October 22, 2009

Virginia Farm Bureau introduces ‘Real Dirt’ video blog

RICHMOND—As part of Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s effort to voice legislative concerns, the state’s largest farm organization has launched its first-ever video blog.

Titled “The Real Dirt,” the site went live Oct. 20 on YouTube and VaFarmBureau.org. The weekly blog will contain one-minute video commentaries from some of Farm Bureau’s 36,000 producer members, as well as from staff who work in relevant specialty areas.

“The primary purpose is to afford us quicker reaction time to criticism or misinformation about the agriculture industry, but it also will allow us to be more proactive about many other important issues,” explained VFBF Communications Director Greg Hicks.

Topics will include both state and national legislation and proposed legislation, as well as educational information.

The first segment explains Farm Bureau’s stance on the Cap and Trade issue. The U.S. House of Representatives has passed an energy tax bill commonly called “cap and trade” because it sets federal limits on carbon emissions and would establish a trading system for energy.

Farm Bureau members in Virginia and nationwide object to the plan, believing it will harm their businesses, increase the cost of energy and food for all Americans, and be ineffective in influencing climate change.

The bill is being debated in the Senate, and Farm Bureau members are contacting members of Congress through the “Don’t Cap our Future” campaign.

The next blog entry will focus on the animal welfare issue where critics of animal agriculture believe farm animals should be treated more like pets. Farm Bureau contends that proven animal husbandry practices and animal welfare regulations already in place are sufficient to keep farm animals comfortable and healthy.

Later, the organization will cover the financial problems facing the dairy industry. Other topics to be addressed include proposed new Chesapeake Bay regulations and the federal deficit.

“Farm Bureau is facing perhaps more critical issues than at any time in our 83-year history,” Hicks said. “We need to be out there on all fronts, utilizing blogs and social media as well as the more traditional means of communication like TV, newspapers and magazines.”

Contact Hicks at 804-290-1139, or go to VaFarmBureau.org or YouTube and type in therealdirtva.