Seven voting delegates and two alternates from Virginia Farm Bureau Federation will join nearly 7,000 Farm Bureau members from across the nation in shaping policies important to farmers and ranchers Jan. 8-13 at the 2016 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla.

The delegates are VFBF President Wayne F. Pryor of Goochland County; VFBF Vice President Scott Sink of Franklin County; William Coffee of Lunenburg County; W.P. Johnson of Bedford County; C.W. Pratt of Smyth County; Julie Williamson of Culpeper County; and Alan Worrell of Carroll County. The alternate delegates are Leigh Pemberton of Hanover County and Peter Truban of Shenandoah County.

The VFBF delegates will help formulate AFBF policies for 2016 related to biotechnology; advance legislation that reforms the Endangered Species Act; immigration reform; and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandates on water and air quality. Delegates also will elect a new AFBF president and vice president.

“The issues we discuss at the convention are issues that potentially affect all farmers and ranchers, so it’s important that Virginia representatives attend and help shape those policies,” said VFBF President Wayne F. Pryor.

Farmers attending this year’s convention also will have the opportunity to attend workshops to help them improve their operations.