Virginia Digital Opportunity Survey

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The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) Office of Broadband is excited to announce the launch of a statewide survey to gather data that will inform the Virginia Digital Opportunity Plan. The Office of Broadband is currently in the process of developing the comprehensive Virginia Digital Opportunity Plan, the required output of Virginia’s Digital Equity Act Planning Grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The Digital Opportunity Plan will enable the Commonwealth apply for Federal broadband funding from the Digital Equity Act Capacity Grant program, as well as for eligible entities to apply for funds from the Digital Equity Act Competitive Grant program. These grants will be used to improve the affordability of internet services in the Commonwealth, increase digital literacy programming and resources aimed at increasing digital adoption, and fund unique programs that address the digital divide beyond just access to physical broadband infrastructure. 

We strongly encourage all Virginia residents to complete this quick, 10-minute survey to help our office better understand your digital needs. Together, we can foster digital opportunity in the Commonwealth by ensuring that residents have access to affordable, reliable, and high-speed internet, and have the skills necessary to use the internet to its full potential.

The Digital Opportunity Survey is currently available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Russian and Ukrainian. Paper copies of the survey are available in the resources tab. 

Please take the Digital Opportunity Survey now!

Take the survey now.

PAPER SURVEY INSTRUCTIONS

If distributing paper surveys, please ensure that you collect them from participants once they are done. Completed surveys can be mailed or faxed to SIR Research. If possible, we recommend collecting the paper surveys and mailing them in one batch directly to SIR. If you find that you are receiving a significant amount (20+) of paper surveys each week, we recommend you send a weekly collection to SIR. If you would prefer to email or fax completed surveys in, please retain the hard copies to be returned at a later date for quality assurance.

Mailing Address

SIR 2601 Floyd Avenue Richmond, VA 23220

Scan and Email Address: Becky.Chipman@sirhq.com

Fax: 804-342-1790

REGIONAL DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY PLANS

PROGRAM PURPOSE

DHCD is partnering with the Department of Social Services, the Virginia Community Action Partnership, and Community Action Agencies to develop Regional Digital Opportunity Plans. Across nine regions, Community Action Agencies are assessing the digital divide through stakeholder engagement, survey distribution and data analysis and community input sessions to develop regional plans that address identified community needs related to the digital divide. The nine regions, as well as the lead Community Action Agency for each regional plan, are listed in the map. 

DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY CASE STUDY PILOT PROGRAM

PROGRAM PURPOSE

The intent of this program is to bring organizations working to close the digital divide into the state’s planning process. The objective of this grant opportunity is to identify best practices of initiatives/efforts that are addressing the digital divide in communities throughout Virginia. DHCD will provide grant funding to the organizations operating these programs, with the deliverable of a case study highlighting key findings, which DHCD will incorporate into the Commonwealth Digital Opportunity Plan.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit here for more information.

Applications will be accepted and evaluated by DHCD on a rolling basis, until all available funds are committed. Interested organizations are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to begin development of their case study if selected.

VDACS Announces 2023 Pesticide Collection Program Dates and Collection Sites

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Farmers, pesticide dealers, pest control firms, certified applicators, homeowners and golf course operators are encouraged to participate in the 2023 Virginia Pesticide Collection Program. The program collects unwanted, outdated or banned pesticides, at no cost to eligible participants, and disposes of them in a safe manner.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Office of Pesticide Services, with participation from Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services, oversee the program, which has collected and destroyed more than 1.8 million pounds of outdated and unwanted pesticides since its inception. The program is funded through pesticide product registration fees collected by VDACS.

The following is a list of the 2023 collection sites and schedule. All locations are open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  • September 26 – Lynchburg Livestock Market, 243 Livestock Rd., Rustburg, Va.
  • September 27 – Southern States-Farmers Cooperative, 182 Smi Way, Farmville, Va.
  • September 28 – Meherrin Ag & Chemical, 1409 Vincent Store Rd., Charlotte Court House, Va.
  • October 3 – Nutrien Ag (Fertilizer Warehouse), 204 South Lunenburg Ave., South Hill, Va.
  • October 4 – Halifax County Agriculture Marketing Center, 1001 Farmway Ln., Scottsburg, Va.
  • October 5 – Piedmont Farmers Cooperative (Formerly known as Southern States Chatham Co-op), 485 Tightsqueeze Industrial Rd., Chatham, Va.
  • October 11 – National Guard Armory, 315 Commonwealth Blvd. W., Martinsville, Va.

In administering the Pesticide Collection Program, VDACS divides Virginia into five regions. Each year, the department conducts a collection in a different region. Once all five regions have been served, the program starts another cycle. Click here for the list of future collection localities.

Participants must transport their unwanted pesticides to the collection sites. If participants cannot safely containerize the unwanted pesticides for transport, VDACS may arrange assistance on a case-by-case basis. Only pesticides will be accepted. Pesticide contaminated material (for example, pesticide contaminated fertilizer) will not be accepted as part of the collection program. In addition, the program does NOT accept motor oil, paint, fuel, fertilizer or other chemicals.

Participants need to complete a pesticide collection registration form prior to the scheduled collection date and return the completed form to marlene.larios@vdacs.virginia.gov or mail to Office of Pesticide Services, VDACS, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond Virginia 23218. The form is available at www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/disposalregistration.pdf or by contacting the program at 804.371.6561.

Participants should direct questions to their local Virginia Cooperative Extension agent or to the VDACS Office of Pesticide Services at marlene.larios@vdacs.virginia.gov.

Now Available: USDA Milk Loss Assistance for Dairy Operations Impacted by 2020, 2021 and 2022 Disaster Events

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USDA has made available Milk Loss Program (MLP) assistance for eligible dairy operations for milk that was dumped or removed, without compensation, from the commercial milk market due to qualifying weather events and the consequences of those weather events that inhibited delivery or storage of milk (e.g., power outages, impassable roads, infrastructure losses, etc.) during calendar years 2020, 2021 and 2022. Administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), signup for MLP opened September 11 and runs through October 16, 2023. 

Background 

On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (P.L. 117-43), providing $10 billion for crop losses, including milk losses due to qualifying disaster events that occurred in calendar years 2020 and 2021. Additionally, the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328) provides approximately $3 billion for disaster assistance for similar losses that occurred in calendar year 2022. 

Eligibility 

MLP compensates dairy operations for milk dumped or removed without compensation from the commercial milk market due to qualifying disaster events, including droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex) and smoke exposure that occurred in the 2020, 2021 and 2022 calendar years. Tornadoes are considered a qualifying disaster event for calendar year 2022 only.

The milk loss claim period is each calendar month that milk was dumped or removed from the commercial market. Each MLP application covers the loss in a single calendar month. Milk loss that occurs in more than one calendar month due to the same qualifying weather event requires a separate application for each month.  

The days that are eligible for assistance begin on the date the milk was removed or dumped and for concurrent days milk was removed or dumped. Once the dairy operation restarts milk marketing, the dairy operation is ineligible for assistance unless after restarting commercial milk marketing, additional milk is dumped due to the same qualifying disaster event. The duration of yearly claims is limited to 30 days per year for 2020, 2021 and 2022. 

How to Apply 

To apply for MLP, producers must submit: 

  • FSA-376, Milk Loss Program Application
  • Milk marketing statement from the:
  • Month prior to the month milk was removed or dumped.
  • Affected month.
  • Detailed written statement of milk removal circumstances, including the weather event type and geographic scope, what transportation limitations occurred and any information on what was done with the removed milk.
  • Any other information required by the regulation.

If not previously filed with FSA, applicants must also submit all the following items within 60 days of the MLP application deadline: 

  • Form AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet.  
  • Form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan for an individual or legal entity.   
  • Form CCC-901, Member Information for Legal Entities (if applicable).   
  • Form FSA-510, Request for an Exception to the $125,000 Payment Limitation for Certain Programs (if applicable).   
  • Form CCC-860, Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification, (if applicable).
  • A highly erodible land conservation (sometimes referred to as HELC) and wetland conservation certification (Form AD-1026 Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification) for the MLP producer and applicable affiliates.  

Most producers, especially those who have previously participated in FSA programs, will likely have these required forms already on file. However, those who are uncertain or want to confirm the status of their forms can contact their local FSA county office.   

MLP Payment Calculation 

The final MLP payment is determined by factoring the MLP payment calculation by the applicable MLP payment percentage.

The calculation for determining MLP payment is:

  • ((Base period per cow average daily milk production x the number of milking cows in a claim period x the number of days milk was removed or dumped in a claim period) ÷ 100) x pay price per hundredweight (cwt.).

For MLP payment calculations, the milk loss base period is the first full month of production before the dumping or removal occurred. 

The MLP payment percentage will be 90% for underserved producers, including socially disadvantaged, beginning, limited resource, and veteran farmers and ranchers and 75% for all other producers.     

To qualify for the higher payment percentage, eligible producers must have a CCC-860, Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification, form on file with FSA for the 2022 program year.     

Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limitations do not apply to MLP, however the payment limitation for MLP is determined by the person’s or legal entity’s average adjusted gross farm income (income derived from farming, ranching and forestry operations). Specifically, a person or legal entity, other than a joint venture or general partnership, cannot receive, directly or indirectly, more than $125,000 in payments under MLP if their average adjusted gross farm income is less than 75% of their average AGI or more than $250,000 if their adjusted gross farm income is at least 75% of their average AGI.     

More Dairy Information 

In other FSA dairy safety-net support, Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program payments have triggered every month, January through July, for producers who obtained coverage for the 2023 program year. July 2023’s income over feed margin of $3.52 per hundredweight (cwt.) is the lowest margin since DMC program benefits to dairy producers started in 2019. To date, FSA has paid more than $1 billion in DMC benefits to covered dairy producers for the 2023 program year.

Additionally, FSA closed the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP) application period on August 11.

On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet and Loan Assistance Tool can help producers and landowners determine program or loan options. For assistance with a crop insurance claim, producers and landowners should contact their crop insurance agent. For FSA and NRCS programs, they should contact their local USDA Service Center.

Virginia Grants Awarded to Support Local Food Systems

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Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced today the latest awards from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund Infrastructure Grant program. Three projects will receive $127,500 in competitively awarded, matching grants for new community infrastructure development projects that support local food production and sustainable agriculture.

Created by the General Assembly in 2021, AFID infrastructure grants are awarded to support locally identified investments that aid small-scale farmers and food producers in growing their operations. This round of grant awards will support the construction of a new farmers market in Craig County, the expansion of an existing farmers market in Henrico County, and the improvement of an on-farm market in the city of Virginia Beach.

“This round of grant awards helps to strengthen the local agricultural infrastructure in these communities by improving the connection between producers and consumers,” said Youngkin. “This funding will enhance and expand opportunities for both farmers and consumers, and we are helping support food access and family health throughout the Commonwealth.”

“As a farmer myself, I understand the challenges many farming families face trying to get their goods in the hands of consumers and this funding helps bridge the gap,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matt Lohr. “In addition to improving revenue opportunities for local producers, these grants aid in reducing food insecurity by increasing access to fresh local foods in several communities.”

The following projects are receiving funding in this round of the AFID Infrastructure Grant program:

New Farmers Market
Craig County
$50,000

Craig County is receiving funding to support the construction of a farmers market with public restrooms in the town of New Castle. A rural area with a population of 5,200, Craig County and the town of New Castle have only one small grocery store and residents must travel a minimum of 20 miles to access the nearest farmers market. The new farmers market will have a positive impact on the agricultural community by providing another avenue for locally grown produce to be sold within the surrounding community. The application is a joint effort between Craig County, Craig County Economic Development Authority, and the town of New Castle.

Farmers Market Expansion
Henrico County
$50,000

Henrico County is receiving funding to support the expansion of the Dorey Park Farmers Market which will provide expanded shelter for consumers, an educational programming space, and a separate office and storage area for the market managers. Established in 2018, the Dorey Park Farmers Market has quickly grown to more than 40 vendors. The market was established around an existing, small shelter which has become undersized for the number of vendors and consumers it serves. The project benefits the community with an improved market facility that provides access to locally grown produce as well as an improved retail outlet for local farmers to sell their products – both of which are essential for continued growth and success.

On-Farm Market Improvement and Equipment Upgrade
City of Virginia Beach
$27,500

The city of Virginia Beach is receiving funding to support Cullipher Farm in the installation of a new 10 by 20-foot freezer and additional irrigation equipment for its orchards and vineyards. Cullipher Farm is a multi-generational family-owned business that produces a variety of traditional vegetable and fruit crops for sale in its on-farm market as well as canned goods, baked goods, ice cream and beef. In addition to a robust “you-pick” operation and on-farm experiences, the business grows and processes various types of fruits for juice and has recently expanded into beef cattle. Currently limited in on-site freezer space, the installation of a new freezer will enable the company to be more efficient in its juice pressing with larger production runs and store more frozen products on-site. It will also enable the company to be more efficient in its beef processing, with larger production runs and less trips to the processor which is located 100 miles away. The additional irrigation equipment will increase productivity of farm crops as well as potentially help minimize losses due to freezes.

Administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the AFID Infrastructure Grant program, in partnership with local governments, awards grants to develop community infrastructure in support of local food production and sustainable agriculture. Applications for the next round of this grant program will be accepted in the spring of 2024. Additional information about the program is available here.

VFBF AgPAC endorses 101 candidates for General Assembly seats

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Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC, Farm Bureau’s political action committee, recently announced its endorsement of 32 candidates for the Virginia Senate and 69 candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates. Though the committee did not endorse a candidate in each district’s race, Farm Bureau values many candidates’ open-door policies, and anticipates building strong working relationships with them.

The endorsements are based on recommendations of local committees of farmers.

“Candidates are evaluated through a grassroots process that assesses their understanding of the needs and challenges that we as farmers face in today’s times,” said Wayne F. Pryor, VFBF president and chairman of the VFBF AgPAC board of trustees. “Those who have received the AgPAC endorsement have a history of supporting issues important to agriculture or have demonstrated their commitment through their participation in the evaluation process.”

Throughout the year, the VFBF Women’s Leadership and Young Farmers committees facilitate relationships between agriculturalists and legislators from both rural and urban districts—building partnerships that ensure a sustainable future for the state’s largest industry. Speaking directly with representatives of the General Assembly at farmer-focused summits, in-person visits and legislative roundtables statewide resulted in more opportunities for members to become a voice for agriculture and serve as resources for lawmakers.

Candidates are neither endorsed nor denied endorsements based on policy stances unrelated to farming or forestry.

“We believe these candidates will help protect the agriculture and forestry industries and ensure that they remain the No. 1 industries in the commonwealth,” Pryor continued.

Friendly incumbents have a track record of working with farmers at the local level, said Martha Moore, senior vice president of VFBF governmental relations.

“The newcomers our farmers endorsed for the House and Senate have demonstrated a willingness to listen, seeking to understand the nuances of agricultural issues specific to Virginia’s farmers and foresters,” she added.

The non-partisan VFBF AgPAC was created in 1999 and employs in-kind contributions and endorsements to support candidates who can best support agriculture and Farm Bureau issues.

The following candidates were endorsed (* indicates incumbent candidates):

Endorsed for Virginia Senate

Senate DistrictCandidate
SD1Timmy French (R)
SD2 Mark Obenshain* (R)
SD3 Christopher Head (R)
SD4 Dave Suetterlein* (R)
SD5 Travis Hackworth* (R)
SD6 Todd Pillion* (R)
SD7 Bill Stanley* (R)
SD8 Mark Peake* (R)
SD9 Frank Ruff* (R)
SD10 John McGuire (R)
SD11 Creigh Deeds* (D)
SD12 Glen Sturtevant (R)
SD13 Lashrecse Aird (D)
SD15 Ghazala Hashmi* (D)
SD16 Siobhan Dunnavant* (R)
SD17 Emily Brewer (R)
SD18 Louise Lucas* (D)
SD19 Christie New Craig (R)
SD20 Bill DeSteph* (R)
SD21 Angelia Williams Graves (D)
SD23 Mamie Locke* (D)
SD24 Monty Mason* (D)
SD25 Richard Stuart* (R)
SD26 Ryan McDougle* (R)
SD27 Tara Durant (R)
SD28 Bryce Reeves* (R)
SD29 Jeremy McPike* (D)
SD34 Scott Surovell* (D)
SD35 Dave Marsden* (D)
SD38 Jennifer Boysko* (D)
SD39 Adam Ebbin* (D)
SD40 Barbara Favola* (D)

Endorsed for Virginia House of Delegates

House DistrictCandidate
HD1Patrick Hope* (D)
HD3 Alfonso Lopez* (D)
HD4 Charniele Herring* (D)
HD5 Elizabeth Bennett-Parker* (D)
HD6 Rip Sullivan* (D)
HD8 Irene Shin* (D)
HD9 Karrie Delaney* (D)
HD10 Dan Helmer* (D)
HD11 David Bulova* (D)
HD12 Holly Seibold* (D)
HD14 Vivian Watts* (D)
HD16 Paul Krizek* (D)
HD17 Mark Sickles* (D)
HD18 Kathy Tran* (D)
HD20 Michelle Maldonado* (D)
HD25 Briana Sewell* (D)
HD26 Kannan Srinivasan (D)
HD27 Atoosa Reaser (D)
HD28 David Reid* (D)
HD31 Delores Oates (R)
HD32 Bill Wiley* (R)
HD33 Todd Gilbert* (R)
HD34 Tony Wilt* (R)
HD35 Chris Runion* (R)
HD36 Ellen Campbell* (R)
HD37 Terry Austin* (R)
HD38 Sam Rasoul* (D)
HD39 Will Davis (R)
HD40 Joe McNamara* (R)
HD42 Jason Ballard* (R)
HD43 Will Morefield* (R)
HD44 Israel O’Quinn* (R)
HD45 Terry Kilgore* (R)
HD46 Jed Arnold (R)
HD47 Wren Williams* (R)
HD48 Les Adams* (R)
HD49 Danny Marshall* (R)
HD50 Tommy Wright* (R)
HD52 Wendell Walker* (R)
HD53 Tim Griffin (R)
HD56 Tom Garrett (R)
HD59 Buddy Fowler* (R)
HD60 Scott Wyatt* (R)
HD61 Michael Webert* (R)
HD62Nick Freitas* (R)
HD63 Phillip Scott* (R)
HD64 Paul Milde (R)
HD66 Bobby Orrock* (R)
HD67 Hillary Pugh Kent (R)
HD68 Keith Hodges* (R)
HD69 Chad Green (R)
HD70 Shelly Simonds* (D)
HD71 Amanda Batten* (R)
HD72 Lee Ware* (R)
HD73 Mark Earley Jr. (R)
HD74 Mike Cherry* (R)
HD75 Carrie Coyner* (R)
HD78 Betsy Carr* (D)
HD81 Delores McQuinn* (D)
HD82 Kim Taylor* (R)
HD83 Otto Wachsmann* (R)
HD86 A.C. Cordoza* (R)
HD88 Don Scott* (D)
HD90 Jay Leftwich* (R)
HD91 Cliff Hayes* (D)
HD97 Karen Greenhalgh* (R)
HD98 Barry Knight* (R)
HD99 Anne Ferrell Tata* (R)
HD100 Rob Bloxom Jr.* (R)

Interested in Becoming a Beekeeper? A Virginia Grant Can Help You Get Started

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A Virginia grant program for backyard beekeepers will surely get a lot of buzz. Interested beekeepers or those wanting to expand, are eligible to receive up to three hive units at no cost through a lottery system from qualified applications submitted to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS).

Applications for the Beehive Distribution Program will be accepted August 28, 2023, through September 12, 2023. When the application period opens on August 28, a link to the online application will be made available on this page: VDACS Beehive Distribution Program. Additionally, a PDF of the application for submission by mail will be made available during the application period. Applications received online or postmarked during the application period will be accepted for consideration.

Recipients of beehive units will be selected at random from qualifying applications. Individuals are encouraged to provide a valid email address with their application since notifications regarding the status of an application will be sent by email. Applications from individuals who were not selected to receive beehive units last year, will not be carried forward to this year’s program.

The program provides equipment directly to eligible individuals for the construction of new beehives. Virginia residents who are 18 years of age or older at the time an application is submitted are eligible to receive up to three beehive units per year. Individuals in the same household are not be eligible to receive beehive units in consecutive years until all applications from individuals that did not receive units in the previous year are processed. No more than three beehive units may be distributed per household. Individuals who submit an application for a beehive unit through the program will be registered as a beekeeper with the VDACS. Beehive equipment received through the program must be assembled and occupied with a colony of honey bees within one year of receiving the equipment. Honey bees and equipment to manage beehives, such as personal safety equipment and honey processing equipment, are not provided through the program. Individuals interested in applying to receive beehive units through the program should review the guidelines and requirements which provides application instructions.

Individuals receiving beehive units are encouraged to enter their apiary location in the BeeCheck mapping system.

For more information, visit the VDACS Beehive Distribution Program.