Strengthen the Spirit of Virginia

Seal of the Governor
For Immediate Release: March 15, 2022
Contacts: Office of the Governor: Macaulay Porter, Macaulay.Porter@governor.virginia.gov | Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Contact: Michael Wallace Email: michael.wallace@vdacs.virginia.gov

Governor Glenn Youngkin To Deliver Remarks at 2022 Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade

RICHMOND, VA –  Governor Glenn Youngkin is pleased to announce the 2022 Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade taking place Tuesday, March 29, 2022. This annual event brings together policymakers, agriculture and forestry businesses, and academic leaders to highlight the vital role of agriculture and forestry in Virginia’s international trade landscape. The conference is a partnership between the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), Virginia Port Authority, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, and the Virginia Tech Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. The Governor will also announce final figures for agricultural and forestry exports from Virginia for 2021.

“The export market is bright for Virginia’s agricultural and forestry industries. As the Commonwealth’s first and third largest private sector industries, agriculture and forestry have a lead role in stimulating economic growth in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Youngkin. “I’m looking forward to discussing the importance of agriculture exports for the Commonwealth’s economy, our efforts to strengthen trade partnerships and developing export opportunities for Virginia agriculture and forestry products.”
 
The Honorable Dr. Jewel Bronaugh, USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, will provide an update on trade and domestic policies to strengthen the American agricultural economy.
 
“The importance of Virginia’s agricultural exports continues to grow and this annual conference is an important gathering place and educational forum for both experienced exporters and those wanting to break into the export market,” said Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew J. Lohr, “I am eager to work with Virginia agriculture and forestry businesses and connecting them with programs and services that help get their products into the global marketplace.”
 
Other conference speakers include Global Situation Room, Inc. President Brett Bruen, U.S. Department of Agriculture Chief Meteorologist Mark Brusberg, AgTrade Strategies, LLC, Agricultural Affairs Sharon Bomer Lauritsen, U.S. Soybean Export Council Senior Director of Market Access Rosalind Leeck, and William Westman & Associates, LLC, Bill Westman.
 
For more information about the conference or to register, please visit https://vafb.swoogo.com/govag2022.

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