RICHMOND—Virginia farmers stay busy year-round growing quality food and fiber on pasture, in forests and on cropland. And for one day every year, that important work transitions from the fields to the Virginia Capitol as part of Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Legislative Day.

Over 125 Farm Bureau leaders are expected to attend the event on Feb. 3 to advocate for a host of priorities supporting agriculture and forestry—combined the No. 1 private industry in Virginia.

“We are ensuring every legislator—including those from urban districts—hears from our agricultural community,” said Katelyn Jordan, VFBF local and state advocacy specialist.

Some recently elected urban lawmakers may not be aware of issues that persist in rural Virginia, like the ongoing shortage of large animal veterinarians. Only about 3% to 4% of new veterinary school graduates currently pursue livestock and poultry practice areas, due to soaring education debt that outpaces income in rural areas.

In 2024, VFBF advocated for legislation that created a work group led by the Board of Veterinary Medicine and the state veterinarian, to study the large animal veterinarian shortage in the commonwealth.

Farmers will advocate for House and Senate bills that direct the state veterinarian to establish a large animal veterinary grant program by July 2026. The program will help increase or stabilize the number of large animal veterinarians practicing in shortage areas.

With the proliferation of data centers and state goals to generate energy from 100% renewable sources by 2050, the impact of utility-scale solar facilities on farms, forestland and local zoning authority is another evolving issue important to farmers. This advocacy is not intended to inhibit clean-energy advancements, but to empower localities in making siting decisions sensible for communities.

“Farm Bureau advocates for local control of zoning for utility-solar facilities,” Jordan explained. “And if a solar facility is sited—put them on lands other than farm and forestlands.”

Over 25 bills address solar energy facilities. Farm advocates will meet with lawmakers to oppose bills that require localities to adopt a statewide mandated model ordinance or take away local control. Meanwhile, farmers are supportive of HB 2037, which allows localities to include a provision in land-development ordinances requiring applicants to install a solar canopy over designated parking areas.

Farmers also will advocate for ensuring that full funding of agricultural best management practices occurs in the next biennium along with other key budgetary items.

Media: Contact Jordan at 804-290-1021.