Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry

Conservation of 4,188 Acres Within Dragon Run Watershed Announced

May 21 — The purchase of Dragon Run by the Commonwealth and The Nature Conservancy will protect ninety bird species such as bald eagles and prothonotary warblers along with 55 species of fish. Dubbed the "second most ecologically important watershed in the Chesapeake Bay" by the Smithsonian Institution, the waters provide vital nurseries for perch, rockfish, and alewives, which are important for Chesapeake commercial fishermen and sportsmen.

"The purchase of this property will add significantly to our protected state forest land," Governor Kaine said. "It will also ensure that this ecologically important land will never be developed and will be enjoyed by Virginians for generations."

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Governor Kaine Kicks Off Next Phase of Stimulus.Virginia.Gov

March 12 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine today launched an overhauled Stimulus.Virginia.Gov, transforming the state's original, pioneering website into Virginia's comprehensive online portal for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

With the conclusion of the project solicitation phase of the Commonwealth's program to implement the recovery plan, the website is transitioning to present a wide range of information related to the ARRA - including maps, graphs, charts, and downloadable tables that allow citizens to see where proposals have originated, where money is flowing, and what specific projects and geographies are benefiting from recovery plan funding.

Craig, King and Queen, and Russell Counties Receive Federal Disaster Designation

February 10 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture has designated Craig, King and Queen, and Russell counties primary natural disaster areas because of reductions in farm production caused by drought and excessive heat that occurred in 2008.

For more information, view the Governor's press release.

64,840 Acres Protected Through Virginia Outdoors Foundation Easements

January 19 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that the Virginia Outdoors Foundation permanently protected 64,840 acres across 64 localities through conservation easements in 2008, making it the second-biggest year in VOF's 42-year history, surpassed only by the 71,227 acres recorded in 2006. VOF now protects roughly 525,000 acres across 102 cities and counties- an area two-and-a-half times the size of Shenandoah National Park and more than half the size of Rhode Island.

For more information, view the Governor's press release.

Federal Disaster Designations Announced

January 12 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture has designated Brunswick, Charlotte, Gloucester, Mecklenburg, Patrick, Prince George, Scott and Surry counties primary natural disaster areas because of reductions in farm production caused by drought and excessive heat that occurred in 2008.

These disaster designations make farmers eligible for low-interest loans and any supplemental relief that might be provided by Congress in the future.

For more information, view the Governor's press release.

$500,000 in Farmland Preservation Grants Announced

December 2008 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced the distribution of $500,000 to eleven Virginia localities to preserve farmland within their boundaries through local Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) programs. PDR programs compensate landowners who permanently preserve their land by voluntarily placing a perpetual conservation easement on it.

"Farmland preservation remains a priority for Virginia at both the state and local level," Governor Kaine said. "Even with our budgetary restraints, we will continue to support PDR programs in every way we can. My Renew Virginia plan includes initiatives to protect our environment, and these PDR programs do exactly that."

For more information, view the Governor's press release.

Federal Disaster Designations Announced

December 2008 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced that the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture has designated Albemarle, Buckingham, Caroline, Fluvanna, Franklin, Goochland, Greene, Hanover, Henry, Isle of Wight, Lunenburg, Powhatan and Rockbridge counties primary natural disaster areas due to reductions in farm production caused by drought and excessive heat that occurred this calendar year.

These disaster designations make farmers eligible for low-interest loans and any supplemental relief that might be provided by Congress in the future.

For more information, view the Governor's press release.

Federal Disaster Designations for Eleven Virginia Counties Announced

October 2008 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced today that the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture has designated Amelia, Amherst, Bedford, Campbell, Dinwiddie, Halifax, Louisa, Nelson, Nottoway, Pittsylvania and Prince Edward counties primary natural disaster areas because of reductions in farm production caused by drought and excessive heat that occurred this calendar year.

For more information, view the Governor's press release.

Findings of Economic Impact Study on the Industry of Agriculture/Forestry is Announced

September 2008 — Governor Timothy M. Kaine today unveiled a new comprehensive study, revealing that Virginia agriculture and forestry contribute about $79 billion annually to Virginia's economy.

"This affirms the strength and importance of these industries and represents a significant increase from the last study, done 10 years ago, when the combined impact was $47 billion," Governor Kaine said. "The agriculture and forestry sector is an economic engine that drives much of the economic activity in other Virginia industries, such as manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade, as well as public and private services."

For more information, view the Governor's press release.

Governor Kaine Announces Actions to Address Gas Supplies, Price Gouging Complaints

September 2008 — In an effort to increase the supply of gasoline in the Commonwealth of Virginia following the disruption in the normal flow of petroleum products caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, Governor Timothy M. Kaine waived certain specifications that prescribe volatility standards for gasoline. This action allows immediate distribution of gasoline blends that would normally not be allowed until October 1.

For more information, view the Governor's press release.