Governor McAuliffe, First Lady Join Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to Announce Virginia Receives Nearly $1.2 Million in Funding to Strengthen Local Food Economies

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~18 local and regional projects receive $1,178,409

to support agriculture economy and access to healthy foods ~

DOSWELL - Governor Terry McAuliffe, First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, and Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore joined U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack at the State Fair of Virginia to announce that the Commonwealth was awarded nearly $1.2 million in USDA funding to support local food economies. Authorized through the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm Bill), Virginia received funding from three participating programs aimed at strengthening organic local and regional food systems through projects that recruit and train farmers, expand economic opportunities, and increase access to healthy foods. 

“The awards announced today will not only help to achieve my goal of building a new Virginia economy through supporting local farmers and entrepreneurs, it will also strengthen Virginia’s largest industry, agriculture, and help bring Virginia’s fresh produce to market,” said Governor Terry McAuliffe. “By collaborating with our private and public sector partners like the USDA, these programs are smart, targeted investments needed to position our economy for new opportunities, especially in agriculture and forestry.”

“Virginia’s agricultural economy plays a significant role in ensuring that all Virginia families and children are fed, and fed well,” added First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe. “By supporting programs that provide Virginians access to healthy foods, both in the home and in our schools, we can create more pathways to economic success for Virginia children and families, and we can generate economic growth in entire communities.”

Virginia received a total of $1,178,409 from three programs to fund 18 projects across the state.  Seven projects developing, expanding, and providing training and technical assistance to direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities received $623,923 in funding from the Farmers Market Promotion Program.  Eight projects received at total of $353,064 from the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) which focuses on processing, distributing, or storing locally or regionally produced food products.  Finally, $201,422 from the Federal State Market Improvement Program was awarded to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to assist three projects in exploring new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products and to encourage research and innovation aimed at improving the efficiency and performance of the marketing system.

“Today’s announcements by Secretary Vilsack provide exciting news for Virginia’s agricultural producers and help to continue the McAuliffe Administration’s efforts to make agriculture a part of building a New Virginia Economy,” said Secretary Todd Haymore.  “As Virginia’s largest industry, agriculture has a role to play in strengthening rural economies and providing healthy, wholesome foods to Virginians as well as consumers around the world.  Grants like the ones announced today help producers engage in value-added processing of their goods while directly reaching consumers, enabling them to retain a larger share of revenue and providing consumers with more local foods.”

The resources announced today will support farmers and small business owners across the Commonwealth, including M. James Faison, owner of Milton’s Local Harvest in Hopewell, who was present at the event.  Receiving a grant from the Local Food Promotion Program, Faison will develop aggregation and wholesale distribution channels for farmers producing local swine and cattle products in Virginia.  The project will improve the commercial access of small to medium scale farmers allowing wholesalers to source locally and increasing consumer access to local, sustainable, and healthy meat.

Earlier today, Secretary Vilsack also joined First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe at Carver Elementary School in Richmond to discuss the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows Virginia public schools to provide their students with free breakfast and lunch. During the visit, Secretary Vilsack also announced that USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is making up to $31.5 million in funding available to help participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) more easily afford healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. For more information on this program, visit www.nifa.usda.gov.

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Governor McAuliffe Announces Administration Appointments (They Just Keep Leaving)

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RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced additional appointments to his administration today. The appointees will join McAuliffe’s administration focused on finding common ground with members of both parties to build a new Virginia economy and create more jobs across the Commonwealth.

Secretariat of Agriculture

Carrie Hileman Chenery, Assistant Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry

Carrie Hileman Chenery most recently served as the Manager of Legislation & Policy for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.  Prior to that, she was a director of government affairs on the government relations team at the law firm Williams Mullen.  Carrie grew up on a family farm in Lexington, Virginia, and received her B.S. in Environmental Policy & Planning and Agricultural & Applied Economics from Virginia Tech.  She also served as Governor’s Fellow in the natural resources secretariat under Governor Kaine and is a graduate of the 2013 Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership Political Leaders Program at the University of Virginia.

Secretariat of Public Safety

Travis Hill, Chief Operating Officer, Virginia Department of Alcholic Beverage Control

Travis Hill was previously reappointed as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry by Governor McAuliffe in January 2014 after serving in the same capacity under Governor McDonnell since July 2011.  Acting in this role, Travis helped to advance the integration of agriculture and forestry into Virginia’s economic development agenda, including the development of the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industry Development Fund (AFID).  Travis worked with Virginia ABC and Virginia wineries, craft breweries and craft distilleries to promote growth in these industries and increase their use of Virginia grown products.  Prior to his appointment to the Administration, Travis worked eight years as an attorney in the Richmond office of Williams Mullen, representing a wide variety of clients before the Virginia General Assembly, the State Corporation Commission and other regulatory bodies, including Virginia ABC. Travis received both his BA and JD degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Secretariat of the Commonwealth

Board Appointments

Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Commission

• Sharon E. Davis of Arlington, Archivist, the Honorable John D. Dingell

Board for Contractors

• Vance T. Ayres of King George, National Coordinator, EIWPF
• Gene E. Magruder of Newport News, Tradesman, Newport News Shipbuilding
• Shawn Mitchell of Broadlands, CEO & President, Modern Mechanical
• Michael D. Redifer of Waynesboro, Building Official, City of Newport News

Board of Visitors of the School for the Deaf and Blind

• Michael P. Asip, Ed.D of Powhatan, Director of Exceptional Education, Chesterfield County Public Schools
• Alice B. Frick* of Staunton, retired teacher, VSDB (1965-1995)
• Ann Latham-Anderson of Crozet, Workforce Manager/Analyst, ChildFund International, Richmond
• John C. Pleasants* of Sandston, retired, Virginia Department of Corrections
• Judy S. Sorrell, M.Ed of Staunton, retired Director of the Shenandoah Valley Regional Program for Special Education; current Director, Community Development for Commonwealth Autism Service
• Paula Young-Johnson of Glen Allen, Sign Language Interpreter, Henrico County Public Schools

Board for Waste Management Facility Operators

• Christopher A. Chiodo of Richmond, Senior District Manager, Waste Management, Inc.
• Justin Williams of Richmond, Director, Office of Waste Permitting & Compliance, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

Legislative Advisory Council to the Southern Regional Education Board

• The Honorable David L. Bulova of Fairfax, Member, Virginia House of Delegates
• The Honorable Janet Denison Howell of Reston, Member, Senate of Virginia
• The Honorable Mamie E. Locke of Hampton, Member, Senate of Virginia
• The Honorable Jennifer L. McClellan of Richmond, Member, Virginia House of Delegates

Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority

• John R. Broderick of Norfolk, President, Old Dominion University

*Denotes reappointment

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Governor McAuliffe Announces Special Election Date for Eric Cantor’s Congressional Seat

. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 Governor Terry McAuliffe signed a writ of elections declaring a special election to replace the congressional seat vacated by Representative Eric Cantor for November 4^th, 2014:

                                                           

“I thank Congressman Cantor for his years of service to Virginia and for his fierce commitment to protecting Virginia’s economic and military assets as majority leader in Congress. Eric Cantor has dedicated his life to public service and I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

“In order to make this transition as smooth as possible for Congressman Cantor’s constituents and use Virginia resources most efficiently, a special election to fill the vacant seat will be held on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4^th, 2014. Holding a special election on this day will ensure that the people of the 7^th District will be represented as soon as practicable during the lame duck session and put Virginia’s congressional delegation in the strongest position possible at the beginning of the next congress.”

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Governor McAuliffe Announces 25 New Jobs in the City of Charlottesville

Official seal of Charlottesville, Virginia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~Leading Online Grocer Relay Foods to Invest $735,000, Increase Sales of Virginia-Sourced Agricultural Products by $3 Million Over Next Three Years~

CHARLOTTESVILLE – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced in the City of Charlottesville that Relay Foods (www.relayfoods.com) will expand its corporate headquarters and Charlottesville fulfillment center to accommodate increased local demand for its products and to support the company’s entry into new markets, including those beyond Virginia.  The company, a leading online grocery store and farmers market, will invest more than $735,000, create 25 new jobs in the City, and increase its Mid-Atlantic sales of Virginia-sourced meats, produce, dairy products, and value-added foods by $3 million over the next three years.  The Commonwealth of Virginia is partnering with the City of Charlottesville and Relay Foods on this project through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID).

Speaking at the company’s site in Charlottesville about today’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “We continue to realize the benefits of fully integrating agriculture and forestry into the state’s strategic economic development platform.  Relay Foods’ announcement today not only creates quality new job opportunities for residents of Charlottesville, it strengthens the ties that this innovative and fast-growing company has to the Commonwealth.  Supporting entrepreneurs with unique and exciting business models is another way for Virginia to grow and diversify our economy, especially with the variety of agricultural producers across the Commonwealth.”

Relay Foods seamlessly integrates more than 200 local farmers and artisan, organic, and conventional producers to deliver high quality, local and gourmet foods and groceries directly to customers.  The company offers a unique and powerful resource for small food producers in Virginia trying to access the market by providing ready access to consumers in the Washington D.C., Richmond and Charlottesville metro areas.  This expansion will allow the company to further meet the growing demands of its consumers.

“I am pleased to see the continued success of the AFID program working with localities and businesses such as Relay Foods, a company that is so focused on promoting Virginia’s fresh, locally-sourced agricultural products, to create new jobs at its operations and new revenue streams for our growers,” said Todd Haymore, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. “This project will allow Relay Foods to enjoy an even wider reach to markets where the exposure of Virginia-grown products will increase and Virginia’s agricultural producers will continue to benefit from new sales opportunities.”

The company, in partnership with Virginia and Charlottesville, will invest in updates to its Charlottesville corporate facility and fulfillment center, the main location for the aggregation, storage, packaging and distribution of all local Virginia meat, cheese and dairy products.   These improvements will strengthen the company’s competitive position in the fast-growing online grocery market.

“Relay Foods has rapidly developed a new approach to putting food on the table here in Charlottesville and beyond,” said Satyendra Singh Huja, Mayor of Charlottesville.  “We are proud of the company’s success and its ability to deliver innovation to the marketplace."

Governor McAuliffe approved a $50,000 grant from the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID) to assist the City of Charlottesville with the project.  Relay Foods is also committing to purchase at least $350,000 worth of meats, produce, dairy products and other foods from Virginia producers over the next three years.  Through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, Relay Foods will receive additional funding and services to support its training and retraining activities.

“At Relay Foods, our goal is to strengthen the local food economy in every community we serve, and we have been able to grow and thrive in Virginia based on our strong partnerships with producers across the state,” said Zach Buckner, Co-founder and CEO of Relay Foods. “We look forward to using this AFID grant to continue exploring innovative ways to connect our customers with the fresh and local foods produced by Virginia growers and artisans.“

"Coming from bucolic Virginia, I know the importance of a strong agricultural supply chain and appreciate the dedication to local, small producers in this region," said Senator Creigh Deeds, D- Bath County.  “The Governor’s continued support and partnership on economic development opportunities like the AFID program help communities across Virginia, and I am particularly pleased about the positive regional impact this announcement has today.”

Delegate David Toscano, D-Charlottesville, added, “Today’s announcement is a testament to the work the Governor and my colleagues in the General Assembly have done to diversify our economy and foster strong companies like Relay Foods in Virginia.  Their continued investment in Charlottesville and the ripple effect to the agricultural community and regional customer base are an exciting win for Virginia today.”

According to a 2013 economic impact study conducted by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, agriculture and forestry are two of Virginia’s largest industries with a combined economic impact of $70 billion annually.  Agriculture generates more than $52 billion per annum, while forestry induces over $17 billion.  The industries also provide more than 400,000 jobs in the Commonwealth.

About the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund

The AFID Fund was created during the 2012 session of the General Assembly and is being embraced by the McAuliffe Administration as an important tool in growing the Commonwealth’s agriculture and forestry sector and helping to make Virginia the leading exporter of agricultural and forest products on the East Coast.  More information about the AFID grant, which has the flexibility to assist projects large and small throughout Virginia, can be found at http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/agribusiness/afid.shtml.

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Governor McAuliffe Announces First Shipment of Poultry Exports to China from Virginia in Seven Years

National emblem of the People's Republic of China (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~ China Lifted Long-Standing Ban on Virginia Poultry Products in May; Commonwealth Estimates at least $20 Million in New Exports to China in 2014 ~

NORFOLK – Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that after almost seven years Virginia poultry exports resumed to the People’s Republic of China, with the first shipment leaving Perdue Foods Incorporated’s cold-storage export facility in Norfolk.  This shipment from Perdue’s facility includes chicken wing tips, which will leave the Port of Virginia on Friday, and is expected to arrive in Shenzhen, Guangdong State, China on August 3^rd.  The Governor, who witnessed the poultry products being loaded at the Perdue facility, was joined by Perdue Foods Vice President, International Carlos Ayala and Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore.  Perdue anticipates increasing its volumes shipped from Virginia by roughly 35% this year as a result of the ban being lifted.

Commenting on the now-resumed poultry export business to China, Governor McAuliffe said, “I am thrilled to see poultry products being exported from Virginia to China for the first time since 2007.  I made having the long-standing ban removed a top economic priority of my administration, so I wanted to be in Norfolk to witness firsthand the vessel being loaded.  The resumption of business means more trade and revenue generation opportunities for Virginia’s poultry industry and the many related businesses that work to move product from our family farms into the global marketplace.  This will also bring significant benefits to the Port of Virginia, an entity that I want to become the East Coast capital for agricultural and forestry product exports.”

In 2007, following an isolated case of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) reported on a single farm in Virginia, China placed a ban on all poultry produced in Virginia, poultry transiting through Virginia, and poultry that is exported from any port in Virginia.  Virginia and federal officials contended that China’s ban was not justified by scientific data, as the isolated LPAI occurrence did not pose a food safety or poultry health risk.  Because of the ban, Virginia had been excluded from taking advantage of business in this high growth market.  China is currently one of the top foreign markets for U.S. poultry, purchasing more than $416 million last year, with Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina as leading suppliers. 

Secretary Haymore noted, “Today’s shipment marks a great day for Virginia’s poultry industry and Virginia’s growing relationship with China, our largest export customer of agricultural and forestry products.  We estimate conservatively that Virginia will see at least $20 million in poultry exports to China during the first full year the market is open, but we’re hoping to far exceed that number. We have great assets that will allow us to accomplish that goal including: Virginia’s existing business with China; the Governor’s commitment to expanding that business; our agricultural trade representative in Shanghai working to generate new sales leads; and an aggressive poultry industry producing high quality and wholesome products. I am confident that we have the infrastructure in place to quickly re-establish Virginia as one of China’s top poultry purchasers.”

On May 5, Chinese and U.S. officials notified the McAuliffe Administration that the ban, instituted in July 2007, was rescinded by China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and China’s Ministry of Agriculture (MOA).  From January until late April, Governor McAuliffe and Secretary Haymore met and worked with numerous partners to lift the ban, including: Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Cui Tiankai; U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus; U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack; and U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Michael Froman.  The McAuliffe administration’s focus on resolving this trade issue built upon work that Virginia officials, including former Governor Bob McDonnell, Senator Mark Warner, Senator Tim Kaine, Congressman Eric Cantor (R-VA 7^th), Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA 6^th), and Congressman Robert Hurt (R-VA 5^th), among others, did over the last seven years to re-open the Chinese market to Virginia poultry.  Hobey Bauhan of the Virginia Poultry Federation and Jim Sumner of the U.S.A. Poultry & Egg Export Council were also instrumental in Virginia’s work with U.S. authorities and Chinese government officials.

China ranked as the number one market for Virginia’s agricultural exports in 2013 with more than $580 million in purchases.  However, the country’s market has remained closed to Virginia poultry products for the past seven years.  The total value of Virginia poultry exports exceeded $186 million in 2013, with China absent as a major potential market for Virginia.  Agricultural and forestry exports from Virginia reached a record high of $2.85 billion in 2013.

The poultry industry is the largest individual sector of Virginia’s agriculture industry.  With annual farm cash receipts in excess of $950 million, poultry accounts for more than 30 percent of all Virginia's cash receipts from agriculture.  Virginia's poultry industry depends on fair access to foreign markets in order to support continued prosperity.

According to a 2013 economic impact study conducted by Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, agriculture is Virginia’s largest industry, generating more than $52 billion per annum. The industry also provides more than 310,000 jobs in the Commonwealth.

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Governor McAuliffe Awards Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund

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Governor McAuliffe Awards Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund Planning Grants to Communities in Central and Southern Virginia

~ Latest Round of AFID Planning Grants Furthers Two Local Food Projects, Supports County Effort to Grow Poultry Industry in the State ~

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced that three projects - two to make locally grown produce available year round and one seeking to bring a major poultry producer to Southside Virginia - were awarded $60,000 in planning grants from the Governor’s Agriculture & Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID). The AFID planning grant program encourages local governments to work with the agricultural community to identify projects and opportunities that can bring important benefits to local producers, and the community as a whole.

“Supporting Virginia’s diverse agricultural and forestry sectors is a great way to expand and diversify our economy,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Assisting localities in identifying potential new projects and implementing programs that strengthen agriculture and forestry in their communities and will contribute to building a 21^st Century Virginia economy. Laying the foundation for possibly larger future projects in these communities, the relatively small, but important, amount of state support provided today allows localities to plan strategically and creatively about how to incorporate two of the state’s largest industries into their economic development efforts.”

The AFID planning grant program, funded annually at $250,000, was developed in 2012 to encourage local and regional governments to think strategically about how they can better support and integrate agriculture and forestry-based industries into their community’s overall economic development efforts. The planning grants are part of the larger Governor’s AFID program, an economic development tool specifically for agriculture and forestry value-added or processing projects. AFID economic development grants are available for political subdivisions of the Commonwealth interested in growing their agriculture and forestry industries by strategically targeting businesses that add value to Virginia grown agriculture and forestal products.

“Partnering with local governments to leverage their resources and innovative ideas on growing and supporting Virginia’s agriculture and forestry industries, like we do with our AFID program, is good policy;” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd P. Haymore. “From innovative facilities that preserve locally grown produce for sale throughout the year to recruiting a major new industry to Southside, the projects funded today highlight the innovation and diversity of Virginia agriculture. Benefits from allowing localities to explore and capitalize on these kinds of opportunities have the potential to be felt throughout the business chain, from the individual producer level to the value-adding enterprise."

Applications for AFID planning grants are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the fiscal year. Successful funding requests must show a clear need to be addressed, a solution to be undertaken, demonstrate strong support from local government and the agriculture and forestry community, and be able to match each dollar requested with a dollar of local government funds, or allowable in-kind contributions. Localities interested in applying may visit http://vdacs.virginia.gov/agribusiness/planning.shtml or contact Stephen Versen at stephen.versen@vdacs.virginia.gov or804.786.6911 for more information.

According to a 2013 economic impact study conducted by the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, agriculture and forestry are two of Virginia's largest industries, with a combined economic impact of $70 billion annually.  Agriculture generates more than $52 billion per annum, while forestry induces over $17 billion. The industries also provide more than 400,000 jobs in the Commonwealth.

Details on the three grant awards are below:

1.     Project Title:  Local Food Initiative

Applicant:      Franklin County

Award:           $15,000

Summary:      Franklin County is seeking an AFID Planning Grant to help Ferrum College implement a shared vision for making locally produced food a part of the County’s economic development strategy.  Included in the project is the operation of a flash freezer and storage freezer that will assist in furthering use of local food production.  This equipment will allow the College to double their purchases of local foods, increasing their local sourcing for campus food from an already impressive 30% to 60% from Virginia producers.  In 2012, Ferrum College’s Dining Services purchased $250,000 worth of product from local producers.  The roughly $100,000 project is also benefitting from $49,402 in Tobacco Commission funds.  The project will allow for at least one Full-Time Equivalent position on campus and provide additional access to local foods for their 1,500 primarily-residential students and 300 faculty and staff.  Ferrum is also working with Franklin County Public Schools on a pilot basis to provide fresh, local food to them as well.

2.     Project Title: Virginia Produced: A Light Processing and Flash Freezing Hub for Virginia-Grown Produce

Applicant:      City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County

Award:           $35,000

Summary:      This project will yield an actionable business plan for a flash freezing and light food processing hub, building on a feasibility study already completed by the Jefferson Area Board for Aging. The resulting business entity would source Albemarle County and Virginia-grown produce supplied by the Local Food Hub and distribute flash frozen bulk and retail packs and prepared meals to institutional customers such as the University of Virginia, Virginia Area Agencies on Aging, and specialty grocery retailers such as Whole Foods.  Growers stand to benefit through greater demand for their crops and exposure to new purchasers.  Local, wholesome food could be available year round for consumption by the local community.

3.     Project Title: Integrated Poultry Industry Feasibility Study

Applicant:      Pittsylvania County

Award:           $10,000

Summary:      To conduct an in-depth and independent feasibility study focused on attracting integrated poultry companies to Pittsylvania County.  The study will inventory which companies are considering expanding, how and where a poultry complex could be located, which attributes of an area are attractive to poultry companies, and how the county can enhance its profile and marketing strategies to lobby these poultry companies.  This feasibility study and the data it produces will be utilized to develop promotional pieces and to assist the county in the manner best suited to invite an integrator to Southern Virginia. 

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