BY ALICE KEMP/CAPITAL NEWS SERVICE
kempea88@gmail.com

RICHMOND—A Sedley couple may receive formal praise from the General Assembly for winning the 2011 American Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award for promoting Virginia’s agriculture.

Delegate William Barlow, D-Smithfield, has introduced a resolution recognizing Chris and Jennie Simms for their achievements in agriculture and representing “a young and vibrant part of the agricultural community in the Commonwealth.”

“It’s not only good to commend them, but it’s also a way to remind people how important agriculture is in their daily lives,” said Barlow, who grew up on a farm.

He got the idea to commend the Simmses when they were featured in a local newspaper. Matt Lohr, commissioner of Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, also contacted Barlow and told him about the couple’s achievements in the agriculture community.

“This is the basic industry, and if it falters, then we all suffer the result from it,” said Barlow.

The Simmses have won several awards for their involvement. Together, they manage a blog, Agtually.com, and are advocates for Virginia agriculture. They each serve on the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers Committee representing the southeast district.