ICYMI: At Farm Aid 2026, Governor Spanberger Celebrates Virginia Agriculture, Discusses Support for Family Farmers on CNN

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger on Saturday joined CNN during Farm Aid 2026 in Virginia Beach to celebrate Virginia agriculture and discuss her Administration's focus on supporting family farmers as they continue to contend with extreme weather and trade disruptions.

"We are so excited to host Farm Aid here in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Agriculture is our number one private industry," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "You name it, we produce it."

Governor Spanberger shared the significant concerns she continues to hear from farmers and producers across the Commonwealth about high costs and federal tariffs - including during the Governor's recent roundtable with Virginia cattlemen and the Virginia Farm Bureau in Botetourt.

"Times are tough. The support of an organization like Farm Aid really matters," said Governor Spanberger. "Our number one agricultural trading partner for the Commonwealth of Virginia is Canada. So, disruptions there. Fuel costs are at a record high. We've had drought conditions, which have really impacted our hay production which impacts our cattle farmers."

Earlier this month, Governor Spanberger declared a state of emergency to help address the hay shortage caused by ongoing drought conditions. Together with the General Assembly, Governor Spanberger also secured a record $300 million in funding for agricultural best management practices to support the long-term strength of the industry.

"It's a really tough time because of everything that's happening at the federal level. So, at the state level, I declared a hay emergency to try and surge additional hay for winter feeding, so our cattle producers can stay afloat," said Governor Spanberger. "We've fully funded our agricultural best management practices. That's hundreds of millions of dollars to support farmers who are utilizing rotational grazing and cover crops, which have a great conservation benefit - but are also really good on-farm practices that help lower input costs. It was a primary ask of the Virginia Farm Bureau headed into our last General Assembly session."

Click here to watch Governor Spanberger's Farm Aid interview on CNN.

BACKGROUND

Agriculture and forestry have a combined economic impact of $105 billion annually and support more than 490,000 jobs across the Commonwealth. Earlier this year, Governor Spanberger signed bipartisan legislation to create Virginia's first Farm & Forest Prosperity Plan to provide a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen and grow Virginia's agriculture and forestry industries.