In 2014, Wegmans Food Markets began to source more beef raised without antibiotics or added hormones from family farms near their stores. They have partnered with Madison County Farm Bureau member Clay Jackson’s operation Senterfitt Farms. Above is a closer look at their partnership.
This Week’s Commodity Comments: July 9, 2014
Click here for this week’s Commodity Comments, a weekly newsletter designed to provide agricultural producers with an analysis of current market trends by Farm Bureau Market Analyst Jonah Bowles.
Leading Online Grocer Relay Foods to Invest $735,000, Increase Sales of Virginia-Sourced Agricultural Products
Relay Foods (www.relayfoods.com) will expand its corporate headquarters and Charlottesville fulfillment center to accommodate increased local demand for its products and to support the company’s entry into new markets, including those beyond Virginia. The company, a leading online grocery store and farmers market, will invest more than $735,000, create 25 new jobs in the City, and increase its Mid-Atlantic sales of Virginia-sourced meats, produce, dairy products, and value-added foods by $3 million over the next three years. The Commonwealth of Virginia is partnering with the City of Charlottesville and Relay Foods on this project through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID).
Speaking at the company’s site in Charlottesville about the announcement, Governor Terry McAuliffe said, “We continue to realize the benefits of fully integrating agriculture and forestry into the state’s strategic economic development platform. Relay Foods’ announcement today not only creates quality new job opportunities for residents of Charlottesville, it strengthens the ties that this innovative and fast-growing company has to the Commonwealth. Supporting entrepreneurs with unique and exciting business models is another way for Virginia to grow and diversify our economy, especially with the variety of agricultural producers across the Commonwealth.”
Relay Foods seamlessly integrates more than 200 local farmers and artisan, organic, and conventional producers to deliver high quality, local and gourmet foods and groceries directly to customers. The company offers a unique and powerful resource for small food producers in Virginia trying to access the market by providing ready access to consumers in the Washington D.C., Richmond and Charlottesville metro areas. This expansion will allow the company to further meet the growing demands of its consumers.
“I am pleased to see the continued success of the AFID program working with localities and businesses such as Relay Foods, a company that is so focused on promoting Virginia’s fresh, locally-sourced agricultural products, to create new jobs at its operations and new revenue streams for our growers,” said Todd Haymore, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. “This project will allow Relay Foods to enjoy an even wider reach to markets where the exposure of Virginia-grown products will increase and Virginia’s agricultural producers will continue to benefit from new sales opportunities.”
The company, in partnership with Virginia and Charlottesville, will invest in updates to its Charlottesville corporate facility and fulfillment center, the main location for the aggregation, storage, packaging and distribution of all local Virginia meat, cheese and dairy products. These improvements will strengthen the company’s competitive position in the fast-growing online grocery market.
“Relay Foods has rapidly developed a new approach to putting food on the table here in Charlottesville and beyond,” said Satyendra Singh Huja, Mayor of Charlottesville. “We are proud of the company’s success and its ability to deliver innovation to the marketplace.”
Governor McAuliffe approved a $50,000 grant from the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID) to assist the City of Charlottesville with the project. Relay Foods is also committing to purchase at least $350,000 worth of meats, produce, dairy products and other foods from Virginia producers over the next three years. Through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, Relay Foods will receive additional funding and services to support its training and retraining activities.
“At Relay Foods, our goal is to strengthen the local food economy in every community we serve, and we have been able to grow and thrive in Virginia based on our strong partnerships with producers across the state,” said Zach Buckner, Co-founder and CEO of Relay Foods. “We look forward to using this AFID grant to continue exploring innovative ways to connect our customers with the fresh and local foods produced by Virginia growers and artisans.“
“Coming from bucolic Virginia, I know the importance of a strong agricultural supply chain and appreciate the dedication to local, small producers in this region,” said Senator Creigh Deeds, D- Bath County. “The Governor’s continued support and partnership on economic development opportunities like the AFID program help communities across Virginia, and I am particularly pleased about the positive regional impact this announcement has today.”
Delegate David Toscano, D-Charlottesville, added, “Today’s announcement is a testament to the work the Governor and my colleagues in the General Assembly have done to diversify our economy and foster strong companies like Relay Foods in Virginia. Their continued investment in Charlottesville and the ripple effect to the agricultural community and regional customer base are an exciting win for Virginia today.”
According to a 2013 economic impact study conducted by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, agriculture and forestry are two of Virginia’s largest industries with a combined economic impact of $70 billion annually. Agriculture generates more than $52 billion per annum, while forestry induces over $17 billion. The industries also provide more than 400,000 jobs in the Commonwealth.
About the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund
The AFID Fund was created during the 2012 session of the General Assembly and is being embraced by the McAuliffe Administration as an important tool in growing the Commonwealth’s agriculture and forestry sector and helping to make Virginia the leading exporter of agricultural and forest products on the East Coast. More information about the AFID grant, which has the flexibility to assist projects large and small throughout Virginia, can be found at http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/agribusiness/afid.shtml.
Become a Face of Farming with USFRA
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance® (USFRA®) is looking for the new Faces of Farming & Ranching. To help put a real face on agriculture, later this year, USFRA will select standout farmers and ranchers who are proud of what they do, eager to share their stories of continuous improvement and who are actively involved in sharing those stories in public and on social media.
Farmers and ranchers who grow and raise an assortment of foods through various methods, on differing scale and across all regions of the country are encouraged to apply, as it is important to show American agriculture and all of its diversity.
“We are proud of the improvements our farmers and ranchers are bringing to America’s food supply and we think it’s imperative that they have a strong voice in addressing consumer questions…The success we experienced with last year’s ambassadors shows us that people want to hear directly from those who are cultivating our food.” – Randy Krotz, chief executive officer at USFRA.
How To Apply
Applicants must submit an online application and include a video no longer than three minutes that shows your operation and your role on the farm/ranch.
USFRA will accept entries beginning on Thursday, July 10 2014 at 12:00:01 a.m. CT until Sunday, August 10, 2014 at 11:59:59 CT.
Winners Announcement
Finalists will be announced by USFRA in early September, and each finalist will be profiled on FoodDialogues.com/Faces. The general public will be able to vote for their favorite in late October through early November.
A combination of public votes and USFRA judges’ scores will determine the winners, who will be announced on November 12 at a press conference during the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention (NAFB) in Kansas City.
And If I win?
Winners will receive a $15,000 stipend to help cover costs at home while they are traveling. They’ll also receive professional media/speaker training and full support from USFRA through their yearlong tenure.
Winners will serve in multiple high-visibility roles on behalf of USFRA, participating in a number of activities including national media interviews, advertising and public appearances.
- Fill out an online application
- Visit our F.A.Q.
- View Official Rules
- Contact Lisa Cassady, cassady@usfraonline.org, 636-449-5050.
About USFRA
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) consists of more than 80 farmer – and rancher-led organizations and agricultural partners representing virtually all aspects of agriculture, working to engage in dialogue with consumers who have questions about how today’s food is grown and raised. USFRA is committed to continuous improvement and supporting U.S. farmers and ranchers efforts to increase confidence and trust in today’s agriculture. Virginia Farm Bureau is a member of USFRA.
This Week’s Commodity Comments: July 2, 2014
Click here for this week’s Commodity Comments, a weekly newsletter designed to provide agricultural producers with an analysis of current market trends by Farm Bureau Market Analyst Jonah Bowles.
2013, a Banner Year for U.S. Agriculture
The agriculture sector of the U.S. economy grew 16.4 percent in 2013, the fastest rise since 1998. This sector accounts for forestry, fishing and hunting and farming (the largest portion), and made up 1.6 percent of the nation’s total GDP last year. The federal government’s recent estimates of state economic growth showed an increase in every state except Alaska, due to declining oil production, and the District of Columbia, due to budget cuts in government spending. Last year marked the first year in the past three years that the agriculture sector did better than the overall U.S. economy.
In a New York Times article, Mitch Morehart, an economist with the Agriculture Department, attributes much of this growth to rising prices for livestock and a recovery in production after the 2012 drought. While progress was apparent in 2013, he says this sector does not seem to be doing as well in 2014.
From the Field: EPA’s Proposed Rule Could Hinder Conservation Projects
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 subscribe to several daily agriculture and beef emails, and the article in one caught my attention. It was about the EPA’s proposed rule on Waters of the U.S. I have read several articles and action alerts on this over the past few months, and you probably have too. However, a perspective was given by a Pennsylvania farmer that I had not considered. The farmer, Andy Fabin, was testifying before a Congressional Committee on the possible effects of this rule and said that participation in conservation programs could be hindered. The reason being that once a farmer or rancher was signed up with a government program, it would be easier for the feds to monitor and further enforce burdensome and bureaucratic regulations verses someone that wanted to stay under the radar.
I like many other farmers have implemented conservation projects and they have been good for the cattle and water quality. I hope that EPA and Congress seriously listened to Fabin’s testimony as EPA’s proposed rule could potentially decrease conservation efforts. Incentives work in a lot of things. Beating someone over the head to accomplish a goal rarely does.
Here is a link to the article.
Until next time,
Mark
Mark
Congressional Leaders: EPA Making ‘Unjustified Power Grab’
Three Virginia members of the U.S. House of Representatives led 39 members of Congress in filing an amicus brief supporting the American Farm Bureau Federation’s lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The brief, which was filed last week, urges the Third U.S. District Court of Appeals to acknowledge the intent of the Clean Water Act to reserve for states the right to implement water quality goals as related to the EPA’s proposed Total Maximum Daily Load, or TMDL.
“EPA’s power grab surrounding the Chesapeake Bay TMDL sets a dangerous precedent by usurping authority delegated to the states in the Clean Water Act simply because the agency disagrees with a state’s decision on implementation,” said Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-6th, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. He was joined in signing the brief by Rep. Robert Hurt, R-5th, and Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-9th.
“We are so thankful that our Virginia Congressmen recognize the far-reaching effects of the EPA controlling all the waters of the U.S. and are willing to stand up and fight for our right to farm,” said Virginia Farm Bureau Federation President Wayne F. Pryor.
At issue is a federal-led effort to restore the 64,000-square-mile Chesapeake Bay watershed by 2025. In 2009, President Obama issued an executive order for a bay restoration, prompting the EPA to seek agreements with six states and the District of Columbia that set standards to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment that drain from rivers into the bay.
The AFBF unsuccessfully challenged the multistate agreement in 2011. Now the appeals court is to decide if the EPA exceeded its Clean Water Act authority by mandating how nitrogen, phosphorous and sediment runoff should be allocated among farms, construction and development activities, as well as homeowners and towns throughout the bay watershed.
“Agencies should not be allowed to seize virtually limitless power by simply posting an expansive statutory interpretation that is not expressly prohibited,” the amicus brief says. “The Chesapeake Bay TMDL at issue in this case goes far beyond that delegated authority by allocating pollutant limits to specific sources, requiring states to give reasonable assurances as to how they will meet those individually allocated limits, and imposing deadlines for accomplishing the goals of the TMDL. Nothing in the CWA grants EPA such sweeping authority.”
The filing puts the lawmakers alongside 21 state attorneys general who already oppose the cleanup.
Lawmakers “have a clear interest in ensuring that Congress’s supreme legislative and policymaking role is not usurped by unelected executive branch agencies,” the brief states. “If allowed to stand, the decision … would allow EPA to usurp the traditional state authority over economic development and land-use management decisions.
“Hamstringing the states in this way runs directly counter to the CWA’s venerable policy of cooperative federalism.”
Virginia Farm Bureau Presents Farm Bill Information Sessions Across the State
Farmers and farm landowners are cordially invited to attend the 2014 Farm Bill Information Sessions.
The Agricultural Act of 2014 authorized several new programs and modified many other programs that will impact farms across Virginia.
Plan to attend a 2014 Farm Bill Information Session, hosted by the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, and hear the latest news about farm program changes affecting farm safety net, marketing, conservation, risk management and rural development provisions.
Whether your interests include row or specialty crops, cow/calf or dairy, conventional or organic, United States Department of Agriculture staff will present beneficial information for your farming operation.
Each 2 – 2 ½ hour session will conclude with an opportunity to meet USDA staff for additional information.
Session Agenda:
Commodity and Farm Loan Programs
Farm Service Agency
Risk Management and Crop Insurance
Risk Management Agency
Conservation and Natural Resources
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Value-added Agriculture and Rural Energy
Rural Development
The 2014 Farm Bill Information Sessions are open to the public and sponsored by the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation
Locations & Dates:
Southern VA Higher Ed. Center
(Held in conjunction with the VFBF Young Farmer Expo)
820 Bruce St
South Boston, VA
August 1, 2014, 1:00 PM
Wytheville Community College Snyder Auditorium, Grayson Hall
1000 E. Main St
Wytheville, VA
August 19, 2014, 9:00 AM
Weyers Cave Community Cntr
682 Weyers Cave Rd
Weyers Cave, VA
August 20, 2014, 9:00 AM
Paul D. Camp Comm. College
Workforce Development Cntr
100 North College Dr
Franklin, VA
August 26, 2014, 9:00 AM
The Meadow Event Park
Meadow Pavilion, Gate 2
13111 Dawn Blvd
Doswell, VA
August 28, 2014 9:00 AM
Refreshments provided.
For additional information and travel directions, contact
Tony Banks
tony.banks@vafb.com
804-290-1114
Brenda Fleming
brenda.fleming@vafb.com
804-290-1155
This Week’s Commodity Comments: June 25, 2014
Click here for this week’s Commodity Comments, a weekly newsletter designed to provide agricultural producers with an analysis of current market trends by Farm Bureau Market Analyst Jonah Bowles.
Plows and Politics 