NBFA President John Boyd Jr.: “I Know That Abigail Will Get to Work to Strengthen Virginia’s Trade Relationships and Make Sure Black Farmers Have the Support We Deserve”
RICHMOND, Va. — The National Black Farmers Association — a Virginia-based non-profit organization serving tens of thousands of African American farmers and their families in the United States — today endorsed Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger to serve as the next Governor of Virginia.
John W. Boyd Jr. — a fourth-generation farmer and civil rights activist who runs a 1,600 acre farm in Baskerville, Virginia — is President and Founder of the NBFA. In the organization’s endorsement of Spanberger, Boyd Jr. highlighted Spanberger’s commitment to supporting Virginia’s farmers and producers.
“The National Black Farmers Association is proud to support Abigail Spanberger to serve as Virginia’s next Governor. Since President Trump has imposed reckless tariffs on America’s farmers, costs are rising for farmers across Virginia and exports are down. This administration is cutting programs that I worked for decades to put in place to support Black farmers and strengthen America’s agriculture industry as a whole,” said John W. Boyd Jr., President and Founder, National Black Farmers Association. “As Virginia’s next Governor, Abigail Spanberger understands the need to support Virginia agriculture and all of Virginia’s farmers and producers. From my time working with her when she served on the House Agriculture Committee, I know that Abigail will get to work to strengthen Virginia’s trade relationships and make sure Black farmers have the support we deserve. Unlike her opponent, she will never be afraid to stand up to this President when he’s hurting Virginia farmers — and she will never cheer on his reckless trade wars.”
“For decades, John Boyd Jr. has worked tirelessly to serve Black farmers and guarantee fair access to the programs that help keep our agriculture industry strong. I’m grateful to have his support and to earn the National Black Farmers Association’s endorsement to serve as Virginia’s next Governor,” said Spanberger. “Throughout my time in Congress, I served as the only Virginian on the Agriculture Committee. For years, I worked with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill to support Virginia’s farmers and strengthen our number-one private industry — agriculture.”
Spanberger continued, “The Trump Administration’s destabilizing tariffs are driving up input costs for Virginia farmers and have closed entire markets to their products. As Virginia’s next Governor — amid this uncertainty and chaos, I will be focused on strengthening our trade relationships and finding new markets for Virginia exports. I will never cheer on trade wars. Virginians can trust that I will always put Virginia — our producers, our agriculture industry, and our economy — first.”
BACKGROUND
In the face of destabilizing tariffs, Spanberger knows that trust and steady governance will be critical for maintaining existing trade relationships and finding new markets for Virginia exports.
In July, Spanberger rolled out her Growing Virginia Plan, which lays out how she will leverage all tools available to protect Virginia companies from chaos in Washington, D.C. as the Commonwealth’s next Governor.
As a Member of Congress, Spanberger served as the only Virginian on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee — and she was ranked the most effective Member of Congress on agriculture issues. Spanberger also served as the Chair of the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.
Spanberger is a proud multi-year recipient of the “Friend of Farm Bureau Award” from the Virginia Farm Bureau. In 2023, Spanberger received the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association’s “Top Hand” Award.
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