New Agricultural Conservation Program Exceeds First-Year Goal

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Virginia is making strides with its Resource Management Plan program, an innovative approach to meeting Chesapeake Bay cleanup goals. The initiative encourages farmers to increase their use of agricultural conservation practices while crediting them for practices already in place.
Since the program’s launch in July 2014, 278 resource management plans have been developed for farms in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This far surpasses the goal of 40 that was set for the program’s first year.
“Resource management plans are critical to Virginia’s strategy to protect and restore the health of rivers, streams and the Chesapeake Bay — and build a new Virginia economy in the process,” Governor McAuliffe said. “A major factor in this program’s success has been the support of both the agricultural and conservation communities.”

The program enables farmers to have a private-sector resource management plan developed for their property that incorporates a host of agricultural conservation practices that reduce to pollution to local waters and protect soil health. Once the plan is approved and the practices are implemented, the farm is deemed to be in compliance with state nutrient and sediment standards for the following nine years.
Participation in the program is voluntary for farms and landowners.
“I’m thrilled that the Resource Management Plan program has surpassed its first-year goal,” said Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Ward. “This is a true win for all the partners involved, and I commend everyone who worked together to achieve this important milestone.”
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation manages the program in partnership with Virginia’s 47 soil and water conservation districts. Districts serve as the primary review authority for the plans.
RMPs enable the state to document practices that have been installed with or without financial incentives, providing verified data to validate the agricultural sector’s level of participation in conservation practices.
Better tracking of practices also gives decision makers more accurate data to determine funding needs for agricultural cost-share and other incentive programs.
“The RMP program has proven to be a valuable new tool for promoting conservation practices that improve farming operations and water quality,” said Kendall Tyree, executive director of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. “Soil and water conservation districts play an essential role in the delivery of this voluntary program and are supportive of the effort.”
A plan can cover all or a portion of a farm and include existing and needed best management practices such as stream buffers, fencing to keep livestock out of streams, soil conservation measures, and nutrient management plans.
These practices help curb the flow of sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus that contributes to pollution in waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. They also can help farmers improve the health of their herds and the productivity of their soils.
The 278 plans that have been developed cover 48,500 acres of the Chesapeake Bay watershed in Virginia. On average, the typical plan covers 172 acres. A total of 47 farm owners or operators are participating.
“The success of this program is due to a significant number of farm leaders jumping in and working side by side with their local soil and water conservation districts in the first year,” said Ann Jennings, Virginia director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission. “The resource management plans developed will result in the documentation and implementation of thousands of best practices, enhanced farm management and an improved Chesapeake Bay.” 
The plans developed so far include 1,816 best management practices to protect soil and water resources.
For details about the RMP program and to read the report, go to http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil-and-water/rmp
Landowners who want to participate in the RMP program should contact their local soil and water conservation district.

Three Virginia Young Farmers Receive National Honors

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For the first time ever, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation had finalists in all three Young Farmers & Ranchers competitions at the annual American Farm Bureau Federation convention.

Chris Van Vlack of Loudoun County took home top honors Jan. 12 in the Discussion Meet competition at the 97th annual AFBF event. Sam and Ashley Gardner of Bedford County were runners-up for the Achievement Award, Mindy McCroskey of Washington County was a runner-up for the Excellence in Agriculture Award.

The Discussion Meet simulates a committee meeting in which active discussion and participation are expected. Participants are evaluated on their ability to exchange ideas and information on a predetermined agricultural topic. The final-round topic was how Farm Bureau members can influence state and national policies in a political atmosphere that favors increased regulations on farmers.

“When creating Farm Bureau policies (regarding regulation), we have to have the public in mind,” Van Vlack said. “How will these policies appear to them? They have to be part of the conversation.”

Building coalitions with like-minded groups and being willing to raise and commit financial resources to legal challenges are tools Farm Bureau should consider, he said. “But it all starts with convincing the public … that we have their best interests in mind and we can address policy that benefits all of us in society.”

Van Vlack will receive his choice of a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado or a 2016 GMC Sierra courtesy of GM, plus free registration to the AFBF 2016 YF&R Leadership Conference next month in Kansas City, Mo.

The Gardners, who raise dairy heifers, were among three runners-up for the Achievement Award and will receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor courtesy of Case IH, along with $3,000 and Stihl Inc. merchandise courtesy of Stihl. The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities.

McCroskey, a cattle farmer and vocational agriculture instructor, was among three runners-up in the Excellence in Agriculture competition and will receive a Case IH Farmall 50A tractor courtesy of Case IH, as well as $3,000 and Stihl merchandise courtesy of Stihl. The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young adults who do not derive the majority of their income from farming but actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture, their leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.

“We are incredibly proud of all our national Young Farmer finalists,” said Grant Coffee, VFBF Young Farmers Committee chairman. “They’ve all worked hard for this—not just their presentations for the competitions, but also the years of hard work they’ve put into building their farm operations to be showcases for Virginia agriculture.”

Agribusiness Expansion, New Jobs in in Frederick County

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Shawnee Canning Company, a family-owned fruit processor, will invest nearly $500,000 to expand its operation in Frederick County.  The company will rehabilitate its cannery, built in 1947, and double production capacity on-site by adding a new filling line for its fruit products.  With this expansion, Shawnee Canning Company will create five new jobs and commit to purchase 80 percent – or over 300,000 pounds – of its fruit from Virginia over the next three years.

Governor McAuliffe said, “Shawnee Canning Company is a legend in the Virginia fruit processing industry with decades of rich history.  Shawnee has thrived over the years due to its strategic location to key markets, a strong and dedicated workforce, and Virginia’s abundant natural resources, including our world-class apples and peaches.  Today, Shawnee is poised to write the next chapter of its story in Frederick County and I’m pleased that my administration could partner with the company as it grows.  The investments being made by Shawnee will increase production, create jobs, but further highlight the role that agriculture can and will play in building the new Virginia economy.”

Shawnee made a name for itself with its authentic, high-quality canned peaches.  The company also has built a reputation as manufacturers of a vast assortment of products, including jams, jellies, marmalades, fruit butters, ciders, salsa, and canned peaches, which it sells under the Shawnee label and private labels for hundreds of businesses nationwide.  Shawnee specializes in quick-turnarounds for smaller runs of private-labeled products to be sold in farm stands across the country.  In addition to its processing and manufacturing business, the company owns Shawnee Springs Market, one of the oldest farm markets in northern Virginia.

“In addition to the new investment and jobs being created, Shawnee’s expansion will have a positive impact on Virginia’s apple industry, which is the fourth largest in the United States,” said Todd Haymore, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, who represented the Governor at the Shawnee announcement.  “The company, which itself is family-owned and operated, has demonstrated a strong commitment for sourcing Virginia-grown fruit from local producers to make its world-class products.  Shawnee’s expansion will provide new opportunities for the region’s fruit growers and others, thus expanding the economic impact of the company’s investment even further into Virginia.”
 Scott Johnson, General Manager of Shawnee Canning Company Inc. stated, “Our expansion is an exciting endeavor that will bring new life to our historic business.  We owe all of our success to our world class staff and our customers.  It has, and will continue to be, an honor to work with great people who share a mutual appreciation for Virginia agriculture.”

 The Commonwealth is partnering with Frederick County and Shawnee Canning Company on this project through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund, which is administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  Governor McAuliffe approved a $7,500 grant from the AFID Fund to assist with the project, which Frederick County is matching with local grant funds.
 Frederick County Board of Supervisors’ Chair, Chuck DeHaven commented, “We couldn’t be more excited to support Shawnee Canning in their growth, a company that has given so much to our community over the years and played such an integral part in the rich agricultural and manufacturing history we enjoy today.”

Speaking about the announcement, Senator Jill Vogel, R- Upperville said, “Thanks to Shawnee Canning Company, working in partnership with the Commonwealth and Frederick County, we have another expanding business creating new jobs and Virginia-grown products.  I am pleased to be a part of this home-grown company’s expansion in the County.”

Survey Aims to Collect Farmer Feedback on USDA programs

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A new online survey launched by the American Farm Bureau Federation will collect feedback from farmers about their experiences with 10 Agriculture Department programs housed in three agencies. Results will be used by AFBF to develop recommendations on how USDA can enhance its programs and make them more useful to farmers.
All farmers, not just Farm Bureau members, are encouraged to take the survey, which takes about 10 minutes to complete.

“Farmers sometimes find it confusing and complex to participate in USDA programs,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “At the same time, USDA staff are concerned that farmers and ranchers who could benefit from a number of different programs frequently do not apply.” 

The survey focuses on the following USDA programs from the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development:
  • Environmental Quality Incentives Program;
  • Conservation Stewardship Program;
  • Conservation Reserve Program;
  • Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program;
  • Value-Added Agricultural Producer Grants;
  • Rural Energy for America Program;
  • Farmers’ Marketing and Local Food Promotion Program;
  • Direct Farm Ownership Loans;
  • Direct Farm Operating Loans; and
  • Guaranteed Farm Loans (farm operating and farm ownership).

AFBF will share feedback from the survey about what is working well with the programs and how they can be improved with USDA.

Take the survey online through March 15 at http://usdaprograms.questionpro.com/.

State Awards Nearly $2 Million in Farmland Preservation Grants

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Six Virginia localities are receiving fiscal 2016 grants to place working farmland under permanent conservation easements.

Trey Davis

On Dec. 30, 2015, Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced that five counties and one city will receive almost $2 million in farmland preservation grants from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Farmland Preservation. The localities must use the grant monies to permanently preserve working farmland through local purchase of development rights, or PDR, programs.

PDR programs compensate landowners who voluntarily secure perpetual conservation easements. Such easements assure that land will never be developed but allow for farming and forestry activities.

VDACS allocated $411,890 each to the counties of Albemarle, Fauquier and Stafford and the city of Virginia Beach. James City County will receive a $307,889 grant, and Clarke County will receive a $42,319 grant.

The grants bring the total allocation of state matching PDR funds to more than $11.4 million since 2008, when such funds were first distributed.

In addition to conserving farmland, McAuliffe said, the grants “will help Virginia continue to produce high-quality agricultural products that are marketed here and around the world. Preserving natural and agricultural treasures and promoting our outstanding products are important elements of our ongoing work to build a new Virginia economy.”

Twenty-two local PDR programs have been established in Virginia. To date, more than 9,600 acres on 68 farms in 15 localities have been permanently protected.

Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, the state’s largest farmers’ advocacy organization, has long been a proponent of local PDR programs.

“State farmland preservation grants have played a critical role in keeping local PDR programs viable and, ultimately, supporting Virginia’s largest industry,” said Trey Davis, VFBF assistant director of governmental relations. “These are properties that provide not only products, but also jobs and local revenues while requiring relatively little in public services.

“PDR programs also go a long way toward preserving the character of rural areas—the things that make these communities desirable places in which to live and work.”


Ag Items Included in Governor’s Budget Proposal

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Governor McAuliffe outlined his $109 billion budget proposal yesterday. Below are the agriculture items he included: 


Agriculture Best Management Practices and Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Governor McAuliffe dedicated the entire amount of the surplus in the Water Quality Improvement Fund to nonpoint source pollution projects.  In addition, he maintained the funding from the fee on the recordation tax.  The following is the breakdown:
$34,798,198 to Agriculture Best Management Practices Cost Share
$19,606,641 to address the backlog in the SL6 practice that farmers signed up for prior to July 1, 2015
$6,841,091 for operational funding for Soil and Water Conservation Districts
$7,417,751 for technical assistance for Soil and Water Conservation Districts
While this is not the full amount of the need or the backlog, it will represents historic funding levels for agriculture best management practices cost share program and a significant investment in the backlog for the SL6 practice. We are still evaluating whether we will be seeking a patron to carry a budget amendment to increase the funding further.  

Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Weights and Measures
We were disappointed that the Governor did not increase the amount of funding for the weights and measures program.  The program will have $2.8 million.  We will be seeking a patron from the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees to carry a budget amendment to increase the funding.
VT Livestock and Poultry Facilities Phase 1
The Governor announced a week ago his bond package that he plans to introduce in the General Assembly.  This includes the $22.5 million for this project.  We will be supporting this project being included in any bonding package that moves forward in the General Assembly.
Other Budget Items of Interest
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Meat and Poultry Inspection
Matches federal funding in order to provide two inspector positions and one compliance specialist.  This is an increase of $104,255 in state funding to match additional federal funding.
Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund
Provides additional $1 million available to bring the total available to $2 million.  In addition, funding is provided to hire two marketing specialists for this grant program.
Virginia Grown Foods Ambassador and Grow Virginia’s Organic Food Production Specialist
$243,696 to establish a Virginia Grown Food Ambassador and a Grow Virginia’s organic food production specialist to promote Virginia grown products.  These positions will work to raise the profile of Virginia agricultural products and foods and to increase use in restaurants, schools and institutions as well as support the “Bridging the Nutritional Divide Initiative.
Virginia Farmland Preservation Fund
Increases the amount available to $2 million to compensate landowners who voluntarily place an agricultural conservation easement on their property.
National Accreditation for Regional Animal Health Laboratories
Provides $250,138 for the department to pursue national accreditation of the regional animal health laboratories. This should help farmers with their marketing agreements that include animal health components.
Transferring Responsibility of Virginia’s federal food programs in Schools and Other Places to VDACS
Requires Department of Education, Health and Agriculture and Consumer Services to develop a plan to transfer federally funded feeding services governed by the Commonwealth to one agency.  We are seeking additional information on this initiative to understand the benefits of such a consolidation.
Virginia Department of Forestry
Reforestation of Timberlands (RT) Program
Fully funds the RT program to match the industry severance tax.
 Fire Suppression Equipment
Provides $1.076 million to replace fire dozers and transports used in fire suppression activities and additional support vehicles utilized by first responders who are also firefighters.

GAO Legal Opinion: EPA Violated Law Regarding WOTUS

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According to a legal opinion issued Monday by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the Environmental Protection Agency broke the law with its social media and grassroots lobbying campaign advocating for its own Waters of the U.S. rule.

“It’s clear from this report that EPA orchestrated this matter in a biased fashion,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman in a statement. “Now it’s up to Congress to clean up this mess by including a corrective measure in the omnibus bill now taking shape on Capitol Hill.

“Courts already have declared serious doubts about the legal authority for the rule. Now that it has become clear that the agency used illegal tactics to manufacture ill-informed support for the rule, Congress should act immediately to prohibit implementation of this rule, which is the product of an unlawful and misguided process.

“We applaud U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman Jim Inhofe for asking GAO to conduct this investigation. The GAO findings vindicate those, like the American Farm Bureau Federation, who have claimed all along that EPA’s tactics advocating for this rule stepped past the bounds of proper agency rulemaking. EPA was focused only on promoting the rule rather than hearing good-faith concerns from a wide cross-section of Americans. The public deserves better when important matters of public policy are at stake.”