Governor Signs Property Rights Bills; Coalition Officially Launches Campaign

Virginia landowners will be confident that their private property cannot be taken and given to another private owner under eminent domain if the commonwealth’s voters approve Question 1 on the Nov. 6 ballot.

Bipartisan legislation was signed by Gov. Bob McDonnell yesterday to place a proposed constitutional amendment on this fall’s ballot to protect the private property rights of Virginia’s farmers, small businesses and individuals. The amendment specifies that eminent domain cannot be used unless it is for a true public use and further ensures just compensation for the landowner, including the opportunity for lost access and lost profits to be considered as part of that compensation. The language in the amendment also clarifies what is a true “public use” and specifies that no more land than is necessary can be taken.

The “Private Property Rights” amendment and companion legislation was supported by Attorney Gen. Ken Cuccinelli and patroned by Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg; Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle; and Del. Johnny Joannou, D-Portsmouth.

At the July 16 bill signing, a coalition of private property rights advocates announced the launch of a campaign encouraging Virginians to “Vote Yes for Private Property Rights.”

“Our members are excited about the opportunity that this constitutional amendment will provide. No longer will our farms, homes or businesses be taken and given to another private property owner under Kelo-type eminent domain abuses,” said Wayne F. Pryor, president of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. Martha Moore and Trey Davis, Farm Bureau Governmental Relations staff, were also in attendance.

VSU announces new dean of school of agriculture

Dr. Jewel E. Hairston

Dr. Jewel E. Hairston has been announced as Dean of the School of Agriculture for Virginia State University.

While serving as Interim Dean As Interim Dean of the VSU School of Agriculture, she has led the School’s efforts in developing the strategic vision and plan for the Extension and Research Divisions and the Academic Departments of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences and Hospitality Management.

“Dr. Hariston has a talent of bridging the gap between academics and small and disadvantaged farmers.  In this role, it is very important to inspire researchers/professors while challenging their assumptions to develop practical information that can be used by farmers to increase their profitability,” said Martha Moore, vice president of governmental relations for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. “ In serving on various committees or discussing ideas about what farmers need from land grant institutions, Virginia Farm Bureau finds Dr. Hairston as a partner willing to help.  It is this cooperation that will help VSU move forward as well as helping small and disadvantaged farmers move the agriculture industry forward.”

In July 2008,  Hairston was appointed associate administrator for programs with Cooperative Extension at VSU where she provided leadership for Extension programming efforts in agriculture, aquaculture, family and consumer sciences, and 4-H youth development. She has also served as an assistant professor at Bowling Green State University and a Marketing Teacher and Adult Education Coordinator in Roanoke. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Career and Technical Education and Master of Science degree in Education (both from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University).

"She is a highly respected professional among her peers throughout the nation, Dr. Hairston is a life-long member of our community who has served VSU’s stakeholders with distinction," said Dr. W. Weldon Hill, provost and vice president for academic Affairs for VSU.

2012 Virginia General Assembly convenes Jan. 11

This busiest time of year for the Governmental Relations team is upon us. The 2012 Virginia General Assembly will convene next Wednesday in Richmond, and we've been busy preparing to fight for the legislative priority issues that you, our producer members, deemed the most important.

A big thank you goes out to all of you who attended our Senatorial District meetings across the state, as well as our Field Services Directors who helped set up the meetings. We had a great turn out this year and were very successful educating our legislators about our issues.

We will be updating you on the statuses of these issues and other issues that affect agriculture as they arise in a few different ways. We will be updating the blog every Tuesday and Thursday with important articles, so please make sure you bookmark this page under your Favorites folder or subscribe by e-mail on the left of this page.