Kaine Gets Input From Small Local Farmers Before Farm Bill Vote

Agriculture brings in more than $55 billion to the Commonwealth's economy. Senator Tim Kaine visited Charlottesville on Friday to talk to local farmers about the bill before the big vote.

Ted's Last Stand is a flower farm and garden in Gordonsville run by Michael and Audrey Levatino. They're part of a tight knit community of smaller farmers in Charlottesville who set up at the City Market every Saturday morning.

"I have my flowers on tables at some restaurants in Charlottesville and it really is a neat feeling that they're supporting my business and I'm supporting their vision for their restaurant," said Audrey. "So it's all kind of this cooperative cycle."

She says the small farms fill a niche the big farms can't.

"They're dependent on chemicals to help them get their job done but with the small businesses and people getting more and more concerned about what is on their food or in their food, we can meet that need because we're taking the time and the care," Levatino said.

In the midst of the Senate talking about the 2013 Farm Bill, Senator Tim Kaine visited Ted's Last Stand after talking to other area farmers about their concerns.

"What the farm bill does for small farms like Ted's Last Stand is more focus and funding for farmers who grow specialty crops," Kaine said. "And this would generally be small farmers growing local produce and flowers so more effort to fund farmers markets."

Levatino hopes if there are any new regulations that there will be money and consideration for the smaller farms, so they are not discouraged.

"A lot of small farmers, I'm thinking of friends at the city market, don't have any extra time or extra money to get the new equipment and the new labeling stuff and you know the time to fill out that paperwork," she said.

Another part of the bill she hopes is renewed is funding for education. Levatino says teaching kids where food comes from and how it gets to their plate is important.

"They might not think about it for years and then in their thirties they might say gosh I really want a garden. Then there ya go, that seed was planted."

She says her flower farm isn't their main source of income but it is fulfilling and humbling to be part of a community that supports small farms. So, she hopes the bill will encourage more people to want to grow things themselves and be part of that community.

The Senate will vote on the farm bill in the next 10 days.

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