Press Releases

FINCASTLE, VA – Today, Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA) hosted his fall Farm Tour across the southern half of Virginia’s Sixth Congressional District. The tour began with a roundtable breakfast with leaders in the agriculture industry in Raphine, and then visits to Huffman Livestock Margaret Ann Smith Farm in Lexington, C&F Farms (Cox & Frye Farms) in Roanoke, and Bryant Orchards in Fincastle.

In April 2022, Congressman Cline toured several farms in the northern Sixth District and met with Valley farmers to hear their needs and concerns on how decisions in Washington impact their industry.

Congressman Cline is proud that the Sixth District is home to more than 8,000 farms, leading the Commonwealth, and that agriculture is Virginia’s top industry, accounting for 9.5 percent of Virginia’s total gross domestic product, providing 334,000 jobs, with an economic impact of $70 billion annually.

“Whether it be hosting farm tours, pursuing legislation to cut bureaucratic red tape and invest in broadband for rural areas, or fighting for favorable trade deals to export agricultural products, I am committed to engaging with federal agencies on behalf of the agricultural interests of Virginia's Sixth District,” Cline said. “As Congress debates the 2023 Farm Bill next year, it is vital I hear from VA-06 farmers firsthand, and ensure the Federal government assists rather than obstructs our farmers and all those in the agriculture industry across the Nation.”

Congressman Cline speaks with leaders in the agriculture industry at a roundtable breakfast in Raphine, VA, where they discussed the successes of the #1 Agriculture District in Virginia and areas Congress can offer improvement — on supply chain challenges, rising prices, and the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill.

Congressman Cline tours Huffman Livestock Margaret Ann Smith Farm in Lexington, VA, a leader in cattle procurement for over seventy years, specializing in the purchase and sale of feeder cattle. Today, Huffman Livestock provides beef in more than half of the states across the U.S.

Congressman Cline tours C&F Farms in Roanoke, VA, a third-generation family farm in Roanoke that produces food for their community. Started in 1948, C&F has always been quick to adapt, now focusing on sustainable and non-GMO cattle rearing.

Congressman Cline tours Bryant Orchards in Fincastle, VA, which specializes in apple growing, high tunnel produce production as well as cattle farming and hay growing. Since its beginning in 1978, the Bryant family farm has expanded and now has 250 acres of land.

For a comprehensive list of Congressman Cline’s work in Congress and in the District on behalf of the agriculture industry, click here.

Congressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.

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