Author: VFB Governmental Relations

Virginia Farmers to Serve on New Chesapeake Bay Agricultural Advisory Committee

/ VFB Governmental Relations / Leave a comment

Gov. Glenn Youngkin has appointed two farmers to represent the state on a newly established Chesapeake Bay Program Agricultural Advisory Committee. The committee aims to incorporate agricultural expertise into conservation efforts across the Chesapeake Bay watershed as officials work to accelerate progress toward water quality goals.

Kevin Craun and Robert “Bob” Waring will serve as Virginia’s representatives on the committee. Each jurisdiction in the watershed will appoint two representatives.

The committee’s formation follows a December 10 meeting of the Chesapeake Executive Council, where members formally approved its establishment. The initiative came at the request of agriculture secretaries from states within the Bay watershed and aligns with plans to revise the existing Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement by the end of 2025.

“Since day one, I have consistently said that we must work with Virginia’s farmers, not against them, in order to achieve our goals,” Youngkin said in a statement. “Under my administration, we have fully funded the Virginia Agricultural-Cost Share Program for the first time ever.”

Agriculture Secretary Matthew Lohr called the committee’s creation “a game-changer for ensuring that farmers’ voices are front and center in shaping the future of the Chesapeake Bay.”

Craun co-owns a 900-acre operation in the Shenandoah Valley, managing 190 dairy cows and 100 cow/calf pairs. He serves on multiple agricultural boards, including as chairman of the Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District and as a commissioner of the Virginia State Milk Commission.

Waring co-manages Brandon Farms, a third-generation row crop farm in Essex County recognized by the American Farmland Trust for its conservation practices. He serves on the executive board of the Southern Cover Crops Council and works at Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District.

The Chesapeake Executive Council includes governors from Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, along with the mayor of Washington, D.C., the chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission and the EPA administrator.

Agriculture is the largest non-forest land use in the watershed and will play a critical role in creating solutions for a healthier Chesapeake Bay, officials said.

Act Now: Protect Critical Agricultural Tools and Practices

/ VFB Governmental Relations / Leave a comment

In February, the White House issued an Executive Order establishing the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission. The commission has been tasked with addressing the health of Americans, with a focus on nutrition, physical activity, environmental impacts, and food and drug quality and safety. The commission is expected to release its initial assessment by May 24.

While we support the commission’s mission to improve health, we are concerned that misinformation about pesticides could negatively impact farmers, increase food costs and threaten food security. The EPA has strict rules and guidelines to ensure pesticides are safe and used responsibly, and the Commission must take a balanced, science-based approach in their review.

Below is a link to an action alert making it simple for you to send a pre-written letter with just a few clicks. The message highlights the safety and importance of pesticides while warning of the potential harm to agriculture if the Commission’s recommendations lead to unjustified restrictions.

Contact the MAHA Commission

The action alert automatically sends the letter to the correct Congressional offices based on your ZIP code, and you can personalize the letter with information about your operation and how you use crop protectants.

Your leadership in this moment is essential. With your help, we can ensure that the agricultural community is not only heard but prioritized in national policy decisions.

Public Input Sought for Virginia’s Transportation Future

/ VFB Governmental Relations / Leave a comment

Commonwealth Transportation Board Announces Statewide Meetings

The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) is conducting nine public meetings across Virginia to gather citizen feedback on proposed transportation projects. These meetings offer residents a vital opportunity to shape the future of Virginia’s transportation infrastructure before the Draft Fiscal Year 2026-2031 Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) is finalized in June.

The SYIP will allocate public funds to a comprehensive range of transportation initiatives including highways, roads, bridges, rail systems, bicycle and pedestrian paths, public transportation, and transportation demand projects. Projects under consideration include those funded through SMART SCALE, safety initiatives, repairs for structurally deficient bridges, and public transportation and rail improvements.

Community members can participate by either attending one of the scheduled public meetings or submitting their comments online. All meetings begin at 4 p.m. unless otherwise noted:

  • Tuesday, April 22: Richmond District, Richmond District Hawthorne Auditorium, 2430 Pine Forest Drive, Colonial Heights, VA 23834
  • Wednesday, April 23: Lynchburg District, Lynchburg District Ramey Auditorium, 4303 Campbell Ave., Lynchburg, VA 24501
  • Thursday, April 24: Hampton Roads District, Hampton Roads District James River Auditorium, 7511 Burbage Drive, Suffolk, VA 23435
  • Tuesday, May 6: Fredericksburg District, Fredericksburg District Auditorium, 86 Deacon Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405
  • Wednesday, May 7: Culpeper District, Culpeper District Auditorium, 1601 Orange Road, Culpeper, VA 22701
  • Thursday, May 8 (5 p.m.): Northern Virginia District, Northern Virginia District Potomac Conference Room, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030
  • Tuesday, May 13: Bristol District, Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, One Partnership Circle, Abingdon, VA 24210
  • Wednesday, May 14: Salem District, Holiday Inn Valley View, 3315 Ordway Drive, Roanoke, VA 24017
  • Thursday, May 15: Staunton District, Blue Ridge Community College, Robert E. Plecker Workforce Center, 1 College Lane, Weyers Cave, VA 24486

The Board has posted details about Spring meetings and district-specific project information on their website. This public engagement process represents a key opportunity for Virginians to influence transportation priorities in their communities.

More information

White House Moves to Increase Potash and Critical Mineral Production

/ VFB Governmental Relations / Leave a comment

On March 20, 2025, the White House issued an executive order titled “Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production,” officially designating potash as a critical mineral alongside other resources like uranium, copper and gold. This decision aims to bolster domestic production of key minerals, reduce reliance on imports and strengthen national security. For American farmers, the inclusion of potash—a vital fertilizer component—on the Critical Minerals List promises enhanced agricultural resilience and supports food security.

Potash, a potassium-rich mineral, is essential for crop growth, improving plant health, root development and yield. The United States currently imports over 90% of its potash needs, primarily from Canada.

Ramping up U.S. potash production capabilities could stabilize and lower fertilizer prices, which have soared in recent years due to supply chain shocks. Reducing dependence on imports enhances supply chain reliability, protecting farmers from sudden disruptions that could jeopardize cropping plans.

The executive order directs agencies to streamline permitting processes, identify federal lands for mining, and leverages the Defense Production Act to prioritize potash production:

  • Agencies shall compile a list of all mineral production projects that have submitted a plan of operations, permit application, or any other approval request to that agency in order to expedite the review and advancement of those projects in coordination with the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC).
    — Additional mineral production projects will be considered for FAST-41 status to streamline permitting.
  • New recommendations will be provided to Congress regarding treatment of waste rock, tailings, and mine waste disposal under the Mining Act of 1872.
  • The Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Energy, Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of the Interior shall identify additional sites that might be suitable for mineral production activities that can be permitted as soon as possible.
  • The Defense Production Act (DPA) will be used to expand domestic mineral production capacity.
  • Financing, loans, and investment support will be provided for new mineral production projects, including a dedicated critical minerals fund established through the United States International Development Finance Corporation in collaboration with the Department of Defense.

Virginia Farm Bureau has worked with the Trump administration on this issue and is pleased to see progress made. As implementation unfolds, we will closely watch the impacts and potential benefits from increased domestic potash production. We will continue to work with the administration and Congress to identify and deliver tangible benefits to Virginia’s farmers.