Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s advocates worked throughout the 2026 General Assembly session, weighing in on legislation affecting agriculture and farmers. Some of that legislation will have an impact on rural Virginians and other residents as well, according to a news release from the organization. Bills and amendments addressed in 2026 included truth in labeling, notification for invasive species, streamlining deer kill permits, and minimum wage changes including impacts to the farmworker exemption. Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a bill requiring alternative- and manufactured-protein products to include a label that identifies their ingredients and origin, and prohibit misbranding or misrepresentation, the release said. Under the legislation, food would be considered misbranded if marketed as a meat or poultry product but “contains a manufactured-protein food product,” without a clear and prominent qualifying term. The product label will need to include a term such as “plant-based...