- Congressman Goodlatte was the first Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee from Virginia since 1945. During his time as Chairman and now as Ranking Member, Congressman Goodlatte has worked hard on behalf of farmers all across the 6th District of Virginia.
- During the Avian Influenza (AI) outbreak in the Shenandoah Valley in 2002 Congressman Goodlatte met with representatives from the Virginia Poultry Federation and county and state officials, to address concerns stemming from the avian influenza outbreak in area birds. He helped secure $51 million from the Office of Management and Budget for indemnity to help compensate growers for their loss due to the AI outbreak.
- In 2004 Congressman Goodlatte assisted growers in the formation of the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative.
- Under the leadership of Congressman Goodlatte, the House Committee on Agriculture passed a Farm Bill containing new reforms to commodity payments in addition to authorizing a wide variety of important agriculture, conservation, research, energy, and nutrition programs. Rep. Bob Goodlatte worked to incorporate several provisions in the bill including funding for the Chesapeake Bay, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families food program, and compromise language that would allow country-of-origin labeling for meat products to take full effect next year without adding a heavy financial or regulatory burden to livestock producers.
