As part of the Agriculture Energy Efficiency Initiative, Virginia Cooperative Extension is conducting four educational workshops on solar energy later this month to educate anyone interested in learning more about solar hot water and solar photovoltaics.

The background information on these workshops are available at the following hyperlinks:

Introductory Educational Workshops on Solar Energy located in North Dinwiddie, VA

Introductory Educational Workshops on Solar Energy located in Rocky Mount, VA

This workshop seeks to clarify the following:

• What is Solar Hot Water?
• What is Solar Photovoltaics?

Farm Bureau policy supports using a renewable source of electricity such as solar for farm use. Anyone interested in gathering more information on solar energy is encouraged to attend.

Contact: Arielle Brown, 804-347-5747, arielle.brown@vafb.com

Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced that a new comprehensive study shows Virginia’s agriculture and forestry industries contribute $91 billion annually to the Commonwealth’s economy. This represents a 30 percent increase from the most recent study, released in 2013, which showed an annual economic impact of $70 billion.

“I am excited to see the agriculture and forestry industries have significantly increased their economic impact in just four years,” Governor McAuliffe said. “As the Commonwealth’s first- and third-largest private industries, agriculture and forestry play a vital role in the new Virginia economy. This is the kind of growth we are looking for in Virginia to keep us as the top state to do business in, a leader in export and trade, and a top destination for visitors who seeking out our agritourism venues and our state’s natural beauty.”

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The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Strengthening Career and Technical Education Act for the 21st Century. The measure reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Director of Congressional Relations RJ Karney says this is vital legislation for the future of agricultural businesses.

“High school career and technical education programs are vital for developing talent and leadership, especially needed in farming and agricultural services, and also with regard to building economic futures in rural communities,” Karney said.

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With serious economic challenges facing agriculture, underscored by even deeper concerns in some commodity sectors, the American Farm Bureau Federation board of directors outlined the organization’s key objectives for the 2018 farm bill.

After its meeting this week in Washington, D.C., the AFBF board sent its goals and recommendations to leadership on the Senate and House agriculture committees in anticipation of the upcoming farm bill debate.

“Because of low commodity prices, many of America’s farmers and ranchers are struggling,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “The risk management and safety net provisions of farm bills are most important in times like these.

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“Expanding rural broadband access  is a vital part of this administration’s work growing and diversifying the new Virginia economy and I am pleased that Microsoft has chosen our Commonwealth as one of the initial 12 states to launch this initiative. Microsoft’s plan to invest alongside local telecom services, as well as form partnerships with local and regional organizations like the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, will allow them to pinpoint specific needs of rural localities, bridging the rural broadband gap. I look forward to working with Microsoft to make sure we succeed in bringing broadband access to every corner of the Commonwealth.” – Governor Terry McAuliffe

Microsoft wants to bring 2 million rural Americans online by 2022

The Washington Post

July 11, 2017

Microsoft is aiming to bring broadband Internet to millions of rural Americans within the next five years through what is now unused TV spectrum, the company announced Tuesday.

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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