Floyd County hosted counties in Regions 10 and 12 on July 10 for a robust discussion of regional issues and priorities. The meeting began with welcoming remarks from Floyd County Chairman Joe Turman and Regional Directors Linda DeVito Kuchenbuch, Jerry Boothe, and Laura Walters. Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Joe Guthrie, a former local elected official as well as a sixth-generation family farmer, provided an overview of key issues in Virginia agriculture and major initiatives underway at the Department.
Agriculture remains Virginia’s largest private industry, with an economic impact of $82 billion annually. Top products include broilers, cattle and calves, and turkeys; soybeans are the state’s largest export. Commissioner Guthrie discussed the Governor’s work to support Controlled Environment Agriculture as an emerging industry, in addition to efforts to support agricultural practices that help Virginia to meet its Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction goals. Additional major initiatives in which VDACS is involved include hemp and cannabis regulation and enforcement; the establishment of a new Virginia Beer Distribution Company to support craft brewers; development of a market for blue catfish in order to limit the population of this invasive species; and consolidation of the VDACS Farmland Preservation Office with forestland preservation work in the Department of Forestry to create an Office of Working Lands Preservation, which will improve the state’s capacity to support this function. VDACS also continues to monitor and respond to emerging animal diseases and invasive species.
VACo was honored to welcome Delegate Wendell Walker and Delegate Wren Williams, who shared their priorities for the upcoming session. Delegate Walker noted that energy would continue to be a major area of focus, as well as broadband connectivity. He underscored the importance of providing adequate staff and funding to VDACS. Delegate Williams indicated that he would continue to focus on avoiding unfunded mandates, developing the infrastructure needed to support housing (water and sewer connections in particular), and improving rural health care. He discussed successful legislation he carried this session to allow localities to bill on behalf of a volunteer fire department to support a licensed EMS agency; the state’s Division of Legislative Services has developed a model ordinance for localities that are interested in using this new authority. He encouraged attendees to contact him directly and to reach out ahead of the session in order to address needs with draft legislation or budget amendments.
VACo was also pleased to be joined by representatives from the offices of Senator Kaine and Representative Griffith, as well as Senator Hackworth and Senator Peake.
County representatives shared top areas of concern in a roundtable discussion. Common themes emerging from the discussion included the need for additional support for local EMS to address recruitment, retention, and new regulatory requirements; the need for additional transportation funding to support rural counties; and the importance of additional tools to generate school capital funding. Several county representatives discussed the critical need for housing options as a component of economic development, in addition to business site development. Several attendees expressed strong support for preserving local authority over decisions regarding siting of solar facilities. Several county representatives also highlighted pressures in Children’s Services Act services as an area of concern.
In addition to VACo’s upcoming County Officials’ Summit and Annual Conference, attendees were encouraged to attend the upcoming Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity, which will be held October 29 and 30 in Wytheville.
VACo is grateful to our members, business partners, legislators and staff, Commissioner Guthrie, Floyd County, and the owners and staff at Chateau Morrisette for a productive and informative discussion.
VACo Contact: Katie Boyle