Author: VFB Governmental Relations

"Living in a Food Desert" to Premier at Richmond International Film Festival

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The College of Agriculture at Virginia State University is excited to invite you to attend the premier of “Living in a Food Desert” at the Richmond International Film Festival.

The premier will be held at 5:00 p.m. on March 1, 2015, at the historic Byrd Theatre. Immediately following the premier, patrons and community partners invite you to participate in a lively panel discussion to be hosted by Daphne Maxwell Reid, renowned actress and co-founder and principal partner of New Millennium Studios. 

Event Only – General Admission ($10)
Event Only – Senior and Student ($7)
One Day Screening Pass ($35)

Project History: In 2013, as a result of Delegate Delores McQuinn’s unwavering passion and commitment to citizens who live in food desert areas, the Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates commissioned the dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech and the dean of the College of Agriculture at Virginia State University to conduct a study of food deserts in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The deans led a broad-based Task Force that conducted the study and presented their findings to the Speaker of the House of Delegates in 2014. In 2014, Virginia State University created a documentary to bring additional focus and light upon this important topic and begin discussion on ways to address the issue of food deserts. We are honored and delighted to premier this important documentary during the 2015 Richmond International Film Festival.

For more information, call Cheryl Crawford at the College of Agriculture at (804) 524-5961.

USDA Specialty Crop Block Grants Announces $565,000 Available for Virginia Agricultural Interests

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Governor Terry McAuliffe has announced that the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is accepting applications for federal grants benefiting specialty crops. The Agricultural Marketing Service Specialty Crop Block Grant is offered through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Agricultural associations, industry groups, community-based organizations, and producer groups that seek to improve the competitiveness of specialty crops in Virginia are eligible to submit proposals for grants up to $60,000 per project.  VDACS anticipates administering nearly $565,000 in funds for the development of specialty crop projects.  The deadline for returning applications is April 2, 2015. 
Speaking about the grants, Governor McAuliffe said, “Given its standing as one of Virginia’s largest private industries, I am committed to keeping agriculture at the forefront of my administration’s strategic economic development and job creation plans.  I encourage producer groups to take advantage of the opportunity to apply for project funding that will enhance the competitiveness and, ultimately, the marketability of Virginia’s many specialty crops.  Full utilization of these types of grants and others is an important aspect of our overall efforts to build a new Virginia economy.”

Specialty crops are categorized as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops, including floriculture, that are not typically covered by traditional crop insurance. Specialty crops do not include standard commodities such as corn, wheat, soybeans, peanuts, cotton or tobacco. Processed foods are eligible as long as they enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.  Specialty crop competitive grant proposals must be specific and explain how an association, industry group or organization will use the funds to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Some examples include research, promotion and marketing plans, as well as food safety projects and projects that improve food access. 
In awarding the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant funds, VDACS will give priority to projects with the sole purpose of enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops as they pertain to the following issues: 
  • Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops;
  • Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems;
  • Assisting all entities in the specialty crop distribution chain in developing Good Agricultural Practices, Good Handling Practices, and Good Manufacturing Practices;
  • Investing in specialty crop research, including organic research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes;
  • Enhancing food safety;
  • Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops, pest and disease control;
  • Developing organic and sustainable production practices;
  • Developing local and regional food systems; and
  • Improving food access in underserved communities.

Guidelines, instructions, and the application for the USDA Specialty Crop Competitive Grants are available online at http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/marketing/scrop.shtml(click on Application Form to apply), via e-mail to Melissa Ball at melissa.ball@vdacs.virginia.gov, or at VDACS, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, VA  23219.

Another Virginia Horse Tests Positive for Equine Herpesvirus

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On Thursday, February 12, 2015, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) was notified of a horse in Loudoun County that tested positive for Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), a neurological disease of horses caused by Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1).
On February 5 that horse exhibited a fever and was not eating or drinking. Even though it never showed neurological signs, the owner took the horse to the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center (EMC) in Leesburg. There they tested for and quickly diagnosed EHV-1. The horse is under quarantine there and is recovering. A second horse from the same farm exhibited a fever but no other signs. As a precaution, it is also under quarantine at the EMC and VDACS is running tests at its Regional Animal Health Laboratory in Warrenton.
Dr. Richard Wilkes, State Veterinarian with VDACS, stressed that the horses were admitted directly into the isolation area at Marion duPont Scott. At no time were these horses in the general hospital area. The EMC is confident that their bio-security protocols will contain the virus to the isolation area. 

 Thirty-three other horses from the same farm are under quarantine on the farm premises in Loudoun County. None of them have shown any signs of EHV-1, but will be monitored at least through February 26. No horses from this farm have been at events during the incubation period for the virus.

VDACS began an epidemiological investigation on February 13 and will continue to monitor the situation. The Department will provide regular updates on its website – vdacs.virginia.gov/animals/ehv.shtml– and on Facebook and Twitter at facebook.com/VaAgricultureand twitter.com/VaAgriculture/.
On February 6, VDACS announced that a horse in western Albemarle County had tested positive for EHV-1. That horse has been under quarantine for a week and continues to improve. There is no known connection between the Loudoun and Albemarle horses.
More information on EHV-1 is available at vdacs.virginia.gov/animals/ehv.shtml.

‘Farmland’ Movie Available Via On-demand, Digital Platforms

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Academy Award-winning filmmaker James Moll’s feature-length documentary Farmland is now available for rent and purchase via on-demand platforms.

Farmland is available for digital download via iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Blockbuster On Demand, Sony Playstation, Vudu.com, Xbox and YouTube. The film also is available to traditional satellite and cable television subscribers and DirecTV and DISH subscribers via video-on-demand or pay-per-view platforms.

Farmland, which made its theatrical debut in 2014, affords viewers a glimpse into the lives of six American farmers and ranchers. It was made with support from the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, of which the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation and the American Farm Bureau Federation are members.


If your county Farm Bureau is interested in hosting a screening of Farmland in your area, contact Kelly Pruitt at 804-290-1293 or kprui@vafb.com.

Governor McAuliffe to Co-Host 7th Annual Conference on Agricultural Trade March 9-10 in Richmond

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Governor Terry McAuliffe will co-host the 7th Annual Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade on March 9-10, 2015 at the Richmond Marriot Hotel.  The two-day conference, entitled Facilitating New Opportunities in the Global Marketplace, is co-hosted by Virginia Tech’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, and the Virginia Port Authority (VPA).  The event will bring together producers, agribusinesses, entrepreneurs, exporters, foreign ambassadors, embassy ministers, land-grant university leadership, state and federal government officials, and others to discuss challenges and opportunities for global exports.  A moderated panel discussion and private meetings regarding the international trade of agricultural goods will be held as well. 

Governor McAuliffe will deliver the co-keynote address at the conference on Monday, March 9 at 12:00 PM, followed by United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.  The Governor will discuss how exports of agriculture and forestry products are playing key roles in his efforts to build a new Virginia economy and his work to make Virginia the East Coast capital for agricultural and forestry exports.  The Governor also will announce final figures for agricultural and forestry exports from Virginia for 2014.  During his State of the Commonwealth address in mid-January, McAuliffe announced that agricultural and forestry exports from Virginia would reach at least $3 billion, a new record high.  In 2013, the Commonwealth totaled more than $2.85 billion in agricultural and forestry exports. 
In his remarks, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack will discuss the importance of agriculture exports from a national perspective through his work to strengthen the American agricultural economy, build vibrant rural communities and create new markets for the tremendous innovation of rural America.
Speaking about the conference, Governor McAuliffe said, “I am pleased to announce the 7th Annual Governor’s Agricultural Trade Conference, an important event highlighting how agriculture and forestry exports are playing a key role in my efforts to build a new Virginia economy.  Building the new Virginia economy will mean helping existing businesses expand, attracting new businesses to the Commonwealth, and assisting businesses promote and sell more of their outstanding products in the global marketplace.  That diversity is vital and this year¹s conference, which will include my longtime friend, Tom Vilsack, will show how critical agricultural and forestry exports are to the nation¹s economy and the economy right here in Virginia.”
In addition to Governor McAuliffe and Secretary Vilsack, the conference is scheduled to feature presentations from His Excellency Gary Doer, Canadian Ambassador to the U.S., His Excellency Budi Bowoleksono, Indonesian Ambassador to the U.S., and His Excellency José Ramón Cabañas, Chief of Mission for the Cuban Interests Section in Washington, D.C.  Canada has been a long-standing top market for Virginia agricultural and forestry exports; sales exceeded $259 million in 2013.  As Virginia¹s 5th largest export market with more than $110 million in 2013 sales, Indonesia has emerged as a key market in the last few years.  Virginia has worked closely with Cuban officials in Washington, D.C. and Havana over the last decade to build the Commonwealth¹s business relationship with Cuba.  In 2013, Virginia was the nation’s third largest exporting state to Cuba with sales of just under $40 million.
Other conference speakers include: Ambassador Darci Vetter, Chief Agriculture Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR); Richard Willey, President of Perdue Agribusiness; John Reinhart, Chief Executive Officer of VPA; Dr. Timothy Sands, President of Virginia Tech; Clarence Gooden, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing and Chief Commercial Officer of CSX; Jim Borel, Executive Vice President of DuPont-Pioneer; and Todd Haymore, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. 
A panel focused on farm, U.S., and global economic trends will feature Bob Young, Chief Economist at American Farm Bureau Federation, and Michael Swanson, Senior Vice President, Consultant, and Agricultural Economist at Wells Fargo.  The panel will be moderated by Ambassador Richard Crowder, former USTR Chief Agricultural Negotiator.
Individuals, groups, and companies interested in participating in the conference may register online at https://www.signup4.net/Public/ap.aspx?EID=GOVE77Eor call event coordinator, Christie Young, at 804.516.2396.

Farm Bureau Governmental Relations Offers Summer Internship Opportunities for College Students

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Former GR Intern Stefanie Kitchen with
Del. Peter Farrell

Know a college student interested in agriculture and Governmental Relations? 


Virginia Farm Bureau is organized as a federation. This structure means that when a farmer member joins a county Farm Bureau, he or she is considered a member of Virginia Farm Bureau as well as American Farm Bureau. There are 88 county Farm Bureaus in Virginia. The strength of the organization is its grassroots activities.

Virginia Farm Bureau Federation staff’s primary responsibility is to serve volunteer leaders. The Governmental Relations Department’s primary responsibility during the summer is working with farmer members on researching, developing or pulling background information on local, state and national issues to help them formulate ideas for issues on which county Farm Bureau would like Virginia Farm Bureau to take a position.

In addition, we attend appropriate legislative and regulatory meetings and study committees to represent our members’ adopted policy positions. When requested, we make presentations on policy issues and work on surfacing ideas for news stories on Farm Bureau priority issues. In odd-numbered years, we work with the volunteer leaders participating in our political action committee to coordinate interviews with candidates running for public office and develop background information on the candidates’ positions and/or voting records.

In general, the intern will be required to perform some duties including clerical, to synthesize and summarize information, and to observe a broad array of issues that our organization represents, from national issues to tax issues to land issues to commodity issues.

The intern’s primary project will be assisting with coordination of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC (political action committee) activities.
  • Work with district field services directors on setting up Local Evaluation Committee meetings (interviews between members and candidates running for office).
  • Follow up with candidates with written and verbal reminders regarding interviews.
  • Coordinate follow-up to questions or requests for information from candidates.
  • Coordinate putting custom interview packets together for volunteer leaders.

Send us your resume:

If interested, send an email and a copy of your resume to Victoria Johnson atvictoria.johnson@vafb.com, as well as to Andrew Smith at andrew.smith@vafb.com, by March 1, 2015. Interviews will be conducted in mid-March.