Forum focuses on farmers, forests

GOOCHLAND — In a gubernatorial forum before farmers and foresters, Republican Bob McDonnell and Democrat R. Creigh Deeds worked mightily to reach out to rural Virginia.

On one point, however, McDonnell conceded Friday to Deeds:

“He’s operated on a pig. I can’t claim that,” McDonnell said of his opponent, who grew up on a farm in rural Bath County and said earlier in the forum he had performed medical procedures on barnyard animals.

Later, Deeds explained, “On a farm, you have to perform certain surgeries on male animals.”

Deeds and McDonnell appeared before more than 200 farmers, foresters and Future Farmers of America clad in their signature snug dark-blue jackets at a question-and-answer session at the Virginia Farm Bureau. Both took questions from the audience separately.

The candidates were in general agreement on the major agricultural issues in Virginia.

They stressed the importance of farming and forestry, which claims an annual economic impact of $79 billion in Virginia. They said improving the state’s inadequate road system is critical, as are improvements to the Hampton Roads port system to get soybeans and Virginia apples and other commodities to eastern Europe and Asia.

They also spoke on issues of eminent domain, the estate tax and farmland preservation.

Each, however, worked to connect with the audience.

“I’m not sure when again you’ll have an opportunity to elect a governor who not only says he understands rural values but lives your values every day,” said Deeds, a lawyer and former member of the General Assembly.

Not to be outdone, McDonnell said he had represented the farm community of Pungo when he served as a legislator from Virginia Beach and understood the difficulties of operating a farm, especially in a sour economy.

McDonnell and Deeds are seeking to succeed Gov. Tim Kaine.