The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) just announced the detection of a new invasive insect pest in Virginia. In early January, VDACS inspectors discovered the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, at a stone yard in Frederick County near Winchester. The Spotted Lanternfly is native to China, India and Vietnam, and prior to the January detection, was not known to occur in Virginia. Both SLF egg masses and dead adults were detected at the Winchester site.
Farmers Remain Engaged in Legislative Session
For Virginia farmers, January is a time for tax preparation, livestock births, equipment maintenance and professional conferences.
For members of Virginia’s largest farmers’ advocacy organization, January also is time for an annual visit with state legislators. And even though construction of a new General Assembly Building has forced some logistical changes, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s producer members are staying engaged in the legislative process.
Farmers Invited to Free Manure-Management Workshops
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation will host two free workshops to help farmers maximize the use of manure on their farms.
Both workshops are geared to dairy farmers, but anyone is welcome. Lunch will be provided.
“The main focus of these workshops will be to help farmers understand the nutrient value and the dollar value of the manure, and how they fit into the overall fertility management of their operation,” explained DCR Nutrient Management Specialist Becky Barlow.
Governor Northam Announces $440,000 in USDA Specialty Crop Block Grants Available for Virginia Agricultural Interests
Governor Ralph Northam today announced that groups seeking to improve the competitiveness of specialty crops in Virginia are eligible to submit proposals for grants up to $60,000 per project. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) anticipates administering nearly $440,000 in funds for the development of specialty crops. The deadline for submitting applications is March 15, 2018.
Virginia Cooperative Extension, Ag Experiment Station Found to Have Profound Impact
A recent report indicates the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station and Virginia Cooperative Extension have far-reaching impacts across the state.
The analysis, conducted by the Virginia Tech Office of Economic Development, highlights examples of industry impacts and community developments made possible by people and programs supported by Cooperative Extension and the experiment station, which are classified as “Agency 229.”
“In addition to the numbers and analysis presented in the report, citizens provided concrete examples detailing how their lives and communities would not be the same without the outreach and research” of Agency 229, noted Dr. John Provo, director of the VT Office of Economic Development.
Newport News Educator Named Agriculture in the Classroom’s Teacher of the Year
Jennifer Massengill, a science and technology teacher at Hampton Roads Academy, has been named Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom 2018 Teacher of the Year.
The award recognizes a Virginia educator for incorporating agriculture into his or her core curriculum.
“Jennifer uses her extensive school garden as the jumping-off point for real-life, hands-on examples to demonstrate required core curriculum such as science, technology and language arts.” said Tammy Maxey, AITC senior education manager. “Through Jennifer’s efforts, her students are gaining a greater appreciation for agriculture, as well as an improved understanding that food begins on the farm.”
Massengill’s goal has been to involve each student with the garden. Through science classes, blog groups, afternoon garden club activities and morning cooking classes, those experiences provide meaningful, real-life context to required Virginia Standards of Learning.
As Virginia AITC Teacher of the Year Massengill will receive a scholarship to attend the 2018 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in June in Portland, Maine, and a $500 award.
Virginia AITC also recognized two finalists, who will receive registration to the National AITC Conference: Christine Miller of Swift Creek Elementary School in Chesterfield County and Chris Ratliff of McCleary Elementary School in Craig County.
Tenth Annual Ag Trade Conference Set for March
Governor Ralph Northam will co-host the 10th Annual Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade on March 5, 2018 at 12:00 PM at the Richmond Marriott Hotel. The two-day conference is co-hosted by Virginia Tech’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, and the Port of Virginia. The event will bring together producers, agribusinesses, entrepreneurs, exporters, foreign ambassadors and government ministers, educational leadership, state and federal government officials, and others to discuss challenges and opportunities for global agricultural exports.
“For a decade, the Annual Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade has highlighted the vital role agriculture and forestry exports play in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Northam. “Global trade is critical to a strong and diverse economy, and attention to growth and opportunities for our largest private sectors is a top priority in my administration.” Continue reading
Legislation Passes Extending Protections for Farmers
Legislation to curtail frivolous and excessive lawsuits against farmers and other agricultural interests cleared an important hurdle on Wednesday by advancing in both Houses.
HB987, introduced by Majority Leader Delegate C. Todd Gilbert (R-Mount Jackson) and Del. Roz Tyler (D-Jarratt) passed unanimously in the Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee in the Virginia House of Delegates. An identical bill, SB 567, was also introduced in the Virginia State Senate by Senator Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) and Senator Richard Stuart (R-Stafford). It passed unanimously on the Senate floor.
Perdue Announces USDA’s Farm Bill and Legislative Principles for 2018
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Bill and Legislative Principles for 2018 during a town hall at Reinford Farms in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania.
“Since my first day as the Secretary of Agriculture, I’ve traveled to 30 states, listening to the people of American agriculture about what is working and what is not. The conversations we had and the people we came across helped us craft USDA’s Farm Bill and Legislative Principles for 2018,” said Secretary Perdue. “These principles will be used as a road map – they are our way of letting Congress know what we’ve heard from the hard-working men and women of American agriculture. While we understand it’s the legislature’s job to write the Farm Bill, USDA will be right there providing whatever counsel Congress may request or require.” Continue reading
Details of Rural Broadband Executive Order Emerge
An executive order signed by President Donald Trump earlier this month will reduce the bureaucratic red tape private companies encounter while building out infrastructure to deploy broadband services on federal lands. The order directs the General Services Administration to develop a common form and master contract for wireless facility locations on other property owned by the federal government within 180 days. Additionally, all federal property managing agencies must provide a quarterly report to the GSA on the number of applications, approvals and rejections based on the newly developed common form application.
The order does not provide any funding for the deployment of broadband to rural areas but expedites the approval process for companies that want to deploy broadband infrastructure in rural areas near or on federal lands.
Plows and Politics 