RICHMOND—The president of Virginia Farm Bureau Federation emphasized the power of connectivity in strengthening Virginia’s rural economy.

State leaders across district and party lines heard from VFBF President Scott Sink during a recent meeting of the Rural Caucus for the General Assembly of Virginia. Chaired by Sen. Emily Jordan, R-Smithfield, the Rural Caucus is an opportunity for rural legislators and advocates to come together during the General Assembly session for updates and fellowship.

Sink commended the collaborative efforts of the Virginia Rural Center, which works to enhance economic opportunities in rural Virginia.

The center is a partnership of the Sen. Frank Ruff Jr. Center for Rural Virginia and the Council for Rural Virginia, which have a joint mission to work with policymakers and stakeholders to create innovative solutions and expand entrepreneurial opportunities to ensure economic prosperity for all regions in the commonwealth.

“As we represent our farmers and small businessowners across Virginia—both in rural and urban areas—they all share the same problems,” Sink noted. “And so that’s what we have to do with the center … is help those people succeed in what they’re doing.”

Sink, who was elected VFBF president Dec. 4, said his goals for the organization include improving proactivity, transparency and connectivity with legislators and other advocacy groups.

The caucus meeting also included remarks from Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears; Caren Merrick, Virginia’s secretary of commerce and trade; and Matt Lohr, Virginia’s secretary of agriculture and forestry. Speakers discussed broadband access, rising energy demand and other key issues impacting rural communities.

Lohr said a strong rural economy supports the state’s agriculture and forestry industries, which provide over 490,000 jobs and have an annual economic impact of around $106 billion.

“Even if you’re in urban areas or Northern Virginia, the issues (of rural Virginia) still matter,” Lohr added. “So, I love how we can work across party lines and parts of the state to support one another, because that’s what makes Virginia what it is.”

Attendees also heard about the Center for Rural Virginia’s efforts to strengthen rural communities through its Virginia Rural Leadership Institute. The VRLI aims to “retain, attract and develop rural Virginians into innovative, responsible and civic-minded leaders who build strong communities.”

Chandler Vaughan, VRLI’s policy and leadership adviser, said the institute “is a return on investment for rural communities across Virginia.”

Katelyn Jordan, VFBF local and state advocacy specialist, is a 2024 graduate of the program.

Applications for the 2025 VRLI Cohort are open through Feb. 28. Visit cfrv.org/vrli for more information.

Vaughan also highlighted ongoing development of the center’s Rural Virginia Opportunity Dashboard—an interactive mapping tool that will provide comprehensive data insights and funding opportunities for rural Virginia.

“We want these folks to be able to come to this, get insights into what their community is good at, what they can improve on, and apply for a funding opportunity to address that,” he explained.

Project officials are conducting a survey to identify funding opportunities for rural communities. Visit cfrv.org/rvod to take part in the survey or for more information.

Media: Contact Martha Moore, VFBF senior vice president of governmental relations, at 804-347-5752.