Limit the spread of invasive pests

As the days turn cooler and shorter, many Virginians are using firewood to keep warm and spend quality time with friends and family.

While seemingly harmless, moving firewood can enable the easy movement of destructive forest and agricultural pests. When firewood is moved from one area to another, the invasive emerald ash borer, spongy moth, Asian longhorned beetle, and spotted lanternfly often “hitchhike” to destroy crops, infect more trees and sometimes even entire forests.

Since it’s difficult to determine if firewood is infested, the best option to keep Virginia’s forests and crops safe is to buy firewood where you plan to burn it. A general rule is to get firewood that’s at least local to the county where it’ll be used. If you heat your home with firewood, harvest it locally or purchase it from a reputable dealer in compliance with state and regional firewood regulations.

“Invasive insects and disease are a critical threat to our forests,” said Virginia State Forester
Rob Farrell. “When you buy firewood near where you’ll burn it, you help protect Virginia’s forests while supporting local economies. Simple choices and a little planning can make a big difference in ensuring Virginians will have forests to enjoy for generations to come.”

“Invasive insects and diseases can lurk both inside and on the surface of firewood, so transporting firewood can allow potentially destructive and non-native organisms to move hundreds of miles and start infestations in new places,” said Joseph Guthrie, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “When traveling from one location to another, never transport firewood to your destination unless it is heat-treated and certified.”

Going camping? Make plans to buy firewood when you get there or gather it onsite (if permitted). If you have leftover firewood, leave it behind when you go. Packaged heat-treated (not kiln-dried) firewood, which will have a seal of certification from the U.S. Department of Agriculture or a state agency is also a safe option. Certified heat-treated firewood may be moved as long as it remains sealed. Once the packaging has been opened, it will attract insects and should not be moved.

To find local firewood dealers across Virginia, visit Firewoodscout.org. For more information on invasive insects in Virginia, visit the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website. For more information about protecting trees from tree-killing insects, visit https://www.dontmovefirewood.org/.

The Office of Pesticide Services (OPS) has launched a new online certification system for pesticide applicators. Using the online system can potentially reduce the overall processing time, eliminate postage costs and enable easy online payments for both prospective and currently certified pesticide applicators. While the current process of sending in paper copies remains an option, applicators now have the option to complete and submit an application and the corresponding fee to become a certified applicator or to have their certification reinstated or add a category via an online portal. Applicators may also submit change of information forms and all other related activities online.

Applicators electing to use the online system will have all of their Letters of Authorization to test, applicator certificates and other similar correspondence sent electronically. Applicators electing to continue to use the paper-based process will continue to have any Letters of Authorization to test, applicator certificates and other correspondence sent via regular mail. All applications and other submissions will continue to be processed based on the date of receipt in OPS. This includes both paper and online submissions.

Interested applicators may access the online portal. Once on the Online Registration Landing Page, select the link under the Pesticide Applicator Certification header to go to the Online Certified Pesticide Applicator Page. Further instructions are provided online to assist you at each step:

• Tokens were included in the renewal letters sent to applicators whose certificates had an expiration date of June 30, 2022. The tokens in the renewal letter expire November 30, 2022*. If an applicator received a token, but has not set up their account they should select the link under the heading “If you have received a renewal letter to get access to your historical records” to enter their token. The token is only used for the initial account set up. After entering the token, the applicator will be able to create a username and password. They will use the username and password for future access to the account. Applicators who have set up a username and password will access their account using the link under the heading “If you have previously created your login account.
  *When a token has expired, applicators will need to follow the steps provided for current or previously certified applicators below who do not have a token.
• Applicators who are currently certified, were previously certified or previously applied to take an exam that wish to access their records online but do not have a token should send an email requesting access to opsclrt.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov. In the email request, include the applicator’s email address that will be used to access the user’s account and used for future correspondence. An invitation to the account will be sent to the specified email with a link to create the account. No token should be required.
• Prospective applicators (applicators who have not previously submitted an application to take an exam and are not certified) can create an account without a token. Select the link under the “If you have never previously submitted a pesticide applicator form” to set up your account.

Should you have any questions, please send an email to opsclrt.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov.

Farmers have an opportunity to submit ideas for changes they would like to see in hunting, trapping, and wildlife regulations for the 2023-2024 seasons. The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) will take this information into account when considering potential regulation changes. It is important for farmers to voice their concerns about areas that affect them, such as wildlife damage to crops and livestock, and offer possible solutions.

This is the beginning stage of the 2023-2024 Wildlife Regulation Cycle. For the full timeline, click here. Members of the public are welcome to attend DWR Board meetings to provide in-person comments.

Please take the time to complete DWR’s comment form, which can be found here. Comments are due December 2, 2022. Virginia Farm Bureau members who need assistance should contact Stefanie Taillon at stefanie.taillon@vafb.com.  

Webinar: Grants, Loans, and Conservation Opportunities for Virginia Farmers and Agribusiness

Wednesday, October 26, 11am – 1pm

Virginia agricultural producers and agribusiness enjoy access to grants, loans and conservation support not available to other industries. If you work with farmers, agribusiness or value-added product producers, you don’t want to miss this opportunity to hear the Directors of USDA RD, USDA AMS, USDA-NRCS (Virginia), VDACs, VA FAIRS, and Virginia FSA discuss in detail each grant, loan and conservation opportunity offered by their Agency. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions.

This webinar is designed for business advisors, entrepreneurial support organizations, units of government and economic development agency staff. Familiarity with basic grant processes and nomenclature will be assumed during this fast-paced two hours of discussion on the details of major public sector financial support for Virginia’s Ag sector.

Presentation materials including URL’s and Points of Contact for each opportunity will be available to participants after the webinar.

In September, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Andrew Smith as the Chief Deputy Director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation in addition to several other key administration appointments.

“I am continually encouraged by the work this administration has done to create a best-in-class government for Virginians,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “I’m excited to welcome these new additions to our team and look forward to their future contributions.”

Prior to this position, Smith was most recently the Associate Director of Governmental Relations with Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. Working with the organization since 2003, Smith handled a variety of legislative issues including transportation, local government, taxes, private property rights and eminent domain.

“I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to work for the farmers of Virginia at the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation for almost two decades,” said Smith. “I am excited about the opportunity of bringing that experience to a state agency that has an important partnership with the agricultural industry. I look forward to continuing to work together to tackle the challenges we face together.”

Smith also owns and operates a commercial hay farm in Hanover and Caroline Counties with his family. He currently serves on the Virginia FFA Foundation Board and also served on the State Board of Auctioneers. He was a member of the Inaugural Class of Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results program (VALOR) and a graduate of the Sorensen Political Leaders Program Class of 2015. He has a B.S. in Dairy Science from Virginia Tech.