Pesticide Control Board
The Pesticide Control Board was created to promulgate pesticide regulations in the Commonwealth. Twelve members are appointed by the governor. Ex-officio members include the State Forester, the dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, and the dean of the School of Agriculture, Science and Technology at Virginia State University. For more information, or to contact a Pesticide Control Board member, contact Liza Fleeson, Program Manager, Division of Consumer Protection at 804.371.6559 or by e-mail at Liza.Fleeson@vdacs.virginia.gov.

Virginia Agricultural Council
The council was established by the General Assembly to provide a mechanism for financing agricultural research, education and services. Funding comes from assessments levied on certain agricultural supplies used by farmers. Fifteen members of the council are appointed by the governor. The ex-officio members include the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, and the Associate Vice President for Agriculture and Extension at Virginia State University.
2009 Annual Report

Aquaculture Advisory Board
This board was created by action of the 1992 General Assembly for the purpose of advising the commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services on matters relating to aquaculture. The seven-member board is appointed by the governor to represent the interest of the state's aquaculture industry.

The Specialty Food Advisory Committee
In 2007, Todd P. Haymore, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), created the Specialty Food Advisory Committee (SFAC) and appointed 11 members, knowledgeable about specialty food issues in Virginia, who represent retailers, specialty food producers, the Food Science Department at Virginia Tech, and the supplier side of the industry.

Virginia's agricultural commodity boards
were created to enhance the sale of Virginia's farm commodities by conducting market development, promotional, educational, and research programs. The individual boards, comprised of producer and agribusiness representatives, administer the self-help funds in the various program areas.

For more information, contact Melissa Ball 804.786.5448.

Virginia Agricultural Council Board
Donald B. Ayers, Executive Director
7163 Ayersby Drive
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
804.779.3742, FAX: 804.779.2581
Cell: 804.291.8946
E-mail: don.ayers@vdacs.virginia.gov

Virginia State Apple Board
Dave Robishaw
900 Natural Resources Dr., Suite 300
Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
434.984.0573, FAX: 434.984.4156
E-mail: david.robishaw@vdacs.virginia.gov
Mission: To plan and conduct education, advertising, publicity, sales promotion and research projects relating to the Virginia apple industry to increase consumer awareness, demand and usage of Virginia apples and apple products.

Virginia Cattle Industry Board
Bill McKinnon
P. O. Box 9
Daleville, Virginia 24083
540.992.1992
Mission: To increase efficient production, distribution, use and sale of cattle, beef, veal and their products and provide a promotional program for the Virginia cattle industry.

Virginia Corn Board,
Virginia Small Grains Board, and
Virginia Soybean Board
Phil Hickman
P. O. Box 1163
Richmond, Virginia 23218
804.371.6157
Mission: All three boards invest in projects designed to improve production efficiency and to increase the sale and use of Virginia corn, grain and soybeans.

Virginia Cotton Board
Gail Moody Milteer
1100 Armory Dr., Suite 120
Franklin, Virginia 23851
757.569.1100, FAX: 757.562.6104
E-mail: gail.moodymilteer@vdacs.virginia.gov
Mission: To conduct programs in the areas of research, education, and promotion, which will enhance production efficiency, improve quality and increase the growth and use of Virginia cotton.

Virginia Egg Board
Cecilia Glembocki
911 Saddleback Court
McLean, Virginia 22102
703.790.1984
E-mail: virginiaegg@cox.net
Mission: Administer funds collected for promotion, education, advertising and research.

Virginia Horse Industry Board
Andrea S. Heid
P. O. Box 1163
Richmond, Virginia 23218
804.786.5842
E-mail: andrea.heid@vdacs.virginia.gov
Mission: Responsible for the promotion and economic development of the horse industry in Virginia.

Virginia Marine Products Board
Mike Hutt
554 Denbigh Boulevard, Suite B
Newport News, Virginia 23608
757.874.3474, FAX: 757.886.0671
E-mail: mhutt@vaseafood.org
Mission: Conducts research and promotes seafood products through a comprehensive marketing program designed to upgrade and expand both domestic and foreign sales and markets to further the overall economic development of the industry.

Virginia Irish Potato, Virginia Seed Potato Board
Butch Nottingham
P. O. Box 26
Onley, Virginia 23418
757.787.5867
E-mail: onleyva@shore.intercom.net
Mission: To conduct a program of research, education, publicity, advertising and promotion for both of these boards.

Virginia Peanut Board
Dell Cotton
P. O. Box 59
Franklin, VA 23851
Mission: Administer funds for the promotion, education, and research related to Virginia peanuts.

Virginia Pork Industry Board
John H. Parker
P. O. Box 1163
Richmond, Virginia 23218
804.786.7092
Mission: To plan and conduct education, promotion and research projects relating to the Virginia pork industry to increase the profit potential of marketing and production of slaughter hogs and feeder pigs in Virginia.

Virginia Sheep Industry Board
Michael B. Carpenter
261 Mt. Clinton Pike
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
540.434.2521
Mission: Responsible for promotion and economic development of the sheep industry through additional market development, research and education.

Virginia Bright Flue-Cured Tobacco Board,
Virginia Dark-Fired Tobacco Board
D. Stanley Duffer
P. O. Box 129
Halifax, Virginia 24558
434.572.4568
E-mail: stan.duffer@vdacs.virginia.gov
Mission: To plan and conduct campaigns of education, advertising, publicity, sales promotion and research for the purpose of increasing the demand for, and consumption of, Virginia grown tobacco.

Virginia Wine Board
Dave Robishaw
900 Natural Resources Dr., Suite 300
Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
434.984.0573, FAX: 434.984.4156
E-mail: david.robishaw@vdacs.virginia.gov
Mission: Administers grants to encourage the increased productivity of all phases of grape and wine production in Virginia and sponsors research, education, promotion and marketing of Virginia wines.

All but the Marine Products Board and the Wine Board use funds generated through assessments that growers and producers of these commodities have agreed by referendum to pay for programs and projects that would benefit their commodities. The activities of the Marine Products Board are funded by licensing fees. The Virginia Wine Board receives an appropriation as provided in the 2004 Virginia Acts of Assembly.

Members of the State Apple Board are elected. Members of the other boards are appointed by the governor from recommendations by the various industry groups.