At Virginia Farm Bureau, we believe having engaged farmers who advocate for agriculture is essential to serving our community of farmers effectively. While paying annual dues is important, there are numerous other ways to get involved and help shape the future of farming. By taking an active role, you can ensure agriculture’s interests are being promoted and your voices are heard.

1. Participate in the Policy Development Process

The Farm Bureau’s policy positions start with our farmer members! Each year, farmers can submit policy resolutions through their county Farm Bureau. These are reviewed, discussed and voted on at the county level, by a state resolutions committee, and finally by delegates at the annual state meeting. It’s a true grassroots process that ensures our policies reflect the real needs of those working in agriculture.

2. Attend Regional Legislative Meetings

Across the state, we host regional legislative meetings where farmer members can share updates on key issues directly to legislators. This allows farmers to have their voices heard on statewide priority matters facing agriculture while connecting with other farmers to discuss shared challenges.

3. Join Us for Legislative Day

Our annual Legislative Day brings farmers from every corner of the state to Virginia’s capitol for issue discussions and meetings with elected officials. It’s a powerful opportunity to advocate for laws and funding supporting agriculture as we demonstrate Farm Bureau’s strong presence. For urban legislators, it’s also an invaluable chance to share farmer’s stories to help them better understand rural and farm issues.

4. Stay Connected with Your Legislator

In addition to annual events, we encourage farmers to build and maintain connections with state and national legislators throughout the year. Reach out regularly, invite them to your farm, attend their local events and be a trusted resource from the agriculture community that they can turn to when major issues arise.

There’s strength in numbers, and Virginia Farm Bureau is only as strong as our active, involved members. Whether through developing policies, attending meetings and events, or reaching out directly to representatives, there are many ways to get involved and make your voice heard as we advocate for the collective interests of agriculture. We’re here to help you amplify that voice!

On January 17, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two cases that sought to overturn Chevron deference: Relentless v. Dept. of Commerce and Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo. On June 28, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Chevron deference, which is a judge-made rule that allows federal agencies—not courts—to decide the meaning of federal statutes. If a statute is ambiguous (or even silent), the agency could to decide what it meant. The doctrine was created by the Supreme Court 40 years ago in a case called Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council.

“Farm Bureau applauds the U.S. Supreme Court for recognizing the damage Chevron deference has caused to the federal government’s balance of power. For decades, Congress has passed vague laws and left it to federal agencies and the courts to figure out how to implement them,” said American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) president Zippy Duvall. “AFBF has been a leading voice on this issue and has argued on behalf of farmers who are caught in a regulatory back and forth when administrations change the rules based on political priorities instead of relying on the legislative process. We are pleased the Court heard those concerns.”

“The Constitution built a system of checks and balances among three branches of government, to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. The legislative branch creates the laws, the executive branch enforces the laws, and the judicial branch interprets the laws. Chevron deference created a super-branch of government. The Supreme Court restored balance with today’s decision.”

DMV-issued permanent farm use placards are required for unregistered farm use panel trucks, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than or equal to 7,500 pounds beginning July 1, 2024. DMV issued placards must be displayed in front and rear of vehicles at all times. Trailers, semitrailers, and vehicles with a GVWR of greater than 7,500 pounds must only display the traditional red and white farm use tag if operating under the exemption. This requirement is a result of legislation passed by the 2023 General Assembly to cut down on abuses by the non-farming community and to clarify the program.  

Placards are $15 per vehicle and are valid for the vehicle’s lifetime but are not transferable. Vehicles claiming the exemption must be titled. If a title is needed, a separate $15 titling fee will be imposed. Applications for the permanent farm use placard are available at https://tinyurl.com/dmvfarmuse. 

The Basics: Permanent Farm Use Placards 

No vehicle inspection required. § 46.2-1157 only vehicles requiring inspection are registered vehicles. 

Must have liability insurance. § 46.2-684.1. any motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer that is exempt from motor vehicle registration requirements (like farm use vehicles), must be insured under a general liability policy that includes personal injury liability insurance and property damage liability insurance under a motor vehicle insurance policy or an umbrella or excess insurance policy. 

Maximum distance allowance of up to 75 miles or to a storage house, packing plant, market, or between your tracts of land. While operating a farm use vehicle, a farmer may stop for a meal or dispose of incidental trash from their or an employee’s home and trash generated on the farm. 

Required to have a title. However, if a title is needed, there will be a separate $15 titling fee and no sales or use tax will be imposed if purchasing a permanent placard. 

DMV and DMV Select. The application is available at DMV, or online at the DMV’s website. Print and mail-in options are available. 

Items needed for application 

The permanent placards are valid for the lifetime of the vehicle, but are not transferable. 

• $15 application fee per vehicle 

• Name of owner or lessee of vehicle 

• Approximate farm location and acreage where the vehicle is used; type of agricultural commodities produced on the farm 

• Title for each vehicle requiring placard, or, if title is needed, an additional $15 titling fee per vehicle 

• Statements signed by owner or lessee that the vehicle will only be used for the purposes allowed under the Farm Use Exemption AND that the vehicle is an insured. TIP: It might be helpful to bring your insurance policy with you. 

For more information, please see the following documents: 

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation will offer a two-part agriculture nutrient management training in June. The training is for anyone interested in learning about the development of agricultural nutrient management plans or how to become a certified plan writer.

The first session, June 11-12, is a lecture series by Virginia Tech professors on soil science, soil fertility and crop production. This is a virtual course hosted through Microsoft Teams and will run from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. each day. Registration is $150 with a deadline of June 3.

The second session, June 25-27, will cover nutrient management plan writing using a case-study farm. The training will be held in the Bioscience Building of Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave. Each day will run from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Registration is $150 with a deadline of June 17.

Nutrient management continues to be an important factor in a farmer’s decision-making process when considering application of materials to supply nutrients to crops and forages. Nutrient management plans determine rates for applying manure, fertilizers, biosolids and other soil amendments so that yields are maximized, and nutrient loss to ground and surface waters is minimized. Application rates are determined by a process using actual yield records or soil productivity when yield records aren’t available.

To register and for more information on nutrient management certification please visit www.dcr.virginia.gov/nmtrain.