Action pnum1156 Last 25 Messages Transmitted Log Vote YES on HB1089 Zoning Bill to clarify the law ********** [064244:102114] T.P., Asheville, NC Stop trying to manipulate and overregulate our organic farmers. ********** [090827:101914] S.K., Chantilly, VA We need to reduce government over-control of activities in a wide variety of areas. Our current government regulation of small, entrepeneurial acitivites is a serious impediment to improving a more healthy food supply system and negatively impacts the economic incentives to explore these activities. ********** [094050:052714] B.T., Charlottesville, VA I urge you to vote yes on HB1089 to protect small farmers from local government overregulations ********** [070143:030414] C.S., Fredericksburg, VA Small businesses should not have to spend there time and money fighting large corporations. You should not be pitting large corporations against the small, locally owned company. We do not need other countries coming in and buying up our large corporations. Nor do we need government subsidies to keep large milk farms, soybean farms or tobacco. We do need large corporations and government leaders to be held accountable for tbe destruction of our natural resources. Attacking small farms through devious wording of new laws is shameful at best. ********** [084138:030314] G.S., Eureka, CA I urge you to vote YES on HB 1089 to help protect small farmers from burdensome regulations by clarifying the meaning of "agricultural products" to be consistent with the definition already in VA statutes 3.2-6400. ********** [082127:030314] C.S., Nellysford, VA Ensuring the ability of small farmers and food producers to operate is an absolute necessity in order to have fresh, health local foods available! Small farmers shouldn't have to go through an expensive court battle to make this happen. ********** [142512:022614] J.R., Seaford, VA Dear Senators: Do the right thing for the Chesapeake Bay! We need oysters, vote yes! ********** [141017:022614] J.Y., Yorktown, VA Please! I urge you to vote YES on HB 1089 to help protect small farmers from burdensome regulations by clarifying the meaning of "agricultural products" to be consistent with the definition already in VA statutes 3.2-6400. In the kind of economy that we have, small farmers and other agricultural producers need help not hindrance from our government. Please support this bill!! ********** [124445:022614] m.m., Yorktown, VA The house has done it's part on HB1089,I would like for you in the senate to do like wise.We need your help to clarify this law ,farmers need to farm not waste time and money in court after court battles,even after local courts already agreed with the plaintiffs!!!! ********** [085504:022614] R.G., Mechanicsville, VA I agree and support the passage of HB1089. I have seen the Oyster Farm.... under water.. no smell, no trucks, no noise, no issues. ********** [072828:022614] M.H., Norfolk, VA Vote YES on HB1089, help increase oyster production and improve the waters. ********** [071230:022614] P.H., Check, VA I am a small farmer. In order to make a living wage, I need to be able to conduct my usual farming endeavors without undue regulation. Thank you for your consideration, ********** [064808:022614] J.J., Chesapeake, VA I want to see a YES vote on this HB1089 - small farmers need to be protected! ********** [063314:022614] z.s., Williamsburg, VA I vote to vote YES on HB 1089 to help protect small farmers from burdensome regulations by clarifying the meaning of "agricultural products" to be consistent with the definition already in VA statutes 3.2-6400. I have bought oysters for my business and have personally been to Greg Garrett's place where oysters are farmed. I have never witnessed smell, noise, or large trucks with any of my visits. Oysters are great for our water ways and clean 5o gallons of water per oyster. The fact that this is even an issue is absurd! ********** [052716:022614] J.W., Middletown, VA It is well past time to codify all of the specific types of agriculture that are allowed on home property as defined in VA statutes 3.2-6400. ********** [051451:022614] J.W., Yorktown, VA Dear Senators, HB 1089 allows shellfish farms where local zoning allows commercial pig and buffalo farms.... please pass this bill that will: 1. Increase oyster production in Va 2. Improve the Bay and our waterways 3. Increase jobs in Va 4. Increase exports from Va 5. Provide more locally grown food options for Virginians ********** [051234:022614] D.W., Yorktown, VA Dear Senators, HB 1089 allows shellfish farms where local zoning allows commercial pig and buffalo farms.... please pass this bill that will: 1. Increase oyster production in Va 2. Improve the Bay and our waterways 3. Increase jobs in Va 4. Increase exports from Va 5. Provide more locally grown food options for Virginians ********** [051129:022614] J.G., Vienna, VA Please vote to pass HB 1089. This will help farmers avoid costly court battles in the future. Thank you for helping to feed the people of Virginia. ********** [050148:022614] R.P., Yorktown, VA Dear Senator, I understand that some Senators are considering possibly killing House Bill 1089, which passed the House 95 to zero a few weeks ago. I can't see why the Senate would kill a Bill that has such huge bipartisan support. As I see it, HB 1089 will allow shellfish farms where local zoning allow commercial pig and buffalo farms. I live in a county where people love oyster and local farmers want to raise them and sell them. Just like other farmers are allowed to grow and harvest their crops. Not to mention it will increase oyster production in Virginia, make our Bay and waterways better for all Virginians, JOBS for Virginians on these farms, increase Virginia seafood exports, and for me and my family,provide more locally grown food options for us! These reason alone, constitute reason enough to support this Bill. Again, I can't see how any Virginia Senator could kill a Bill that is so widely supported, and such a benefit to Virginians. Business Owner and Virginia Voter ********** [045900:022614] B.S., Yorktown, VA Dear Senators, I would like to express my support for HB 1089. This bill simply allows shellfish farms to be allowed where local zoning allows pig and buffalo farms. Some of the benefits of this are a cleaner bay, increased jobs in VA, increased exporting for VA and would be an additional locally grown food source for VA. Please vote for and pass HB 1089. V/R, Bruce ********** [045832:022614] D.W., Hampton, VA It is not only sad but ridiculous to see how far people in power at all levels of goverment will go and what distortions of the truth they will use to try to get their way, and will imposed on the people. Oysters are great for the bay and how sad that we have public officals more concerned with their own agenda instead of something that offers much greater value. ********** [041825:022614] A.B., Shipman, VA Please make it easier for farmers to engage in a variety of activities as diversification is the both necessary on a small farm and beneficial to the community and environment. Thank you. ********** [040752:022614] G.G., Seaford, VA I have lived in York County at York Point for 30 years. I live across the street from Anthony Bavuso. I support him and the rights of small farmers to farm as they have always done. I support HB 1089. ********** [031810:022614] J.B., Virginia Beach, VA Please support HB 1089 so that aquaculture fits into agricultural zoning. ********** [030934:022614] D.B., Culpeper, VA I follow this kind of legislation closely, as I own and operate a small farm which feeds 25 families fresh vegetables and chicken. **********