Governor McAuliffe Announces Major Conservation Initiative

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Governor Terry McAuliffe has announced the launch of Virginia Treasures, the Commonwealth’s new strategy for conserving land and expanding access to public outdoor recreation.
Governor McAuliffe made the announcement during an Earth Day visit to Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield County. Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Ward, members of Virginia’s land conservation community and representatives from the state’s natural resources agencies also attended.
“Virginia Treasures will enable us to focus on what’s important for land conservation and public outdoor recreation,” Governor McAuliffe said. “This initiative will prioritize our land conservation efforts, taking into account factors such as biodiversity, public access and wetlands preservation.”

The administration’s goal is to identify, conserve and protect at least 1,000 treasures by the end of the governor’s term. Criteria for what constitutes a treasure have been developed by the Commonwealth’s natural resources staff. Treasures could fall into one of two defined categories: land conservation or natural, cultural and recreational.

Land conservation treasures include agricultural lands, forests that provide water-quality benefits, wetlands, and habitat for rare or threatened plants and animals.
Natural, cultural and recreational treasures include trails, water-access points, parks, scenic byways, rivers and viewsheds, public gardens and wildlife-viewing areas.
Governor McAuliffe announced a new Virginia Treasure at Pocahontas State Park: a monarch butterfly garden. The garden will provide native plants and grasses for monarchs and other pollinators as part of an initiative to restore the monarch population, which has been on the decline due to the loss of food sources and habitat.
“Parks, natural areas, agricultural lands and historic sites are part of the foundation needed to build a new Virginia economy,” Governor McAuliffe said. “These are the assets that support our thriving tourism, fishing and farming industries, and enhance the quality of life for thousands of Virginia residents.”
“Expanding access to public outdoor recreation is a critical component of the initiative,” Secretary Ward said.
“When we give children and adults opportunities to experience nature, we help to instill a sense of stewardship not only in this generation but in future generations,” Secretary Ward said. “This sense of stewardship is critical to protecting Virginia’s natural resources for years to come.”

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is the lead agency charged with tracking Virginia Treasures. Multiple state agencies, land trusts, local governments and private groups are involved in the initiative.

House Passes Bill to Eliminate Estate Taxes

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In their first vote on estate tax repeal in 10 years, House lawmakers passed the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015, bringing farmers one step closer to tax reform that will help their families invest in the future and pass their businesses onto the next generation, according to American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman.

“Farmers’ and ranchers’ assets are tied up in the land, not sitting in a bank. And farm families certainly don’t have cash on hand to pay a double tax at death,” Stallman said in a statement. “This leaves many surviving family members with few options other than selling off part or all of their land to pay estate taxes. Too often, cashing in these assets can cripple their business.”

Many farmers have benefited greatly from previous congressional action that increased the estate tax exemption to $5 million indexed for inflation, provided portability between spouses, and continued stepped-up basis, Stallman noted in a letter urging House lawmakers to approve the repeal bill. Instead of spending money on life insurance and estate planning, many farmers today can expand their businesses, upgrade buildings and purchase needed equipment and livestock.


“And more importantly, they can continue farming when a family member dies without having to sell land, livestock or equipment to pay the tax,” Stallman wrote.

Still, estate taxes continue to be a problem for farmers and ranchers for a couple of reasons. First, the indexed estate tax exemption is still working to catch up with the increase in farmland values over the past several years. Second, the value of family-owned farms and ranches is usually tied to illiquid assets, such as land, buildings and equipment.

“When estate taxes on an agricultural business exceed cash and other liquid assets, surviving family partners have few options other than to sell off farm and ranch assets, jeopardizing the viability of their business,” Stallman explained.

Farm Bureau Endorses Bill to Sink Controversial WOTUS Rule

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The American Farm Bureau Federation today asked Congress to pass legislation ordering the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw the controversial “Waters of the United States” proposal.
In a letter copied to all members of Congress, AFBF President Bob Stallman wrote that the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act of 2015 represents an opportunity for Congress to take “the first important step toward resolving this issue fairly.” The bill was approved this week by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.)
If the legislation does not pass and EPA moves forward with a final rule, the likeliest result would be landowners “being forced to engage in expensive litigation to protect their rights.”
Farm Bureau also called into question a “Dear Colleague” letter circulating on Capitol Hill that mentions the American Farm Bureau by name. That letter states that delaying the rule would be “bad for farmers.”

“Because our name has been used, we feel obliged to make our position clear,” Stallman wrote. “Our members overwhelmingly oppose this rule. It is a bad rule for farmers. There is no question about that. Anyone who alleges the opposite either misunderstands the rule or misunderstands farming.”
AFBF also questioned the “Dear Colleague” letter’s assertion that delaying the WOTUS rule would leave “many of our nation’s waters unprotected.”
“As a matter of record, EPA has made repeated statements that the proposed rule does not expand its jurisdiction, while its proponents take the view … that without the rule, waters would be left unprotected. Proponents (of the WOTUS rule) cannot have it both ways.”
Farm Bureau believes without question that the WOTUS rule expands EPA’s authority beyond congressional intent and the limits imposed by two Supreme Court opinions. Among other provisions, AFBF said the proposed rule improperly extends federal regulation to isolated waters and, in cases, regulates land use under the guise of the WOTUS rule. The organization commended Chairman Shuster and the committee for their effort to draft and approve the bill for wider congressional consideration.

Agriculture Mediation Services Available for Farm-Related Disputes

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Mediation is a valuable tool for resolving the occasional agriculture-related dispute before it ends up in court. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announces that agricultural mediation services are now available to Virginia’s agriculture community through a partnership with the North Carolina Agriculture Mediation Program (NCAMP), which operates out of Western Carolina University.
Known as FARM-VA, the program is certified through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency. Although the Virginia agricultural mediation program is based in North Carolina, mediations are held in the county where the parties work or reside.
“Conflicts often result from a lack of communication,” said Jayne Zanglein, Executive Director of NCAMP and FARM-VA. “We cultivate a resolution by providing a trained mediator to guide discussions and help settle agricultural disputes quickly, confidentially and amicably, saving everyone involved time and money.”

FARM-VA helps settle disputes between USDA agencies and their customers and clients. Those disputing USDA actions that directly affect them are offered the opportunity to request mediation services as part of the department’s informal appeals process. No fee is charged for USDA-related mediations. In addition, FARM-VA services are available to help resolve agricultural-related disputes between producers and suppliers, vendors, lenders and others. These mediations are subject to a fee based on the mediator’s time and travel.
NCAMP, the administrating organization of the FARM-VA program, offers trained and certified agricultural mediators. Since its inception in 2006, NCAMP has successfully mediated more than 130 North Carolina cases affecting more than 400 individuals.
To request mediation services or additional information on FARM-VA, contact 336.303.0466 or farmva@att.net. The NCAMP website is http://ncamediation.org.

From the Field: Helping You Is What We Do Best

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

It has been a while since my last blog post of “From the Field.”  Some of the critical and urgent Farm Bureau duties, activities, and events of the past few months plus my father’s death in late November 2014 simply crowded out any time for the bi weekly postings.  I enjoyed bringing stories and educational information about Farm Bureau and/or agriculture to you, and I look forward to getting back to it.
First, I have to comment on the people in Farm Bureau and the agriculture and rural communities.  One of the old slogans that Virginia Farm Bureau (VFB) had when I started working for VFB was “Helping you is what we do best”.  While I’m not sure why that slogan went by the way side, I see it exemplified on a continual basis.  Whether it be some of the insurance staff or someone in one of the federation departments, they have the mentality to serve and help the member or fellow employee. 


When my father passed away, several of my co-workers and Farm Bureau volunteers offered help on the farm, some from a couple of counties away.  A farming neighbor helped load up my hay feeder this winter when my tractor was in the repair shop.  Another neighbor split some firewood for me.  I can’t say for sure that this outpouring of generosity doesn’t happen in the city or suburbs, but it is prevalent in small rural communities.  The patchwork of small rural communities with agriculture woven in is one of our country’s greatest assets and qualities.
During the past few months, the Membership and Field Services has been diligently working on making your membership in Farm Bureau the best value that it can be.  Over 300 recommendations for new vendors to the Member Deals Plus program have been received from employees and volunteers, and we hope that many of them will participate.  This will increase the number of discounts available to you.  The GM discount on new vehicles continues to be a success story with many members utilizing the program. 
The Grainger discount also offers savings to members.  Farm Bureau members who register on Grainger.com using the Farm Bureau account code get at least a 10% discount and free shipping on all on line orders.  The discount can be much higher on many items.  Members can also get discounts at the store if you have an account set up.  I see a lot of potential growth in the Grainger program if more farmers use it. 
We also have a discount program with Case-IH and Polaris with discounts ranging from $300 to $500.  For GM, Case-IH, and Polaris, the member must apply the discount at the time of purchase.  It is not valid after the purchase.  Farm Bureau offers many other discounts, which you can learn more about by visiting www.vafarmbureau.orgor a county Farm Bureau office. 
A Farm Bureau membership is one of the best investments that you can make.  For $40 per year, you get legislative representation on your issues in Washington, D.C and Richmond, savings of more than $40 by utilizing our programs, and one on one personal service in your county.  Plus your membership helps support and strengthen agriculture and rural communities. 
Until next time,

Mark

Farmers: Closing elk hunting would put farms, drivers at risk; Make Comments Until May 22

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A proposal by the Virginia Board of Game and Inland Fisheries to close the elk hunting season in 31 counties west of the Blue Ridge is cause for concern among farmers.

In 2012, the game department re-established about 75 elk in Buchanan County, and elk hunting was prohibited in Buchanan, Dickenson and Wise counties. Closing the elk season in the Blue Ridge would add those counties to the state’s Elk Management Area.

“I’m distressed to see this proposal,” said Emily Edmondson, a Tazewell County cattle producer and member of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation board of directors. She represents Farm Bureau producer members in Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Tazewell and Wise counties on the board.

“The damage elk can do to crops and fences and infrastructure on farms is concerning to me,” Edmondson said. “The diseases that they carry can affect our livestock and cattle populations too.”

Chronic wasting disease, tuberculosis and brucellosis are among diseases that can accompany a re-established elk population.

Edmondson said she understands that Buchanan County wanted elk and respects their decision, but she noted that the animals could have an impact on surrounding counties that did not want them reintroduced.

“This proposal is in effect saying, ‘We don’t care what you say. We aren’t going to allow you to hunt elk.’ The elk are going to breed and grow, and essentially we won’t be able to do anything about it. I object to this.”

Edmondson said she also is concerned about the potential for damage to vehicles that hit elk on roadways. “These are 800- to 1,000-pound animals. I’m concerned that people will be hurt or killed. Elk can’t read. They don’t know they aren’t supposed to be in certain places.”

Currently hunters with a valid deer tag may hunt elk anywhere in the state except in the Elk Management Area. That hunting policy was established primarily to limit the risk of reintroduced elk—or deer—transmitting diseases to agricultural livestock and the white-tailed deer population.

The public can submit comments about the proposal to VDGIF between April 8 and May 22 at https://www3.dgif.virginia.gov/web/comment-2015/expand.asp?VAC=090-085.

Farm Bureau Members Making a Difference on WOTUS

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Stallman

The vigilant outreach efforts of Farm Bureau members across the nation are making a difference, with key votes in the Senate this week delivering a resounding message that the proposed Waters of the U.S. rule is flawed in both substance and process.

“Senators indicated they will not tolerate outlandish regulatory actions that disregard established law, and by their action put federal regulators on notice that the rule is simply unacceptable,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman in a statement. Further, said Stallman, “The Senate action amplifies the spirit our farmers and ranchers have conveyed over the past year of the need to ditch the egregious WOTUS rule. We thank senators for their understanding that America’s farm and ranch families care deeply about clean water and their recognition that the ill-advised WOTUS rule is flawed to the core.”

Earlier this month, Stallman had the following to say praising Farm Bureau members for their continued fight against the proposed WOTUS rule:

It can be difficult to keep energized about an issue when it drags on for months. That is certainly the case with Farm Bureau’s opposition to the EPA’s and Corps of Engineers’ Waters of the U.S. rule. Farm Bureau members and many others around the nation were mobilized like never before during last year’s comment period on the proposed rule, and their message was loud and clear: DITCH THE RULE!

Despite efforts by some to use every tweet, robo-email and signature on a petition as a bona fide comment, about two-thirds of the approximately 20,000 substantive comments were in opposition to the WOTUS proposed rule. That is outstanding! As proud as I am of what Farm Bureau members have accomplished—and I have never been prouder—we still have a lot of work to do.

The agencies most likely will release the final rule in just a few weeks, after which it will be reviewed by other federal agencies. While the energy and urgency of the comment period ended last November, we must use this relatively silent time between then and the coming final rule to continue letting Congress know that we need their help, because EPA is not addressing agriculture’s concerns. There is legislation in the works that would send EPA and the Corps back to the drawing board on WOTUS, and we need members of Congress to support farmers and ranchers by supporting that legislation, as well as other efforts to prevent WOTUS from going forward as originally proposed.

“Keep calm and carry on,” was the message of a famous British poster during World War II, and Americans lately have enjoyed adapting that in a seemingly endless variety of ways: “Keep calm and farm on” is my personal favorite. I am reminded of that because we need to do the exact opposite on the WOTUS issue. We can’t afford to keep calm.