Young Farmers Gather in Richmond to Meet with Legislators

Members of the Virginia Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Growing Leaders programs met with members of the Virginia General Assembly on Feb. 8. 

In their meetings with state legislators, they discussed important agriculture issues such as funding for Virginia’s Agriculture Best Management Practices Cost-Share Program, property rights, and assistance for farmers dealing with wildlife predation. 

 The group also attended the House Finance Committee meeting at which the committee passed a bill creating an income tax credit for farmers who make food crop donations to a food bank. The bill was heavily supported by Virginia’s first lady, Dorothy McAuliffe, who met with the farmers later that afternoon. VFBF Young Farmers have been partnering with local food banks since 2010 to make fresh produce available to Virginians in need.