Agricultural Bills

The senate bill presented by Pillion makes it easier for farmers to permanently own their land. This is important because this increases culture, food security and the economy. Agriculture is Virginia's largest industry, generating about $82.3 billion annually. With the decreasing number of farms in Virginia, the industry as a whole will quickly fall as well causing economic distress. Furthermore, less land will be available to grow food which makes the people more dependent on outside food sources. Many farms are also multi-generational family operations and there are programs like the Century Farm Program that recognizes farms that have operated for over 100 years. The destruction of this farmland makes it harder for young farmers to start up their own businesses and enter the industry. Bills like the one presented by Pillion make it easier for farmers to continue to own their land and reduce the risk of land grabs by the government through eminent domain or big real estate companies.

The house bill pushed forward by Bulova sought to balance land preservation with clean energy development. With the loss of farmland also loses land to use for solar energy expansion. With new environmental crises occurring frequently, the demand for solar energy is on the rise. Urbanization causes environmental issues that serves as a "double whammy" in this instance. Plants that are able to photosynthesize are being removed and land that is available to be used as solar panel lots is being destroyed. Solar panels on farms is a great way to keep the economy strong in Virginia while preserving the land.