Governor McAuliffe Announces Third Round of Agriculture, Forestry Planning Grants

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Governor Terry McAuliffe has announced the award of four planning grants from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID).  Three local projects in Fauquier, Buckingham, and Charles City counties and one regional partnership consisting of the Commonwealth Regional Council, and Appomattox, Buckingham, and Cumberland counties, have been awarded more than $61,000 to support the growth of agricultural and forestry projects in the Commonwealth.  The AFID planning grant program encourages local governments to promote agriculture and forestry and incorporate the needs of these important industries into their long-term strategic economic development planning efforts.

Speaking about the planning grant awards, Governor McAuliffe said, “In my strategic plan to help grow and diversify Virginia’s economy, it is essential to ensure that two of the Commonwealth’s largest private economic drivers, agriculture and forestry, are a major part of our efforts, especially in rural areas.  Using our greatest resources to support local efforts and strengthen these critical industries is an important component of my economic development strategy as we work to build a New Virginia Economy.  I applaud the leadership in Fauquier, Charles City, Buckingham, Cumberland and Appomattox for exploring how best to leverage their agricultural assets for future job creation opportunities.”


The AFID Planning Grant program was developed in 2012 to encourage local and regional governments to think strategically about how they can better support and integrate agriculture and forestry-based industries into their communities’ overall economic development efforts.  The planning grants are part of the larger Governor’s AFID program, a discretionary, performance-based economic development tool specifically tailored for assisting businesses that add value to Virginia-grown agriculture and forestry-related products. 

“I am pleased to see the continued use of the Governor’s AFID planning grant program to assist localities to fully integrate agriculture and forestry into their overall economic development and strategic plans,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore.  “With these four projects, the AFID planning grant program has leveraged more than $465,000 since its inception to support 48 localities interested in building on their agriculture and forestry assets and seeking new initiatives that can have lasting positive impacts for their region.”

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.shtml, or 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: Fauquier County Cost of Community Services Study
Applicant:       Fauquier County
Award:           $6,190
Summary:       Fauquier County is seeking funding to complete a cost of community services study to obtain a better understanding of the fiscal impacts of various land use categories.  This study will be completed by UVA’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service and overseen by the County Agricultural Committee.  The study will document, among other things, the fiscal impact working agricultural lands offer the County. 
Project Title: Feasibility of Alternative Energy Production Options using Local Agriculture and Forestry Feedstock           
Applicant:       Buckingham County
Award:           $10,000
Summary:       Buckingham County is seeking funding to have an outside consultant conduct a feasibility analysis and planning proposal for alternative energy options for public buildings using local agriculture and forestry feedstock in the County.  The study will include an economic feasibility analysis of local government and school buildings for conversion to biomass heating systems, feedstock availability, and a review of policies and ordinances that might assist or impede possible conversion.  This effort will develop a template for other communities to follow for evaluating possible conversion of their public buildings to biomass heat.
Project Title: Buckingham Agricultural Resource Network (BARN)
Applicant:       Commonwealth Regional Council in partnership with Appomattox, Buckingham and Cumberland counties
Award:           $35,000
Summary:       The Buckingham Cattlemen’s Association, representing 235 producers over 20 counties in Central Virginia, is seeking funding to partner with local government, VDACS and the Tobacco Commission to construct a large, new multi-use facility and outside sales arena that will allow for on-site sale of cattle and hay that will offer substantial cost savings, as well as provide a viable venue for other activities to benefit the broader community.  Grant funds will be used for the completion of interior finishes, including the installation of kitchen equipment donated by Buckingham County Schools.
Project Title: Charles City County Agriculture and Forestry Economic Development Plan
Applicant:       Charles City County
Award:           $10,000
Summary:       Charles City County is seeking funding to add a robust agriculture and forestry component to their newly launched Economic Development Strategic Plan.  Specific issues to be addressed include improving land-use and zoning policies, developing eco- and agri-tourism attractions, expanding their timber industry, and supporting a new wine industry.

Governor McAuliffe Recognizes Farmers for Conservation and Water Quality Measures

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Governor Terry McAuliffe has presented 10 farmers with 2014 Virginia Grand Basin Clean Water Farm Awards for implementing practices to protect water quality. The governor also recognized the first Virginians to implement an agricultural resource management plan under a newly created program.
The presentations took place in Roanoke at the annual meeting of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
“I applaud these farmers and farm owners for doing what’s right for their businesses and what’s right for our natural resources,” Governor McAuliffe said. “They have chosen to take important steps toward protecting water quality across the Commonwealth. Winners of the Virginia Grand Basin Clean Water Farm Award stand out because of their exemplary implementation of conservation practices that, in many cases, also improve their financial bottom line. They truly are role models for producers across the state.”
The Clean Water Farm Award recognizes farm owners and operators who have adopted and implemented innovative conservation tools, technologies and practices that reduce the amount of runoff pollution entering local waters. Each recipient was nominated for the award by their local Soil and Water Conservation District. Top winners are selected from each of Virginia’s 10 major river drainage basins.

“Only with the continued hard work and commitment of our agricultural producers will we be able to meet our water quality goals for all of Virginia, including the Chesapeake Bay” said Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Ward. “These farmers show that water quality protection and profitable and sustainable farming go hand in hand and I applaud their accomplishments.”
2014 Grand Basin Clean Water Farm Award recipients:
Big Sandy and Tennessee River
James M. “Mike” Harris, Tazewell County
Nominated by the Tazewell County Soil and Water Conservation District
Chowan River
Scott Bridgeforth of Windy Hills Farms, Lunenburg County
Nominated by the Southside Soil and Water Conservation District
Coastal
Rick Hall of Loblolly Farms, Accomack County
Nominated by the Eastern Shore Soil and Water Conservation District
James River
Ronnie Morris of Fox Mountain Farm, Albemarle County
Nominated by the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District
New River
Brian and Kayla Umberger of Mountain Spring Farms, Wythe County
Nominated by the Big Walker Soil and Water Conservation District
Potomac River
Joe Rogers, Jr. of Terra Farms, Loudoun County
Nominated by the Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District
Rappahannock River
Frank and Janet Ott of Marshfield Farms, Fauquier County
Nominated by the John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District
Roanoke River
David and Liisa Wallace of Mulberry Farm, Patrick County
Nominated by the Patrick Soil and Water Conservation District
Shenandoah River
Willis and Krystal Heatwole of Bethel Bend Farm, Rockingham County
Nominated by the Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District
York River
Helen Marie Taylor of Bloomsbury Farm, Orange County
Nominated by the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District
In addition, Governor McAuliffe recognized Clem and Keith Horsley, who own and operate Holly Springs Farm in Gloucester County. The Horsleys are the first to fully implement a resource management plan through a new state program that encourages farmers to use high-level conservation practices to reduce runoff pollution into local waters. The voluntary program launched in July. Farmers and farm operators who implement resource management plans are deemed to be in compliance with any new state water quality and sediment requirements for nine years.
“Resource management plans are a key part of Virginia’s strategy to clean up rivers, streams and the Chesapeake Bay,” Governor McAuliffe said. “In addition to expanding farmers’ use of conservation practices, the program also will give us better data about practices already being implemented. I’m proud to join Virginia’s conservation community in recognizing the Horsleys for their contribution to clean water.”
Both the Virginia Clean Water Farm Award and resource management plan program are administered by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, in partnership with Virginia’s 47 Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

For more information about either program, visit www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil_and_water, or contact a local soil and water conservation district office.

Pro-GMO Side ‘Wins’ in NPR Online Debate

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Supporters of genetically modified crops were declared the victors in a National Public Radio program debate held Dec. 3.

 Robb Fraley, executive vice president and chief technology officer with Monsanto and University of California-Davis genomics and biotechnology researcher Alison Van Eenennaam spoke about the benefits of GMOs. They debated on the program, “Intelligence Squared,” against Charles Benbrook, a Washington State University research professor with the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Margaret Mellon, science policy consultant with the Union of Concerned Scientists.The program was streamed online from a New York studio.

At the end, a victor was declared based on the percentage of a studio audience swayed by arguments. Before the debate, 32 percent of the audience agreed GMO crops are necessary and 30 percent opposed them. A vote after the debate revealed 60 percent of the audience favored GMOs and 31 percent opposed them, with 9 percent still undecided.

Listen to a podcast of the debate at http://intelligencesquaredus.org.

VFBF Legislative Committee Comments on 2015 Critical Issues, Part 2

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Earlier this month, the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation announced its critical legislative issues for 2014. These are the issues Governmental Relations staff believe will be at the forefront during the next year’s General Assembly.  These issues are also discussed at Senatorial District meetings, regional legislative briefings for legislators held across the state during November and December. Here are three of those issues with remarks from members of the Virginia Farm Bureau Legislative Committee, who identified these issues as critical.  If you are a producer member and would like to attend your region’s Senatorial District Meeting, please contact your Field Services Director for dates and locations.
In case you missed Part 1: http://vfbplowsandpolitics.blogspot.com/2014/11/vfbf-legislative-committee-comments-on.html

Biosolids
Virginia Farm Bureau urges legislators to:
  • Maintain state oversight and regulation of the application of biosolids and industrial residuals as a source of nutrients on farmland 

“When handled appropriately, biosolids is a safe product. Organic matter makes the soil better which benefits farmers. Landfill space is becoming limited and will cause problems down the road. We can avoid this by recycling waste, which makes a beneficial fertilizer when it is safely applied.” –Lynwood Broaddus, Caroline County
Right to Farm Act
Virginia Farm Bureau urges legislators to:
  • Protect the Right to Farm Act in its current form by only supporting changes that are preferable to the farmer and provide further protection from nuisance lawsuits 

“Every year legislation is introduced in the General Assembly that weakens the Right to Farm Act and gives more control over local farms to local government. We, as farmers, need to stay vigilant on any legislation that will hamper our ability to farm.”- Thomas Graves, VFBF Legislative Committee Chair, Orange County  

Statement by Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation, Regarding President Obama’s Statement on Immigration

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Below is American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman’s response of President Obama immigration initiative:

“In practical terms, we do not expect the president’s initiative to help America’s farmers deal with the real labor challenges they face. Our nation loses millions of dollars in fruit and vegetable production every year because farmers cannot find labor to harvest everything they grow. This order will not change that.

“Farmers and ranchers need a new, flexible visa program that ensures long-term access to an expanding workforce by allowing foreign-born workers to enter the U.S. We also need to permit some current workers, many of whom have helped sustain our operations for years, to remain working in America.

“Congress has a golden opportunity to present a clear vision on immigration in America. We need legislation that addresses border security and enforcement, improves an outdated agricultural visa program and gives experienced agricultural workers a way to gain legal status.

“Congress and the president must work together to find a solution that works for America. The American Farm Bureau Federation will work closely with anyone who supports agricultural labor reform.”