Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he is working to support Virginia’s largest combined industry—agriculture and forestry.

Farming and forestry contribute $100 billion annually to the commonwealth’s economy and support 500,000 jobs, “which is staggering,” Youngkin said to farmers and other agricultural stakeholders on Nov. 29 during the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Virginia Beach.

He credited Farm Bureau for much of the state’s agricultural success, noting that the membership organization serves as a “linchpin” for connecting farmers with stakeholders and communities.

Youngkin also noted that his agriculture and forestry cabinet members are working to expand opportunities for the state’s farmers—in Virginia, across the country and around the world. As a result, Virginia farm commodities are globally recognized for their quality.

The strength and momentum of Virginia agriculture needs to continue, Youngkin said, and there are three ways his administration is helping to do that.

Keeping the cost of doing business under control is imperative, he said. With rising inflation, input and equipment costs, farmers need to keep more money in their pockets through current tax relief programs.

Youngkin said he’s also working to keep the cost of conservation practices down by approving full cost-share funding for agricultural best management practices. Also available are the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development grants. He said this year 141 businesses used $13 million in AFID grants to generate $1.6 billion in new investments.

“That’s very powerful,” he said.

Protecting farmland is the second way Youngkin’s administration is working to strengthen agriculture. Two weeks ago, he announced $15 million for farmland conservation funding. “This will continue to be a top priority.”

His third method of supporting Virginia agriculture is to bolster the agricultural workforce. Youngkin said more than 80% of Virginia farmers are over the age of 45, so it’s important to recruit and prepare the next generation. “Educational opportunities are critical,” he noted.

He cited the work of Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom, a non-profit educational program that provides resources, training and support to educators to connect children with agriculture. That’s one way to reach the next generation of potential farmers and other agriculture and agribusiness professionals, Youngkin said

He noted that proceeds from first lady Suzanne Youngkin’s second limited-release wine project with Cana Vineyards and Winery of Middleburg will benefit Virginia AITC.


With almost 135,000 members in 88 county Farm Bureaus, VFBF is Virginia’s largest farmers’ advocacy group. Farm Bureau is a non-governmental, nonpartisan, voluntary organization committed to supporting Virginia’s agriculture industry.

Contact Pam Wiley, vice president of communications, at 804-291-6315.