~ Press release provided by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation
HARRISONBURG, Sept. 10—Critical infrastructure to help protect Virginia’s largest industry was the reason agriculture officials recently broke ground on expansion projects at the Harrisonburg, Lynchburg and Warrenton Regional Animal Health Laboratories.
“Rockingham County is at the heart of the poultry industry,” said Hobey Bauhan, president of the Virginia Poultry Federation. He said the county is one of the top poultry-producing counties nationally, and the poultry industry in Rockingham provides $5.5 billion in economic impact annually. The expanded facilities will help protect flocks from being hurt by avian influenza, Bauhan shared.
Del. Tony Wilt, R-Harrisonburg, told attendees that “agriculture is our lifeblood and VDACS works to protect it.”
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ regional health laboratories operate a network of four state-of-the-art animal health laboratories across the state, with the fourth located in Wytheville. The labs offer regulatory and diagnostic testing services for veterinarians, food manufacturers, agricultural producers, pet owners and other government programs. They currently provide a comprehensive range of services, including bacteriology, serology, virology, parasitology, pathology and molecular testing, but some of the lab technology is outdated and the original space was poorly designed for new diagnostic capabilities.
VDACS commissioner Charles Green said the expansion project will add roughly 8,800 square feet of combined laboratory space across the facilities to support modern diagnostic services and disease monitoring.
“This $13.1 million capital outlay project will strengthen critical laboratory infrastructure and testing capabilities, enhance preparedness for emerging animal diseases, and support the health and well-being of the public, animals, and the state’s rural communities,” Green explained.
Dr. Jessica Walters, Office of Laboratory Services program manager, said the expansion has been a long time coming.
“This project has been about five years in the works,” Walters said. “Virginia Farm Bureau has been an amazing supporter of all that we do.”
VFBF President Scott Sink explained that the state’s largest agriculture advocacy organization has supported efforts for the General Assembly to fund the lab expansion, recognizing their importance in protecting the health of herds and flocks.
“We are unique in that we can accept samples directly from farmers as well as from vets,” Walters added. “This facility will have drive-through space, which will especially help our poultry clients.”
Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier grew up in the Valley and was the keynote speaker at the groundbreaking.
“I’ve seen firsthand why facilities like this are so important,” said Frazier. “VDACS Regional Animal Health Laboratories perform a vital role in providing regulatory and diagnostic testing services for veterinary practitioners, food manufacturers, agricultural animal producers, pet owners and other state government programs. Expanding the capabilities and capacity of the animal health laboratory system is an important safeguard to protecting public health and Virginia’s multi-billion-dollar agricultural industry.”
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