I was saddened to hear about the recent arrests of local farmers Richard Bean and Jean Rinaldi. My heart goes out to both Richard and Jean as they find themselves victims in a series of unfortunate circumstances. The government has a responsibility to ensure consumers are getting what they pay for and that our food is safe, but why is it those two individuals, who have been doing a robust business in the area for several years, are suddenly seized by local agriculture agents, state troopers, and local law enforcement to be taken away in separate vehicles?They were arrested for using incorrect labels on their packaged meat products with intent to defraud. Those who purchased the meat, as well as anyone else who has ever done business with Double H farms, will attest that the actions in question were never an attempt to defraud anyone. Nevertheless, the focus of this incident has been directed to a much larger issue: the ability for small farms to operate and exist under current law.
Corporate farms and small farms are different in their own ways. However, small farms remain under intense scrutiny and regulation. Why is it that large corporate farms can recall millions of pounds of contaminated meat and odds are agents will not be taking anyone away in handcuffs?
As your next delegate, I pledge to investigate these anti-farming laws and work on legislation that will help, rather than hurt, small and local farms. As a former small business owner, I have always been a big supporter of local businesses and locally grown food, and understand the importance of the trust in quality established between local farmers and their buyers. Local farmers and those who enjoy locally raised meats deserve a voice in the law making process. It should not be a crime for family farms to exist in the Commonwealth. We need a delegate who will stand up and be vocal for local farms. These anti-farming laws do not represent the will of the people and many good farmers and buyers suffer as a result.
This is a never ending battle for small business. First it was goat milk, then it was out of state wine sales, now meat. What is the next busines this Republican controlled legislature will attack?
Thanks Connie for standing up for everyone.
With Kind words they say we love you but we have to turn you loose like drift wood, but should you survive remember to vote our way should you accidently win.
The Democratic Party of Virginia will never learn. They act just like Republcans. Take away support when the road gets bumpy.
How they could ever want Watkins Abbitt back in the house of Delegates, I will never know. Just like they abandoned Al Weed in '06, now they abandon Connie. Of course we are just hicks in the sticks that vote democratic.
The Brennan campaign received donations from Hawaii on Wednesday and it has me wondering who has contibutions the greatest distance from VA?