A group with elevated risk for mental health crises may be the least likely to ask for help.

Depressed farm economies, weather disasters and the coronavirus pandemic have turned farm families into such a group. Farming-related stress can be exacerbated by the rural isolation and farmers’ “boot-strap” attitude. Studies show there is increased risk for suicide, substance use disorder and depression among U.S. farmers and rural residents.

American Farm Bureau Federation wants to smash stigmas surrounding rural mental health, encouraging farm families to seek help and help each other. Agriculturalists from across the U.S. discussed these issues Jan. 12 at the 2021 AFBF Virtual Convention during a workshop titled “Farm State of Mind—Responding to the Challenges of Rural Mental Health.” Panelists talked about awareness and access to rural health care services, and highlighted Farm Bureau’s efforts to confront the crisis.

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Virginia Farm Bureau Young Farmers saw another successful year participating in the American Farm Bureau Young Farmer competitions at the 2021 AFBF Virtual Convention. Young farmers from around the country competed for the awards by demonstrating knowledge of and achievement in agriculture, as well as commitment to promoting the agriculture industry.

Achievement Award

Matthew and Shelbie Heldreth of Wythe County won third place in the Achievement Award contest, receiving a Case IH 40” Combination Roll Cabinet and Top Chest and a $500 parts card, courtesy of Case IH, as well as a $2,500 Investing in Your Future cash prize, courtesy of American Farm Bureau Insurance Services Inc. In addition, they will take home $1,850 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise, courtesy of Stanley Black & Decker. Fourth-place finalists Brian and Ashley Rhodes of Mississippi receive a Case IH 40” Combination Roll Cabinet and Top Chest and a $500 Case IH parts card, courtesy of Case IH.

The Achievement Award went to Caleb and Leanne Ragland of Kentucky. They are the winners of a new Ford truck, courtesy of Ford. In addition, they will receive paid registration to the AFBF FUSION Conference, which will be held virtually in March, also courtesy of Ford.

The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities. Participants are evaluated on a combination of their agricultural operation’s growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership and leadership outside of Farm Bureau.

Excellence in Agriculture Award

Jonathan and Kelsey Grimes of Wythe County placed fourth in the Excellence in Agriculture Award competition. They will receive a Case IH 40” Combination Roll Cabinet and Top Chest and a $500 Case IH parts card, courtesy of Case IH

The Excellence in Agriculture Award went to Jackie Mundt of Kansas. She will receive a new Ford truck, courtesy of Ford. In addition, she will receive paid registration to the AFBF FUSION Conference, which will be held virtually in March, also courtesy of Ford.

The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who do not derive the majority of their income from an agricultural operation, but who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.

The American Farm Bureau Federation presented awards to Virginia Farm Bureau and other state Farm Bureaus at the organization’s Virtual Convention this week. The awards recognize excellence in implementation of outstanding member programs and membership achievement in 2020.

Virginia Farm Bureau also won The Pinnacle Award, the highest honor a state can be awarded for program and membership achievement.

New Horizon Awards, honoring states with the most innovative new programs, were presented to Alabama, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, New Mexico and Utah.

The Awards of Excellence recognize state Farm Bureaus that demonstrated outstanding achievements in four program areas: Membership Value; Advocacy; Leadership & Business Development; and Engagement & Outreach.

We had a great time getting to know Sen. Jennifer McClellan during our last Friend of the Farm Chat before the General Assembly begins. Be sure to tune in every Friday for our General Assembly updates featuring Andrew and Stefanie!

Check out this week’s Merchandiser Minute.

As COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed to essential healthcare workers and long-term care facility residents, agriculture groups are requesting that frontline food and farm workers be prioritized next.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices agrees. On Dec. 20, it recommended approximately 49 million frontline workers be prioritized in the next phase of vaccinations, including food and agricultural laborers and grocery store employees.

Vaccine distribution is orchestrated on the state level. Gov. Ralph Northam announced Jan. 6 that the Virginia Department of Health is expected to begin vaccinating Phase 1b frontline workers, including food and farm workers, by the end of January.

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Check out this week’s Merchandiser Minute:

USDA Rural Development has announced $19 million is available in FY2021 for the Value Added Producer Grant Program (VAPG) that helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of bio-based, value-added products. Generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income are the goals of this program.

The deadline for submitting an application to the competitive grant program in March 22, 2021. More details about the program and funding announcement can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/…/value-added-producer-grants…

If you are a producer and interested in pursuing VAPG funding and have questions about the application process, contact VA FAIRS- Foundation For Agriculture, Innovation & Rural Sustainability at https://www.vafairs.com/contact-us/

Thirty-nine weeks and two days. That’s the length of time that passed between the President signing the CARES Act back in March and signing the “CARES Act extension” bill yesterday. That extreme length of time was no accident. At 5,593 pages, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133) is the longest bill that has ever passed Congress, and it happened during a global health pandemic, a Presidential election year, and finally coalesced during a lame-duck session with large bipartisan majorities.

The $900 billion COVID-19 stimulus package portion will provide much-needed financial relief for agricultural producers, funding for food assistance programs, enhancements to the Paycheck Protection Program, and funding for enhanced broadband access, as well as additional financial resources for agricultural research and farmer stress assistance programs, among others.

Today’s article will give a high-level overview of each key agricultural provision and wrap up with notes on tax-related provisions that may be of interest. It’s a lengthy article, so I have put each commodity/sector under its own paragraph so you can skim to what’s important to your operation.

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Enjoyed our Friend of the Farm Chat with Del. Rob Bloxom on all things Eastern Shore. Can you guess what his favorite Virginia product is?