Agriculture

By: Michael Owens | Bristol Herald Courier http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012/aug/16/griffith-stumping-farm-tour-ar-2134293/ FORT BLACKMORE, Va. -- The congressman asked a simple question to start the conversation Wednesday afternoon: What are the most pressing concerns about government regulations? The dozen farmers surrounding U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-9th, mulled it over… Read more »

Virginia Tech’s Energy Harvesting Workshop In front of experts from across the country and around the globe, on Tuesday, August 7, I had the privilege of delivering the keynote speech at Virginia Tech’s Seventh Annual Energy Harvesting Workshop in Blacksburg.  Like in years past, VT’s workshop is designed to bring these experts together to discuss and review past developments,… Read more »

By: Morgan Donnelly | WSLS http://www2.wsls.com/news/2012/aug/13/craig-county-farmers-meet-congressman-morgan-griff-ar-2129109/ From the farm lands of southwest Virginia to Washington DC., farmers are hoping their concerns are heard. "Eminent domain and also estate tax which is very important to all farmers and we need relief on some of these things,” says J.C. Winstead. "It is hard… Read more »

Food versus Fuel In 2005, Congress passed a law – the Energy Policy Act – with the purpose of reducing the U.S.’s dependence on foreign oil.  Seven years later, according to a January 23, 2012 CRS report, our dependence on foreign oil hasn’t been reduced at all, and the average price of corn has jumped from $2 per bushel to almost $8 per bushel.  Certain provisions in the Energy… Read more »

Wise County RAM The Remote Area Medical (RAM) Volunteer Corps held its largest event in the United States at the Wise County Fairgrounds this past weekend.  News reports indicate that approximately 3,000 people received medical care over the course of the weekend.  On Saturday, I had the opportunity to visit with a number of the volunteers and support workers as well as tour… Read more »

Last Year’s Devastating Storms & Tornadoes On Saturday, April 28th, I was very thankful to have been invited to speak in Glade Spring at the candlelight vigil, which reflected the revival of the community.  Below are a summary of my comments:   This month, one year ago, devastating storms and tornadoes wreaked havoc across Southwest Virginia.  The damage was… Read more »