On Tuesday, the Congresswoman Toured Operations, Met with Producers and Farm Families, & Discussed How to Best Represent These Virginians at the 2023 Farm Bill Negotiating Table

***DOWNLOADABLE PHOTOS: Spanberger Tours Farms in Caroline & King George Counties, Discusses Virginia’s 2023 Farm Bill Priorities**

WOODBRIDGE, Va. — On Tuesday, August 1, U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger — the only Member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee from Virginia — hosted a five-stop Farm Tour across Caroline and King George Counties to hear directly from Virginia producers about their challenges and priorities amid 2023 Farm Bill negotiations.

During her Farm Tour, Spanberger met with local farmers and producers to discuss Farm Bill priorities — including continued support for federal crop insurance, voluntary conservation programs, strengthening ag research, and building out Virginia agribusinesses. Throughout her tour, she was joined by representatives from Colonial Farm Credit, Farm Credit of the Virginias, the Virginia Farm Bureau, and the Virginia Agribusiness Council.

“As both the only Virginian on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee and the Ranking Member of the Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology Subcommittee, every conversation I have with Virginia farmers and producers informs my work on Capitol Hill. Especially during a Farm Bill year as negotiations are ongoing, these discussions are invaluable,” said Spanberger. “At each stop on our Farm Tour, I heard directly from those on the ground about opportunities, challenges, and areas where the federal government can support the producers who feed and fuel our country. Hearing the firsthand experiences of these Virginians, seeing how federal programs are implemented in day-to-day operations, and gaining firsthand knowledge helps me work to advance the priorities of the farmers and producers who call Virginia’s Seventh District home — and I will have these priorities in mind as we continue to put together the 2023 Farm Bill.”

Spanberger first visited Newmarket Farm, a grain and vegetable operation in Caroline County. Owned and Operated by Robby and Ada Caruthers,Newmarket supplies locally-grown vegetables, like sweet corn and tomatoes, to grocers across the region.

Spanberger then visited Mill Creek Farms at Camden — the site of the 2022 Virginia Ag Expo. At Mill Creek, the Davis family runs a corn and soybean operation.

Spanberger’s third stop was Aspen Grove Farm, a women-owned farm in King George County. Janet Harris, who runs Aspen Grove, currently serves as the President of the Eastern Virginia Cattlemen Association.

On her fourth stop, Spanberger visited a grain farm in Caroline County owned and operated by Jenna and Zach Miller. Earlier this year, Jenna sat on a panel at Spanberger’sFarm Bill Summit and discussed the challenges facing beginning farmers.

Spanberger’s fifth and final stop was Charity Hill Farms in Caroline County. At Charity Hill, Spanberger learned more about their local grain and feed operation — as well as their direct-to-consumer beef.

BACKGROUND

In April, Spanberger hosted her 2023 Farm Bill Summit in Caroline County to hear directly from Virginia crop and livestock producers about their priorities as Farm Bill negotiations continue.

Later that month, the Congresswoman toured several farm and cattle operations in Culpeper, Madison, and Greene Counties to hear about the challenges they face — as well as to discuss opportunities ahead.

Spanberger was recently ranked as the most effective Member of Congress — in either the U.S. House or U.S. Senate — on agriculture issues.

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