WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Virginia Organizations & Leaders Applaud Spanberger’s Work in Office to Support Virginia’s Producers & Agribusinesses, Protect Food Security

In 2023, Spanberger Was Ranked the Most Effective Lawmaker on Agriculture Issues in Entire Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Throughout her six years in Congress, U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger has been a steadfast advocate for Virginia’s farmers and producers — earning widespread recognition from agriculture organizations and leaders across the Commonwealth.

As the only Virginian on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee and Ranking Member of the Committee’s Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology Subcommittee, Spanberger has been focused on advancing priorities important to Virginia’s crop and livestock producers. She has championed efforts to support farmers, their families, and the rural economy. In Congress, Spanberger has met with local producers and visited their operations to talk about the challenges and opportunities before them. Additionally, Spanberger has long been committed to improving food security for Virginia families, students, and children.

As Spanberger’s time in Congress comes to a close, local producers, leaders, and advocates from the Virginia Farm Bureau, Virginia Cattlemen’s Association, Carter Farms, the Virginia Loggers Association, Farm Credit of the Virginias, Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank, George Washington Carver Agricultural Research Center, the National CACFP Sponsors Association, and No Kid Hungry Virginia have expressed their gratitude for her efforts to support Virginia producers and protect food assistance programs for families.

“Virginia Farm Bureau appreciates the working relationship we have built with Rep. Spanberger over the last six years. From her first weeks in office, Rep. Spanberger made it a priority to meet with Farm Bureau and our members to better understand how Congress can support the agriculture and forestry industries,” said Wayne F. Pryor, President, Virginia Farm Bureau. “She has visited with farmers across the Commonwealth, held roundtables on farm issues, and cosponsored key legislation ensuring farmers have a legislative and regulatory environment that lets them produce the food and fiber that provides for Virginia’s families and economy. We thank Rep. Spanberger for her service over the last six years and for being a friend and advocate for Virginia’s farmers.”

“Virginia cattle producers could not have asked for a stronger or more effective advocate in Congress than Congresswoman Spanberger,” said Brandon Reeves, Executive Director, Virginia’s Cattlemen’s Association. “We want to thank the Congresswoman and her incredible staff for always looking out for our herd. She is a true ‘top hand’ for Virginia’s cattle industry.”

“Rep. Spanberger has actively engaged and more importantly listened to and sought the opinions of Carter Farms, and farmers like us, to hear the concerns of small farmers, black farmers and conservation minded farmers,” said Michael Carter Jr., Executive Director, Carter Farms LLC. “She actively listened to our concerns around renewable energy legislation, land grant university funding, farm bill needs and considerations, as well as supported us in writing letters of support for grants, of which we received 4 under the Spanberger terms. Those 4 grants, under two different organizations, were the only agricultural/technical assistance funding provided for the region, that reached more than 1200 small scale, and socially disadvantaged farmers in the state. We are going to miss her, her staff, and their support for local farmers in this capacity.”

“We have appreciated the hard work of Rep. Spanberger when it comes to challenges facing loggers and Virginia’s forest products industry, including skyrocketing costs, and unsteady markets,” said Ron Jenkins, Executive Director, Virginia Loggers Association. “We want to thank Rep. Spanberger for attending numerous working sessions with our logging business leaders during her time in Congress, and we look forward to working with her to provide sustainable forestry products for future generations.”

“As the only Virginian on the House Agriculture Committee, Representative Spanberger has worked tirelessly to understand the issues that impact Virginia’s number one industry of agriculture and forestry, and the role that Farm Credit plays in supporting agriculture and our rural communities,” said Katie Frazier, Chief Brand Officer, Farm Credit of the Virginias. “She has spent countless hours joining us in visiting directly with Virginia farmers on their agricultural operations across her district, sought feedback in order to support Farm Credit’s mission, and provided a practical approach to addressing the issues that impact Virginia producers. Farm Credit of the Virginias thanks Rep. Spanberger for her work on behalf of agriculture, forestry, and Farm Credit!”

“Congresswoman Spanberger has consistently demonstrated her support for Extension initiatives at the Carver Center in Culpeper County,” said Carl Stafford, Senior Extension Agent, Virginia Cooperative Extension. “She recognizes the vital role agriculture plays in our diverse community, as well as the significance of the robust programs offered by 4-H and FCS.”

“Rep. Spanberger has been an unwavering champion for food insecure families throughout her time in Congress. Serving on the House Agriculture Committee, she has consistently protected SNAP from harmful cuts, ensuring our nation’s frontline nutrition program remains strong during a period of rising prices and growing demand for food assistance,” said Eddie Oliver, Executive Director, Federation of Virginia Food Banks. “Rep. Spanberger also made it a priority to reduce childhood hunger in America. She worked with her colleagues to ensure schools had the flexibility and resources they needed to continue serving families during the pandemic, and she supported the creation of our first new Federal nutrition program in decades – Summer EBT. This program allows families to buy a little more at the grocery store during the summer when kids no longer have access to school meals. On behalf of our seven-member food banks and 1,100 partner agencies serving more than 700,000 people every year, we are grateful for Rep. Spanberger’s unwavering shared commitment to the mission of improving nutrition security and empowering strong, healthy communities.”

“We have always found Rep. Spanberger to be a strong ally in our efforts to improve food security for those in our region,” said Dan Maher, President and CEO, Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank. “She has shown a keen interest in deepening her understanding of factors that contribute to food insecurity and working within Congress to develop common sense solutions to improve food access locally, regionally, and nationally.”

“I am a Veteran and have lived in Culpeper County — a small portion of the Virginia’s Seventh Congressional District — my entire life. Seeing someone like Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, who works for the whole of her district, is like a breath of fresh air,” said Charles Jameson, Board Member, George Washington Carver Agricultural Research Center Committee. “As a member of the George Washington Carver Agricultural Research Center Committee, I saw what the Carver Center meant to the 4 counties of Culpeper, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock, and how Congresswoman Spanberger gave willingly of her time, energy, and position to bring needed funds and help make it a vibrant attraction. I look forward to continuing to work with Congresswoman Spanberger on other projects that will bring attention to the rich history of the Seventh District.”

“The National CACFP Sponsors Association appreciates Representative Spanberger’s support for child nutrition programs that are critical for combating hunger among our nation’s most vulnerable populations,” said Lisa Mack, President and CEO, National CACFP Sponsors Association. “We are thankful for Representative Spanberger’s commitment to ensuring millions of children and adults across the U.S. remain nutrition secure and we look forward to continuing her legacy to increase access to nutritious meals through the Child and Adult Care Food Program.”

“During her time in Congress, Rep. Spanberger has continuously fought to ensure kids have the healthy food they need and families have the economic opportunities they deserve,” said Sarah Steely, Director, No Kid Hungry Virginia. “From working to ensure school nutrition professionals have the resources and flexibilities to provide school meals to all kids who need them, to advocating for an expanded Child Tax Credit that would help lift children and families out of poverty – we have been honored to work alongside her towards a bright future for all Virginians.”

BACKGROUND

In Congress, Spanberger has been committed to delivering results for Virginia’s crop and livestock producers. In March 2023, the nonpartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking ranked Spanberger as the most effective Member of Congress — in either the U.S. House or U.S. Senate — on issues pertaining to agriculture. The Virginia Farm Bureau also awarded Spanberger their “Friend of Farm Bureau Award” for her record of supporting Virginia’s crop and livestock producers. In December 2022, President Biden signed into law Spanberger’s bipartisan Growing Climate Solutions Act to break down barriers for farmers, ranchers, and foresters interested in participating in carbon markets and embracing voluntary, climate-smart practices.Spanberger also spearheaded a $20 billion investment in American agriculture and conservation through provisions of her bipartisan REAP Improvement Act and Climate Stewardship Act that were signed into law as part of the Inflation Reduction Act.

Spanberger has long been working to bring Virginia’s farmers to the decision-making table. In April 2023, Spanberger hosted a Farm Bill Summit in Caroline County to hear directly from crop and livestock producers, farm groups, conservation organizations, and rural advocates amid ongoing Farm Bill negotiations. In January 2024, Spanberger hosted a roundtable discussion in Orange County to hear directly from Black and socially disadvantaged farmers who face challenges raising capital, expanding operations, and accessing federal support networks — and often face discrimination from the federal government leading to loan denials, unfair terms, and delayed processing of applications.

Spanberger has also worked to protect and strengthen key nutrition programs. In June 2023, Spanberger hosted a roundtable discussion to hear directly from Virginia food bank and food pantry representatives, Directors of Social Services, local healthcare leaders, Virginians who have used nutrition programs, and nutrition advocates about their priorities related to food security.

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