Farmers will step away from the fields and into the statehouse on Jan. 27 to discuss agricultural issues and concerns with legislators during the 2020 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Legislative Day.

This year’s theme is Farmers In Action to emphasize the importance of farmers being politically active. Pittsylvania County farmer Kristal Harris said putting a human face on the issues affecting Virginia’s agricultural community means lawmakers can make decisions informed by real relationships.

Harris has participated in VFBF Legislative Day the past few years.

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Virginia Farm Bureau Federation delegates will join farmers and ranchers from across the country to shape national policies during the 101^st American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention & Trade Show.

Five VFBF delegates and two alternates will attend the event, which will be held Jan. 17-22, in Austin, Texas.

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From damaging farm equipment to destroying crops, fire ants can be a major hindrance for farmers.

After being introduced to the U.S. about a century ago, fire ants have established themselves in the Southeast. They have spread from Texas to Southeast Virginia, where they have wreaked havoc on plants and animals.

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The Rowe Report is a new column by Farm Bureau National Affairs Coordinator Ben Rowe.

Congress often works most efficiently when they are under a deadline. With 2019 drawing to a close, legislators (and their staff) work hard to close up shop and head home to their Districts and their families. With this deadline in mind, we saw Congress pass a flurry of bills during these last few weeks of the first session of the 116^th Congress. We have all seen the headlines and news coverage coming out of Washington this past week, but amongst the noise, several landmark agricultural bills have been moved. Get comfortable and grab a hot drink, this is going to be a long article but worth a read as you prepare for the new year. Continue reading →

A national poll conducted in April found that 48% of rural adults are experiencing more mental health challenges than a year ago.

Based on those findings, the American Farm Bureau Federation is partnering with Farm Credit and the National Farmers Union to help combat farm stress with a training program that will offer online and in-person training for individuals working with farmers.

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Japan is prepared to eliminate or reduce tariffs on U.S. food and agricultural products in 2020, as part of a U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement.

President Trump’s trade deal will provide U.S. farmers and agribusinesses with competitive access to the nation’s third-largest agricultural export market. That access will enable American producers to better compete with countries that currently have preferential tariffs in the Japanese market. The tariff cuts will match what Japan provides to countries in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

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From On the Farm Radio: 

This year, corn growers hit new highs in the National Corn Growers Association 2019 National Corn Yield Contest with David Hula of Charles City, Va. setting the highest yield on record at 616.1953 bushels per acre. Despite adverse growing conditions that impacted most farmers, improved seed varieties, advanced production techniques, and innovative growing practices allowed corn growers to achieve many impressive yields across all categories again this year.

The National Corn Yield Contest is now in its 55th year and remains NCGA’s most popular program for members.

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In a few short weeks, we will not only ring in a new year but dive into a new General Assembly Session. The results of the 2019 elections place new leadership in both chambers which means a new Speaker of the House, new Majority and Minority Leaders in both bodies, as well as all-new committee chairman in both chambers of the legislature.

With this new era in Virginia’s General Assembly and a more urban profile of the leadership, it becomes even more important to communicate our message on how policy impacts the industries of agriculture and forestry. Our members and staff have always worked to educate policymakers in all positions, we will continue to work to represent Farm Bureau policy in the most effective way possible.

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