As many people know, I grew up on a farm, and farming is in my blood. My mom’s father worked his land his entire life, as his father and his father’s father did. My dad’s dad (the Price that literally put “Price’s Store” on the map) continues to farm the same 200 acres he started 50 years ago. Three of my uncles still farm for a living.
I was reminded this week of a Saturday that I spent helping my grandfather on the farm. Most weekends, I was carrying brick and mortar for my dad on the jobsite. But this weekend, I was staying with my granddad and lending a hand around the farm.
We were down at the creek, pitching fence posts across. Just then, a fencepost snagged my shirt and ripped it clean in half. I threw down the post and exclaimed, “Granddaddy, I’ve done torn a fifteen-dollar shirt!” For the next four years, this story became one of his favorites.
Both of my grandfather’s were livestock farmers, so growing up I wasn’t exposed to dairy farming. That’s why I considered myself fortunate to visit Mountain View Farms (a family dairy in Fairfield) this week.
After a generous sampling of some of the best cheeses I’ve ever eaten, we discussed the trials facing today’s family farmer. We discussed the role state government should play in making it easier for a family farmer to make a dollar. We also talked about concerns that the average age of Virginia’s family farmer is 57 years old.
Finally, we wondered about the future of agriculture and small-family farming.
If there is one thing I’ve learned from my experience in historic preservation, once you lose something, it’s gone forever. We must protect our farming lifestyle now before it is just a distant memory. I pledge, if elected, to work my hardest to be the delegate our farmers can depend on for the preservation and prosperity of our commonwealth’s rural heritage and top industry.
Jeff Price is a candidate for the 24th House District seat in the Virginia General Assembly.
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