It’s all in the family

Virginians join other Farm Bureau representatives to collaborate, communicate and formulate 2023 policies |

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS

BY KATHY DIXON

Members of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation delegation clutched coffees, programs and backpacks as they headed to the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel to support young farmer contestants vying for national honors.

Jacob Gilley of Orange County advanced to the top 10 in the AFBF Excellence in Agriculture Award competition during the American Farm Bureau Convention in San Juan Jan. 6-11. Rachel Henley of Goochland County made it into the Sweet 16 round of the AFBF Discussion Meet contest. And Sarah

Large of Buckingham County competed in the AFBF Achievement Award competition.

Also during the convention, Matt Fimon of Brunswick County was elected chair of the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee. Since 2018, he has served on the VFBF Young Farmers Committee with his wife, Lindy Tucker Fimon. He was appointed to the AFBF committee in early 2021.

“I am extremely honored to have been selected by my fellow committee members to chair such a remarkable group,” Matt said. “My goal is to advocate and tell the stories of the farmer. It is truly amazing to witness the sacrifices they make day in and day out to make it all work—managing families, farms and day jobs—all while still making time to be active in Farm Bureau.”

He was elected chair by the other 15 committee members, who represent all regions of the U.S., and will serve a one-year term.

“We are proud of all our young farmer leaders and especially those who competed nationally,” said Kelly Roberts, VFBF special programs director. “Their involvement at the national level certainly garners attention for Virginia Farm Bureau, and we know that Matt will do an exceptional job representing Virginia Young Farmers at the national level.”

Simultaneously, other VFBF members disembarked the shuttle bus at the San Juan Convention Center to attend the Annual Meeting of the American Farm Bureau Women. During the session, over 200 voting delegates from women’s leadership committees across the country elected a new AFBF women’s chair, vice chair and four regional representatives to serve on the national committee. They also approved nominations for four women who joined the other voting delegates in setting 2023 policies on Jan. 10 during AFBF’s 104th annual convention.

Virginia’s delegates included: Women’s Leadership Committee Chair Faye Hundley, Carroll County Farm Bureau President Myra Leonard, Margaret Arbogast of Rockingham County, Katelyn Burner of Orange County, Madison Coffey of Shenandoah County, Martha Elkins of Lee County, Stacy Richardson of King and Queen County and Cathy Younger of Halifax County.

“Mi Familia” was the convention theme. And, like families that work together, AFBF President Zippy Duvall told the women that their leadership committee and its collaboration with other Farm Bureau educators and policymakers is a “vital part” of contributing to the Farm Bureau family’s success.

“We have a mighty force of Farm Bureau advocates. When we combine these advocates with our team of expert lobbyists, we are a force to be reckoned with,” Duvall said.

He said the organization’s grassroots efforts last year led to more than 38,000 messages to lawmakers and regulatory agencies.

Policymaking is key component

Another part of Farm Bureau’s success is its policy making process, of which Virginia Farm Bureau plays an integral part.

“The American Farm Bureau Federation is known as the voice of agriculture and it’s able to represent every state farmers’ interests in Congress each year,” noted VFBF President Wayne F. Pryor. “The organization is able to do that because of the participation from state representatives during the annual convention.”

Joining Pryor as voting delegates were VFBF Vice President Scott Sink, Nate Aker of Wythe County, Bedford County Farm Bureau President Amy Johnson, Daniel Judkins of Surry County, Donnie Moore of Pittsylvania County, Hunter Richardson of King and Queen County and Louisa County Farm Bureau President C.T. Thiemann.

The group supported a revision to AFBF’s position on tobacco that said the organization opposes federal laws that prohibit the use of appropriations to promote the sale or export of U.S. tobacco leaf and its products. The change was approved.

Additionally, Virginia supported modernizing the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill by expanding baseline funding, developing more flexible disaster relief programs and extending protection to more specialty crops. Delegates approved those measures.

Farm Bill fundamental to U.S.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke at the convention and said the farm bill is “preserving a fundamental aspect of our country, of being a food secure nation that empowers the rest of the nation to do all of what we do in America.”

He added that the farm bill is necessary to protect farmers because 50% or more farm families have negative income. “The future of our country is directly connected to your future,” Vilsack told attendees.

MOU allows farmers right to repair

To help farmers repair their own farm equipment in the future, AFBF and John Deere signed a memorandum of understanding that will allow farmers the right to repair their own farm equipment. The MOU, signed during the convention, is the culmination of several years of discussions and may lead to similar agreements with other equipment manufacturers, Duvall said.

“A piece of equipment is a major investment. Farmers must have the freedom to choose where equipment is repaired, or to repair it themselves, to help control costs,” he explained. “The MOU commits John Deere to ensuring farmers and independent repair facilities have access to many of the tools and software needed to grow the food, fuel and fiber America’s families rely on.”

VFBF wins awards

Virginia Farm Bureau earned a State Award of Excellence for demonstrating outstanding achievement in four program areas including advocacy, coalitions, outreach and leadership development.

VFBF members were able to improve their skills in some of those areas through the dozens of workshops offered during the convention. Topics included an ag economy outlook on issues facing farmers in 2023, coping with farm stress and mental health struggles and perspectives on engaging farmers in sustainability efforts with food retailers and manufacturers.