Martha Boneta, owner of Liberty Farm in Paris, Virginia, has been nominated as one of three finalists for the annual Weyrich Awards for “Courage in the Face of Power.”
This prestigious award will be given on the evening of Wednesday, February 25th, honoring “leaders in the conservative movement who have made significant contributions in the cause of liberty.” Presidential hopeful, Governor Scott Walker, is a prior Weyrich Award recipient.
“I am so humbled and thrilled to be considered for this great honor,” said Boneta.
Boneta, whose namesake “Boneta Bill” became law in 2014, protects farmers from over-regulation. Boneta is on the cusp of yet another victory for property rights with the overwhelming passage of bipartisan HB 1488 in the 2015 Virginia General Assembly, The Conservation Dispute Resolution Act. HB1488 provides protections for landowners against private “Land Trusts” that currently have no standards, accountability or transparency.
”What good is protecting farmland if we aren’t protecting the farmers?” said Boneta. “The only way to really protect and preserve farmland is to protect the farmers.”
HB1488 is the result of abusive acts by the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC), a 501(c)3 non-profit land trust. The PEC fabricated a significant Civil War historical designation on Boneta Farm, with no historical basis for the claim and also altered easement language without Boneta’s consent or knowledge.
WATCHDOG named Martha Boneta 3rd in The Nation for being a “One of the Good Guys.” Country Woman Magazine named Boneta one of the nation’s “AMAZING WOMEN.” The Property Rights Foundation of America named Boneta the 2014 nation’s “Property Rights Grassroots Leader.”
Martha volunteers her time teaching farming skills to inner city children and has donated many tons of heirloom vegetables to local food banks. Today, Martha is a full-time farmer at her family farm. Martha’s passion includes caring for over 180 farm animals and tending to her heirloom vegetable and culinary herbs. Martha also produces eggs and raw honey.
Martha has appeared on Fox & Friends, The Neal Cavuto Show, The John Stossel Show, Greta On the Record, NRA News, PBS/Virginia Farming as well as numerous other TV and radio shows.
