22 minute read
For Your Benefit
Va. farmers share standpoints on ag issues with lawmakers
BY ADAM CULLER AND NICOLE ZEMA
Advocating for Virginia’s farming future is the core mission of Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, and vocal support from the state’s farmers is key in accomplishing that objective.
VFBF representatives used their unified voice to discuss concerns about legislation affecting agriculture during meetings with state senators and delegates at the organization’s Legislative Day on Jan. 24.
Prior to visiting the General Assembly, the Farm Bureau representatives participated in an orientation session. At that meeting, Del. Lee Ware, R-Powhatan, chair of the Virginia House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, shared his thoughts on agriculture issues.
Just 10 days into his job as ag committee chair, delegates were considering a deluge of bills, he told them.
“Of the topics I see coming up, I can report some good news,” Ware said. “I think ag BMPs will be funded significantly.”
Agriculture and conservation communities have long called for full funding of Virginia’s agricultural best management practices cost-share “needs assessment”—a data-driven funding calculation based on water quality goals. The cost-share program supports various conservation practices for crop, grazing and forestlands to reduce nutrient and sediment runoff. Additionally, funding will provide technical assistance for farmers and landowners to implement those conservation practices.
County leaders share concerns
From left, Brenda Metz of Henry County prepared for meetings with legislators, and VFBF Young Farmers Committee chair Lindy Tucker Fimon met with Del. Paul Krizek, D-Alexandria, during the organization's Legislative Day.
representatives of Chesapeake and Nansemond Farm Bureaus met with Del. Clinton Jenkins, D-Suffolk, to advocate for legislation involving additional analysis of solar facilities, funding for agricultural BMPs and crop protectant availability.
“We grow food and fiber—that’s what feeds this country,” said David Bosselman, a Suffolk grain and peanut farmer.
“There are so many people who depend on what we do as farmers, so we’re just looking for your support in backing us up a little bit,” Bosselman shared with Jenkins. “If you ever need to know something more about bills pertaining to agriculture, please give us a call.”
Jenkins was receptive to his constituents’ concerns, and shared stories about growing up and spending summers in the fields of his grandparents’ tobacco farm.
He noted bills involving agriculture—legislation that would provide full funding for BMPs, support for producers to properly protect their crops and other pressing issues— should be considered with farmers’ best interests in mind.
“Farmers need all the support they can get,” Jenkins told the delegation. “Folks just don’t realize how important your trade is for providing a good livelihood and a good source of food for people. I will not support legislation that is going to make it harder for farmers.”
A group of Southwest Virginia farmers met jointly with Sen. Travis Hackworth, R-Richlands; Sen. Todd Pillion, R-Abingdon; Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City; and Del. Israel O’Quinn, R-Bristol; to discuss other important issues outlined by VFBF.
These issues included the increased need for dairy assistance, the establishment of a strategic plan to increase meat processing in Virginia, the usage of Farm Use placards and wildlife damage management.
Visits target urban legislators
Some Farm Bureau members visited with urban legislators. In 2021, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC hosted four separate roundtable events in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia to establish better working relationships with lawmakers from urban localities.
VFBF Young Farmers Committee chair and Lunenburg County beef cattle and hay producer Lindy Tucker Fimon met with Del. Paul Krizek, D-Alexandria, to discuss crop protectants and BMP funding. “It’s incredibly important for us as farmers to continue to talk about the issues that directly impact our work,” Fimon said. “Whether those conversations are with our local delegates or those who represent a city in a different area of the state, these conversations matter and make a difference.
“That’s what makes Legislative Day such a great event. You get the chance to build those relationships.”
Virginia farmers set agricultural policy, attend workshops and earn accolades at national convention
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY NICOLE ZEMA
Farmers representing Virginia Farm Bureau Federation were among 5,000 agriculturalists and industry advocates at American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention Jan. 7-12 in Atlanta.
VFBF earned a State Award of Excellence for outstanding achievement in four program areas in 2021.
AFBF President Zippy Duvall opened the convention by discussing the organization’s successes in 2021 and priorities for 2022.
“Through even the greatest challenges, we never waver in growing the safest, most sustainable food, fuel and fiber in the world,” he said. “And Farm Bureau remains true to our purpose—to be that one, united voice of agriculture. I believe with all my heart that there is reason to be optimistic.”
National leaders also addressed the group, including President Joe Biden in a video message, and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
Biden expressed his appreciation for farmers and highlighted the administration’s priorities related to the Packers and Stockyards Act, infrastructure improvements and promoting fair competition in agricultural markets. Vilsack discussed broadband deployment, trade negotiations, investments in livestock processing capabilities and the prospect of climate-smart commodities.
Delegates help set national Farm Bureau policy
VFBF delegates were among 345 farmer representatives who deliberated
Members of the VFBF Women's Leadership Committee, chaired by Faye Hundley, far left, represented Virginia Farm Bureau's female leaders during the AFBF convention.
and approved policies that set AFBF’s 2022 legislative agenda.
They voted on policies related to key topics, from milk pricing and beef market transparency to urban agriculture. They also discussed issues related to labor and broadband expansion, and voted to update policy on biofuels, including renewable diesel.
The delegation included VFBF President Wayne F. Pryor; Vice President Scott Sink; Caroline County Farm Bureau President Lynwood Broaddus; Lunenburg County Farm Bureau Vice President William Coffee; Floyd County Farm Bureau President Grey Lineberry; Chesapeake Farm Bureau President Byron Stonecypher; Louisa County Farm Bureau President C.T. Thiemann; and Franklin County Farm Bureau President Tanya Young.
Coffee, a grain farmer, has served as a delegate at several AFBF conventions.
“I enjoyed the trade show and workshops, and meeting people from all over the country,” he said. “And the policy discussion in the voting session was really interesting.”
Young Farmers compete and place
Virginia young farmers competed for AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers awards. Roger and Amanda Scott of Madison County placed third in the Achievement Award competition. Northampton County farmer Kyle Sturgis was a Top 10 finalist for the Excellence in Agriculture Award, and Jonathan Grimes, a Wythe County farmer, participated in the national Discussion Meet competition.
The Achievement Award honors young farmers who are successful in production agriculture and provide leadership on and off the farm. The Scotts are first-generation farmers who operate two turkey houses, a poultry litter hauling and spreading business, a beef cow-calf operation and a custom hay business. Amanda Scott is a livestock veterinarian serving farmers
in the region.
The Scotts said they are humbled to earn a top spot in the competition.
“This was an opportunity to share our story with the world,” Roger said.
And the pool of competitors was impressive, Amanda added.
Women’s Leadership Program members participate
Eight Virginia Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee delegates participated in workshops, regional caucus events and special presentations.
Duvall spoke at the women’s general session.
“He emphasized we should never underestimate the power of our influence and voice in agriculture,” noted VFBF Women’s Leadership Committee Chair Faye Hundley of Essex County. “He encouraged women delegates to continue to be strong and engaged to reach our maximum potential.”
Delegates were Eastern District leader Becky Broaddus of Caroline County; Lunenburg County Farm Bureau member Kathy Coffee; Southeast District leader Susan Harrell of Greensville County; Henry County Farm Bureau member Lillian Holland; Central District leader Sarah Large of Buckingham County; Floyd County Farm Bureau member Lori Lineberry, and Chesapeake Farm Bureau member Roxanne Stonecypher.
Workshops educate and inform
Farmers participated in workshops covering topics that included rural mental health, turbulent livestock markets and an outlook for the farm economy in 2022. “Mobilizing the Conversation Around Mental Health” workshop panelists discussed what various state Farm Bureaus are doing to actively promote, support and advance the conversation around mental health in farming communities.
Hundley said the information shared by panelists empowered workshop participants to speak up when they recognize signs of farmer distress.
“They talked about how we should pay attention, and be open to conversations with those who may be stressed, or going through something,” she said.
Dr. Stephen Koontz, a Cooperative Extension livestock marketing economist and professor at Colorado State University, discussed livestock market expectations for 2022 and beyond. He said it may take two more years for steer processing to recover from its pandemic-related dip.
“Demand for protein is outstanding,” he reported. “The issues at the farm level are entirely related to capacities on the supply chain system.”
AFBF’s economics team said during the “Top 15 Market Outlook Issues” workshop that top issues facing the ag economy include inflation, uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic and labor market stresses.
Next year’s convention will be held Jan. 6-11 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Clockwise from far left corner: Amanda and Roger Scott of Madison County were thrilled with their third-place win in the Achievement Award competition; VFBF delegates helped shape policy; speakers like fighter pilot Jim Murphy helped motivate participants gathered in Atlanta; they heard from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and participated in workshops throughout the convention.
Young Farmers reboot at — 2022 WINTER EXPO —
BY NICOLE ZEMA
Even farmers whose work sustains humankind need to reboot sometimes.
About 120 young farmers met at the water’s edge for the 2022 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Winter Expo. Themed “Reboot on the Beach,” it was held Feb. 18-20 at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
The expo kicked off with a “Farm Financials and Business Growth” session with Dr. Alex White of Virginia Tech. His interactive presentation covered personal and operational finances, farm transition planning, goal and budget setting, tax issues, credit and investments.
VFBF Young Farmers, FFA state officers, college students and Farm Bureau staff watched the crashing waves during a sunset networking reception, followed by a seafood dinner. Young farmers contest participants were recognized, and Young Farmers Excellence in Agriculture Award 2021 winner Kyle Sturgis and 2020 winner Jonathan Grimes shared their competition presentations.
Past her due date for child No. 2, Young Farmers Committee Chair Lindy Tucker Fimon welcomed attendees via video message.
“One of the greatest takeaways from Young Farmers events is the networking,” she said. “It’s a chance to spend time with people doing similar, or very different, things across the state, who understand the challenges you’re facing as a young agriculturalist.”
At the opening breakfast, Virginia's Young Farmers Podcast hosts Sturgis and Austin McNett recorded a brief episode. Featured on the podcast were VFBF Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom fundraising specialist Matt Nuckols and 9-year-old Charlotte Allen, whose family raises beef cattle, laying hens and rabbits in Chesterfield County.
Sturgis welcomed guest of honor Del. Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, thanking him for supporting Farm Bureau’s policy positions, and for helping organize last summer’s roundtable discussions with urban legislators and candidates.
Scott discussed the tremendous economic impact of Virginia agriculture, and he challenged young farmers to step out of their social circles to work toward a more inclusive and diverse industry.
“It’s good to see young folks in the room who are committed to this future,” he said. “Continue to stay engaged, and promote your family farms. It’s the work you’re doing every day that sustains us.”
Interactive topic conversations were presented in a series of morning workshops that sparked productive dialogue. Conversations covered subjects like Farm Bureau policy development, preparing for Young Farmers competitions, keeping children safe on the farm and career development.
Committee member Richard Preisser found the career pathways workshop exceptionally helpful for the younger participants, and said White’s farm finance talk presented information crucial to operations of all sizes.
“I don’t think you could ever dive deep enough into personal or ag-based finances,” he said. “I think we could offer that every year.”
After the roundtable discussions, young farmers embarked on two tours. One group visited the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and observed the new Chesapeake Bay Tunnel project. Another group visited a granary and two local farms in Virginia Beach.
At a barbecue dinner prepared by Louisa County FFA alumni, VFBF President Wayne F. Pryor welcomed the crowd, and federation leaders introduced staff and described services available to members.
Prior to the meal, attendees took part in Young Farmers Olympics. Teams raced against the clock to fill a bag with dry corn, “milk” two cups of water from a wooden cow, transfer a stack of hay bales to a pallet, roll tractor tires through a winding course and change a trailer tire. Winners took home Young Farmers swag and medals.
The Young Farmers Summer Expo will be July 29-31 in Wytheville.
Young Farmers visited Coastal Cattle in Virginia Beach, where farm operator Billy Vaughan described the family’s farm activities and retail business.
Clockwise from top left: Salmons Farms’ large granary and dredging operation was the first stop on the Virginia Beach tour; Del. Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, was a keynote speaker; Young Farmers participated in workshop discussion and selected raffle prizes; 3-year-old Arlie McNett, son of young farmers Austin and Nikita McNett, was among the youngest attendees; and first-place Young Farmers Olympics winners included, from left, Breyon Pierce of Surry County, John Allen of Chesterfield County, VFBF commodity specialist Elijah Griles, and Jakob Seely of Fauquier County.
MIND the FARM
Farm sitters step up when producers are away.
Farmers confess they don’t often take extended vacations, but when the occasional getaway is planned, they count on farm sitters to mind their business.
Some rely on professional farm sitters, while others call on friends and neighbors to care for livestock and secure farm property—whether for a sudden event, a family vacation or simply an afternoon retreat.
NICOLE ZEMA
‘You never truly leave’ Neighboring farmers farm sit for each other
BY NICOLE ZEMA
The Thiemann family last took a real vacation in 2019. The 10-day cruise to the Caribbean was a chance to unplug.
“But the farm is always on the back of your mind,” said Louisa County beef cattle and small grains farmer C.T. Thiemann. “You never truly leave.”
Even a qualified farm required in an hour of need—not just during vacation. Thiemann recalled days he’s been so involved with a farm task that he can’t break away.
“I’ll know my cows need tending to, or a storm’s coming, but I can’t stop baling hay at the moment,” he said. “I need that hour. Catastrophic issues can snowball extremely quickly, so I make that call, and know my farm’s taken care of.”
Hoback said getting away for an extended time doesn’t happen often, so he vacations vicariously through pictures his wife and kids send from the beach.
“Farming is a rewarding kind of stress,” he said. “And our reward is given to us every day.”
C.T. Thiemann, right, shares tips on cattle care with Casey Hoback, who watches Thiemann's Louisa County farm when he's away or if there's an emergency. sitter won’t know every nuance of the land or livestock, he added. “No matter how prepared you think you are, something will pop into your mind that you can’t control because you’re not there. Most of the time it’s just easier to stay home.”
His wife Angela joked that if a getaway is planned, she doesn’t mention it until the last minute.
The family of four takes mini vacations to her folks’ nearby lake house, or snow tubing at Massanutten.
“I wouldn’t trade this life for the world,” she said. “I learn so much from him, and farming teaches our children the ethics of hard work to achieve what you want. But I do miss taking regular vacations!”
While farm operators may call on independent contractors to farm sit during vacation, a trusting relationship with neighboring farmer Casey Hoback offers some backup when leaving the farm—whether for an extended getaway or for an emergency.
Farm sitting 101
Hoback raises turkeys in poultry houses just a few miles down the road. Though their operations differ, the neighbors rely on each other to check on things.
“When somebody knows the ins and outs of how animals act and farms operate, it gives you a little peace of mind when you’re not here,” Hoback said.
But there is a learning curve. Thiemann said he’s constantly asking questions about Hoback’s operation.
“I’ve had to learn a lot,” he said. “But Casey comes from a dairy and beef cattle background, so he doesn’t have as many questions for me on my farm.”
When farm sitting for Thiemann, Hoback said he counts the cows and checks for signs of distress—droopy ears, a dry nose, lifeless tail, limping or calving. And he surveys the property.
“Friendly night drivers may wander off the road and take out a fence,” Hoback said. “You hope the animals don’t find the hole before you do.”
Remote observation
Remote technology allows Hoback to observe and make environmental adjustments to his poultry houses during vacation, or while busy with other farm tasks.
“If I get a break on a trip, I’ll pull it up on my phone to see what’s going on,” he said. “I’ll tell C.T., ‘Hey, the feeder is running empty, you might want to get down there.’ There are some mechanical things I can’t do remotely.”
When Hoback’s phone dings because a poultry house door opens or an unfamiliar vehicle enters the property, Thiemann can go investigate.
It’s one thing to have a house sitter come let the dogs out, Hoback said. “But when it’s complex machinery and animals, and your livelihood, you need someone you trust.”
Farm sitter on the spot
ALICE KEMP
Prior to taking a vacation, Razzbourne Farms' Emily Heizer Hall, left, discusses dairy goat care with farm sitter Elizabeth Kohl.
Goat dairy and creamery relies on former dairywoman
BY ALICE KEMP
When Emily Heizer Hall of Razzbourne Farms in Rockbridge County went on a week-long family vacation last fall, it was her first trip away in five years.
And like most farmers, Hall couldn’t leave just anytime. She coordinated the vacation around her farm’s schedule—waiting until kidding season was over, milking was down to once a day and cheese production slowed before heading to the beach.
The stakes are high
The farm sitter and friend who watched Hall’s dairy and 30 LaMancha goats was Elizabeth Kohl, who once owned a goat dairy. They met in 2020 at Kerrs Creek Community Market, where Hall sells a variety of goat milk skincare products and cheese, including fresh chevre, feta, bloomy rind and semi-hard aged varieties.
“We really got to know each other during COVID,” Kohl said. “Then she just said to me one time, ‘Would you be willing to farm sit my animals? Nobody else knows what it takes to run a goat dairy.’”
Watching a dairy and creamery involves more
Rockbridge County goat farmer Emily Heizer Hall, right, reviews milking instructions with farm sitter Elizabeth Kohl.
than just milking, and the “stakes are high,” Hall said. There’s ensuring milk makes it into the pasteurizer, understanding proper cleaning and sanitation standards and knowing the equipment. It also includes keeping an eye out for things others might miss, like a small crack in a silicone milk line.
“It’s expensive equipment,” Kohl explained. “You want somebody that’s educated in it, or else you could lose everything or get shut down if they’re not following protocol.”
There’s also handling the livestock “and all their drama,” Hall said.
Before Hall went on vacation, Kohl visited the farm once a week for a month to learn the farm’s process and get to know the animals and their routines—and to ensure the goats would be comfortable around her.
“You don’t want your animals stressed out,” Kohl explained. “Stress can cause more white blood cells in the milk and that’s bad. It can ruin the quality of your milk.”
Out of sight, out of mind
While Hall admitted that “you could stick me on a luxurious island and I would still worry,” she relaxed knowing Kohl was handling things at home. They only talked once while Hall was away, when Kohl asked if she should flip a wine-soaked goat cheese so it could absorb evenly.
“We were experimenting, so it was nice to be like, ‘Oh crap, I forgot I had that cheese that needs to be flipped every day. Do you mind doing that?’” Hall said. “Anybody else would have just thrown it away and not bothered with it. Her experience is invaluable to us.”
For Kohl’s part, watching the farm was an opportunity to dip her toes back in the dairy goat world.
“It’s nice for me to get back into it every once in a while,” Kohl said. “I really do enjoy it.”
Farmers and sitters connect through word-of-mouth, social media
BY ALICE KEMP
While some farmers rely on family or friends to watch their farms, others find farm sitters through word-ofmouth and social media.
That’s how Samantha Brown of Muddy Acres Farm in Prince Edward County built a farm-sitting side business and a regular clientele of about eight farms.
“I’m already booked for the week of Thanksgiving,” Brown said. “Holidays, early April when it starts getting warm, and the end of summer seem to be the busiest.”
Brown became interested in farm sitting when she had trouble finding her own sitter for a Florida vacation. Realizing others were likely in similar situations, she advertised her farm sitting services by networking and posting on local Facebook farming groups to give farmers the break they deserve.
“Farmers work so hard all the time,” Brown said. “You can’t just up and take off and do whatever you wanna do … and when it’s so wearisome and you never get a day off, you really do get burned out.”
Brown said she enjoys farm sitting, and even makes it a family affair. Her two younger children fill water troughs while she, her husband and oldest daughters check fences, feed livestock, keep snakes away from chicken coops and even administer medicine.
“It’s very rarely just feeding and watering,” she explained. “They’re trusting the whole farm to me.”
And having a farm herself, she understands the importance of leaving things in the right hands.
“For a lot of people, this is their livelihood,” she explained. “They’re not going to just trust anybody to leave it, even for a day.”
ALICE KEMP
Muddy Acres Farm's Samantha Brown has help from the whole family as she offers farm sitting services for farmers in need of a break. Her two youngest children, Levi and Laney, handle simple tasks like filling water troughs.
Virginia Farm Bureau leaders tapped for state-level agriculture positions
Two leaders with ties to the state’s largest agricultural advocacy group have been appointed to top-level agriculture positions by Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin.
Matthew “Matt” Lohr has been named secretary of agriculture and forestry, and Joseph “Joe” Guthrie was named commissioner of the LOHR Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Both “have been involved with advocating for Virginia agriculture and forestry through their involvement with Virginia Farm Bureau,” said Virginia Farm Bureau Federation President Wayne F. Pryor. “We look forward to continuing our long-time working relationship with them in these new roles as they strive to GUTHRIE advance agricultural interests at the state and national levels.”
Lohr has served the past two years as chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, an agency with more than 10,000 employees across 3,000 field offices and an operating budget of over $4.5 billion.
He was raised on a Virginia Century Farm in the Shenandoah Valley and is a fifth-generation farmer. Lohr is also a past president of Rockingham County Farm Bureau and was Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers’ first Excellence in Agriculture Award winner in 2002.
Lohr previously served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2006-2010 before being appointed VDACS commissioner.
Guthrie has served as an elected official for 10 years. He was a member of the Pulaski County School Board from 2011 through 2015 and has served on the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors since 2015. He was elected chair of that board in 2020 and 2021.
He is a past president of Pulaski County Farm Bureau and winner of the 2001 VFBF Young Farmers Discussion Meet competition.
Guthrie currently serves as a senior instructor at Virginia Tech and has been teaching courses in business management, finance, communications and leadership in the college’s Agricultural Technology Program since 2007.
