Carolina Farm Credit Hires Former VFBF Governmental Relations Intern

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Michael R. Morton, CEO of Carolina Farm Credit, is pleased to announce that Katie DuBreuil recently joined the Carolina Farm Credit team as a loan officer trainee in the Pilot Mountain service center.

DuBreuil is originally from Midlothian, VA and graduated from Virginia Tech University where she received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural economics. While at Virginia Tech, she worked as a graduate research & teaching assistant. She was also a summer intern for the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s Governmental Relations Department. She currently lives in Winston-Salem, NC and enjoys outdoor activities including hiking and shooting sports, traveling, and cooking. She is engaged to be married in October of this year.

DuBreuil’s role as a loan officer trainee consists of building strong relationships and providing value-added financial services to Carolina Farm Credit members.

To learn more about the wide array of loans and financial services available through Carolina Farm Credit, call the Pilot Mountain service center at 336-368-4761 or visit carolinafarmcredit.com.

Carolina Farm Credit is a farmer-owned cooperative providing short, intermediate, and long-term financing to full and part-time farmers and agricultural-related businesses and also provides financing for the construction and purchase of rural homes in 54 counties through 36 service centers. Other financial services available through Carolina Farm Credit are credit life and crop insurance, appraisal services, financial planning, and leasing programs.

Carolina Farm Credit serves over 8,800 members with loans outstanding totaling more than $1.3 billion. The association’s territory covers the western half of North Carolina, with service centers located in Albemarle, Asheboro, Asheville, Boone, Browns Summit, Burnsville, Carthage, Concord, Ellerbe, Graham, Hendersonville, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lenoir, Lexington, Lincolnton, Marshall, Mocksville, Monroe, Murphy, Newton, Pilot Mountain, Roxboro, Rural Hall, Salisbury, Shelby, Siler City, Sparta, Spindale, Statesville, Taylorsville, Wadesboro, Waynesville, Wilkesboro, Yadkinville, and Yanceyville.

Carolina Farm Credit was recognized as a 2013 Best Employer in North Carolina. The list of the Best Employers in North Carolina was created by Business North Carolina, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – NC State Council and Best Companies Group. Carolina Farm Credit is the 5th Best Employer in North Carolina in the small to medium-sized company category.

Directors for Carolina Farm Credit are Joseph A. Lail, Chairman, Shelby; Mark A. Bray, Vice-Chairman, Lawsonville; John M. Barnard, Statesville; E. Bernard Beck, Seagrove; W. Rex Bell, Statesville; David M. Coltrane, Pleasant Garden; Susie J. Gambill, Sparta; W. Steve Love, Graham; Bobby J. “Bud” Matthews, East Bend; Clark M. Newlin, Haw River; Thomas E. Porter, Jr., Concord; Tony L. Ragan, Sanford; D. Kaleb Rathbone, Waynesville; Lewis E. Smith, Lincolnton; Vickie N. Smitherman, East Bend; L. Kim Starnes, Salisbury; Dr. Alton Thompson, Summerfield.

From the Field: Perseverance

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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.

Perseverance is defined as “continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.”  Farm Bureau is thankful to have numerous volunteers and county Farm Bureaus that have the quality of perseverance. 

Perseverance in many cases is a key factor in farming and ranching.  Despite challenges, farmers and ranchers keep plowing forward with a hopeful heart and confidence in doing the right thing.  One example of perseverance that I want to share with you is from Fluvanna County. 
Fluvanna is a county just southeast of Charlottesville and has not had a vocational-agriculture class in the school system since the year 2000.  Residents say the class was mostly mechanical and wood trades with very little agriculture.  A FFA chapter hasn’t been present in decades.  While Fluvanna was lacking an agriculture program and FFA, counties adjacent to it, such as Louisa and Nelson, had extremely strong agriculture and FFA programs. Many of the residents wanted to see an agriculture class in Fluvanna schools again.
Fluvanna County Farm Bureau (FCFB) knew that things had to change, and it would be up to them to make it happen.  There had been a growing 4-H program, especially in the equine area.   
Discussions on how to implement an agriculture curriculum started in 2007.  In 2008, serious planning started.  Dr. Glenn Anderson, Agriculture Education Specialist for the Virginia Department of Education, met with the board of directors and informed them of the various agriculture curriculum tracks that were available and key people in the school system to meet. 
FCFB took every opportunity to lobby the school board and board of supervisors members for an agriculture program.  FCFB leveraged their lobbying efforts by having a $1,000 scholarship available to any high school student who planned to pursue a college degree in a college of agriculture.  Furthermore, FCFB assisted with funding a small hydroponics project that was actually part of a math business class. 
FCFB partnered with the extension agent and 4-H agent to further the cause.  The partnership hosted an “Agriculture Open House” at the middle school.  This open house had a rotation of classes that visited numerous stations that described what types of careers and opportunities fell under the broad title, agriculture.  The survey (conducted by school administration) response afterwards from the students revealed strong support for an agriculture class to be offered.
 FCFB had Virginia State FFA officers at one of their annual meetings to make the case for an agriculture class and FFA.  If you have heard a state FFA officer speak, you know what polished speakers they are.  FCFB made it a point to invite the key school staff, school board, and board of supervisors to hear the message.
This effort was not without challenges.  The message that FCFB was making seemed to often fall on deaf ears for the first few years.  Several reasons provided as to why an agriculture program was not realistic ranged from there being no interest to lack of funding.  There were times when it was appropriate to step back for a while, and take a break from it. 
FCFB persevered for six years and finally achieved success this year when a horticulture teacher was hired.  The class is available to grades 8-12 and current enrollment is 106 students.  A new large greenhouse is being constructed this fall. 
FCFB obviously plans to continue its support of this class now that it has been established.  Hopefully a FFA chapter will follow.
We can all feel overwhelmed at times with all that we have to do.  But I think the best strategy is to break it down in segments.  Little successes over time will lead to accomplishing that goal that seemed daunting at the start.
Until next time,

Mark

Breaking News: Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC endorses Cuccinelli, Northam, Obenshain

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Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC has announced its endorsement of Ken Cuccinelli, the Republican candidate for governor; Ralph S. Northam, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor; and Mark D. Obenshain, the Republican candidate for attorney general.

“The individuals we endorsed have demonstrated their support for farmers through their leadership on specific issues or their favorable voting records while holding positions in the General Assembly,” said Wayne F. Pryor, VFBF president and chairman of the VFBF AgPAC board of trustees. “We believe we have endorsed three candidates who have helped farmers and will continue to help agriculture and forestry remain viable and remain Virginia’s largest industry.”

Pryor said Cuccinelli “has a proven track record of standing up for eminent domain reform” and for fair treatment of landowners in the takings process. “Without the leadership of Ken Cuccinelli, we would not have the eminent domain reform amendment to Virginia’s constitution,” approved by voters last fall.

He also praised Cuccinelli for calling foul when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency attempted to overstep its statutory authority on water and air issues that affect farms.

“While farmers want clean water and air, they cannot survive if heavy-handed regulatory measures come to bear in the future from an overzealous federal agency. We appreciated Mr. Cuccinelli’s efforts as attorney general to question the EPA’s authority in trying to define water, itself, as a pollutant. While that case was not directly tied to agriculture, his actions served to call attention to the EPA overstepping its bounds.”

Pryor said Northam “has an excellent voting record on some of the key issues important to farmers. He supported the passage of the constitutional amendment on eminent domain reform. He grew up on the Eastern Shore with roots in the farming community, and we believe his experience on the Senate Agriculture,Conservation and Natural Resources Committee will serve as a useful background with regard to issues that have an impact on farmers.”

Obenshain, Pryor said, has also been a strong advocate for farmers on the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee and has an agriculture-friendly voting record.

“He carried the constitutional amendment for eminent domain reform even in years when its passage failed, but he never gave up. He reached across the aisle to build bipartisan alliances to achieve its passage. He also recognizes the need to make sure the interests of landowners are protected. We believe that Mr. Obenshain, as Virginia’s next attorney general, will continue to make sure that EPA doesn’t try to bully Virginia into complying with job-killing regulatory measures that exceed its statutory authority.”

The nonpartisan VFBF AgPAC was created by Farm Bureau in 1999 and employs in-kind contributions to support candidates who can best support agriculture and Farm Bureau issues.

Virginia Tech Researchers Assist the State by Studying Effects of Pesticides on Honeybee Health

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Troy Anderson, Carlyle Brewster, and Richard Fell monitor
honeybee hives at Virginia Tech’s Price’s Fork Research Center
Virginia Tech researchers are gathering valuable information about the impact of pesticide exposure on honey bee colony health in Virginia, helping both the apicultural and agricultural industries to reduce the loss of managed bee colonies.

Honey bees allow for the production of important crops such as apples, melons, and squash in the commonwealth of Virginia, but hives are collapsing at an approximate rate of 33 percent per year, according to the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture, and continued losses are expected to drive up food costs. Despite active research efforts, a fundamental explanation for bee colony losses remains unclear.

“There are knowledge gaps with respect to pesticide effects on bee colonies,” said Troy Anderson, an assistant professor of entomology in the College of Agriculture and LifeSciences and affiliated member of the Fralin Life Science Institute.  “This study will provide important information about the exposure of bee colonies to common-use pesticides and the health risks associated with these exposures.”

Funded by a $1.4 million grant from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Anderson is engaging in the five-year study with Richard Fell, professor emeritus of entomology and Carlyle Brewster, professor of entomology, in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Funding for this grant is from pesticide fees collected by VDACS’ Office of Pesticide Services.  No taxpayer dollars are used.
“We are pleased to support this critical study,” said Matt Lohr, Virginia’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “Our ability to protect honey bees and reinvigorate their numbers will rely heavily on the science-based results that we anticipate from this effort.”

Together, the team will employ Anderson’s toxicology background with Fell’s expertise in apiculture and Brewster’s talent in quantitative ecology.  They will seek out beekeeper participation in six agricultural regions of the state– Winchester, Virginia Beach, the Eastern Shore, Suffolk, Petersburg, and Blacksburg– and partner with Virginia Tech Agricultural Research and Extension Centers when possible.

“At each of the regions, we will examine various hive components such as wax, pollen, and the bees themselves to assess the levels of within-hive pesticide residues, and colony health and nutrition.  The multitude of data collected will then be analyzed using multivariate statistical methods to determine the extent to which bee colony health profiles are related to the pesticide residues in Virginia,” Brewster said.

Since the 1940’s, the number of hives in the United States has been halved from 5 million to 2.5 million, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.  Colony decline worsened in the 1980’s with the advent of pathogens and pests, and even more in the 1990’s, with the invasion of Varroa and tracheal mites.

“Beekeeper-applied miticides, or the pesticides used to treat these mites, are of particular interest in this study,” Anderson said.  “The study, however, will not be limited to miticides, but also will include several grower-applied pesticides.These data will not only improve our ability to predict favorable or unfavorable conditions for bee colony health, but will be used to provide useful management practices for beekeepers, growers, and pesticide applicators.”

My Busy Summer as a Governmental Relations Intern

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Joseph Degreenia, a rising Junior at Virginia Tech, just wrapped up his final week as intern for the Governmental Relations Department, and he wanted to share his experiences this summer with you. Thanks for a great job this summer, Joseph! Good luck at Tech!
Andrew Smith and Joseph Degreenia (right) work on Virginia
Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC interviews
This summer I have had the opportunity to intern with the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation in the Governmental Relations Department.  It has been a very rewarding experience and has allowed me to be involved in one of the many behind-the-scenes factors that play a vital role in agriculture.
I grew up in a suburban area in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and I joined 4-H when I was 9 years old. Being an active member in 4-H taught me valuable skills including public speaking, leadership and responsibility. It eventually led me to become the President of Maryland 4-H, and I traveled to Tanzania to help them with their 4-H program.
I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in agriculture, but I didn’t have a farm to go back to after college. So that’s what led me to Virginia Tech. I knew that there were many opportunities to explore there. After my first year I knew that I no longer had the desire to become a veterinarian, and with the help of the great advisors in the Dairy Science department, I decided to get a double major in Political Science. This opened up a whole new door of opportunities, and I discovered my interest in policy development.

This summer I was able to explore my interest in agricultural policy as I was able to attend a variety of events with the Farm Bureau lobbyists while focusing mainly on the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC. I attended various policy and stakeholder meetings with the Farm Bureau team while having conversations with other industry leaders around the state and country. These meetings involved issues including MAP 21, Department of Environmental Quality funding, the Right to Farm, broadband coverage and many other hot topic issues in the Virginia agricultural industry.  
One of my favorite experiences was attending the Rural Jobs Council meeting with Vice President Martha Moore. It was very interesting to hear the reports and ideas on issues affecting rural Virginia. Afterwards we were invited to a reception at the Governor’s Mansion, and I had the opportunity to speak with Governor McDonnell about agricultural issues.
My main responsibility was working with the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC. I was tasked with organizing interviews for potential endorsements with Farm Bureau members and candidates for the House of Delegates races across rural Virginia throughout the month of July. I wrapped these meetings up in the beginning of August with our interviews with urban races. One of the highlights of this internship was when I traveled to Northern Virginia to help interview candidates in some of those urban races. The AgPAC is very beneficial to farmers around Virginia because it allows farmers to ask questions that specifically affect agriculture.   
Andrew Smith and I also visited American Farm Bureau where we spoke with their staff about the importance of Agricultural Political Action Committees across the country. I also had the opportunity of meeting the American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman and talked about my experiences this past summer. 
I was able to stay through the whole AgPAC process, and I attended the AgPAC board meeting. It was a great opportunity to hear the gubernatorial candidates again, as well as all of the other statewide candidates speak about agricultural issues.
The wit, humor and strong personalities from the entire governmental relations department at the Bureau made me feel welcome and at home and made working out of a cube not so bad after all. Wherever the future takes me after college, I know that I will never forget the skills and experiences that I had this past summer with the Virginia Farm Bureau. 

Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC Interviews Statewide Office Candidates

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For the last two days, members of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC Board have been interviewing candidates for statewide offices at the West Creek office in Richmond.

On Monday, AgPAC Board members heard from Democratic candidate for Governor Terry McAuliffe and Republican candidate for Governor Ken Cuccinelli, as well as Republican candidate for Attorney General Mark Obenshain. On Tuesday, the Board interviewed Democratic candidate for Attorney General Mark Herring , Democratic candidate  for Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam and Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor E.W. Jackson.

Board members asked the candidates questions about their campaigns, as well as their stances on important issues affecting agriculture such as government regulations, transportation, water quality and rural development.

Members of the VFBF AgPAC Board have been elected by their peers and represent all areas of the state of Virginia.

In the previous weeks, County Farm Bureau Local Evaluation Committees have been interviewing candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates across the state. Their endorsement recommendations were discussed and voted on by the AgPAC board.

VFBF AgPAC endorsements for candidates running for statewide office will be announced on August 21. Endorsements for candidates running for House of Delegates seats will be announced in August 28.

Stay tuned to Plows and Politics for those lists of endorsements.

Breaking News: Public Meetings Announced On The Role Of The Soil And Water Conservation Districts

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House Bill 2048 and Senate Bill 1279 of the 2013 General Assembly Session directed the Directors of the Departments of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Conservation and Recreation (DCR); the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS); members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources; and members of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources, to convene public meetings throughout the Commonwealth to evaluate the role of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (Districts) in providing effective delivery of water quality services and technical assistance.

Six public meetings are being held from 6:30 pm until 9:00 p.m. in locations convenient to the Commonwealth’s six Soil and Water Conservation District Areas:

Area I – Augusta County Government Center, October 1;
Area II – Culpeper County Reva Fire and Rescue, October 28;
Area III – Henrico County Government Center, October 3;
Area IV – Emory and Henry College, October 24;
Area V – Chatham, Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex, October 30; and
Area VI – Chesapeake, Hampton Roads Planning District Offices, October 8.

Each meeting will include a roundtable discussion of the topics from Enactment Clause 12 of House Bill 2048 and Senate Bill 1279.  In addition to the Legislators, the roundtable will consist of representatives from the following areas:

  • DCR, DEQ and VDACS agency heads
  • One representative from each District in the area
  • The Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation District’s area chairperson
  • Representatives of agriculture
  • Representatives of environmental groups

AGENDA
  • Introduction of Roundtable Participants
  • Meeting Purpose
  • Meeting Process
  • Review of House Bill 2048 and Senate Bill 1279 and Actions to Date
  • Roundtable Discussion Topics
  • The role of soil and water conservation districts in providing effective delivery of water quality services and technical assistance
  • Implications of the 2013 Legislation
  • The extent of the role the districts should play in providing technical assistance for such programs as erosion and sediment control and stormwater management
  • The organizational location for district support that would provide the most effective and efficient delivery of district services
  • Public Comment

MEETING DIRECTIONS
All meetings are scheduled from 6:30 PM until 9:00 PM

Area I – October 1, 2013 – Augusta County Government Center Complex
South Board Room, 18 Government Center Lane, Verona, VA 24482
From the North Take Exit 227 on Interstate 81 Merge onto Laurel Hill Road Route 612 turn Left at the second light Turn left on to Route 11 then a left onto the Government Center Complex.  From the South take exit 225 off Interstate 81 turn left onto Woodrow Wilson Parkway Route 275, turn right at first light onto Route 11 and the second right into the Government Center Complex.

Area II – October 28, 2013 – Culpeper County Reva Volunteer Fire & Rescue
18230 Birmingham Road, Culpeper, VA 22701-6902
Reva Volunteer Fire and Rescue is located off of Route 29 halfway between Culpeper and Madison VA.  If traveling from the north or from Route 3 (Warrenton, Fredericksburg…): Take 29 South approximately 7 miles south of Culpeper VA.  Go past the Shell/7-11 station and several car dealers approximately 2.5 miles and RVFD will be located on the right.  If traveling from the south (Charlottesville): Follow 29 north approximately 10 miles north of Madison VA.  Go past the Reva Market about 1.5 miles and the RVFD will be on the left.

Area III – October 3, 2013 – Henrico County Human Services Board Room
8600 Dixon Powers Drive, Henrico, VA 23228.
From Interstate 64 take exit 185 Staples Mill Road West turn left on Parham Road and then left on Dixon Powers Road.  From Interstate 95 take Exit 83B onto Parham Road take Parham past Staples Mill and then turn left on Dixon Powers Drive.

Area IV – October 24, 2013 – Emory and Henry College
Board of Visitor’s Lounge, Van Dyke Center, 30461 Garnand Drive, Emory, VA 24327
Parking will be in the lot behind Hillman Hall (#13 on the map located adjacent to the Van Dyke Center which is #34 on the map). http://www.ehc.edu/about/emory-southwest-virginia/campus-map  From Interstate 81 take Exit 26 and follow the signs to the campus.

Area V – October 30, 2013 – Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex
19783 US Highway 29 South, Chatham, VA 24531

Area VI – October 8, 2013 – Chesapeake Hampton Roads Planning District Office
The Regional Building, 723 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23320
Take Interstate 64 to Exit 289A onto Greenbrier Parkway North then take a right onto Woodlake Drive.

Cuccinelli, McAuliffe Address Virginia Farming and Forestry at Forum

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Cuccinelli (left) and McAuliffe (right)
Photos by Pam Wiley

Gubernatorial candidates Ken Cuccinelli and Terry McAuliffe shared their thoughts on the future of farming and forestry in Virginia Aug. 2 at a forum at Wytheville Community College.

The event was sponsored by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, the Virginia Agribusiness Council, the Virginia Forest Products Association and the Virginia Forestry Association and was open to those organizations’ members.

The candidates spoke separately, answering questions submitted by farmers and forestland owners.

McAuliffe said one of his major goals if elected will be to broaden markets for agricultural and forestry exports. While Virginia exports significant amounts of farm and forest products, “in some countries we are just scratching the surface,” he said.


McAuliffe said he would work toward $1 billion in annual farm and forestry exports to China and to make “as many trade missions as I can possibly get done” to market Virginia-grown products.

When asked for his thoughts on regulating farms to protect natural resources, McAuliffe said, “I want everybody to be at the table” for “a constant interaction between us as we move forward on regulations, and maybe on regulations we no longer need.”

Asked how he might lessen negative effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on the state’s farms, McAuliffe noted that federal health care reform is now “the law of the land. We’ve got to work with it to find out what works for us” while ensuring that it does not hinder economic growth.

He said Virginia needs to take the federal Medicaid expansion rather than lose $26 billion it has paid into the system. “Why in green acres would we not want to bring that back? … I am not going to leave that money in Washington” to be spent on other states.

Cuccinelli questioned the affordability of the Affordable Care Act, calling it “an assault on the middle class.” If elected, “I will do everything I can to keep us unentangled with this new law as it unfolds,” he said.

As a state government, he said, “we have to obey the law of the land. We might not like it. It might be difficult. They’re making it more difficult.”

With regard to regulations proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Virginia farms and other businesses, Cuccinelli cited his track record for pushing back against EPA mandates and pledged to keep pushing back. He also said Virginia faces ongoing challenges to property rights, even after enactment of the constitutional amendment voters approved last fall.

The amendment’s opponents “want us all to say, ‘OK, we’re done!’” he said. “Well, we’re not done.”

The ability to take land using “quick take” procedures needs to be “reined in,” he said, and takings such as those by the Virginia Department of Transportation should be examined by state government “so we get consistency and what I expect to be better treatment of our citizens.”

Both candidates said they would ensure that 100 percent of state funds earmarked for transportation improvements would be spent on transportation.

From the Field: Award Time Begins Way Before Convention

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Dana Fisher, a young farmer from Shenandoah County, won
 the 2013 American Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award
at the AFBF Annual Meeting in Nashville. 
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.

Even though Farm Bureau conventions, state and national, are in the winter months, now is the time for county Farm Bureaus to apply for awards that are presented at those conventions.  I know from experience that any activities that you have conducted within Farm Bureau have had a main purpose to educate the public about agriculture or share your knowledge of Farm Bureau and encourage people to become members.  The awards are a way we can show recognition and appreciation for all of your hard work.  Plus everyone likes to share ideas and learn about new successful activities.
The Best in State Award is presented to one county Farm Bureau that had the best activity in one of four categories.  The categories are membership acquisition, member involvement and/or retention, ag promotion or education aimed at the general public, and government relations.  Winners of this award receive $1,000 in credit to the VFB Company Store, special recognition at the Virginia Farm Bureau (VFB) Convention, and recognition in the Farm Bureau News- January issue.  If your county doesn’t win the Best in State, they can still qualify for best in district, which comes with a $100 credit to the VFB Company Store. 

The Women’s Program also has some awards to recognize outstanding activities.  These awards are presented at the State Women’s Conference in March.  Most of the Young Farmer awards are focused toward individual and family agriculture accomplishments.  But remember, all of these committees fall under the county Farm Bureau structure.  So an activity that a county Farm Bureau women’s committee conducted could qualify for both awards programs.  Ron Saacke, Director of women and Young Farmers Programs and Agriculture in the Classroom, said that the Farm Woman of the Year and VFB Ambassador applications are due by mid October.
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has a neat award that county Farm Bureaus can apply for.  It is called the County Activities of Excellence (CAE).  “The CAE showcases up to 24 of the top county Farm Bureau programs in the nation. These county Farm Bureaus and their award-winning programs serve as models of innovation for local program development, and display the amazing ability of local Farm Bureau volunteers working together to strengthen the lives of rural Americans and build strong, prosperous agricultural communities”.
If selected as a winner, your prize includes showcasing your activity or event in the exhibit hall at the AFBF Convention, four free registrations to the AFBF Convention and a $2,500 stipend to offset travel and exhibition expenses.  Oh, did I mention that the AFBF Convention is in San Antonio, TX?  San Antonio, The River Walk, and the Alamo.  Sound appealing?  We have had some Virginia counties that have won in previous years.  The deadline is August 30th.
I know that I have listed a lot of awards and you are probably thinking it is just too much to keep up with.  Don’t worry.  Your District Field Services Director (DFSD) can assist you and your county Farm Bureau.  We can even help guide you for those awards that have a more individual focus.  Furthermore, these awards are equal opportunity.  You don’t have to be a large county Farm Bureau to win.  I have seen some small county Farm Bureaus with some energetic volunteers do some amazing projects and win at the state and national levels.  So if you have an activity or an individual award that you want to apply for, just let your DFSD know.  We don’t mind reminders either.
Until next time,

Mark

Virginia Farm Bureau Members Appointed to VDACS Board of Directors

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Governor McDonnell has announced the following appointments to the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services:
  • Shelley S. Butler Barlow of Suffolk, Assistant Farm Manager of Cotton Plains Farm, Inc.
  • L. Wayne Kirby of Mechanicsville, self-employed Grain Producer
  • John R. Marker of Winchester, Orchardist at Marker-Miller Orchards
  • Mark A. McCann of Newport, Professor of Animal and Poultry Sciences at Virginia Tech
  • Robert J. Mills, Jr.* of Callands, Managing Partner of M-C Cattle Company
  • Steve W. Sturgis* of Eastville, Farmer and Owner of Tri-S Farms, Inc.
  • Luther Kirk Wiles, III* of Clifton, Founder and Owner of Paradise Springs Winery

* denotes reappointment

All of the above are Virginia Farm Bureau Federation members.

The Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services has fifteen members. The Board consists of one member from each of the 11 congressional district, at least eight of whom are currently working farmers, and two at-large members, one of whom is a structural commercial applicator of pesticides and one of whom is engaged in the commercial sale or application of agricultural pesticides. The presidents of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Virginia State University or their designees are ex officio members of the Board with voting privileges. A full term of appointment is four years. Except for those who are initially appointed to fill an un-expired term, each citizen member is eligible to serve no more than two successive terms. In addition to its other duties, the Board now promulgates regulations to certify pesticide applicators, register pesticide products and issue pesticide business licenses in order to protect individuals and the environment through the safe and effective control of pests that adversely affect health, crops, structures and domestic animals.
The Board:
  • Promotes the agricultural interest of Virginia,
  • Has the power to receive and hold in trust donations made for the advancement of agricultural interests and to administer such trusts,
  • Advises the governor on the state of the industry of agriculture and offers the governor recommendations on actions to be taken to promote the industry’s development,
  • Works with members of the agricultural community and with federal and state agencies to develop and implement programs that will provide for a strong and viable Virginia agriculture,
  • Receives annual reports from the state’s commodity boards concerning their progress in promoting the industry,
  • Has the authority to prescribe, adopt and promulgate rules and regulations necessary to administer and enforce laws relating to agriculture, commerce and the consumer,
  • Is called upon by the commissioner from time to time to give advice and support concerning the development of new agency programs, organizational changes and other administrative matters,
  • Represents the broad interests of the public for the development of a strong industry of agriculture and efficient and responsive programs for serving and protecting the consumer.

The board holds four to five regular business meetings a year. With the exception of the July meeting, which is usually held in a different area of the state each year, the board meetings are conducted in the Richmond offices of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Additional meetings required for public hearings, planning, and new member orientation are held as needed. Public hearings are normally held in conjunction with regular business meetings. (Please note that you must select Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on the Commonwealth Regulatory Town Hall in order to view Board meeting notices and minutes on that web site. See meetings for schedules and locations).