V IRGINIA ’ S A GRICULTURAL C OMMODITY B OARDS

BoardYearMethodMembersCollector Collections Apple1946Legislation9Taxation$124,924 Beef1984Referendum15VDACS$358,546 Corn1980Referendum11Taxation$390,896 Cotton1997Referendum8Taxation$191,709 Egg1980Legislation7Taxation$174,977 Horse1994Referendum12VDACS$224,999 Potato1994Referendum7VDACS$18,031 Marine Products1980Legislation11VMRC$333,650 Peanut1948Legislation9Taxation$288,820 Pork1967Referendum12Nationaln/a Sheep1995Referendum12Taxation$11,354 Soybean1970Referendum11Taxation$1,291,647 Small Grains1981Referendum11Taxation$453,934 Tobacco2012Legislation9VDACS$118,633 Wine2004Legislation10ABC$1,841,519

Producers agreed, through a referendum or legislation, to establish a self-assessment to pay for programs and projects that benefit their commodities The Boards were created to enhance the sale of Virginia's farm commodities by conducting market development, educational, and research programs The Commonwealth funds the boards through special assessments levied on producers and farmers of the specified crops

Alone, an individual producer or farmer does not have the resources to conduct the projects undertaken by each board These boards allow producers to pool resources and provide large scale research and market development initiatives deemed necessary by and for their respective industries Each commodity board is responsible for providing an annual report to its board members and to VDACS administration that summarizes the purpose of the Board, current assessment rate, amount collected in the previous year, previous fiscal year expenditures, and the Board’s past year activities

Cash balances are not returned to the General fund because they are not traditional state funds, rather payments by a group of producers who have elected to pay an assessment for the purpose of assisting their commodity Producers may resolve that they no longer want to pay an excise to support their respective Commodity Board. In order to do so, the producers need to pass a referendum, with a majority vote, to discontinue the assessment

Apple Board Assessment: $0.25 per tree run bushel $124,924 Collected in FY Expenditures: Publicity and Industry development Education Research

Beef Industry Council Assessment: $1.00 per head $358,546 collected Expenditures Industry Communications Promotions (Beef, It’s What’s for Dinner) Industry Services

Corn Board Assessment: $0.01 per bushel $390,896 Collected in FY Expenditures: Research: Yield Studies, Variety Trails, Pest Control Promotion and Education: Grain Producers Assoc. Market Development: NCGA, U.S. Grains

Cotton Board Assessment: $0.95 per bale $191,709 Collected in FY Expenditures: Research: Agronomic Management, Pest Control Promotion and Education: Ag in the Classroom Market Development: NCC, SCG The Fabric of Our Lives

Egg Board Assessment: $0.05 per 30 dozen cases ($0.11/100 liquid equivalent) $174,977 Collected in FY Funding goes to the Virginia Egg Council to conduct educational and promotional programs, and advertise and conduct programs that support egg producers in their marketing and promotional efforts.

Horse Industry Board Assessment: $1.50 per equine infectious anemia test and $3 per ton from equine feed manufacturers $224,999 Collected in FY Expenditures: Virginia Bred Grant Program Education and Marketing Grants Research Grants

Marine Products Board Collection: A Portion of License Fees Collected by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission $333,650 Collected in FY Objectives: Create brand awareness for Virginia seafood Gain wider acceptance for wild and Aquaculture grown, sustainable, available Virginia species fish and shellfish Educate retailers, the food service trade and wholesale distributors about Virginia seafood and the companies that produce it

Peanut Board Assessment: $0.30 per 100 pounds $288,820 Collected in FY Market Development: VA Peanut Growers Assoc. Research: Cultivars, Pest Management, Infonet Education

Pork Industry Board State Assessment: $0.45 per $100 value of porcine animals $0 Collected in FY Superseded by federal law The Other White Meat

Potato Board Assessment: $0.02 per 100 pounds $18,031 Collected in FY Funds are use for: Research at Eastern Shore Agricultural and Extension Center: o Colorado potato beetle and new potato varieties better suited to southeastern Virginia o Research on the control of European corn borer, fertility, and weed and disease control Chain store and trade promotions including Wal-Mart, Martin’s and Military Produce Group.

Sheep Industry Board Assessment: $0.50 per head $11,354 collected in Established primarily as a tool to cost share USDA Wildlife Services to aid sheep producers in predator control efforts to reduce losses due to coyotes, dogs and vultures

Small Grains Board Assessment: ½ of 1% of the selling price per bushel $453,934 collected in Research Projects: Fertilizer Utilization, Variety Trials, Breeding, Pest Control & Resistance Promotion & Education: VGPA, FFA, NAWG, VALOR Market Development: U.S. Wheat Associates

Soybean Board Assessment: 1/2 of 1% net market value (Per Federal Act) $1,291,647 collected in Research Projects: Variety Trials, Breeding, Pest Control & Resistance, Production Strategies Promotion & Education Projects: VA Soybean Assoc., FFA, ASA, Ag. in Classroom, National Leadership Program

Tobacco Board Assessment (Flue-Cured and Dark Fired): $0.20 per 100 pounds $118,633 collected in Market Development & Promotion Education: Production Guide, State Fair, VAITC Research: Curing Efficiency, Sucker Control, Disease Management

Wine Board A Portion of the Wine Liter Assessment $1,841,519 collected in Per Code of Virginia 1/3 must be spent on Research: Research: Research projects are divided between grape growing, wine making and vineyard mapping. When the research projects are concluded, all data, projections, and analysis will be available to the industry. Marketing: The Wine Marketing Office’s core marketing priorities and objectives include: Building consumer interest in visiting wineries. Creating international, national, regional, and local media interest in Virginia wines Developing programs that promote restaurants and shops to feature and promote Virginia wine Expand the impact of Virginia wine in the mid-Atlantic area, from the Baltimore Washington, DC area to Atlanta, Georgia

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