Local delegates attend Farm Bureau annual convention

Norman Hofmeyer, Dottie Hofmeyer and Gloria Beil of Charles City-James City-New Kent-York County Farm Bureau were among 284 delegates who helped formulate legislative policies during the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation 2012 annual convention held in Chantilly, Nov. 27-29.

The delegates adopted policy positions to guide Farm Bureau’s legislative direction during the 2013 General Assembly. Issues that were addressed included the agriculture best management practices cost-share program; funding for soil and water conservation districts; increased funding for the state portion of the state/federal coyote control programs; and continuing support for landowners’ property rights.

Gov. Bob McDonnell recognized Farm Bureau members, who helped encourage state legislators and voters to support an amendment to Virginia’s constitution and to protect landowners from eminent domain abuse. The amendment passed on Nov. 6 by nearly 75 percent. County Farm Bureau members mailed more than 14,000 postcards to their state legislators last winter and distributed more than 10,000 “Vote ‘Yes’ on Question 1” yard signs this fall prior to the election.

Along with setting legislative priorities, delegates re-elected VFBF president Wayne F. Pryor of Goochland County to a fourth two-year term. Scott Sink, who farms in Franklin County, was elected VFBF vice president and also will serve a two-year term. He succeeds Edward A. Scharer of Albemarle County, who did not seek re-election.
CC-JC-NK-YK County Farm Bureau is one of 88 county Farm Bureaus in the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.