The Life of a Legislative Aide: A Q&A

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Stefanie Kitchen is the legislative aide for
Del. Peter Farrell (R-56th)

If you’ve ever tried to visit or contact your legislator, odds are you’ve interacted with their legislative aide. Some folks find this frustrating, especially when there’s an important issue they want to discuss with their legislator, but meeting or speaking with an aide can be just as effective. 
We sat down with Stefanie Kitchen, legislative aide to Delegate Peter Farrell (R-56th) and former Virginia Farm Bureau Governmental Relations intern, to discuss her life as a aide and how she works with constituents to make sure their messages reach their legislator. 

What exactly does a legislative aide do?
A legislative aide does anything and everything their delegate or senator needs to be an effective legislator.  Aides provide support in a variety of ways, including meeting with lobbyists and constituents, tracking legislation, organizing constituent outreach and response, writing press releases, and coordinating social media.
How much interaction do you have with the constituents?
I have a great deal of interaction with constituents. Constituents frequently contact the office, both during Session and the interim, to voice their opinions on legislation or request assistance with a state agency.  Aides serve as the first line of defense for legislators, so I usually speak to every constituent before passing them on to the delegate.   

What are the most effective ways for constituents to communicate with their legislator about issues that are important to them?
A face-to-face meeting is the most effective way for constituents to communicate with their legislator. A lot of people think legislators only meet with lobbyists, but that is definitely not the case. Most legislators enjoy seeing friendly faces from the district, and talking in-person conveys commitment to an issue. Conversely, the least effective way to communicate is a form letter. Not taking time to develop your own thoughts really detracts from the importance of an issue.
How are legislative aides influential to their legislators?
You’d have to ask the legislator! Each office is different, but I am lucky enough to work for a delegate who listens and trusts my discretion when it comes to the vetting process. I decide who meets with the delegate and who receives a letter or a phone call.   
What happens after you meet with some constituents Peter was unable to meet with? How do you get make sure he gets their information?
I record every constituent’s legislative comments in an electronic database after I talk to them. When Delegate Farrell is in committee or on the floor of the House of Delegates, he can pull up any given bill and see exactly who supports and opposes the legislation and why.
What are the best ways to befriend the aide and why is that beneficial?
The best way to befriend an aide is the simplest way: be polite. Aides meet with numerous people every day and the ones that stand out are the ones who are particularly friendly and the ones who are particularly rude. Don’t be part of the second group! Most aides genuinely want to help, and you never know when you are going to need one to go the extra mile for you.  

From the Field: Celebrate National Heart Month with Beef

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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.

February is National Heart Month and people are urged to be more conscious of a heart healthy lifestyle. The American Heart Association cites seven steps to have a healthy heart. They are:

1) Engage in regular physical activity,
2) Eat a healthy diet,
3) Maintain a healthy weight,
4) Don’t smoke,
5) Control cholesterol,
6) Manage blood pressure, and
7) Keep blood sugar at healthy levels.

The good news is that lean proteins such as beef, pork, and poultry can be a part of this.


I want to share with you exciting news about the benefits of beef in a heart healthy diet. It used to be that medical professionals and nutritionists discouraged consumption of red meat. But a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition called “Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet” or “BOLD” showed beef’s role in a heart healthy diet. The biggest take away from this study is that adding lean beef to a heart healthy diet reduces LDL “bad” cholesterol by 10 percent.

The BOLD diet includes 4 ounces of lean beef daily. New research and data are leading to more physicians and nutritionists recognizing that lean beef does play a role in a healthy balanced diet. The BOLD study also demonstrated that a diet including lean beef every day was as effective at lowering total and LDL “bad” cholesterol as the gold standard heart healthy diet DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). The BOLD diet is similar to DASH in that it includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and beans. But the BOLD diet uses lean beef as the primary protein source.

What about the fat? Half of the fat in a cut of beef is monounsaturated, the same type found in salmon and olive oil. The other half that is saturated, 1/3 of that is stearic acid, which has a neutral effect on blood cholesterol levels. The beef community has made great strides in providing leaner products for the consumer. There are now more than 29 beef cuts that meet the government guidelines for lean. Some of those include the t-bone steak, tenderloin, new york strip, and 95 percent lean ground beef. Beef is also nutrient dense, specifically in protein, zinc, iron, and B vitamins.

The website www.beefnutrition.org has lots of information. There are also some downloadable fact sheets that you could hand out to your friends and neighbors. That can be another way to be an advocate for agriculture. Production practices and humane treatment aren’t the only areas that we agriculturalists need to promote. We also need to promote the nutritious and healthy aspects of our food products–whether you sell wholesale or retail; you are a food producer. Therefore, nutrition has to be a component of your promotion. What better way to promote National Heart Month than to share the good news about the healthy and nutritious benefits of beef.

So be BOLD by including beef in your diet and sharing the information with your friends and family.

Until next time,
Mark

Farm Bureau’s Martha Moore appointed to Rural Jobs Council

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Governor Bob McDonnell has announced the membership of his newly created Rural Jobs Council.  This Council will build upon the success of the Governor’s Commission on Job Creation and Economic Development and continue the Administration’s focus on Virginia’s rural communities.
On Wednesday, January 2nd, Governor McDonnell issued Executive Order 57 establishing the Rural Jobs Council.  He has named Lieutenant Governor Bolling, Virginia’s Chief Jobs Creation Officer, as Chair of the Council.  Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng and Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore will serve as Co-Vice Chairs for the group.
The membership of the Council consists of legislators and leaders in the business, manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare industries.  The group will make recommendations to address the challenges to economic growth in rural Virginia and develop a statewide rural infrastructure plan to include transportation, education, and community development. 

Speaking about the announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “I am pleased to announce that these community and industry leaders have agreed to serve Virginia on this newly created Rural Jobs Council.  Virginia’s rural communities are the heart and soul of our Commonwealth and we must do everything we can to bring jobs and opportunity to these regions.  I am confident this group will develop thoughtful recommendations and a solid infrastructure plan for rural Virginia.”
Lieutenant Governor Bolling remarked, “I am honored to serve as Chair of the Governor’s Rural Jobs Council.  For the past three years, Governor McDonnell and I have shown our commitment to economic development, especially in rural Virginia, and this Council will continue that focus.  This group will give Virginia the chance to expand Governor McDonnell’s recent initiatives in the areas of entrepreneurship and education reform to ensure that all Virginians have the same opportunities, no matter their zip code.”
Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore said, “I am pleased to see Governor McDonnell continue his support of rural Virginia, especially through his continued commitment in making agriculture and forestry key components of his economic development and jobs creation strategies.  Agriculture and forestry have an economic impact in Virginia of $79 billion annually and support over 500,000 jobs in the Commonwealth.  It is important that we continue to support these industries and our rural communities.  I look forward to working with the Council on important rural development issues.”
Secretary of Commerce and Trade Jim Cheng commented, “We have seen much success in Virginia, lowering our overall unemployment rate to 5.5%, well below the region and the national average, but we still have a long way to go.  Too many areas of the Commonwealth still have stubbornly high unemployment rates.  This council will be tasked with building upon the success of the last three years and identifying ways to continue to bring economic growth to all of Virginia’s regions.
A copy of Executive Order No. 57 is available at http://www.governor.virginia.gov/PolicyOffice/ExecutiveOrders/viewEO.cfm?eo=57
Members of the Governor’s Rural Jobs Council
·  Shannon Blevins, Director of Economic Development, UVA at Wise, Wise County

·  David Brash, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Rural Strategy, Wellmont Health   

   System, Lebanon
·  Delegate Kathy Byron, Lynchburg

·  Elizabeth Crowther, President, Rappahannock Community College, Saluda

·  Katie Frazier, President, Virginia Agribusiness Council, Richmond

·  Timothy Heydon, CEO, Shenandoah Growers, Harrisonburg

·  Rebecca Hough, Co-Founder and CEO, Evatran, Wytheville

·  Thomas Hudson, President, Virginia Coal Association, Richmond

·  Delegate Danny Marshall, Danville

·  Ned Massee, Chairman, Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Richmond

·  Delegate Don Merricks, Martinsville

·  Martha Moore, Vice President for Government Affairs, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, Richmond

·  Delegate Israel O’Quinn, Abingdon

·  Bill Parr, Parr Properties, Cape Charles

·  Senator Phil Puckett, Tazewell

·  Delegate Margaret Ransone, Kinsale

·  Nicole Riley, State Director, National Federation of Independent Business, Richmond

·  Senator Frank Ruff, Clarksville

·  Brett Vassey, President and CEO, Virginia Manufacturers Association, Richmond

·  William Wampler, Executive Director, New College Institute, Martinsville

·  Delegate Onzlee Ware, Roanoke

Responsibilities of the Governor’s Rural Jobs Council
·  Identify impediments to and opportunities for job creation in Rural Virginia
·  Recommend strategies to improve K-12 education and the workforce pipeline
·  Produce a comprehensive and meaningful Economic and Infrastructure Policy for Rural Virginia
·  Make recommendations to improve the tax and regulatory environment in the Commonwealth

What is Hydraulic Fracturing?

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Hydraulic Fracturing is another issue Virginians have turned their attention to.

Virginia Farm Bureau members have been invited to watch a 30-minute free webinar to learn the basics of what hydraulic fracturing.  Rayola Dougher, a senior advisor at American Petroleum Institute (API), will describe the process and talk about many myths and truths you have been hearing about.  And she promises to only use terms that we can all understand.  Questions will be answered at the end.  

The webinar will cover these frequently asked questions: What is hydraulic fracturing?  What are the facts and myths behind this 60-year old drilling process that has been used in over 1 million wells?  What role is hydraulic fracturing playing in the country’s new energy boom that is creating so many new jobs, government revenues, and economic growth?     

Pre-registration is required and viewers will be limited.

Title: What is Hydraulic Fracturing
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 6
Time: 1 p.m.-1:45 p.m.

Go here to register: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/682924673

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar

Writing Effective Messages to your Legislators

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From the National Education Association:

Writing to Your Legislators
Letters and e-mails can be particularly effective in influencing legislators’ views. Writing to legislators also offers an opportunity to maintain contact and keep your issues on the front burner even when you cannot meet personally.

Writing an Effective Letter
Keep it brief
 — Keep letters to one page. Try to discuss only one bill or issue in a letter.
Identify yourself
 — Begin with an introduction of yourself or the organization on whose behalf you are writing. Use a simple statement, such as “I am a third-grade teacher at _______ elementary school” or “On behalf of the members of the ________….”

Get to the point
 — Follow your introduction with a brief statement of your issue or concern, such as “We urge your support for H.R. _____, which will ________.” If you are writing in reference to a specific bill, include the bill number. Follow your opening paragraph with a concise explanation of why you support or oppose the particular bill or issue. A few strong, well-thought-out arguments are much more effective than a laundry list of reasons to support or oppose a bill. Whenever possible, use bullet points to outline your arguments.
Relate it to home
 — Help the legislator understand why your position is important to his or her constituents. Include specific facts about how a bill will impact educators, students or schools in the legislator’s district. If possible, include a local anecdote illustrating the problem you are seeking to address. Avoid the use of form letters or generic postcards — use your own knowledge and experience to inform the legislator.
Allow for follow-up
 — Include specific contact information and offer to act as a resource should the legislator or staff have questions or need additional information. Where appropriate, state in the letter that you will follow up with a telephone call. 
Address your letter correctly 
— See the details on addressing your letter below.
Using E-mail
E-mail can be an easy and effective tool for communicating with legislators. The tips outlined above for writing letters to legislators also apply to e-mails: keep them brief and to the point, with facts and anecdotes relevant to the legislator’s district.
Avoid informal language
 — E-mail to a legislator should be treated as seriously as a written letter. Resist the temptation to use the informal language and symbols often associated with e-mail communications. Never use impolite language or make “demands.” 
Include your full address and zip code 
— Make sure the text of your e-mail includes your full name and street address, including zip code. Many legislative offices screen e-mails for address information identifying the sender as a constituent. E-mails that appear to come from outside the district are unlikely to be read and may be blocked by filtering programs. 

Farmers have until May to implement SPCC Plan

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Farms now have less than six months to prepare or amend and implement their Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans. The compliance date for farms is May 10, 2013.
Below is a FAQ to help determine if your farm is prepared for a spill. 
What is SPCC? 
The goal of the SPCC program is to prevent oil spills into waters of the United States and adjoining shorelines.  Oil spills can cause injuries to people and damage to the environment. A key element of this program calls for farmers and other facilities to have an oil spill prevention plan, called an SPCC Plan.  These Plans can help farmers  prevent oil spills which can damage water resources needed for farming operations.
What is considered a farm under SPCC?
Under SPCC, a farm is: “a facility on a tract of land devoted to the production of crops or raising of animals, including fish, which produced and sold, or normally would have produced and sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural products during a year.”

Is my farm covered by SPCC? 
SPCC applies to a farm which:
• Stores, transfers, uses, or consumes oil or oil products, such as diesel fuel, gasoline, lube oil, hydraulic oil, adjuvant oil, crop oil, vegetable oil, or animal fat; and
• Stores more than 1,320 US gallons in aboveground containers or more than 42,000 US gallons in completely buried containers; and
• Could reasonably be expected to discharge oil to waters of the US or adjoining shorelines, such as interstate waters, intrastate lakes, rivers, and streams.
If your farm meets all of these criteria, then your farm is covered by SPCC.
If your farm meets all of these criteria, then your farm is covered by SPCC.
If my farm is covered by SPCC, what should I do? 
The SPCC program requires you to prepare and implement an SPCC Plan.  If you already have a Plan, maintain it.  If you do not have a Plan, you should prepare and implement one. Many farmers will need to have their Plan certified by a Professional Engineer (“PE”).  However, you may be eligible to self-certify your amended Plan if:
• Your farm has a total oil storage capacity between 1,320 and 10,000 gallons in aboveground containers, and the farm has a good spill history (as described in the SPCC rule), you may prepare and self-certify your own Plan. (However, if you decide to use certain alternate measures allowed by the federal SPCC Rule, you will need a PE.)
• Your farm has storage capacity of more than 10,000 gallons, or has had an oil spill you may need to prepare an SPCC Plan certified by a PE.
When should I prepare and implement a Plan?
Farms in operation on or before August 16, 2002, must maintain or amend their existing Plan by May 10, 2013. Any farm that started operation after August 16, 2002, but before May 10, 2013, must prepare and use a Plan on or  before May 10, 2013.  
Note:  If your farm was in operation before August 16, 2002, and you do not already have a Plan, you must prepare a Plan now.  Do not wait until May 10, 2013.
What information will I need to prepare an SPCC Plan for my farm?
• A list of the oil containers at the farm by parcel (including the contents and location of each container);
• A brief description of the procedures that you will use to prevent oil spills.  For example, steps you use to transfer fuel from a storage tank to your farm vehicles that reduce the possibility of a fuel spill;
• A brief description of the measures you installed to prevent oil from reaching water (see next section);
• A brief description of the measures you will use to contain and cleanup an oil spill to water; and
• A list of emergency contacts and first responders.
What spill prevention measures should I implement and include in my SPCC Plan?
• Use containers suitable for the oil stored.  For example, use a container designed for flammable liquids to store gasoline;
• Identify contractors or other local personnel who can help you clean up an oil spill;
• Provide overfill prevention for your oil storage containers.  You could use a high-level alarm, or audible vent, or establish a procedure to fill containers;
• Provide effective, sized secondary containment for bulk storage containers, such as a dike or a remote impoundment.  The containment must be able to hold the full capacity of the container plus possible rainfall.  The dike may be constructed of earth or concrete.  A double-walled tank may also suffice;
• Provide effective, general secondary containment to address the most likely discharge where you transfer oil to and from containers and for mobile refuelers, such as fuel nurse tanks mounted on trucks or trailers. For example, you may use sorbent materials, drip pans or curbing for these areas; and
• Periodically inspect and test pipes and containers.  You should visually inspect aboveground pipes and inspect aboveground containers following industry standards. You must “leak test” buried pipes when they are installed or repaired.  EPA recommends you keep a written record of your inspections.
How and when do I maintain my SPCC Plan?
Amend and update your SPCC Plan when changes are made to the farm, for example, if you add new storage containers (e.g. tanks) that are 55 gallons or larger, or if you purchase or lease parcels with containers that are 55 gallons or larger.  You must review your Plan every five years to make sure it includes any changes in oil storage at your farm.
What should I do if I have an oil spill?
• Activate your SPCC Plan procedures to prevent the oil spill from reaching a creek or river. 
• Implement spill cleanup and mitigation procedures outlined in your Plan.
• Notify the National Response Center (NRC) at 800-424-8802 if you have an oil discharge to waters or adjoining shorelines. 
• If the amount of oil spilled to water is more than 42 gallons on two different occasions within a 12-month period or more than 1,000 gallons to water in a single spill event, then notify your EPA Regional office in writing.
For more information, visit: http://www.epa.gov/oem/content/spcc/spcc_ag.htm

From the Field: Legislative Day at the Capitol

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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.

Pittsylvania County Farm Bureau member Tommy Motley
and Andrew Smith from Governmental Relations meet with
Delegate Rick Morris at the Farm Bureau Legislative
Reception.
We finished another Legislative Day at the Capitol yesterday. Many Farm Bureau members and county FarmBureaus maintain communication with their legislators throughout the year.  However, Legislative Day is an opportunity for members to get right in the middle of the legislative process by visiting offices of their elected representatives and speaking directly with a delegate or senator about current bills.  

For many Farm Bureau members, preparation for this took one or two days of planning back home.  Before leaving their farms, either the night before or early the morning of; farmers had to put out hay for livestock, check water tanks and wells so they didn’t freeze, and numerous other things that had to be done in their absence.  These are things that most of the general public doesn’t have to worry about when they leave for a meeting.  So we, at Virginia Farm Bureau, thank you for your dedication and service.

For members that have not attended before, the process may sound a bit intimidating, but Virginia Farm Bureau makes it easy.  The day kicked off at lunch with a briefing of the issues by our Governmental Relations staff, and the registration packets had everything a person could want to make the visits.  There were bills that members lobbied in favor of or opposed in the areas of Trespass and Private property rights, Right to Farm, Soil and Water Conservation Governance, and Uranium mining. 

Next, members took advantage of the shuttle vans provided by Farm Bureau to get to the legislators’ offices on this very cold day.  One word of caution in the General Assembly Building, you must not be timid on jumping on the elevator when the doors open.  Because when the doors open, there can sometimes be a mad dash to the elevator depending on the time of day.

For those that still aren’t cozy to the idea of meeting with legislators one on one on their turf, consider this:  You can tag along with members from an adjoining county.  Odds are that they are in the same district.  What better way to learn than to watch another county do it?  Soon, your confidence will build and you will likely throw in a few comments of your own. 

To reward your hard work and going out on the front line, Farm Bureau had snack bags for pick up upon returning.  And if that is not enough incentive, a wonderful reception for legislators and members capped off the evening.  

All of our Field Staff made visits with members throughout the afternoon.  We really enjoyed seeing the members in action.  This year, I made visits with member Bob Massey from Spotsylvania.  Spotsylvania, like some counties large in size or containing a large urban area, has many legislators.  On our list were three senators and five delegates.  Plus we visited one urban legislator not representing Spotsylvania Countyto inform them of the issues affecting agriculture.  We had some good visits.  I especially enjoyed our meeting with Senator Bryce Reeves.  We accompanied members from Louisa and Orange counties.  There was a good discussion of the issues, and Senator Reeves asked good questions to better understand the issues and Farm Bureau’s position on the bills.

If you missed Legislative Day, we can still use your help.  We are always seeking members to make contacts to legislators on state and national bills throughout the year.  You District Field Services Director would be glad to help you get involved and show you how to best make your voice be heard.  We are here to help.  

Until next time, 
Mark

Shenandoah County man wins national Farm Bureau honor

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Dana Fisher
Photo by Sara Owens

Dana Allen Fisher of Shenandoah County was named the winner of this year’s American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award. He was recognized Jan. 14 at the AFBF Annual Convention in Nashville, Tenn.

 “We couldn’t be more proud of Dana and all of our Young Farmers Program participants. It’s great to see that they are receiving national recognition for all of their hard work and accomplishments,” said Virginia Farm Bureau Federation President Wayne F. Pryor. “Young farmers and other young ag professionals are the key to agriculture’s future, and Dana is working hard to make sure agriculture prospers.”

 Fisher is an agriculture instructor who teaches classes in leadership, horticulture and natural resources. He also is an FFA advisor and has served on the FFA Foundation board in several roles. He chairs his county Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers Committee and has served on the VFBF Young Farmers Committee for the past three years.

 The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young adults who do not derive the majority of their income from an agricultural operation but actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture, their leadership abilities and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.

 Fisher will receive his choice of a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado or a 2013 GMC Sierra, courtesy of GM, and registration for this year’s AFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference.

Virginia Farm Bureau supports current provisions of Right to Farm Act

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Many of you have heard through the media or seen through e-mails information on HB1430 (Lingamfelter) which amends the Right to Farm Act.

Virginia Farm Bureau is opposed to HB1430 based on policy voted on by our farmer members through our grassroots process.  While the bill may seem appealing in sound bytes, it drastically expands the Right-to-Farm beyond its original purpose of protecting bona fide agricultural operations.  The Right-to-Farm Act is an agreement between local governments and the agricultural community; by expanding these protections without buy-in from all stakeholders, it increases the chances of losing the current protections that the Code section provides.
The provisions of HB1430 would allow:

-art, literature, artifacts, and any other items to be deemed part of an agricultural operation if they make up 50% or less of the gross sales. This opens the Right to Farm act to allow stores, restaurants, museums, and other buildings to be built by-right on agricultural land;

-the bill would undermine current zoning laws in localities where the county government has passed ordinances to promote agriculture and agritourism in the locality;

-citizen suits to be brought against county officials or employees where they would be held personally liable for enforcement of county ordinances; and,

-expand the Right to Farm beyond the intent of bona fide production of agricultural products. This is the intent of the agreement between the agriculture community and the localities to ensure that true agricultural production practices not be hindered by the locality. Since HB1430 allows essentially anything to be built on agriculturally zoned land, it would increase the chances of losing the protections we already have with the Right to Farm in the future.

We are working with the patron and representatives of local government to see if there is some common ground that can be found on language to amend this specific Code section. If not, we are committed to working throughout the year with all stakeholders involved to find compromise language that protects legitimate production agriculture and value-added operations that may occur on agriculturally-zoned land.

Vilsack Sounds off on Short-Term Farm Bill

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Vilsack

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack appeared on NPR’s Talk of the Nationthis week to discuss the short-term farm bill provisions that Congress passed last week. Vilsack said the nine-month extension leaves farmers with uncertainty.
“I think farmers are expressing some frustration about the fact that they were close to getting a five-year program that would have been comprehensive, that would have had a series of reforms, that would have assisted in dealing with the fiscal challenges the country is faced with,” said Vilsack. “They’re now faced with uncertainty in terms of what the policies are going to be, and they’re faced with uncertainty in terms of how much support there will actually be once a five-year bill is ultimately passed by Congress.”
Click the link above to listen to the audio or read the transcript.