As talk of revisions to the North American Free Trade Agreement continue, concern from the U.S. agricultural community over a potential NAFTA withdrawal has intensified.

A report released in November by the American Farm Bureau Federation notes that Mexico and Canada represent 30 percent of all U.S. agricultural exports and are two of the nation’s top three export markets.

Total withdrawal from NAFTA, the report notes, “would make U.S. farmers and ranchers less competitive in our top export markets—and could result in billions of dollars of agricultural products accumulating in inventories—further weakening the U.S. farm economy. The integration of the North American agricultural market that has occurred over the last quarter-century is at risk.”

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The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announced that Northampton County is forecast to be the number one locality in Virginia in wheat production this year. Shenandoah County had the highest yield (amount produced per acre). Amelia is the leading barley-producing county with Rockingham projected to have the highest barley yield.

The county estimates for winter wheat and barley are based on farmer-reported information from the Small Grains County Agricultural Production Survey and the September Agricultural Survey.

Northampton County is the leading wheat producing county in Virginia for 2017, with production totaling 660,000 bushels, harvested from 9,700 acres. The top five counties include:

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Governor-elect Ralph Northam today announced his selections for Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry and Secretary of Natural Resources.

Bettina Ring will become Virginia’s next Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry.

“Agriculture and forestry make up two of Virginia’s largest industries, and as a native of the Eastern Shore I am keenly aware of the unique challenges facing those Virginians who proudly make it their livelihoods,” said Governor-elect Ralph Northam. “If we want to ensure the responsible stewardship of our historic and natural resources and continue our economic growth, we need leaders who are understanding of the necessary balance between both. I am confident the team I am naming today will do just that.”

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American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall has been appointed to the White House’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.

Members of the ACTPN advise the president on the potential effects of proposed and current trade agreements. The ACTPN, which is administered by the U.S. Trade Representative, is the main trade advisory committee that provides policy information and advice to the president.

“I am deeply honored to be called to serve as a member of the White House’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.” Duvall said. “I look forward to taking a seat at the table on behalf of America’s farmers and ranchers as we look to further our agricultural trade opportunities. We must keep building on our current gains in markets abroad, foster lasting relationships with our international partners and, of course, effectively enforce current trade agreements to ensure agriculture continues to boost our economy and create jobs for all Americans.”

Duvall has been appointed by the president for a four-year term. Established by the 1974 Trade Act, the ACTPN brings together up to 45 individuals from the private sector who represent key economic sectors affected by trade. The committee evaluates trade policy issues by considering their effect on the overall national interest.

Former Virginia Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Delano, who went on to become president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, passed away on December 5, 2017 at the age of 93.

Born and educated in Richmond County, Mr. Delano was active in both sports and FFA at Warsaw High School. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1944 with a BS in Animal Husbandry.

After service in the India-Burma Theater in WWII, Mr. Delano served as assistant county agent for Prince George, Dinwiddie and Nottoway counties. In 1947, he returned to Warsaw and assumed the management of the family dairy farm which later was phased into a 500-acre grain operation.

In 1955, he helped organize the Richmond County Farm Bureau and served as its first president. From 1959 to 1980 he served on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Farm Bureau.

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­­ The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) began mailing the 2017 Census of Agriculture to the nation’s producers this week, including the nearly 45,000 farmers in Virginia.

Conducted once every five years, the Census aims to get a complete and accurate picture of American agriculture. The resulting data are used by farmers, trade associations, researchers, policymakers and many others to help make decisions in community planning, farm assistance programs, technology development, farm advocacy, agribusiness setup, rural development and more.

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Congratulations to the five leaders who were elected to serve three-year terms on the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation board of directors: Emily Edmondson of Tazewell County, M.L. Everett of Southampton County, Thomas Graves of Orange County, Gordon Metz of Henry County and Robert Mills of Pittsylvania County.

Farm Bureaus in the counties of Bedford, Craig, King William and Patrick were recognized Nov. 29 by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation for their work in educating the public and promoting agriculture and Farm Bureau.

As a result of their cultivation and retention of members and their promotional and community activities, the five organizations received Best in State and New Horizon awards at the 2017 VFBF Annual Convention in Williamsburg.

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Three leading members of Virginia’s agriculture community were honored Nov. 29 with Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s 2017 Distinguished Service Awards during the VFBF Annual Convention in Williamsburg.

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American farmers and ranchers remain united and persistent, there’s a good chance to make real progress on several national issues, said Vincent “Zippy” Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Duvall spoke to several hundred farmers and guests Nov. 29 at the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s 2017 Annual Convention in Williamsburg. Elected in 2016, Duvall is the AFBF’s 12th president. He told convention participants that reforming the nation’s immigration laws and providing a steady supply of legal foreign farm workers tops the list of challenging national issues Farm Bureau members face.

“As I travel the country, the No. 1 issue in agriculture across the country today is farm labor. No doubt about it,” Duvall said. “(Farmers have) got the land, most of them have the water, they have the ability … they just don’t have the labor to continue to expand and grow.”

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