Virginia Farm Bureau sends a questionnaire to all candidates with questions regarding federal agriculture issues. Click the button to view their responses.

Congressional Candidate Questionnaire

Important Election Information

Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Here are some important dates:

First day of in-person early voting at your local registrar’s office: Friday, September 20, 2024.

Deadline to register to vote, or update an existing registration: October 15, 2024 (Voters may register after this date, through Election Day, and vote using a provisional ballot).

Deadline to apply for a ballot to be mailed to you: October 25, 2024. Your request must be received by your local voter registration office by 5:00 p.m.

Voter registration offices open for early voting: Saturday, October 26, 2024.

The last day of in-person early voting at your local voter registration office:  Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

See who is on your ballot by viewing the candidate lists.

Register to vote or apply for an absentee ballot online using the Citizen Portal.

For more information, visit https://www.elections.virginia.gov/

Leading U.S. producer of South Asian yogurt will invest in a new facility, as well as source products from Virginia farms 

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Desi Fresh Foods, a leading U.S. producer of dahi, or South Asian yogurt, and lassi, a drinkable South Asian yogurt, will invest a significant amount of money to open a new manufacturing facility to Frederick County, Va. The new facility will create 56 new jobs and allow the company to significantly increase its current production while committing to source a significant amount of dairy ingredients from local Virginia farmers. The Commonwealth successfully competed with Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia for the project.  

“Virginia’s status as the top state for business enables opportunities like this, where we can bring in a leading food manufacturer that will support more routes to market for our dairy farmers while also strengthening the local economy and workforce,” said Gov. Glenn Youngkin. “The Commonwealth is committed to business development and the growth of our largest private industry – agriculture. Desi Fresh Foods will be an asset to the community of Frederick County and its local dairies.”  

“Virginia dairy farmers’ high-quality products will be an asset to Desi Fresh Foods’ ability to continue being a leading manufacturer of South Asian dairy products,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr. “We’re pleased Desi Fresh Foods recognized the benefits of relocating their facility to Virginia, and we are proud to support this project and its 56 new jobs with the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund.” 

“After an exhaustive search, we are thrilled to be opening our new facility in Northern Virginia,” said CEO of Desi Fresh Foods Larry LaPorta. “This move will not only allow us to streamline operations and increase production, but give us access to quality, essential ingredients that will help foster the growth of Desi Fresh Foods in the future and set us up for long-term success.” 

“We appreciate Desi Fresh Foods’ decision to locate its operations in Frederick County, as well as its commitment to supporting Virginia dairies,” said chairman of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors Josh Ludwig. “Their presence enhances our local food economy, which encompasses farms, agribusinesses, suppliers, and our second-largest manufacturing sector—food manufacturing. We are excited about their future success in our community.” 

“As a lifelong Virginia dairy farmer, I’m delighted Desi Fresh Foods is opening a new facility in Frederick County,” said Senator Timmy French. “The agricultural industry welcomes this opportunity and values the investment it brings to Virginia and the local economy.” 

“We are so pleased to hear that Desi Fresh Foods is relocating to Frederick County,” said Delegate William D. Wiley. “This is exactly the type of industry that we are targeting and they will complement the existing dairy industry that we embrace.”  

Founded in 2000, Desi Fresh Foods is a New York-based manufacturer of Indian-style spoonable and drinkable yogurt products that are distributed nationwide to retailers and food service customers. The company is the leading producer of dahi (a South Asian yogurt) and lassi (a drinkable South Asian yogurt) in the United States. Desi Fresh Foods’ product line includes whole milk, low-fat, fat-free, and organic yogurt and lower-fat paneer and lassi, sold through ethnic and mainstream retailers, and food service customers. 

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services worked with the Frederick County Economic Development Authority to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Youngkin approved a $150,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund and a $150,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund to assist Frederick County with this project.  

Support for Desi Fresh Foods’ job creation will be provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, a workforce initiative created by VEDP in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System and other higher education partners, with funding support from the Governor’s administration and the Virginia General Assembly. Launched in 2019, the program accelerates new facility start-ups through the direct delivery of recruitment and training services that are fully customized to a company’s unique products, processes, equipment, standards, and culture. All program services are provided at no cost to qualified new and expanding companies as an incentive for job creation. 

Specialty Crop Block Grant Funding for Virginia Announced

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More than $557,600 in federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funding has been awarded to eight agricultural projects in Virginia to help promote and enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in the state. 

“I applaud each of these awardees for their ingenuity and innovation in research and development initiatives that enhance the competitiveness of Virginia’s specialty crops. Not only will these projects help boost economic development in the Commonwealth, but they will enhance and expand new market opportunities for agricultural producers,” said Gov. Glenn Youngkin.  

The purpose of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, by funding research and development initiatives that are developing improvements for the sector. Agricultural associations, industry and producer groups, localities, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and non-profits are eligible for this grant opportunity. The competitive grant process established by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) gave priority to projects that included the following activities: 

  • Assist farmers transitioning into specialty, high-value agricultural initiatives that address the eligible specialty crops. 
  • Increase net farm income through high-value or value-added enterprises. 
  • Find new ways to market or add value to specialty agricultural products. 
  • Develop pilot and demonstration programs in specialty agriculture that have the potential for transferability within rural Virginia. 

“By supporting strategic research that helps to increase success for Virginia producers, these grant awards help to further our efforts of encouraging economic growth in rural areas through the use of agriculture,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr. “Congratulations to each of the awardees for their innovative research and programs that will help improve the competitiveness of Virginia’s specialty crops, strengthen food safety and resiliency, and help our producers access new markets. 

Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. Among this round of specialty crop grant awards are projects that advance research with different crop varieties and disease management, while also improving economic resilience, food safety, and market access. For more information, please visit the Virginia’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program website. 

During this grant round, the following recipients and projects received funding: 

Increasing access to diverse markets for specialty crop farmers with pathways to food safety training and certification 
Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD), Duffield, Va., Robin Robbins 
ASD and its partners will conduct food safety classroom training, provide individual technical assistance, and conduct mock audits to increase the competitiveness of Virginia specialty crop producers. This effort will help producers reduce food safety risks, while expanding their knowledge and business model by enabling them to access new markets. 

New disease management approaches to improve the quality of fresh market snap beans 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC) Painter, Va., Dr. Douglas Higgins  
Research will determine the prominence of fungal pathogens, Alternaria alternata and Plectosporium tabacinum, in Virginia snap beans and determine their resistance to strobilurin type fungicides. The goal of this research is to provide new disease management approaches to improve snap bean pod quality.  

New blackberry varieties: Yield, post-harvest traits, and antioxidant capacity determination 
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va., Dr. Dennis Cladis 
Researchers will evaluate the yield, post-harvest traits, and antioxidant content of new and established Virginia blackberry cultivars. This project will enhance the competitiveness of Virginia blackberries by identifying cultivars that maximize yields for growers while also producing a high antioxidant content which optimizes the health benefits for consumers. 

Protecting Virginia vegetable crops from pests through novel biofumigation approaches 
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va., Dr. Steven Rideout 
As many specialty crop producers are interested in biofumigation with brassica crop covers, Virginia Tech researchers, in cooperation with Virginia Cooperative Extension, will conduct research to explore the usefulness of BioFence applications (granular, irrigation, and foliar) for disease control and the safety of produce produced using these tactics.  

Do floating row cover types influence yield and disease carry over potential in strawberry crop? 
Virginia Tech, Hampton Roads AREC, Virginia Beach, Va., Dr. Jayesh Samtani 
Led by Virginia Tech’s Hampton Roads AREC, in partnership with the Southern Piedmont AREC and Virginia Seafood AREC, researchers will study row cover usage to assist growers in managing diseases and improving crop yield with the increase in climate change and temperature fluctuations. 

Profitable faba bean production and marketing in Central and Southeastern Virginia 
Virginia State University, Petersburg, Va., Dr. Shahram Torabian 
The Virginia State University Agricultural Research Station will explore profitable strategies for faba bean production and marketing in Central and Southeastern Virginia.  

Assessing and mitigating food safety risks associated with using freeze dryers to enhance competitiveness of value-added specialty crops 
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va., Dr. Alexis Hamilton 
Virginia Tech will help specialty crop producers safely produce freeze-dried products by assessing the impact of pre-processing acid rinses on the activation of Salmonella enterica prior to freeze-drying.  

Farm2Food Accelerator: Energizing growth for Virginia’s small-scale specialty crop producers 
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Foundation, Arlington, Va., Chris Jones 
NASDA Foundation will adapt the Farm2Food Accelerator curriculum to serve Virginia’s specialty crop producers launching/refining food/beverage value-added products to reduce food waste and improve economic resilience, food safety, and market access.