ABOUT VDACS
COMMISSIONER'S MESSAGE
Matt Lohr serves as Virginia’s 14th Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. He was appointed by Governor Bob McDonnell on May 1, 2010.
Raised on a century farm in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Matt has been passionate about the agricultural industry his entire life. He was very active in the FFA organization where he served as state president and national vice president in the early 1990’s before graduating from Virginia Tech in 1995. Matt and his family currently operate a 250 acre farm that includes commercial poultry, beef, crops, and a U-Pick pumpkin and corn maze agritourism operation.
Matt has been deeply involved in the farm bureau organization, winning the American Farm Bureau “Excellence in Agriculture Award” in 2003. He also served several years as his county farm bureau president and chaired both the Rockingham County Planning Commission and School Board. From 2005 until 2010 Matt represented the 26th House District in the Virginia state legislature.
Matt has two children, ages 7 and 12, who love farm life and are developing their own passion for agriculture. They all stay very busy with sports, 4-H, school events and numerous church activities.
June 4, 2013
Advice for Those of Us Who Spend Father’s Day at the Grill, Start with Fresh, Local Products
May 17, 2013
The Amazing Rise of Creative New Agribusiness Ventures
April 16, 2013
Things You May Not Know about Virginia’s Agricultural Exports
March 14, 2013
My Top 10 List of Misconceptions about Agriculture
A blog on the Commissioner's column on agricultural myths
March 14, 2013
My Top 10 List of Misconceptions about Agriculture
March 3, 2013
Smartphone Apps Helping with Farmers' Productivity
A video version of the Commissioner's column on social media
February 14, 2013
Technology on the Farm Now Fits in the Palm of Your Hand
January 9, 2013
What Are You Doing to Protect Your Family Farm?
~ You might begin by taking a deep look into your children’s eyes~
December 11, 2012
The Biggest Favor You Can Do For Agriculture in Five Years
November 21, 2012
A Turkey of a Thanksgiving
September 21, 2012
Governor’s New Grant Fund Recognizes Unique Needs Of Ag-Based Businesses
August 15, 2012
Virginia State Fair Returns to Its Roots
July 12, 2012
Turning a Childhood Fascination with Farming into a Career
June 11, 2012
Large Farms or Small - Why Would We Choose?
May 14, 2012
Saluting Our Safe, Affordable and Ample Food Supply
April 13, 2012
Virginia Ham in China, Soybeans in Morocco, Apples in Cuba
March 14, 2012
Celebrating Virginia Agriculture and Agriculture Literacy Week in Style
February 10, 2012
A Presidential Beginning to Virginia Agriculture
January 11, 2012
Resolved: to Pay More Attention to Food Safety in 2012