Op-eds

Agriculture defines Virginia’s Sixth District. It shapes our communities, drives our economy, and reflects the character of the people who call the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding regions home.

Across rural Virginia, hard work is not a slogan, it is a way of life. Families rise before dawn, steward their land, care for livestock, and ensure their farms can be passed down to the next generation. That commitment is why the Sixth District remains one of the most productive agricultural regions in the Commonwealth.

Growing up in Rockbridge County, I was involved in 4-H, where I learned firsthand the importance of leadership, responsibility, and hard work. Those lessons stayed with me. They continue to guide my work in Congress and remind me that the values learned on farms and in rural communities, discipline, integrity, and perseverance, are the same values that keep our country strong.

Agriculture is the backbone of Virginia’s economy. Today, it generates more than $82 billion in annual economic activity and supports over 381,000 jobs statewide. 

Virginia is home to approximately 39,000 farms covering 7.3 million acres, and about 95 percent of them are family-owned operations. These farms produce everything from poultry and beef to apples, dairy, grains, and specialty crops, feeding families across the nation while strengthening local economies here at home.

Here in Virginia’s Sixth District, agriculture remains a cornerstone of our regional economy. Local farmers generate more than $1.4 billion in agricultural output each year and support hundreds of millions of dollars in wages for hardworking Virginians. These are not just numbers on a spreadsheet. They represent families who invest their lives in feeding our nation and preserving the rural way of life that defines our region.

National Agriculture Month gives us an opportunity to recognize the men and women behind that success. Farmers, ranchers, producers, and young agricultural leaders work tirelessly to sustain our food supply, strengthen our economy, and protect our rural heritage. Their work is essential not only to Virginia, but also to our nation’s economic strength and food security.

In Congress, I remain committed to advancing policies that support our agricultural community. That includes reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens, expanding market opportunities for American producers, strengthening crop insurance programs, and ensuring that family farms remain viable for generations to come. I am also proud to support organizations that invest in the next generation of agricultural leaders, including the Future Farmers of America.

Virginia’s farmers do more than grow crops and raise livestock. They sustain communities, preserve our land, and uphold the values that built this country.

This National Agriculture Month, we recognize an industry that feeds our families, powers our economy, and anchors the future of Virginia’s Sixth District. Just as importantly, we renew our commitment to stand with the farmers and families who keep America strong.