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,” “cell-cultured,” “lab-grown,” or “vegan.”
“Clear and accurate labeling is not just a consumer transparency issue—it’s about fairness, integrity and protecting the livelihoods of Virginia’s livestock farmers,” said Katelyn Jordan, VFBF assistant director of governmental relations.
Spanberger also signed legislation that establishes escalating civil penalties for retailers, landscapers and contractors who fail to provide written notification to property owners when recommending or installing plants the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation lists as invasive.
Invasive species can spread beyond private landscapes and into natural and agricultural areas—disrupting ecosystems, harming farmland and economies, the release said.
Virginia farmers continue to face issues from deer damaging farmland, agricultural operations and rural economies, with crop and yield losses in the thousands of dollars, the release said.
New legislation simplifies the kill permit process, making it easier to reauthorize permits and removing the shooter list requirement. The bill also clarifies that permits have no limit for culling antlerless deer causing damage to agricultural operations.
Labor also was a big topic during this year’s session. Spanberger signed a bill increasing the Virginia minimum wage in phases. Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, minimum wage will increase to $13.75/hour, which will then increase to $15/hour by Jan. 1, 2028.