Andrew Smith,                Sr. Assistant Director

Changes to existing laws regulating unlicensed farm vehicles on Virginia’s highways go into effect July 1.

Virginia lawmakers created what’s called the “farm use” designation for farmers who use unlicensed vehicles for specific purposes such as planting and harvesting crops and transporting farm products to market. Most farmers show the designation by using a special farm use placard on their vehicles.

Andrew Smith, senior assistant director of governmental relations for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, emphasized how important it is for valid users of farm use tags to understand two changes in the laws this year so they can be in compliance.

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The Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers on Tuesday announced a proposed rule to rescind the Clean Water Rule and re-codify the regulatory text that existed prior to 2015 defining “Waters of the United States” or WOTUS.

“Farmers and ranchers across this country are cheering EPA’s proposal today to ditch its flawed Waters of the U.S. rule,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall in a statement. “We know the importance of clean water, and farmers and ranchers work hard to protect our natural resources every day.

“But this rule was never really about clean water. It was a federal land grab designed to put a straightjacket on farming and private businesses across this nation. That’s why our federal courts blocked it from going into effect for the past two years. Today’s announcement shows EPA Administrator Pruitt recognizes the WOTUS rule for what it is—an illegal and dangerous mistake that needs to be corrected.”

New farmers, and those not previously contacted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), have until the end of June to ensure they are represented in this year’s Census of Agriculture. To receive a census questionnaire this December, these producers are asked to visit the Census of Agriculture website at www.agcensus.usda.gov and click on the ‘Make Sure You Are Counted’ button today.  

While on the website, producers can watch the census introduction video, access frequently asked questions, explore past and current data, and try the improved online census questionnaire demo. The updated online questionnaire, which will go live late fall, is now accessible on any electronic device. New features save time by calculating totals automatically and skipping questions that do not pertain to the respondent’s operation.

“Responding to the census has never been easier. It is our hope that producers will become familiar with the online census questionnaire demo, like it, and return to report online when responding to the Census of Agriculture later this year,” said NASS Census and Survey Division Director Barbara Rater.   

Producers who are uncertain whether they classify as a farm should note that the census definition is any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the census year (2017).

“The definition includes millions of farmers, ranchers and producers – rural and urban – and it is vital that all are represented in this complete count endeavor every five years. Their voices show the nation the value and importance of agriculture, and help influence decisions that will shape the future of American agriculture for years to come,” said Rater.  

At 177 years old, the Census of Agriculture tells the story of U.S. agriculture. It provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial agricultural data for every county in the nation. The data are valuable to those who serve farmers and rural communities, including federal, state and local governments, agribusinesses, trade associations, extension educators, researchers, even farmers and ranchers themselves. Census results help shape farm programs and boost services for communities and the industry. The Census of Agriculture is a farmer or rancher’s voice, future, and opportunity.
For more information about the 2017 Census of Agriculture, visit http://www.agcensus.usda.gov or call (800) 727-9540.

Congratulations to Jessica Pittman, who recently received the National Award for Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture! Jessica, a first grade teacher in Caroline County, is also Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom’s  2017 Teacher of the Year! See the video below to learn more about all the wonderful things Jessica’s doing to bring agriculture into the lives of her students, including their tower garden!

The annual Young Farmers Summer Expo is the coolest event of the summer! This year’s  agenda includes a pre-conference at the Kentland Farm in Blacksburg, the Governor Candidates Forum for Agriculture in Roanoke Friday afternoon and lots of tours and networking throughout the weekend. Discussion Meet, Excellence in Agriculture and Outstanding Young Agriculturalist contests will be held as well. Most attendees are 18 to 35 years of age and support agriculture through production(farming), education, promotion, advocacy and/or leadership in the industry.

Anyone interested in supporting agriculture is welcome to attend. Register at www.YoungFarmersExpo.org

From American Farm Bureau:

On June 12, 2017, the final protocols were released for shipping U.S. beef to China. Of the requirements listed, a few highlights include:

• Beef and beef products must be derived from cattle that were born, raised, and slaughtered in the U.S., cattle that were imported from Canada or Mexico and subsequently raised and slaughtered in the U.S., or cattle that were imported from Canada or Mexico for direct slaughter;
• Cattle must be traceable to the U.S. birth farm using a unique identifier, or if imported to the first place of residence or port of entry;
• Beef and beef products must be derived from cattle less than 30 months of age;

China also bans the use of growth promotants, feed additives, and chemical compounds; and will conduct residue testing at port of entry on shipments of beef. This is one more important step forward to market access that could have a lot of potential for U.S. beef producers.   Continue reading →

Craig County Farm Bureau has won a $500 American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Program “Our Food Link” grant to fund a school garden project in their county.

Craig County had to present a strong link between the food system and agriculture in a way which would be of interest to consumers to be eligible for the grant. The year-round “Our Food Link” program connects farmers to consumers in new and creative ways.

“Students learn best when engaged in hands-on learning we will be able to teach them environmental awareness where they take responsibility for living things, understand life cycles, experience the way agriculture affects the environment and foster a curiosity about nature,” said Mary Hunter, Craig County Farm Bureau President. “The students will learn how to take care of a garden from seed to harvest and develop an understanding of where their food comes from. They will learn to cook the foods they raise, try new foods, and, if the harvest is large enough, market those foods to teachers and other students at the school.”

Virginia farmers will be part of a June 10 celebration marking Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week.

Back to the Bay will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mason Neck Start Park in Fairfax County. The event will focus on bay restoration efforts and will feature family activities, educational displays, live music and local food and beverages.

Visitors will be able to sample Virginia oysters on the half shell; take to the water by canoe, kayak or paddleboard; view underwater grasses in Belmont Bay; and join forestry experts on a walk through park forestland at the water’s edge. At an exhibit sponsored by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation and the Virginia Agribusiness Council they’ll be able to meet and talk with farmers who are working to protect the bay and its tributaries. They’ll also be able to win prizes by correctly answering questions about conservation practices and Virginia farms.

In 2016 the Virginia General Assembly passed a resolution designating the second week in June as Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week. Similar legislation has been enacted in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

For Back to the Bay details, visit cnva.org/back-to-the-bay.

Assessments of the state’s current wheat crop left participants in the second annual Virginia Wheat Tour optimistic last week.

On May 31, representatives of Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, Dogwood Agribusiness Services, The Mennel Milling Co., Perdue AgriBusiness, The Scoular Co. and Virginia Cooperative Extension scouted seven farms on the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. The tour was organized and hosted by Farm Bureau in cooperation with farmers in New Kent, Essex, Middlesex, Richmond, Westmoreland and Lancaster counties.

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Virginia farmers have an incentive to donate excess product to nonprofit food banks thanks to the Food Crop Donation Tax Credit. Approved by the Virginia General Assembly during the 2016 Session, farmers who donate edible food crops to a nonprofit food bank can receive up to a 30 percent tax credit for their donation.

“Increasing healthy food access for all Virginians helps strengthen our communities and our economy,” said Commissioner Sandy Adams. “Local growers are often faced with more product than they can sell and food banks need more fresh options. We encourage Virginia farmers to take advantage of this tax credit. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

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