EPA: Chesapeake Bay Clean-up Progressing in Virginia

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A 2014-2015 interim report card on efforts by Virginia farmers to reduce pollutants reaching the Chesapeake Bay found producers are “generally on-track for meeting programmatic milestones” in a multi-year effort.

The report, prepared by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “notes that many farmers are taking the steps required to reduce soil erosion and runoff of nitrogen and phosphorous,” said Wilmer Stoneman, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation associate director of governmental relations.

“Farmers have said all along that there’s no quick and easy fix to bay restoration. We’re pleased to hear that we’re on track to make that a reality.”

The Interim Evaluation of Virginia’s 2014-2015 Milestones and WIP Progress was published June 10. WIP stands for watershed implementation plan, a specific set of conservation improvements and benchmarks established for each watershed in the state by the EPA under the overall Chesapeake Bay Program partnership.

Conservation efforts in different sectors are being tracked by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, which supplied the numbers to the EPA for evaluation. They include activities related to agriculture, urban and suburban storm water, wastewater treatment plants and nutrient-reduction credit efforts. The EPA found that farmers are currently on track for reaching the overall 2017 target for reducing nitrogen and phosphorus runoff by 60 percent compared to levels measured in 2009.

“Virginia farmers are doing well in implementing best management practices to reduce erosion and pollutants, although the report said additional BMP steps may be needed in the future,” Stoneman said. “It also noted that the state of Virginia has committed or spent almost $25 million in the bay watershed since 2012 to help farmers install fencing to keep cattle out of waterways.

“Farmers are grateful for the assistance, but much more cost-share funding will be needed in order to continue with this good progress. It can cost tens of thousands of dollars to fence some properties—money that many producers just don’t have available to spend.”

The report noted that Virginia is expected to have 274 individual farm Resource Management Plans developed by the end of this year, well above the goal of 40 plans. The voluntary RMP program was introduced last year and entails plans developed by professional nutrient management specialists for participating farms.

“Farmers are eager to do their part to clean up the bay under voluntary programs like RMPs,” Stoneman said, “but we need the additional staff and financial resources to carry out these recommendations. And we will continue to ask the General Assembly to fully fund these efforts.”

Federal Court Upholds EPA Power re: Chesapeake Bay TMDL

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On Monday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit sided with the Environmental Protection Agency and affirmed the district court’s ruling that the Chesapeake Bay TMDL is lawful under the Clean Water Act. In a 60-page opinion, the Third Circuit panel found that the statutory term “total maximum daily load” is ambiguous and that EPA reasonably interpreted that term to include not only a total allowable pollutant load, but also “allocations” of the total among point and nonpoint sources, timelines for states to put measures in place to achieve those source allocations and requirements that states provide “reasonable assurance” that those source limits will be achieved.

The panel rejected arguments by American Farm Bureau and other agricultural and home builder associations that the Bay TMDL (and EPA’s interpretation of the statute) exceeds EPA’s Clean Water Act authority and intrudes upon the states’ primary authority over land use and water resources. In so doing, the panel repeatedly emphasized the act’s goal of improving water quality, as well as EPA’s role within the cooperative federalism framework. AFBF is continuing to analyze the decision.  

From the Field: Turn Up The Heat

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From the Field is a bi-monthly column written by Mark Campbell, Farm Bureau Field Services Director for the Central District. He writes about Farm Bureau member benefits and County Farm Bureau activities.

I heard on the radio this morning of a quote, unknown author, about responsiveness of Congress.  The person said “they will see the light when the heat is turned up”.  The Waters of the U.S. is serious business and if we are serious about preventing its implementation, you need to contact Senators Warner and Kaine immediately.  You need to encourage them to support S. 1140, Federal Water Quality Protection Act.
I won’t go into all of the details, but please take time to read the analysis of American Farm Bureau.  It is very eye opening to the tricks of EPA and unfortunately disappointing to learn of an agenda driven government agency that instead of yielding to the wishes of the citizenry went on the offensive to override the people’s wishes.  You can read the analysis here http://fbnews.fb.org/Templates/Article.aspx?id=39681&utm_source=June+23%2C+2015&utm_campaign=June+23%2C+2015&utm_medium=email.
More importantly, contact Senators Warner and Kaine to oppose Waters of the U.S. and support S. 1140. 
Until next time,

Mark

American Farm Bureau President: Your Contacts Have Made A Difference

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AFBF President Bob Stallman
Farm Bureau does a lot of things right. But one thing we need to do better, or just more often, is acknowledge our achievements.

An accomplishment on the policy front is all the testimony we’ve given at congressional hearings this year, to get our message in front of lawmakers and on the record. Volunteer leaders and staff have testified concerning water rights for public land ranchers, EPA’s abuse of the federal rulemaking process on the “waters of the U.S.” rule, our analysis of what the final WOTUS rule means for landowners, reauthorization of the Federal Grain Standards Act, the importance of Trade Promotion Authority to expanding global markets and, before the week is out, repeal of country of origin rules to prevent retaliation by Canada and Mexico. We have been especially visible and vocal on the hearings front in the first six months of 2015.

Farm Bureau’s leadership on the big issues of the day has been visible in the media. We’re getting our message out like never before. A notable example was a front-page story in the New York Times in May, by a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist, about EPA’s misuse of the WOTUS comment period to conduct a lobbying and public relations campaign. That story led to AFBF’s general counsel, Ellen Steen, appearing on Fox News. EPA criticism of the Times story only gave it more visibility. Checkmate!

Even in this tough political environment, Farm Bureau is advancing its priorities. A key Senate committee recently passed a bill, S. 1140, to force EPA and the Corps to take a mulligan on WOTUS. The House has passed a Trade Promotion Authority measure that is now up for a vote in the Senate. House committees will hold hearings soon on the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act to establish a national approach to GMO labeling, and we expect the House to vote on the bill in July. Endangered Species Act reform and immigration reform are long games, but we see opportunities to move both issues forward. And we are developing a tool for farmers to evaluate how seed and agricultural equipment companies handle and secure farm data.

I’ll end with two simple words: THANK YOU. Because these achievements are due to the commitment, vision, leadership and hard work of the entire Farm Bureau family. I look forward to celebrating more victories with you.

House’s TPA Bill Will Grow Farmers’ Access to Foreign Markets

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House passage Thursday of a trade promotion authority bill brings the U.S. a step closer to completing ambitious trade negotiations around the world, which is key to expanding access to international markets and continuing U.S. farmers and ranchers’ story of growth and prosperity, according to American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman.

“Congressional support is critical to breaking down trade barriers and completing ambitious new trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership. TPA streamlines negotiations and strengthens our position at the bargaining table,” Stallman said in a statement.

Stallman also noted Farm Bureau’s appreciation for the leadership of Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Ron Kind (D-Wis.), House Speaker Boehner (R-Ohio) and Majority Leader McCarthy (R-Calif.) on this issue. 

Two Projects Receive State Funds to Support Agricultural Development

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Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today the award of two planning grants from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund.  The Commonwealth awarded a total of $55,000 to projects by Rappahannock County and the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (PDC) to support the growth of agricultural and forestry industries in the Commonwealth.  The AFID planning grant program encourages local governments to promote agriculture and forestry and incorporate the needs of these industries into their strategic economic development plans.
“Continuing to support Virginia’s diverse agricultural and forestry sectors is a key part of my plan to build the new Virginia Economy,” said Governor McAuliffe.  “Identifying and supporting initiatives that strengthen agriculture and forestry build on these crucial sectors of our economy, and pave the way for future innovative projects.  Local and regional efforts to continue to develop these industries in Virginia, like those Rappahannock County and localities in the Shenandoah Valley are engaging in, should be recognized as vital parts of Virginia’s larger economic development plan.” 

“I applaud Rappahannock County and the Central Shenandoah PDC for their strong commitment to Virginia’s agricultural and forestry industries, and we are pleased to give them the tools to help them support those industries,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore.  “Rappahannock County will utilize its grant funding to develop a woody biomass aggregation facility, an innovative initiative that will have lasting impacts on the area’s agriculture and forestry industries.  The ‘Fields of Gold’ program will continue to promote and foster agritourism in the Shenandoah Valley, and will further increase rural economic and regional development.  These two initiatives will create economic growth in two of the Commonwealth’s most important sectors, furthering the Governor’s plan to build a new Virginia economy.”
The AFID planning grant program, developed in 2012, encourages local and regional governments to enhance their strategies for supporting and integrating agriculture and forestry-based industries into their communities’ job creation and economic development efforts.  The planning grants are part of the Governor’s AFID program, an economic development tool meant for agriculture and forestry value-added or processing projects.  AFID economic development grants are available for political subdivisions of the Commonwealth who have expressed interest in growing or developing their agriculture and forestry industries by strategically targeting practices or integrating practices that add value to Virginia grown agriculture and forestall products.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) administers the AFID program and planning grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the fiscal year.  Successful funding requests must demonstrate a clear need, a proposed solution, strong support from local government and the agriculture and forestry community, and the ability to provide cash or in-kind matching funds.   Localities interested in applying may visit http://vdacs.virginia.gov/agribusiness/planning.shtmlor contact AFID Fund Coordinator Stephen Versen at stephen.versen@vdacs.virginia.govor 804.786.6911 for more information.
Details on the grant awards are below:
Project Title:  Market Analysis for Northern Piedmont Biofuels
Applicant:  Rappahannock County
Award:  $20,000
Summary:  Rappahannock County is seeking $20,000 to develop a business plan for a woody biomass aggregation facility at the closed Rappahannock County Landfill. This aggregation facility would provide a guaranteed supply of high quality wood fuels to Northern Piedmont public facilities. Specific activities to be funded by this grant include the market analysis for potential wood energy facilities near the site of the aggregation facility, the determination of value-added products that could be produced at the facility, and identification of the specific woody biomass resources that could be aggregated at the proposed location.
Project Title:  Fields of Gold: Mooving Ahead
Applicant:  Central Shenandoah PDC
Award:  $35,000
Summary:  The Central Shenandoah PDC is seeking $35,000 to continue the results and momentum that the “Fields of Gold” program began after its inception from an initial AFID grant. This second grant is intended to further three distinct goals; creating and developing organizational funding that boosts rural economic development through regional collaboration, introducing business support services that assist agritourism businesses, and implement marketing practices that help the Shenandoah Valley attain recognition as the #1 agritourism destination in the nation. These goals reflect the larger initiative that is to increase the number of visitors to the region and continue to enhance its reputation as a premier agritourism destination not only in the Commonwealth, but in the whole of the United States.

From the Field: Using Existing Events to Promote Farm Bureau

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There are a lot of events that take place in Virginia and several of them have ties to agriculture. Whether it be a county fair, a strawberry or cantaloupe festival; they can attract a lot of people.
Farm Bureau participated in the Ashland Strawberry Faire last Saturday and had 19 people sign up as new members. Since the event was in Hanover County, several Hanover County Farm Bureau board of directors, women’s committee, agents and office staff were at the Farm Bureau booth. Helping them were Virginia Farm Bureau staff from Membership & Field Services, Insurance, Health Care Consultants, and Agriculture in the Classroom. The good number of Farm Bureau folks was needed to staff the booth as the Faire drew in approximately 30,000 attendees.
Farm Bureau offered people a special “Join Today” promotion of a pint of strawberries, jar of preserves, and a 25% discount on membership to join Farm Bureau right then while they were at the booth. Several people became new members so that Farm Bureau could be their service provider for health insurance. 

Farm Bureau had three tents as part of the booth. One tent was devoted to agriculture education to kids through hands on activities and Agriculture in the Classroom materials. The second tent focused on all of the insurance services that we provide including health insurance. The third tent highlighted the numerous member benefits such as the GM and Polaris discounts. With all three tents being together as one booth, Farm Bureau had a good presence. This Farm Bureau booth didn’t just happen. There were four planning meetings held, an ad was placed in the newspaper insert about the Faire, and an email blast was sent to members.
Farm Bureau has and continues to have a presence at many events throughout the state. The next big event where we will be is at the Agriculture Expo in Orange County in August. However, there are numerous other events going on this summer such as county fairs where county Farm Bureaus will most likely have a booth or be recognized as one of the sponsors.
One of the best and easiest things that you can do to help us get more new members is tell others about Farm Bureau membership. Use your member benefits and tell others about the savings they could get. Plus we provide excellent one on one service to our members. Thank you for being a member and contact your county Farm Bureau or visit our website if you would like additional information on any of our member benefits.
Until next time,

Mark