Gov. Bob McDonnell announced his appointment of Delegate Matt Lohr as the next Commissioner of of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) (see Gov. McDonnell’s press release).
Speaker Howell commented on Lohr’s announcement:
Matt Lohr is a talented, hard-working and respected leader on agricultural and farming issues, which makes him an exceptionally fine choice for this important position.
Lohr was first elected to the House in 2005 and is currently serving his 3rd term representing the 26th district, made up of the City of Harrisonburg and part of Rockingham County.
Lohr has been a life-long leader in Agriculture. He lives with his wife, Andrea, and their children, Caroline Belle and Carson Jacob, on a working farm that’s been in Lohr’s family for over 100 years. In High School, Matt was president of Virginia Future Farmers of America (FFA) and then served as vice-president of the National FFA Organization. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1995. In addition to working the family farm, Matt has taught agricultural science, served as president of the Broadway–Timberville Ruritan Club, served as president of the Rockingham County Farm Bureau twice, chaired the Rockingham County Planning Commission, and most recently chaired the Rockingham County School Board. Matt and his family are also active members and leaders at Harrisonburg Baptist Church.
In the House of Delegates, Matt serves on the Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee, and chaired its Agriculture Subcommittee.