RECENT EVENT
VAC Legislative Appreciation Banquet
O
ne of the highlights of the General Assembly for VNLA Board Members and Virginia Legislators alike is the Virginia Agribusiness Council Legislative Appreciation Banquet. Attendees get to sample delicious food and beverages from the Virginia’s Finest Reception as well as a delicious banquet of food produced in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This year, we were honored to dine with Virginia 37th District Senator Dave Marsden and his lovely wife JulieAnna. In addition, we had the honor of being addressed not only by Governor Ralph Northam but also by Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, Virginia’s first female Speaker of the House. We were proud to have one of our member companies, Phillips and Turman Tree Farm, honored as the 2020 Special Recognition as an Agribusiness for service and support to the Council and Virginia agribusinesses. While surrounded by beautiful flowers from Strange’s, we enjoyed the evening with Council updates and inspiring speeches. Another highlight of the evening was hearing the unique and inspiring perspective of 2020 Distinguished Friend of Agribusiness, Delegate Mark Keam, who shared his appreciation for agriculture from an urban perspective and the influence agriculture has had on his life. •
Photo courtesy of Virginia Agribusiness Council (left-right) David Phillips, Governor Ralph Northam, Doug Phillips (Phillips & Turman Tree Farms)
Left to right: Vice-President/ Legislative Policy Chair, Seana Ankers (Meadows Farms); Certification Chair, Neal Beasley (Timmons Group); Senator Dave Marsden; Past President, Brent Hunsinger (Friends of the Rappahannock); Justin Ankers (Meadows Farms). (Not pictured, Julie-Anna Marsden, Paulette Beasley, Beth Hunsinger)
Virginia Agribusiness Council’s Annual State Policy Meeting
The Market at Grelen was a stunning backdrop for the event
12 • VNLA News • Spring 2020
Jim Saunders (Saunders Brothers) took part in a Labor panel discussion at the Virginia Agribusiness Council Annual/State Policy Meeting which was hosted by VNLA members Leslie and Dan Gregg at the picturesque Grelen Nursery and The Market at Grelen.
