America’s farmers, like the nation itself, face a time of impending changes. The president of the American Farm Bureau Federation told Virginia farmers the best way to approach those changes is as a unified front.

Vincent “Zippy” Duvall spoke to several hundred farmers and other agriculture and forestry professionals Nov. 29 at the opening lunch of Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s 2016 Annual Convention. Duvall was elected in January and is the AFBF’s 12th president. The poultry, cattle and hay producer and former dairyman from Greene County, Ga., served as president of the Georgia Farm Bureau for nine years.

“It’s a changing time for us and a changing time for our national government,” Duvall said. After the Nov. 8 election he noted that the important issues American farmers face “are not red or blue, but they are critical to the prosperity of rural America and our ability to protect our nation’s food supply. … Now it’s time for our newly elected leaders to turn up for rural America and keep their campaign promises by addressing the issues that matter to the people who sent them to Washington.”

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Singapore

Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today the opening of the Southeast Asia representative office of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), expanding the agency’s global network of international trade representatives stationed around the world. The new office will be led by Sarath Menon, managing director of the business-consulting firm Orissa International. Headquartered in , the VDACS representative employs staff from countries across Southeast Asia, consolidating important markets including Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Governor McAuliffe made the announcement during a 10-day trade and marketing mission to Japan, Korea, Singapore and Australia.

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Martha Moore

The House Appropriations Committee and Senate Finance Committees held their retreats to look at the fiscal issues that they will be facing the 2017 General Assembly.  The information presented shows a shortfall of approximately $800 million to $850 million for fiscal year 2018.  Each committee heard about the strategies that they could consider for making up this gap or strategies that the Governor may utilize when he presents his budget on December 16, 2016.

The Virginia Constitution and underlying laws allow Commonwealth to take a $225 million withdrawal from the its Rainy Day Fund.  The pay raises for state employees will be eliminated which will address $221 million of the shortfall.  This accounts for addressing just slightly over ½ of the shortfall.

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Piedmont Virginia Community College is now offering a drone certification class for farmers who want to use that technology.

PVCC became the first college in the nation to receive approval from the Federal Aviation Authority to conduct research and development of aircraft and sensors, including small unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, used for public safety. The college held a course for emergency services personnel and first responders in May.

Now it’s extending that training to farmers who want to obtain FAA certification to operate drones, and to learn about technology for extracting data from the drones.

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From the cotton fields in the South Plains of West Texas and broilers and cattle of Shenandoah Valley in Virginia to America’s Dairyland in Wisconsin and the broad diversity of pigs, sheep, corn and soybeans in Ohio, the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance’s (USFRA) next class of Faces of Farming & Ranching capture the passion behind agriculture and drive for sustainability and technology on today’s SMART Farm.

Unveiled at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Convention in Kansas City, the winners include Lauren Arbogast of Virginia, Jeremy Brown of Texas, Emily Buck of Ohio, Katie Roth of Wisconsin and Lauren Schwab of Ohio. These incredible farmers will share their personal stories through influential conversations on a national stage with consumers, influencers and end users to help earn consumer trust and confidence in U.S. food and agriculture.

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AFBF President Zippy Duvall

“The American Farm Bureau Federation congratulates President-elect Trump on his election, as well as those candidates elected to serve during the 115th Congress. The important issues facing American agriculture are not red or blue, but they are critical to the prosperity of rural America and our ability to protect our nation’s food supply. We urge our elected representatives to reach across the aisle and come together to resolve the challenges we face.

“Farmers  understand that their businesses and their families have too much at stake to take a back seat on Election Day, and rural America clearly made a difference in this election. Now it’s time for our newly elected leaders to turn up for rural America and keep their campaign promises by addressing the issues that matter to the people who sent them to Washington. Farm Bureau looks forward to working with the new administration and Congress on issues such as the farm bill, tax reform and a trade agenda focused on reducing barriers and expanding exports.

“America’s farmers are working overtime to ensure our food supply is safe and sustainable. It’s time our elected leaders put that same diligence to work protecting U.S. agriculture by promoting innovation and ensuring we have an adequate workforce. We need regulatory reform that boosts farm businesses rather than shutting them down. Farmers are concerned for the environment and are hopeful that the new administration will recognize agriculture’s strides in sustainability and protect our ability to produce.

“Elected officials come to Washington with different perspectives and ideas, but they share a common goal of wanting to make our nation better for all Americans. At Farm Bureau, we will continue to do our part to help identify opportunities for cooperation to improve the lives of rural communities, and all American farmers.”

Every four years, the American Farm Bureau Federation asks the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees to address the issues that concern farmers and ranchers the most. We asked Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump the same questions.

This is the last article in the #Vote4Ag series from AFBF. Don’t forget to vote on Tuesday!

If you’ve been involved with Farm Bureau in the past several years you know about our involvement and leadership in opposition to the “Water of the U.S.” or WOTUS rule from EPA.  Let’s be clear up-front: clean water is important to farmers and ranchers.   Water is necessary for the farm and ranch to thrive!  And farmers and ranchers are committed to protecting our nation’s water resources.

Our issue is with the regulations and enforcement of the EPA under the WOTUS rule.  So, what are talking about?  The EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) finalized a rule significantly expanding the definition of “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act (CWA).  This regulation expands federal authority beyond the limits approved by Congress and affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court.  Our fear is that the EPA will use this new jurisdiction over things any ordinary person would call land – landscape features that you will find on just about any farm or ranch in the country.

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Every four years, the American Farm Bureau Federation asks the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees to address the issues that concern farmers and ranchers the most. We asked Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump the same questions.

From farmers to the animals and plants in their care, a healthy environment and clean air are vital for their well-being.  Stringent Clean Air Act standards, and in particular new regulations concerning greenhouse gases (GHG), offer a moment for reflection.  Which is why GHG and clean air is a key issue in the upcoming election.

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Earlier this year, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation sent a questionnaire to candidates for Virginia seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Candidates were asked to answer five questions dealing with issues important to Virginia’s agricultural community.

Click on the candidates’ names to see their responses; the absence of a hyperlink indicates a candidate did not respond.

Go here to see their responses: https://vafarmbureau.org/Policy-Action/Congressional

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is asking for comments on changes to hunting, trapping, or other wildlife regulations that you would like to see for the 2017–2018 seasons. They are interested in understanding the values and concerns behind your recommended changes to our hunting, trapping, and wildlife laws. This information will help the Department determine the best course of action to address potential regulation changes. Comments will be accepted until November 30, 2016.

Click here to make comments: https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/regulations/2017-2018-terrestrial-wildlife-scoping-period/