Martha Boneta

Martha Boneta is an American policy advisor, commentator, and farmer who is known for her role in the passage of a landmark right-to-farm law in the Commonwealth of Virginia.[1] She was featured in the 2015 documentary film Farming in Fear.

Martha Boneta
Alma materGeorge Mason School of Law
OccupationPolicy advisor, commentator, farmer
Known forBoneta Act (2014) in Virginia Code § 15.2-22886 and § 3.2-6400
Notable work
Farming in Fear (2015 film)

Education

Boneta earned a law degree from George Mason School of Law.

Career

In 2006, Boneta purchased a 65-acre property in Paris, Virginia called Liberty Farm.[2] Over the next several years, the farm was hit with numerous Fauquier County inspections, and there was allegedly a push by local real estate professionals in concert with someone on the county Board of Supervisors to try to privately buy out her mortgage. Boneta was once fined $15,000 by the county for hosting a young girl’s birthday party at Liberty Farm. Boneta later settled a lawsuit against the parties aligned against her.[3]

Boneta’s advocacy, along with support from other farm rights activists, has been attributed as a key role in securing the passage of two bills in the Virginia General Assembly. The first bill amended Virginia’s Right to Farm Act to more enable farmers to conduct commercial activity on their farms, despite more restrictive zoning laws. The second gave landowners access to a state agency to mediate disputes related to conservation easements.[4][3]

Boneta was featured in the 2015 documentary Farming in Fear. The film documented her farming and advocacy which resulted in numerous television appearances for Boneta.[5][6][7]

References
  1. "Landmark Agriculture Bill Now Law in Virginia". The Roanoke Star. 2 July 2014.
  2. "Stonewall Jackson Slept Here. Are You Absolutely Sure?". Newsweek.
  3. Mooney, Kevin (29 May 2018). "Neighbors, Farmer Settle Pitched Lawsuit Over Green Groups and Her Property Rights". The Daily Signal.
  4. Mooney, Kevin. "Big money backs environmentalists, time after time". Washington Examiner.
  5. "Farmer says she's being harassed by environmental group". Fox News. 22 October 2014.
  6. "Virginia Farming - Martha Boneta & Protecting Small Farmers". PBS. 20 February 2015.
  7. "How Trump's new trade deal may benefit US farmers". Fox News. 1 October 2018.
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