A New Future
Family farms and small businesses keep the Fifth working. Virginia agriculture brings in over eighty billion dollars and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs. Most farms here are family-run, producing cattle, poultry, hay, timber, fruit, flowers, and specialty crops. Local brands like Virginia Grown and Virginia Verified Beef show how strong our communities are when more profit stays close to home instead of landing in the pockets of big corporations.
But too many local producers lose time and money dealing with delays, permits, inspections, and relief that comes too late, if it comes at all. When local processors are backlogged or shut out, farmers often have to send livestock and crops out of state just to reach buyers. Shortages of large animal vets add cost and risk. We need clear, simple rules, more local options for processing, and insurance and disaster aid that match how our farms really work instead of what Washington thinks they should look like.
What Congress Can Do
- Cut pointless delays so farmers, processors, and small businesses can plan their seasons and keep more profit at home.
- Back local and regional meat and specialty crop processing so more of what we grow stays right here.
- Support local vet training and services so family farms have the herd care they need without relying on big corporate outfits.
- Protect direct-to-consumer sales, farmers markets, and co-ops so small producers aren’t buried in red tape or forced out by giant players.
- Fix insurance and disaster relief so they match the real mix of farms here — cattle, hay, poultry, produce, timber, and more — not just massive operations far away.
- Stop unfair trade practices that let big corporations squeeze out local growers and family businesses.
What Congress Cannot Do Alone
- It can’t run your farm or business, but it can stop writing rules that make it harder for the little guy to survive.
- It can’t control the weather or animal diseases, but it can make sure relief is fair, fast, and reaches people who need it.
What I Will Do
- I will push to break down federal barriers that hold back local processing, direct sales, and small business growth.
- I’ll press Washington to keep agencies on time so people can plan ahead and pay their bills without needless delays.
- I’ll support local solutions that help keep more value here at home, whether you raise cattle, grow apples and flowers, manage timber, or sell specialty crops.
- I’ll stand up for fair access to local vets and herd care so family farms are not boxed out by big corporations or pointless rules.