Governor Spanberger Hosts Agriculture Roundtable in Washington County, Celebrates the Strength of Virginia Cattle & Dairy

WASHINGTON COUNTY, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger yesterday continued celebrating Virginia Agriculture Week by hosting a roundtable with cattlemen, farmers, and producers at Copenhaver Brothers Farm - a sixth-generation, family-owned farm in Washington County.

At the roundtable, Governor Spanberger heard directly from the men and women about the impacts of recent extreme weather, high fertilizer costs, and damaging federal trade policies that are hurting Virginia farms. The Governor also highlighted the bipartisan legislation she signed into law earlier this week to create the Commonwealth's first-ever Farm & Forest Prosperity Plan to make sure Virginia has a strategic roadmap focused on strengthening agriculture and forestry industries.

"When Virginia's farmers and producers succeed, we all succeed," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "As our number one private industry, Virginia agriculture continues to be the backbone of local economies across our Commonwealth. Amid the continued uncertainty in Washington, I will continue to listen to the voices of the men and women who drive Virginia's economy forward and make sure my Administration is providing them with the full support they deserve."

"Thank you to Copenhaver Brothers Farm for hosting us in Washington County to celebrate Virginia Agriculture Week," said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier. "Hearing directly from cattlemen and farmers on the challenges and needs they face is critical to the success of the Commonwealth's agriculture industry. Under Governor Spanberger's leadership, we are committed to supporting Virginia's farmers and ensuring they have the support and resources needed to grow."

Governor Spanberger also joined local dairymen to tour Highland Dairy in Washington County - highlighting the major economic contributions of Virginia's dairy industry and presenting a proclamation celebrating Virginia Dairy Month. Governor Spanberger later delivered the keynote address at the Virginia FFA State Convention, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Virginia FFA and the people behind a century of leadership, growth, and agricultural education.

The events in Washington County and Blacksburg continue Governor Spanberger's focus on highlighting the strength of farmers and producers during Virginia Agriculture Week. Earlier this week in Surry, Governor Spanberger signed bipartisan legislation directing the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry to develop and implement Virginia's first-ever Farm & Forest Prosperity Plan. The Governor also signed additional bipartisan legislation to encourage K-12 schools to purchase fresh food and ingredients from farmers within the Commonwealth and to require products containing manufactured protein be clearly labeled and not misrepresented as real meat.

Last week, Governor Spanberger called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to expedite federal support for Virginia farmers impacted by recent frost and freeze disasters. The agriculture and forestry industries have a combined economic impact of $105 billion annually and account for more than 490,000 jobs across the Commonwealth.

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