RICHMOND — Members of the state’s largest farm organization are pleased with funding of agriculture-related items in the state budget, which legislators approved recently.

According to a press release from the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, Gov. Terry McAuliffe and the Virginia General Assembly allocated a record amount of money for cost-share assistance in implementing agricultural best management practices. Included was $54.39 million for cost-share money in fiscal year 2017 and $8.8 million for fiscal year 2018.

“These funds are critical to helping Virginia farmers work cooperatively with the state to help achieve its water quality goals,” said Martha Moore, vice president of governmental relations for the federation.

“Of the $54.39 million, $19.6 million is for farmers who have signed up and been waiting for cost-share money to install stream exclusion fencing,” the release stated.