VERONA, Va. — Virginia U-S Senator Tim Kaine visited the Valley this afternoon to discuss a new, revamped federal Farm Bill expected this fall.

During a roundtable meeting at the Augusta County Government Center, the senator said the quality of the bill depends on how much he listens to constituents about what they say needs to be in it. But he added that the title “Farm Bill” is somewhat misleading because of how much it actually covers – like school lunches, SNAP benefits, farmers markets and funding for the state’s research universities.

 

Sen. Tim Kaine looks inside a greenhouse during a tour of the Allegheny Mountain Institute Farm at Augusta Health in Fishersville on Friday.

According to reports, this year’s bill is not likely to include additional work requirements for folks on SNAP other than the ones imposed in the bill to raise the debt ceiling earlier this month.

Kaine also visited the Allegheny Mountain Institute Farm at Augusta Health, which grows fresh, local food for the hospital using sustainable practices.