Virginia — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3 and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding to expand cooperation on agricultural practices that protect the environment and support farmers.
The agreement, announced Monday, outlines new efforts between federal and state officials to improve communication, education, compliance, and sustainability across Virginia’s agricultural sector.
EPA Senior Advisor for Agricultural and Rural Affairs Turner Bridgforth called the partnership “a win for all farmers and ranchers,” emphasizing the agency’s goal to give producers a greater voice in environmental policy.
EPA Regional Administrator Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey said the collaboration marks “a new chapter” for both agencies. “I look forward to strengthening our work under this agreement,” she said.
Virginia Agriculture Commissioner Joseph Guthrie said the department’s cooperation with EPA reaffirms its commitment to “develop solutions for environmental protection and to keep Virginia agriculture productive.”
The announcement followed a roundtable hosted by the Virginia Farm Bureau in Richmond, where industry leaders met with EPA and VDACS representatives to discuss shared goals. Farm Bureau President Scott Sink said the dialogue was vital to ensuring farmers’ perspectives are considered in policymaking. The MOU calls for annual reports highlighting achievements and continued collaboration on training, compliance, and water quality improvement. EPA Region 3, which oversees six states and seven Tribes, plans to establish similar agreements with other states in the region.
Photo: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Facebook Page