Virginia farmers work hard year-round to ensure everyone has food, fiber and fuel, all while being responsible stewards of the land and supporting the economy.

That’s why National Ag Week, March 17-23, is the perfect time to spotlight these contributions, celebrate the abundance provided by American agriculture and spread awareness of its vital role in today’s world, the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation stated in a release recognizing the nationwide observance. The VFBF is the state’s largest farmers’ advocacy group.

Whether it’s potatoes on the Eastern Shore, beef in Southwest Virginia or apples in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia agriculture production is one of the most vibrant and diverse in the nation, VRBF said. That diversity has helped agriculture remain the commonwealth’s largest private industry, bolstering the state with an $82.3 billion annual economic impact and providing more than 381,800 jobs, according to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services...