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Virginia agriculture secretary outlines market-access, conservation and workforce priorities
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Summary
Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Secretary Frazier told the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee the administration will prioritize market access, voluntary conservation incentives and workforce development, and introduced senior staff available to help legislators during the session.
Chair Alfonso Lopez invited the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry to the dais and introduced the administration's priorities for the sector.
Secretary Frazier told the committee the administration will focus on expanding market access and economic development for Virginia producers, protecting working lands through voluntary conservation programs, and investing in the agricultural workforce. “We are dedicated to furthering market, economic development, and promotion efforts, both domestically and internationally,” Frazier said.
Why this matters: Agriculture and forestry are major economic drivers in Virginia, and state policies and funding decisions by this committee could affect exports, conservation programs and labor availability across rural and urban districts.
Frazier outlined three near-term pillars. First, market access and economic development: she said the administration will coordinate with the secretary of commerce and trade, the Port of Virginia and other partners to develop a multiyear farm and forestry prosperity plan to guide opportunities for trade and promotion. Second, conservation: Frazier emphasized voluntary working-lands preservation and expanding funding for agricultural best-management practices and cost-share programs to protect soil and water. Third, workforce development: she described investments in career and technical education, 4-H and FFA and engagement with land grant universities to address labor needs, including H-2A seasonal labor for harvests.
Frazier introduced key staff the secretariat will make available to legislators, including a deputy secretary and agency commissioners, and asked lawmakers to use the office as a resource throughout the session. Committee membership and staff noted the administration’s openness to collaborate on bills and funding measures that advance these goals.
The committee moved to questions following the presentation. Chair Lopez closed the panel by thanking the secretariat and saying the committee would call on agency staff as needed during the session.
