BEDFORD — Virginia’s top agricultural official urged Bedford farmers and area leaders Thursday to plant the industry’s message of recent success with both candidates for governor.
Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore talked briefly about the Nov. 5 election during a speech to about 50 people who gathered for a breakfast held by Del. Scott Garrett, R-Lynchburg at the Liberty Station restaurant.
Haymore did not mention the Republican gubernatorial nominee, Ken Cuccinelli, or his challenger, Democratic nominee Terry McAuliffe.
No matter who the next governor is, Haymore said that leader needs to build on the foundation Gov. Bob McDonnell started in placing agriculture and forestry “on equal footing” with every other industry in the commonwealth.
“We put in place a template that wasn’t in place before,” Haymore said. “It needs to stay there.”
Keeping agriculture and forestry at the forefront is vital over the next four years, he said. He pointed to the McDonnell administration’s achievements in agriculture, describing the governor as the first in modern history to make the industry part of his overall economic development platform.
A native of Pittsylvania County who grew up on his grandparent’s farm, Haymore said he believes government has a “constructive role” in helping facilitate growth and opportunity in agriculture and forestry. It’s the state’s largest business and generates about $80 billion annually and half a million jobs.
Haymore said he and McDonnell focused on two key areas to help the industry: working to increase exports and promoting economic development.
Exports drive 30 percent of farm income and 90 percent of the world’s consumers live outside the United States, which he said cultivates opportunities for sales and cash revenue.
The state had one international trade office, in Hong Kong, when Haymore became secretary. Locations since have grown to include India, China, Europe, Russia, Costa Rica and, later this year, Canada, he said.
Exports in the past three years reached new highs and last year set a record of $2.6 billion, he said.
“We’re only scratching the surface as far as the world is concerned,” Haymore said. “That’s why we’re ramping up Virginia’s position in the global marketplace.”
He spoke of the success of the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund announced last year. The $2 million set aside in the AFID program helps localities further economic development and job opportunities related to agriculture, which Haymore said trickles back to farms.
Agriculture is the lifeblood of Bedford County’s largely rural economy, totaling more than $23 million and accounting for nearly 3,000 jobs, according to recent U.S. Census reports.
County officials six years ago established a board of representatives with various backgrounds in the farming community to give direction on agricultural-related matters.
The county also launched a “Bedford Grown” program to market locally grown products, such as food and wines.
Haymore said he realized he was “preaching to choir” in touting the importance of the farming industry in Bedford.
“As my grandmother was famous for saying, sometimes the choir needs to be preached to,” he said.
One person asked how new stormwater regulations the state is imposing on localities to offset runoff and pollution in the Chesapeake Bay would affect farmers.
Haymore replied his deputy secretary is dedicated to representing the farming community during discussions at the state and federal government levels.
He said there are voluntary steps that farmers can and do take to protect the environment and his office has tried to ensure resources are available. He spoke of his grandfather taking care of his land and water.
“Farmers are the best stewards of the land out there,” he said. “My grandfather was an environmentalist before the word was invented.”
Del. Garrett said forums like Thursday’s are a way for public officials to listen to concerns and use that feedback to implement “common sense” practices in government.
He told the crowd area lawmakers continue to focus on job creation.
“Regardless of who prevails in November, it’s about getting Virginians back to work,” Garrett said.
Original Article Here
No comments:
Post a Comment