WHEREAS, the annual economic impact of Virginia's chicken industry is more than $12.8 billion and supports over 43,600 total jobs across the Commonwealth; and

 

WHEREAS, Virginia is home to over 1,100 farms growing chickens, with Rockingham, Accomack, Shenandoah, Augusta, and Page counties being the top five counties for broiler operations; and

 

WHEREAS, Virginia ranked 13th nationally in 2024 for cash receipts of broiler chickens at more than $1.25 billion, and the state ranked 12th nationally in broiler production at more than 263.4 million head; and

 

WHEREAS, the total value of chicken exported through the Port of Virginia in 2025 exceeded $159 million, with the top destination countries being Canada, Georgia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Ghana; and

 

WHEREAS, a 3.5-ounce serving of chicken breast provides high-quality protein, all nine essential amino acids, and other important nutrients while remaining relatively low in calories and fat; and

 

WHEREAS, September is recognized as National Chicken Month, providing an opportunity to honor Virginia's chicken farmers and their families for producing a nutritious food source and for their significant contributions to the Commonwealth's economy.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor, do hereby recognize September 2026 as VIRGINIA CHICKEN MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.