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Save on a summer escape or spring cleanup
Travel Services
Get a discount on top-rated Dollywood theme park
Located in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Dollywood is recognized as one of the world’s best theme parks. Spanning 150 acres and located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dollywood offers more than 40 rides and attractions, including Lightning Rod, the world’s fastest wooden coaster. Dollywood has won more awards than that of any other theme park for its live shows featuring country, bluegrass, Southern gospel and classic rock. Members can now purchase discount tickets to the Dollywood Theme Park. Visit vafb.com/benefits or Dollywood.com.
Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C., is America’s largest home. Built by George and Edith Vanderbilt, this 8,000-acre property offers beautiful gardens, biking, carriage rides, horseback riding, kayaking, paddle boarding and more.
Farm Bureau members in Virginia will receive up to $13 off daytime admission to the historic Biltmore estate. Members also can realize reduced rates at The Inn on Biltmore Estate, The Village Hotel and a variety of local accommodations.
While there, browse through unique estate shops for wine lovers, gardeners, bookworms and everyone in between.
Visit Biltmore.com/corporateperk for more information. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Home/Business/Farm Savings
Save on John Deere equipment and parts
Current Virginia Farm Bureau members* are eligible for a complimentary John Deere Rewards upgrade to Platinum 1 status, which unlocks extra discounts on equipment, parts and merchandise.
You can save on the following equipment: • $150 to $250 off tractors • $550 to $1,400 off compact construction equipment • $100 to $250 off utility vehicles • $200 to $1,700 off commercial mowers • $50 to $150 off residential mowers
Visit JohnDeere.com/FarmBureau, and have your membership number handy.
*Must be a member for at least 30 days to qualify.
Make home improvements with Grainger products
Members are eligible for special Virginia Farm Bureau prices on selected product categories and supplies from Grainger, plus free standard ground shipping on all standard Grainger products*.
Farm Bureau members receive special pricing on the following categories: • Cleaning: Consumables, Other • Electrical • Hand Tools • Manufacturing: Welding • Motors • Outdoor Equipment • Plumbing: Pipe, Valves, Fittings, Other • Power Tools • Safety: Facility Safety, People Safety
Get started with your price savings using one of three easy methods. Present the Virginia Farm Bureau organization account number at time of purchase. The number is available from your county Farm Bureau or visit vafb.com/benefits; Go to Grainger.com/farmbureau to establish a new Grainger® account using that account number; or Call Grainger customer service at 800-472-4643 to update your existing Grainger account with the Farm Bureau organization account number (You will need to be registered and logged in as a member).
To be sure you get your Farm Bureau member prices, always reference Virginia Farm Bureau’s organization account number when visiting your local branch, making a telephone order, or setting up your personal account online. If you have questions or need assistance, contact your county Farm Bureau.
*FREE standard shipping on all orders shipped ground transportation. Other freight charges will be incurred for services such as expedited delivery, special handling by the carrier, sourcing orders and shipments outside the continental United States.
Dig these discounts from Case IH dealers
Members can save up to $500 on qualifying products from participating Case IH dealers. You can generate a certificate to present at your local dealership at vafb.com/benefits; have your membership number at hand.
Eligible individual, family or business members receive the following manufacturer discount on purchases of the listed products:
Tractors: • $200 off Farmall Compact tractors, A and C series • $200 off Farmall Utilities, A, C and U series • $500 off Maxxum and Vestrum Series
Balers: • $200 off Round balers • $200 off Small square balers • $500 off Large square balers Mowers & Utility Vehicles: • $200 off Disc mower conditioners • $200 off Sickle mower conditioners • $500 off Self-propelled windrowers
Save thousands on select Caterpillar machines
If you’re planning some heavy work this spring, Caterpillar Inc. offers Farm Bureau members savings of up to $2,500 on select Cat machines, as well as a $250 credit on work tool attachments purchased with a new Cat machine. Savings are good on excavators, small wheel loaders and dozers, backhoe loaders and more.
You can generate a certificate to present at your local dealership at vafb.com/benefits; have your membership number at hand.
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Brunswick County young farmer appointed to national committee
Virginia young farmers will be represented nationally by Brunswick County agriculturalist Matt Fimon, who was appointed to serve on the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee. Since 2018, Fimon has served on the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Committee with his wife, Lindy Tucker Fimon, who chairs that body. The couple run a beef cow-calf and hay operation with her family in Lunenburg and Brunswick counties. He also works as a human resources manager for a marble manufacturer.
“We enjoy Farm Bureau Young Farmers because it is growing and stretching our leadership experiences by exposing us to challenges and issues faced by producers across the state on both farm and policy fronts,” Fimon said. “And now I’m looking forward to strengthening the influence of our organization on the national level.
“By creating a widespread network of people who share our love of the land, we thrive on building relationships with other young farmers, and sharing their love of ag!”
Fimon is one of 16 appointed farmer leaders representing all regions of the U.S. Members will serve on governing boards and committees at local, state and national levels for two-year terms. Committee members are responsible for program planning, which includes the coordination of YF&R competitive events during AFBF’s convention each January, and AFBF’s Harvest for All, a food donation program.
“Serving our communities and engaging to build trust and share the compelling story of agriculture are cornerstones of national program committee work,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We welcome these Farm Bureau members and applaud their dedication.”
National committee members are nominated by their respective state Farm Bureaus.
Learn more online about AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers at fb.org/programs/young-farmers-and-ranchers.
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Farm Bureau policies were well-represented at the General Assembly
The General Assembly adjourned on March 12 but was unable to pass a biennial budget, leaving final funding for key areas in flux. At press time, a special session to finalize the budget had not been scheduled. This session, Farm Bureau worked to: • Secure additional funding for the agricultural best management practices cost-share program; • Increase funding for administration of soil and water conservation districts; • Secure new funding for veterinarians’ recruitment and retention at the State Veterinarian’s Office; • Establish tax credits and local incentives to create and maintain beneficial forests; and • Address competitive salaries for Virginia Cooperative
Exension agents.
The following is a recap of key issues regarding implementation of Virginia Farm Bureau Federation policy. This list does not include all of the budget items or bills that Farm Bureau worked on. Specifics on bills with which Farm Bureau was involved are detailed in a comprehensive summary that was mailed or emailed to Farm Bureau leaders who participate in the VFBF Action Alert and legislative update system.
Based on the information available at press time, here is how 16 key policy positions fared in the General Assembly:
means Farm Bureau policy prevailed.
means Farm Bureau policy did not prevail.
means Farm Bureau was neutral on the final action, or more work needs to be done on the issue to say Farm Bureau policy prevailed.
KEY POLICY POSITIONS
Expand program eligibility for the Dairy Producer Margin Coverage Premium Assistance Program ✓ Slow down scheduled increases to the minimum wage Protect farmers’ ability to use paraquat ✓
Allow 501(c)(5) agricultural organizations to establish a multiple employer-welfare arrangement as a step toward being able to offer small group benefit plans ✓
Streamline Department of Environmental Quality permitting process, and provide consistency in requirements for permit applications ✓
Ensure statewide uniformity in forms used for revalidation of land use assessment applications ✓ Protect farmers’ ability to use traps to protect property from wildlife damage ✓ Increase Virginia’s slaughter and meat-processing capacity ✓ Reduce the loss of farmland when localities are disproportionately impacted by nutrient credit banks Reduce the impact of solar projects on prime agriculture land and forest land ✓
Protect prime agriculture land by establishing a mapping tool for solar siting ✓
Use land use assessment value rather than full market value in the composite index Maintain the agricultural worker exemption in updating the Virginia Overtime Wage Act Protect landowners’ rights under eminent domain Ensure agriculture and forestry priorities are funded in the state’s budget
Remember, Farm Bureau’s work is never done. After the General Assembly session, the organization works to have staff or members appointed to boards and various technical advisory committees or participate in meetings to ensure the proper implementation of legislation.
Additionally, members have begun participating in this spring’s regional policy development meetings to begin determining Farm Bureau’s policy positions for 2023.
If you are a producer member and do not receive Action Alerts but would like to, contact Tenille Nuckols, VFBF social media and member engagement coordinator, at tenille.nuckols@vafb.com or 804-290-1293.
