Author: VFB Governmental Relations

AFBF President’s Bob Stallman Reports on Ditch the Rule in Ag Agenda Column

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AFBF President
Bob Stallman
Americans expect straight talk from their government. If our government says something, you ought to be able to take it to the bank, as the saying goes.

The Environmental Protection Agency is not meeting that expectation. Instead of making things clear when it comes to how the proposed “Waters of the U.S.” rule would affect farmers and other landowners, the EPA is muddying the waters.

It’s Complicated
Two Supreme Court rulings have limited EPA’s and the Corps of Engineers’ authority under the Clean Water Act to waters that are navigable or have a “significant nexus” to navigable waters. EPA claims the rulings “complicated” the permitting process. The reality is not all that complicated: The agencies dislike the rulings and are simply trying to write regulations that allow them to do what the Supreme Court has said they cannot do—regulate nearly all waters.

EPA has said that it only wants to bring “clarity and consistency” to the process. That sounds reasonable. Good talking point. The only problem is the statement does not reflect what is in the proposed rule. The regulation will automatically regulate countless small and remote so-called “waters” that are usually dry and, in fact, look like land to you and me. This is far more than a “clarification.” It is a dramatic expansion of federal power. Expanding the federal government’s jurisdiction under the guise of bringing clarity and consistency to the process is the opposite of straight talk.

We Read the Fine Print
When regulators show up on farms and ranches, they won’t be looking back at talking points to decide whether farming requires an expensive federal permit. They will use the regulation. So let’s take a look at the fine print.

Ditches—The rule regulates ditches as “tributaries.” EPA claims that the rule would exclude ditches, but the so-called ditch exclusion only covers ditches dug entirely in “uplands.” The rule doesn’t define “uplands” (so much for clarity), but we know that uplands are not wetlands, and most ditches are “wetland” at some point along their length. That’s just one reason Farm Bureau believes the narrow ditch “exclusion” will be meaningless.

Farming exemptions—EPA offers assurances that all farming and ranching exemptions are being preserved under the rule. But those exemptions are extremely limited when it comes to activities in jurisdictional waters. That’s why the exemptions will not protect most ordinary farming and ranching from permit requirements if ditches and low spots in farm fields are regulated, as they will be under the proposed rule.

Under the rule, federal permits would be needed for common farming activities such as applying fertilizer or pesticides, or moving cattle, if materials that are considered pollutants would fall into regulated low spots or ditches. Farmers can’t wait for federal permits to fertilize or protect their crops from pests and diseases. Permits also would be required for activities such as plowing, planting and fencing in these new “waters of the U.S.” unless a farmer has been farming the same land for decades, raising hurdles for beginning farmers.

Landowners could be in for a rude awakening—faced with penalties or lawsuits for the very things EPA says the rule doesn’t cover. Farm Bureau is dedicated to preventing that from happening, and we thank those leaders in the House and Senate who, in a bipartisan manner, are standing up for farmers and other landowners.

We hope EPA officials will read the fine print. We have, and that’s how we know it’s time to Ditch the Rule!

VDOT Holding Rt. 460 Town Halls

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The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has scheduled five town hall meetings in communities along the U.S. Route 460 corridor between Suffolk and Petersburg to discuss the current work on the U.S. Route 460 Corridor Improvements Project.

Town hall meetings are scheduled for:
Monday, July 21
Waverly – Sussex Central High School
Wednesday, July 23
Disputanta – J.E.J. Moore Middle School
Thursday, July 24
Dendron – Surry County High School
Tuesday, July 29
Ivor – Municipal Building 
Bell Avenue, Ivor VA 23866

Thursday, July 31
Suffolk – King’s Fork High School 
(pending approval)

The five town hall meetings offer residents information in an informal setting, ahead of formal hearings expected to be held this fall as part of the environmental impact statement process. Each meeting will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and include a brief presentation followed by a question and answer session with project team members.

From the Field: Several County Farm Bureaus Celebrate 70th Anniversaries

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From the Field is a bi-monthly column written by Mark Campbell, Farm Bureau Field Services Director for the Central District. He writes about Farm Bureau member benefits and County Farm Bureau activities.

The year was 1944, and the United States was involved in World War II. Franklin D. Roosevelt was president. The U.S. population was 138,397,345. The national debt was $204.1 billion. A stamp cost $0.03. Sunscreen was created to protect soldiers from sunburn, which later became the Coppertone Company. Gasoline was $0.21/gallon. Milk was $0.62/gallon. While World War II was a major event, life still went on at home.
Lots of things have changed since then. The U.S. population is now 318,455,000. The U.S. national debt is 17.83 trillion. A stamp now costs $0.49, and milk is $3.73/gallon. Average U.S. gasoline price is $3.59/gallon.

While many things have changed, the need for farmers to work together for the good of their industry has not changed. Several county Farm Bureaus have endured and prospered over the past seven decades. The year 1944 was a year when several county Farm Bureaus were officially created as an organization being certified by the Virginia State Corporation Commission. County Farm Bureaus have their original articles of incorporation in their file folders in county offices. I know in my district Albemarle and Cumberland are celebrating their 70thanniversaries.
Thumbing through some of these files is a step back in time. It is interesting to see when county Farm Bureaus got their official start and who the initial board of directors were. As annual membership meetings take place from August to October, some counties will celebrate 70 years of working to improve agriculture and representing their members.
Many county Farm Bureaus were organized in 1944 and earlier, but some had to be reorganized in later years. For more specific Farm Bureau history, you can refer to “The Virginia Farm Bureau Story” by J. Hiram Zigler. Read The Virginia Farm Bureau Story online at http://archive.org/details/virginiafarmbure00ziglMake plans to attend the annual membership meeting of your county Farm Bureau this year. It may just be a special anniversary party as well.
Until next time,
Mark

Madison County Farm Bureau Member Featured in Wegmans Video

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https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/l5E6Axw4Io8&source=uds

In 2014, Wegmans Food Markets began to source more beef raised without antibiotics or added hormones from family farms near their stores.  They have partnered with Madison County Farm Bureau member Clay Jackson’s operation Senterfitt Farms. Above is a closer look at their partnership. 

Leading Online Grocer Relay Foods to Invest $735,000, Increase Sales of Virginia-Sourced Agricultural Products

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Relay Foods (www.relayfoods.com) will expand its corporate headquarters and Charlottesville fulfillment center to accommodate increased local demand for its products and to support the company’s entry into new markets, including those beyond Virginia.  The company, a leading online grocery store and farmers market, will invest more than $735,000, create 25 new jobs in the City, and increase its Mid-Atlantic sales of Virginia-sourced meats, produce, dairy products, and value-added foods by $3 million over the next three years.  The Commonwealth of Virginia is partnering with the City of Charlottesville and Relay Foods on this project through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID).
Speaking at the company’s site in Charlottesville about the announcement, Governor Terry McAuliffe said, “We continue to realize the benefits of fully integrating agriculture and forestry into the state’s strategic economic development platform.  Relay Foods’ announcement today not only creates quality new job opportunities for residents of Charlottesville, it strengthens the ties that this innovative and fast-growing company has to the Commonwealth.  Supporting entrepreneurs with unique and exciting business models is another way for Virginia to grow and diversify our economy, especially with the variety of agricultural producers across the Commonwealth.”

Relay Foods seamlessly integrates more than 200 local farmers and artisan, organic, and conventional producers to deliver high quality, local and gourmet foods and groceries directly to customers.  The company offers a unique and powerful resource for small food producers in Virginia trying to access the market by providing ready access to consumers in the Washington D.C., Richmond and Charlottesville metro areas.  This expansion will allow the company to further meet the growing demands of its consumers.
“I am pleased to see the continued success of the AFID program working with localities and businesses such as Relay Foods, a company that is so focused on promoting Virginia’s fresh, locally-sourced agricultural products, to create new jobs at its operations and new revenue streams for our growers,” said Todd Haymore, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. “This project will allow Relay Foods to enjoy an even wider reach to markets where the exposure of Virginia-grown products will increase and Virginia’s agricultural producers will continue to benefit from new sales opportunities.”
The company, in partnership with Virginia and Charlottesville, will invest in updates to its Charlottesville corporate facility and fulfillment center, the main location for the aggregation, storage, packaging and distribution of all local Virginia meat, cheese and dairy products.   These improvements will strengthen the company’s competitive position in the fast-growing online grocery market.
“Relay Foods has rapidly developed a new approach to putting food on the table here in Charlottesville and beyond,” said Satyendra Singh Huja, Mayor of Charlottesville.  “We are proud of the company’s success and its ability to deliver innovation to the marketplace.”

Governor McAuliffe approved a $50,000 grant from the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID) to assist the City of Charlottesville with the project.  Relay Foods is also committing to purchase at least $350,000 worth of meats, produce, dairy products and other foods from Virginia producers over the next three years.  Through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, Relay Foods will receive additional funding and services to support its training and retraining activities.
“At Relay Foods, our goal is to strengthen the local food economy in every community we serve, and we have been able to grow and thrive in Virginia based on our strong partnerships with producers across the state,” said Zach Buckner, Co-founder and CEO of Relay Foods. “We look forward to using this AFID grant to continue exploring innovative ways to connect our customers with the fresh and local foods produced by Virginia growers and artisans.“
“Coming from bucolic Virginia, I know the importance of a strong agricultural supply chain and appreciate the dedication to local, small producers in this region,” said Senator Creigh Deeds, D- Bath County.  “The Governor’s continued support and partnership on economic development opportunities like the AFID program help communities across Virginia, and I am particularly pleased about the positive regional impact this announcement has today.”
Delegate David Toscano, D-Charlottesville, added, “Today’s announcement is a testament to the work the Governor and my colleagues in the General Assembly have done to diversify our economy and foster strong companies like Relay Foods in Virginia.  Their continued investment in Charlottesville and the ripple effect to the agricultural community and regional customer base are an exciting win for Virginia today.”
According to a 2013 economic impact study conducted by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, agriculture and forestry are two of Virginia’s largest industries with a combined economic impact of $70 billion annually.  Agriculture generates more than $52 billion per annum, while forestry induces over $17 billion.  The industries also provide more than 400,000 jobs in the Commonwealth.
About the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund

The AFID Fund was created during the 2012 session of the General Assembly and is being embraced by the McAuliffe Administration as an important tool in growing the Commonwealth’s agriculture and forestry sector and helping to make Virginia the leading exporter of agricultural and forest products on the East Coast.  More information about the AFID grant, which has the flexibility to assist projects large and small throughout Virginia, can be found at http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/agribusiness/afid.shtml.

Become a Face of Farming with USFRA

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U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance® (USFRA®) is looking for the new Faces of Farming & Ranching. To help put a real face on agriculture,  later this year, USFRA will select standout farmers and ranchers who are proud of what they do, eager to share their stories of continuous improvement and who are actively involved in sharing those stories in public and on social media. 

Farmers and ranchers who grow and raise an assortment of foods through various methods, on differing scale and across all regions of the country are encouraged to apply, as it is important to show American agriculture and all of its diversity.

“We are proud of the improvements our farmers and ranchers are bringing to America’s food supply and we think it’s imperative that they have a strong voice in addressing consumer questions…The success we experienced with last year’s ambassadors shows us that people want to hear directly from those who are cultivating our food.” – Randy Krotz, chief executive officer at USFRA.

How To Apply
Apply Online.
Applicants must submit an online application and include a video no longer than three minutes that shows your operation and your role on the farm/ranch.
USFRA will accept entries beginning on Thursday, July 10 2014 at 12:00:01 a.m. CT until Sunday, August 10, 2014 at 11:59:59 CT.  

Winners Announcement
Finalists will be announced by USFRA in early September, and each finalist will be profiled on FoodDialogues.com/Faces. The general public will be able to vote for their favorite in late October through early November.

A combination of public votes and USFRA judges’ scores will determine the winners, who will be announced on November 12 at a press conference during the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention (NAFB) in Kansas City.

And If I win?
Winners will receive a $15,000 stipend to help cover costs at home while they are traveling. They’ll also receive professional media/speaker training and full support from USFRA through their yearlong tenure.

Winners will serve in multiple high-visibility roles on behalf of USFRA, participating in a number of activities including national media interviews, advertising and public appearances.
Have Questions?

About USFRA

U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) consists of more than 80 farmer – and rancher-led organizations and agricultural partners representing virtually all aspects of agriculture, working to engage in dialogue with consumers who have questions about how today’s food is grown and raised. USFRA is committed to continuous improvement and supporting U.S. farmers and ranchers efforts to increase confidence and trust in today’s agriculture. Virginia Farm Bureau is a member of USFRA.