American Farm Bureau, Coalition Seek Reprieve from Order Reviving Flawed WOTUS Rule
On behalf of America’s farmers and ranchers, the American Farm Bureau Federation on Monday asked a federal district court in South Carolina to stay its order striking a rule that delayed implementation of the flawed 2015 Waters of the U.S. rule. Without a stay, the court order has the effect of immediately reviving and implementing the controversial WOTUS rule in 26 states. The 2015 rule has been blocked by other court orders in the remaining 24 states.
Horse-farm Owners are Invited to Enroll in Conservation Short Course
A day-long course is being offered this fall to give Virginia horse-farm owners the opportunity to learn about conservation practices that can benefit farming operations and local water quality.
Healthy Land for Healthy Horses: A Short Course on Pasture and Manure Management will be held in four locations across Virginia. The course will cover conservation specific to horse farms. Topics such as soil fertility, grazing management, plant identification and nutrient management will be discussed. Hands-on activities will complement classroom lectures.
Farm Bureau’s Merchandiser Minute- Aug. 17, 2018
Farm Bureau’s Merchandiser Minute- Aug. 10, 2018
Lee County Agent, Botetourt Student Honored at Young Farmers Event
Two young adults committed to agriculture were recognized Aug. 3 during the 2018 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Summer Expo.
Amy G. Fannon of Pennington Gap is this year’s VFBF Young Farmers Excellence in Agriculture Award winner. The award recognizes individuals for involvement in agriculture, leadership ability and involvement and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.
Fannon is a Virginia Cooperative Extension unit coordinator and agriculture and natural resources agent in Lee County. She and a sister are the fourth generation to help run her family’s farm where they raise pumpkins, corn and alfalfa hay.
Take Action: Tariffs Pose Great Risk to American Agriculture and the Virginia Economy
Click here to sign AFBF’s petition to support fair trade for agriculture!
America’s farmers and agricultural economy benefit greatly from trade. Our nation enjoys a positive agricultural trade balance. Last year, we exported $140 billion in farm products (nearly $3B from Virginia alone) meaning we exported $21 billion more than we bought from other nations. Unfortunately, our track record of success made agriculture a target for retaliatory tariffs from foreign nations after President Trump lowered the boom on those nations for their unfair trade practices.
Surry County Farm Bureau Member Named 2018 Virginia Farmer of the Year
Paul Rogers, Jr., of Wakefield, Va., has had a long and successful farming career, and an equally extensive and rewarding avocation as a youth league and high school baseball coach.
As a result of his success as a crop farmer, Rogers has been selected as state winner of the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award. He joins nine other individuals as finalists for the overall award that will be announced on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at the Sunbelt Expo farm show in Moultrie, Ga.
He’s a modest individual. “I’m just a humble man who tills the soil,” he says. Yet his farm encompasses 1,680 acres of open land. He rents 1,122 acres, owns 558 acres of open land and also owns 499 acres of timber.
Farm Bureau’s Duvall Addresses National Roundtable on Lawsuit Abuse Targeting North Carolina Farms
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall today joined a special national agriculture roundtable highlighting a recent wave of nuisance lawsuits targeting North Carolina hog farms. The event, which was held in Raleigh, North Carolina, brought together legislators and agriculture leaders to discuss the growing threat to farmers and exposed how out-of-state trial lawyers are using nuisance lawsuits to circumvent state right-to-farm laws.
Plows and Politics 