Agriculture and forestry are critical to Virginia’s economy, generating more than $79 billion annually. Agriculture and forestry both directly and indirectly impact more than 500,000 jobs in Virginia.  From tomato growers on the Eastern Shore to peanut and cotton farmers in Southside, Virginia producers are vital to the livelihood of the Commonwealth.

Investment in our rural communities will help ensure the vitality and prosperity of Virginia’s 47,000 farms spanning 8 million acres.  I will continue my efforts to boost and solidify these economic drivers, while working with my colleagues in the Virginia delegation and our farm organizations.

Farm Bill
The 2008 Farm Bill was a significant piece of legislation that strengthens the viability of agricultural communities across the Commonwealth.

During consideration of the legislation in the U.S. Senate, I supported a series of agriculture reform measures that would have phased out antiquated Depression-era commodity support programs and replaced them with crop insurance for all crops; curtailed $1.3 billion in government payments to people who do not actively farm; and eliminated federal payments to farms and corporate farms making more than $750,000 a year. Unfortunately, these amendments did not achieve the 60 vote threshold needed to be incorporated into the Farm Bill.  Although the Senate failed to approve these measures, the bill as passed is a significant improvement over existing law.

The Farm Bill makes sound investments in conservation and nutrition and successfully tightens loopholes that have previously allowed corporate agricultural enterprises to avoid payment limitations.  I am pleased with the new law’s renewed emphasis on environmental stewardship and conservation efforts.  To the benefit of Virginia and neighboring states, we were able to secure $165 million to help farmers build much needed buffers for waterways and other conservation measures to reduce soil erosion, and fertilizer and waste runoff into the Chesapeake Bay watershed.  Additionally, the law provides for the annual enrollment of 13.2 million acres in the Conservation Stewardship Program, which will allow agricultural producers to conserve water and soil resources.  

Furthermore, the new law provides more than $2 billion in funding for specialty crops, which includes fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops.  The law also provides $22 million to help farmers transition into organic production.  This investment in specialty crops is important to Virginia producers and to promote a healthier diet among Americans.  Currently, only one in five Americans consumes the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables.  

Lastly, the new law includes additional funding for nutrition programs, including $2.5 billion for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), $1 billion for the Fruit and Vegetables in Our Nation’s Schools program and $50 million for the Senior Farmers Market and Community Food Projects, among others.  Specifically, the law indexes the food stamp benefit to inflation and increases the benefit for a majority of participating families. These improvements have helped reduce hunger in difficult economic times.