The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation had a successful year in 2018, achieving membership growth and financial gains, said Wayne F. Pryor, VFBF president. But there are plenty of political challenges ahead, and it’s time for Farm Bureau members to step up their contacts with legislators, Pryor added.

“For the first time in many years it appears that folks in Washington are actually listening to the needs of farmers,” he told delegates to the 2018 VFBF Annual Convention. “Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duval have the president’s ear, and we’re seeing real policy changes. We’re making progress on amending the EPA’s over-reaching Waters of the U.S. regulation. We now have a proposal for year-round E15 ethanol blends in gasoline. And there’s a new dairy revenue protection program.”

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Farm Bureaus in Albemarle, Bland, Campbell, Prince William-Fairfax and Washington were recognized Nov. 27 by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation for their work in educating the public and promoting agriculture and Farm Bureau.

As a result of their cultivation and retention of members and their promotional and community activities, the five organizations received Best in State and New Horizon awards at the 2018 VFBF Annual Convention in Hot Springs.

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John and Lydia Shepherd of Nottoway County have been named the 2018 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers of the Year Achievement Award winners.

The Shepherds were recognized Nov. 28 at the VFBF 2018 Annual Convention in Hot Springs.

The Achievement Award honors young farmers who are successful in production agriculture and provide leadership on and off the farm. The Shepherds serve on the VFBF Young Farmers Committee and raise wheat, rapeseed, corn and soybeans on their farm near Blackstone.

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Virginia Farm Bureau county leaders heard local political success stories and learned from each other Nov. 27 during the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation 2018 Annual Convention in Hot Springs. A workshop titled “Taking It On Locally” featured a panel of county Farm Bureau leaders who shared how their organizations have built relationships with their elected officials and addressed local issues that had adverse effects on agriculture.

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The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Committee has recognized Clay and Maryanne Francis of Richmond with their 2018 Warren Beach Award for their outstanding contributions to the VFBF Young Farmers Program.

Clay Francis is VFBF vice president of membership and field services. He and his wife are known for being generous with their time to help young leaders through the Young Farmers Program.

“They were chosen because this couple has supported Young Farmers, especially contestants practicing for agriculture leadership competitions, and have given incredible feedback through the years,” said Mindy McCroskey, chairman of the Young Farmers Committee. “Mr. and Mrs. Francis have been tremendous supporters, serving as judges for competitions both at the state and national levels. They have attended all of our Young Farmers Expos over the years and have been pivotal mentors for the program.”

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Early in her keynote remarks at the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation 2018 Annual Convention, author Michele Payn asked 700 farmers for a show of hands.

“How many people in this room are willing to admit they hate social media?”

Assessing a fair number of raised hands, Payn nodded. “OK, good. Get over it.”

Social media, she explained, is one place that vocal, organized critics of modern agriculture have been building their voices—and audiences—for years. And American farmers, she added, need to be speaking up as well.

All those cell phone photos of healthy animals, well-tended farmland and members of farm families? “Take them off your phone, and put them on Instagram. … It takes less than 10 minutes” and gives an accurate depiction of the nation’s farms and food production.

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The Rappahannock Record in Kilmarnock captured Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Ishee-Quann Award, the top honor in Farm Bureau’s annual Journalism Awards program. The newspaper, which serves readers in part of the state’s Northern Neck, also won the non-daily newspaper category for the third consecutive year and for the 12^th year in the past 14.

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It’s time for your Merchandiser Minute with Robert Harper! The topics this week pertain to the China concessions, big volatility in the energy sector & strong corn export sales.

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Convention participants can help Farm Bureau and Paul Obaugh Ford supper Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Hot Springs by taking a free test drive in a new Ford vehicle.

There’s a goal of 300 test drivers, and for each one, AITC will receive $20.

Test drives will be available from 8 to 11 a.m., and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Please show your interest now on your registration form. Once you arrive, you can sign up to drive at our booth, located between the hotel and convention registration desks.

High school students have until Jan. 31, 2019, to submit entries for the National Ag Day essay and video essay contest, sponsored by the Agriculture Council of America.

The theme for entries is “Agriculture: Food for Life. How Does Our Nation Lead the Way?” Participants are encouraged to describe how agriculture affects their daily lives and how it will feed the world’s growing population.

The contest is open to students in grades 9 through 12 in the 2018-2019 school year. Participants must be U.S. citizens attending school in the U.S. Details and an entry form is available at agday.org.

First-place winners will be contacted in February and will be announced to the public on National Ag Day, March 19.

Ag Day will be celebrated during National Ag Week, March 17-23. The observation encourages Americans to understand how food and fiber goods are produced; value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy; and appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.