Author: VFB Governmental Relations

VFBF Board Member Testifies in Ag Committee

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On Wednesday, January 20th during the first meeting of the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, a presentation on the structure and importance of commodity boards was made by Pittsylvania farmer and Farm Bureau state board member Robert Mills. We thank Robert for driving to Richmond to share with the committee members all the good work of our commodity boards, including education, research, and promotion.  Virginia Farm Bureau is supporting two pieces of legislation this year, HB1094 from Delegate Webert and HB115 from Delegate Knight.

HB1094 (Webert) updates the commodity board code sections to reflect current industry practices.  The bill repeals certain board-specific provisions related to appointments and creates in their place general provisions, applicable to a number of boards, which provide for four-year appointments, that a majority of the board constitutes a quorum, for the election of officers, and policies establishing no compensation for attendance at meetings but reimbursement for expenses of board members.  

HB115 (Knight) removes the authority of the General Assembly to disburse the unexpended balances in the special agriculture commodity funds for purposes other than each fund’s intended purpose. 

Veto of Joint Resolution on WOTUS Met With Disfavor from Farm Bureau

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Calling President Barack Obama’s veto of a resolution (S.J. Res. 22) to disapprove of the Waters of the U.S. rule “salt in the wounds of farmers and ranchers,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said farmers and ranchers were mystified as to why Obama continues to support the fatally flawed rule.

“The Government Accountability Office found the rule was issued with the help of illegal ‘covert propaganda’ by EPA. Ninety-two members of Congress, 22 states, numerous cities and counties and dozens of industry groups have all stood up and said no to this rule. Courts have ordered the rule temporarily halted because of the harm it will cause. But, somehow, the president and the EPA just keep pushing. But we won’t stop either. We will not rest until this rule is gone,” Duvall said in a statement.

 On Tuesday, President Obama issued the ninth veto of his presidency Tuesday, rejecting a congressional resolution that would have overturned federal regulations on clean water. Read more here: www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/01/19/obama-vetoes-attempt-kill-clean-water-rule/79033958/

Meet New AFBF President Zippy Duvall

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AFBF President
Zippy Duvall
Hello. I’m Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. It’s an honor to introduce myself and share some of my goals as president.

My wife, Bonnie, and I have been Farm Bureau members for nearly 40 years. We raise broilers, hay and cattle on our farm in Greshamville, Georgia, an area about 70 miles east of Atlanta in the north-central part of the state. As proud as Bonnie and I are of our farm and our longtime involvement in Farm Bureau, we consider our family to be our greatest accomplishment. We have four children who are grown and doing great things on and off the farm, and we have three grandchildren.

I am dedicated to Farm Bureau because this organization stands for what I value most: faith, family and farming. The main reason I am honored to have been elected president of AFBF is because no other organization does more to protect farms, families and food.


Something else I can tell you about myself is that relationships are very important to me. I look forward to getting out into the countryside and meeting more farmers and ranchers face-to-face. The only way I can effectively speak for Farm Bureau members is if I sit down with them and come to understand their concerns and their goals.

I also look forward to working to achieve the policy goals that AFBF has established for this year. We will work to create a more-positive dialog about modern agriculture and food. We will work for a reasonable approach to government regulation, so that our farmers and ranchers have the freedom to operate. As more technological developments come along, we’ll work to ensure farmers and ranchers have access to the technologies that help them feed a growing world. One of our biggest priorities this year is congressional approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement to reduce tariffs and other barriers to U.S. farm exports, so that America’s farmers and ranchers have greater access to growing markets in the Pacific Rim.

We have a lot of work to do, and I can’t wait to get started! I hope to meet you if we haven’t met already, so we can work together to achieve our common goals.

Zippy Duvall
President

New Agricultural Conservation Program Exceeds First-Year Goal

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Virginia is making strides with its Resource Management Plan program, an innovative approach to meeting Chesapeake Bay cleanup goals. The initiative encourages farmers to increase their use of agricultural conservation practices while crediting them for practices already in place.
Since the program’s launch in July 2014, 278 resource management plans have been developed for farms in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This far surpasses the goal of 40 that was set for the program’s first year.
“Resource management plans are critical to Virginia’s strategy to protect and restore the health of rivers, streams and the Chesapeake Bay — and build a new Virginia economy in the process,” Governor McAuliffe said. “A major factor in this program’s success has been the support of both the agricultural and conservation communities.”

The program enables farmers to have a private-sector resource management plan developed for their property that incorporates a host of agricultural conservation practices that reduce to pollution to local waters and protect soil health. Once the plan is approved and the practices are implemented, the farm is deemed to be in compliance with state nutrient and sediment standards for the following nine years.
Participation in the program is voluntary for farms and landowners.
“I’m thrilled that the Resource Management Plan program has surpassed its first-year goal,” said Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Ward. “This is a true win for all the partners involved, and I commend everyone who worked together to achieve this important milestone.”
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation manages the program in partnership with Virginia’s 47 soil and water conservation districts. Districts serve as the primary review authority for the plans.
RMPs enable the state to document practices that have been installed with or without financial incentives, providing verified data to validate the agricultural sector’s level of participation in conservation practices.
Better tracking of practices also gives decision makers more accurate data to determine funding needs for agricultural cost-share and other incentive programs.
“The RMP program has proven to be a valuable new tool for promoting conservation practices that improve farming operations and water quality,” said Kendall Tyree, executive director of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. “Soil and water conservation districts play an essential role in the delivery of this voluntary program and are supportive of the effort.”
A plan can cover all or a portion of a farm and include existing and needed best management practices such as stream buffers, fencing to keep livestock out of streams, soil conservation measures, and nutrient management plans.
These practices help curb the flow of sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus that contributes to pollution in waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. They also can help farmers improve the health of their herds and the productivity of their soils.
The 278 plans that have been developed cover 48,500 acres of the Chesapeake Bay watershed in Virginia. On average, the typical plan covers 172 acres. A total of 47 farm owners or operators are participating.
“The success of this program is due to a significant number of farm leaders jumping in and working side by side with their local soil and water conservation districts in the first year,” said Ann Jennings, Virginia director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission. “The resource management plans developed will result in the documentation and implementation of thousands of best practices, enhanced farm management and an improved Chesapeake Bay.” 
The plans developed so far include 1,816 best management practices to protect soil and water resources.
For details about the RMP program and to read the report, go to http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil-and-water/rmp
Landowners who want to participate in the RMP program should contact their local soil and water conservation district.

Three Virginia Young Farmers Receive National Honors

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For the first time ever, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation had finalists in all three Young Farmers & Ranchers competitions at the annual American Farm Bureau Federation convention.

Chris Van Vlack of Loudoun County took home top honors Jan. 12 in the Discussion Meet competition at the 97th annual AFBF event. Sam and Ashley Gardner of Bedford County were runners-up for the Achievement Award, Mindy McCroskey of Washington County was a runner-up for the Excellence in Agriculture Award.

The Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting in which active discussion and participation are expected. Participants are evaluated on their ability to exchange ideas and information on a predetermined agricultural topic. The final-round topic was how Farm Bureau members can influence state and national policies in a political atmosphere that favors increased regulations on farmers.

“When creating Farm Bureau policies (regarding regulation), we have to have the public in mind,” Van Vlack said. “How will these policies appear to them? They have to be part of the conversation.”

Building coalitions with like-minded groups and being willing to raise and commit financial resources to legal challenges are tools Farm Bureau should consider, he said. “But it all starts with convincing the public … that we have their best interests in mind and we can address policy that benefits all of us in society.”

Van Vlack will receive his choice of a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado or a 2016 GMC Sierra courtesy of GM, plus free registration to the AFBF 2016 YF&R Leadership Conference next month in Kansas City, Mo.

The Gardners, who raise dairy heifers, were among three runners-up for the Achievement Award and will receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor courtesy of Case IH, along with $3,000 and Stihl Inc. merchandise courtesy of Stihl. The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities.

McCroskey, a cattle farmer and vocational agriculture instructor, was among three runners-up in the Excellence in Agriculture competition and will receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor courtesy of Case IH, as well as $3,000 and Stihl merchandise courtesy of Stihl. The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young adults who do not derive the majority of their income from farming but actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture, their leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.

“We are incredibly proud of all our national Young Farmer finalists,” said Grant Coffee, VFBF Young Farmers Committee chairman. “They’ve all worked hard for this—not just their presentations for the competitions, but also the years of hard work they’ve put into building their farm operations to be showcases for Virginia agriculture.”

Agribusiness Expansion, New Jobs in in Frederick County

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Shawnee Canning Company, a family-owned fruit processor, will invest nearly $500,000 to expand its operation in Frederick County.  The company will rehabilitate its cannery, built in 1947, and double production capacity on-site by adding a new filling line for its fruit products.  With this expansion, Shawnee Canning Company will create five new jobs and commit to purchase 80 percent – or over 300,000 pounds – of its fruit from Virginia over the next three years.

Governor McAuliffe said, “Shawnee Canning Company is a legend in the Virginia fruit processing industry with decades of rich history.  Shawnee has thrived over the years due to its strategic location to key markets, a strong and dedicated workforce, and Virginia’s abundant natural resources, including our world-class apples and peaches.  Today, Shawnee is poised to write the next chapter of its story in Frederick County and I’m pleased that my administration could partner with the company as it grows.  The investments being made by Shawnee will increase production, create jobs, but further highlight the role that agriculture can and will play in building the new Virginia economy.”

Shawnee made a name for itself with its authentic, high-quality canned peaches.  The company also has built a reputation as manufacturers of a vast assortment of products, including jams, jellies, marmalades, fruit butters, ciders, salsa, and canned peaches, which it sells under the Shawnee label and private labels for hundreds of businesses nationwide.  Shawnee specializes in quick-turnarounds for smaller runs of private-labeled products to be sold in farm stands across the country.  In addition to its processing and manufacturing business, the company owns Shawnee Springs Market, one of the oldest farm markets in northern Virginia.

“In addition to the new investment and jobs being created, Shawnee’s expansion will have a positive impact on Virginia’s apple industry, which is the fourth largest in the United States,” said Todd Haymore, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, who represented the Governor at the Shawnee announcement.  “The company, which itself is family-owned and operated, has demonstrated a strong commitment for sourcing Virginia-grown fruit from local producers to make its world-class products.  Shawnee’s expansion will provide new opportunities for the region’s fruit growers and others, thus expanding the economic impact of the company’s investment even further into Virginia.”
 Scott Johnson, General Manager of Shawnee Canning Company Inc. stated, “Our expansion is an exciting endeavor that will bring new life to our historic business.  We owe all of our success to our world class staff and our customers.  It has, and will continue to be, an honor to work with great people who share a mutual appreciation for Virginia agriculture.”

 The Commonwealth is partnering with Frederick County and Shawnee Canning Company on this project through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund, which is administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  Governor McAuliffe approved a $7,500 grant from the AFID Fund to assist with the project, which Frederick County is matching with local grant funds.
 Frederick County Board of Supervisors’ Chair, Chuck DeHaven commented, “We couldn’t be more excited to support Shawnee Canning in their growth, a company that has given so much to our community over the years and played such an integral part in the rich agricultural and manufacturing history we enjoy today.”

Speaking about the announcement, Senator Jill Vogel, R- Upperville said, “Thanks to Shawnee Canning Company, working in partnership with the Commonwealth and Frederick County, we have another expanding business creating new jobs and Virginia-grown products.  I am pleased to be a part of this home-grown company’s expansion in the County.”

Survey Aims to Collect Farmer Feedback on USDA programs

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A new online survey launched by the American Farm Bureau Federation will collect feedback from farmers about their experiences with 10 Agriculture Department programs housed in three agencies. Results will be used by AFBF to develop recommendations on how USDA can enhance its programs and make them more useful to farmers.
All farmers, not just Farm Bureau members, are encouraged to take the survey, which takes about 10 minutes to complete.

“Farmers sometimes find it confusing and complex to participate in USDA programs,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “At the same time, USDA staff are concerned that farmers and ranchers who could benefit from a number of different programs frequently do not apply.” 

The survey focuses on the following USDA programs from the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development:
  • Environmental Quality Incentives Program;
  • Conservation Stewardship Program;
  • Conservation Reserve Program;
  • Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program;
  • Value-Added Agricultural Producer Grants;
  • Rural Energy for America Program;
  • Farmers’ Marketing and Local Food Promotion Program;
  • Direct Farm Ownership Loans;
  • Direct Farm Operating Loans; and
  • Guaranteed Farm Loans (farm operating and farm ownership).

AFBF will share feedback from the survey about what is working well with the programs and how they can be improved with USDA.

Take the survey online through March 15 at http://usdaprograms.questionpro.com/.