Loudoun County Attends Virginia Farm Bureau Legislative Day
Loudoun County Farm Bureau board members meet with Senator Srinivasan for the 2026 VFBF Legistlative Day.
Earlier this week, members of the Loudoun County Farm Bureau traveled to Richmond to participate in the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Legislative Day at the State Capitol. Representing Loudoun County were President Avis Renshaw, Vice President Pam Jones, and Board Member Tia Earman.
Legislative Day provides an important opportunity for Farm Bureau members from across the Commonwealth to meet directly with state legislators, share the perspectives of working farmers, and advocate for policies that protect and strengthen Virginia agriculture. The day was filled with meaningful conversations, thoughtful questions, and productive engagement with delegates and senators on issues that directly impact farmland and farm viability in Loudoun County and beyond.
This year, several key legislative priorities guided our discussions. We spoke extensively about solar siting and agrivoltaics, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful policies that balance renewable energy goals with the preservation of productive agricultural land. As solar development continues to expand across Virginia, it is critical that projects are sited responsibly and in ways that protect prime soils and long-term food production.
We also addressed legislation related to data center development and the growing impact these facilities can have on farmland, natural resources, and rural communities. With Loudoun County at the center of data center growth, we highlighted the need for careful planning and policies that consider land use, infrastructure demands, and the protection of agricultural economies.
In addition, we took time to educate legislators on an issue that has not yet received sufficient attention in Virginia: the land application of biosolids containing PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals.” We discussed the serious risks posed by mismanaged biosolids and referenced the devastating impacts seen in states like Maine, where PFAS contamination has rendered farmland unusable and disrupted farming families’ livelihoods. Proactive awareness and responsible policy are essential to preventing similar outcomes here in Virginia.
Loudoun board members left Richmond encouraged by the openness of our legislators and grateful for the opportunity to advocate on behalf of Loudoun County farmers. Direct engagement between policymakers and those who steward the land is essential to ensuring that agricultural voices remain part of the conversation as Virginia continues to grow and evolve.
We are proud to represent our local farming community and remain committed to protecting the future of agriculture in Loudoun County.