Actions on Agriculture

A core pillar of the economy for Virginia’s Ninth District is agriculture.

Whether they raise corn or cattle, cut timber or Christmas trees, agricultural producers all play a vital role in rural America’s success.

Thanks to our agricultural communities, we can deliver fresh produce, supply grocery stores, feed American families, spur small business economic activity, support local communities and so much more.

Given these meaningful contributions, I explore opportunities in Congress to support America’s agricultural sector.

Often that means voting for better federal policy.

In April, I voted for a bill that helps strengthen the farming industry in Virginia’s Ninth District.

H.R. 7567 – the Farm, Food, and National Security Act provides funding resources for farmers.

The farm bill helps institutions like Virginia Tech with federal funding through various research grant opportunities.

The farm bill creates a pilot program for badly needed additional custom slaughter establishments. Small meat-processing facilities may be able to sell their meat inside the Commonwealth of Virginia as long as their product has a label that says the product is not inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Further, the farm bill promotes 21st century technologies to help farmers modernize their operations to make them more efficient.

I believe there are some very positive provisions that will help Virginia farmers. That is why the bill has support from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Virginia Agribusiness Councill and the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, among others.

After Republicans helped pass this critical legislation for rural America, it awaits action in the Senate. I will continue to encourage Congressional action on policies that benefit our American farmers.

Not only do I support Congressional action, but I also work with the Trump Administration to help deliver better outcomes for Virginia’s farmers.

Such was the case this year as the Commonwealth has faced harmful weather events.

In response to frost and freeze events during the spring that impacted many farms, Virginia requested a Secretarial Disaster Designation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

I helped lead efforts in Virginia’s congressional delegation to urge USDA Secretary Rollins to approve Virginia’s request.

In June, Secretary Rollins granted our request! Many Virginia farmers who suffered crop losses from the spring can now access emergency loan assistance.

Further, severe drought this summer has caused additional challenges.

Governor Spanberger has urged Virginians to conserve water as Virginia faces its driest period since 1941.

Secretary Rollins approved parts of Virginia to be eligible for federal drought relief, with Tazewell County receiving a primary natural disaster area designation. Bland, Buchanan, Russell and Smyth Counties may also request federal drought assistance.

As growing season challenges and record temperatures threaten to destabilize farming operations, I will continue my advocacy at the federal level for farming community access to federal disaster resources.

Our farmers need access to more than just resources. They need access to opportunity.

That is why President Trump continues to work on trade deals that create opportunities for the American farming industry to market its products globally.

Trump’s trade actions have improved American beef producers’ access to markets in Southeast Asia.

All the while, we continue to monitor the situation with South American beef.

Due to the deteriorating relationship with China caused by many factors, trade negotiations have been tougher.

In those negotiations, I have joined lawmakers in writing to President Trump to protect American tobacco.

One complication is likely that the Chinese Communist Party controls the expansive Chinese tobacco industry.

For many years, China was among the U.S. trade partners that annually purchased as much as 80 million pounds of American tobacco.

However, China made clear it would not buy America’s superior quality flue-cured tobacco from the 2025 crop. This announcement spelled unease and trouble for Virginia’s tobacco producers.

Accordingly, I am supportive of President Trump’s efforts to ensure fair treatment of American farmers and expanded market access for our farming products.

Some have not fared as well with the tariffs, and Congress is working to ameliorate those issues. Affecting our region is the export of timber products.

Whether it is crops, livestock, timber or other items, America’s agricultural sector creates the best quality products in the world. Accordingly, it is only right for them to get a fair shake.

I will continue working in Congress to promote policy outcomes that make farming operations in the U.S. more sustainable, less costly and more successful.

If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at https://morgangriffith.house.gov/. Also on my website is the latest material from my office, including information on votes recently taken on the floor of the House of Representatives.