The USDA will provide $12 billion in one-time bridge payments to American farmers facing market disruptions and elevated production costs.
What Farmers Need to Know
The Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program will distribute up to $11 billion to row crop producers of barley, chickpeas, corn, cotton, lentils, oats, peanuts, rice, soybeans, wheat, and other covered commodities. Payments are expected by February 28, 2026.
Action Required: Farmers must ensure their 2025 acreage reporting is accurate by 5 p.m. ET on December 19, 2025. Commodity-specific payment rates will be released by month’s end.
The remaining $1 billion is reserved for specialty crops and sugar, with details still under development.
Building on Historic Farm Support
This bridge program comes on top of over $30 billion in disaster and economic assistance already delivered in 2025, including:
$9.3 billion through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program
$6 billion in supplemental disaster relief
$1.8 billion for specialty crop producers
These payments are designed to support farmers until the benefits of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act take effect in October 2026, which raises reference prices for major commodities by 10-21%.
Trade Wins and Market Access
The administration has secured trade agreements with more than 15 countries, opening new markets for American agricultural products:
Japan committed to $8 billion in agricultural purchases
China resumed large purchases of soybeans and sorghum
The EU agreed to purchase $750 billion in American energy while addressing barriers for pork and dairy
Thailand eliminated tariffs on 99% of U.S. goods, including most agricultural products
Additional Actions for Farmers
The Trump Administration has also:
Reduced H-2A farm labor costs, saving at least $2 billion initially
Provided nearly $1 billion in Section 32 commodity purchases for food assistance
Signed an executive order targeting price fixing and anti-competitive behavior in agricultural markets
Expanded crop insurance support, saving farmers over $400 million annually
Questions?
Producers can submit questions or request meetings by emailing farmerbridge@usda.gov.
Virginia’s small-scale farmers and local food producers have a new opportunity to strengthen their operations through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Infrastructure Grant program. The fall application period opened on October 1 and runs through October 31, 2025, at 5 p.m.
Supporting Local Food Systems
Since its creation in 2021, the AFID Infrastructure Grant program has been a vital resource for communities looking to invest in their local agricultural infrastructure. Administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), the program focuses on supporting locally identified investments that help small farmers and food producers scale their businesses while benefiting the broader community.
What Projects Qualify?
To be eligible for funding, projects must directly support local food production and forestry while demonstrating clear community-wide benefits. The program prioritizes infrastructure investments in:
Food hubs (new and existing facilities)
Farmers markets
Commercial kitchens
Value-added processing facilities for meats, dairy, produce, and other Virginia-grown products
Packaging and processing infrastructure
Grant funds are intended primarily for capital expenditures, with a maximum award of $50,000 per project.
Who Can Apply?
Applications must come from a political subdivision of the Commonwealth, including:
Counties
Cities
Towns
Industrial and economic development authorities
Planning district commissions
However, localities are strongly encouraged to collaborate with small farmers, food producers, local food systems advocates, and other stakeholders interested in building robust local food and farming infrastructure. This collaborative approach ensures that funded projects truly meet the needs of the communities they serve.
Matching Requirements
This competitive grant program requires an equal cash match from the applying locality. Recognizing the challenges faced by some communities, the program offers reduced matching requirements for economically distressed localities, making the grants more accessible across Virginia.
Application Timeline
The AFID Infrastructure Grant program operates on a bi-annual cycle with two funding rounds each fiscal year:
Fall Round: Applications due October 31; awards announced by December 31
Spring Round: Awards announced by June 30
With the fall deadline rapidly approaching, interested localities should begin coordinating with local agricultural stakeholders now to develop strong applications that showcase community need and impact.
Why This Matters
Virginia’s agricultural sector continues to be a cornerstone of the state’s economy and rural communities. By investing in infrastructure that helps small producers access processing facilities, reach customers through farmers markets, and add value to their products, the AFID program strengthens the entire local food system. These investments create jobs, keep food dollars circulating in local economies, and ensure that Virginia-grown products can reach consumers more efficiently.
Get Started
For more information about the AFID Infrastructure Grant program, eligibility requirements, or the application process, contact:
Candidates for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general have partnered with Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC, a nonpartisan political action committee, to present their stances on agricultural and forestry issues that align with Farm Bureau policy.
While endorsements will not be issued for individual candidates for the top spots in state leadership this year, farmers serving on the AgPAC board of trustees met with all six campaigns and briefed them on important agriculture and forestry issues. Candidates were then given the opportunity to present their agriculture and forestry platforms to the full AgPAC board of trustees.
In-kind contributions were offered to candidates who presented positions that help promote specific agriculture and forestry issues aligned with Farm Bureau policy.
Both gubernatorial candidates, Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, embraced the opportunity to share their ideas on issues important to farmers.
Spanberger’s top priorities included expanding access to markets for Virginia farmers, preserving working farm and forest lands, promoting rural economic development, ensuring farmers have access to labor, fully funding voluntary conservation programs and expanding agricultural education and support for Virginia’s land grant universities and Virginia Cooperative Extension programs.
“I worked with Virginia’s farmers to amplify their voices when I was in Congress by moving legislation that addressed their issues,” Spanberger said. “I was proud to receive awards from Farm Bureau and Virginia Cattlemen’s Association recognizing this work. I will do the same as governor and ensure that agriculture and forestry have a seat at the decision-making table.”
Earle-Sears emphasized her commitment to reducing taxes, supporting job creation, and preserving Virginia’s farmland and forestry through clean energy solutions like biomass. She voiced strong support for broadband expansion, and maintaining right-to-work and right-to-farm laws, while opposing increased pesticide regulations and minimum wage hikes. Earle-Sears also pledged to establish a governor’s office in Southwest Virginia to ensure accessibility and representation for rural communities. On environmental issues, she praised Virginia farmers for their efforts to protect the Chesapeake Bay, and called on neighboring states to uphold their responsibilities.
“I want you to know that I want to invest in you, but I think more importantly, I trust our farmers,” Earle-Sears said. “I trust our farmers and foresters, and our entire commonwealth benefits because of you. I will fight for your interests in Richmond. I will continue to fight for you. As governor, that is my promise.”
Four other statewide candidates agreed to meet with the AgPAC board—lieutenant governor candidates Democrat Sen. Ghazala Hashmi and Republican John Reid, and candidates for attorney general, Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares and Democrat Jay Jones.
“These candidates valued the opportunity to have meaningful conversations with farmers, exploring ways they might support agriculture through their roles if elected,” said Martha Moore, senior vice president of VFBF governmental relations. “We’re excited to assist these six statewide candidates in sharing their perspectives on key agriculture and forestry topics with farmers throughout Virginia. We believe that working together will bring attention to issues that matter in rural communities and help farmers make informed decisions ahead of the Nov. 4 election.”
Hashmi recognizes that agriculture and forestry are more than just industries; they are a way of life for many Virginians. Her vision centers on economic growth, workforce development and land stewardship, including strengthening the Virginia Agricultural Best Management program and promoting voluntary conservation practices to preserve Virginia’s working lands. She is committed to closing the broadband gap to ensure rural communities can thrive in the digital age and supports climate innovation through smart solar development on existing infrastructure. “I want to use this opportunity to elevate rural voices and build lasting support for the vital work happening in our agricultural and forestry communities,” Hashmi said.
Reid says he is committed to sustaining family farms and securing our food supply because a stronger agricultural foundation means a stronger Virginia. He supports increased funding for BMPs, empowering farmers to meet Virginia’s water quality goals while protecting our natural resources. Reid opposes reinstating the estate tax, recognizing the burden it places on landowners and the threat it poses to farm viability. He advocates for preserving farmland through strategic solar siting, and stands strong in defending Virginia’s right to farm—ensuring agriculture remains a cornerstone of Virginia’s economy and way of life.
Miyares reaffirmed his commitment to protecting Virginia’s right-to-work law, emphasizing its importance in attracting businesses and supporting the state’s workforce, including agribusiness. He pledged to oppose efforts that would hinder employment opportunities or burden farmers with unnecessary regulations, including those promoting animal rights. Miyares also voiced strong support for local authority in solar siting decisions, noting that wind and solar alone cannot meet Virginia’s energy needs over the next two decades. His focus remains on getting Virginia back to work and back to business—especially in vital sectors like agriculture.
Jones says he understands the economic challenges facing agriculture today and is committed to offering predictability and stability to support farmers and small business owners across the commonwealth. He believes that regulations play a vital role in protecting the environment and ensuring food safety. However, Jones advocates for science-based policies that are flexible, cost-effective, and adaptable to local conditions—so farmers can thrive without unnecessary burdens. Jones supports simplifying regulations to foster entrepreneurship and competitiveness in both national and global markets. He is especially focused on reducing barriers for beginning farmers, helping them build sustainable businesses and contribute to Virginia’s agricultural legacy.
The nonpartisan 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.
Agricultural producers across the nation have a unique opportunity to shape how federal farm programs are delivered in their communities. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting nominations for farmers and ranchers to serve on local county committees, and the deadline is approaching fast.
Why County Committees Matter
FSA county committees aren’t just administrative bodies; they’re the backbone of local agricultural decision-making. These committees have real power to influence how disaster recovery, conservation, commodity support, and price support programs are implemented in your area. They also make decisions about county office employment and tackle other pressing agricultural issues that directly affect your operation.
With more than 7,700 dedicated agriculture community members currently serving nationwide, these committees represent the voice of local producers in federal program administration. It’s democracy in action at the grassroots level of American agriculture.
Who Can Serve?
The eligibility requirements are straightforward and designed to be inclusive:
You can be nominated if you:
Participate in or cooperate with a USDA program
Live in a Local Administrative Area (LAA) that’s up for election this year
Don’t worry if you’ve never received program benefits—being a “cooperating producer” simply means you’ve provided information about your farming or ranching operation to FSA. This broad definition ensures that producers at all levels of engagement can participate.
The Nomination Process Made Simple
Getting involved is easier than you might think. Here’s what you need to know:
Who Can Nominate:
You can nominate yourself
You can nominate other qualified producers
Qualifying organizations can also submit nominations
Key Requirements:
Complete and sign FSA Form 669A
Ensure the form is postmarked or received by your local FSA office by August 1, 2025
Be registered with your local FSA office
The USDA actively encourages all eligible producers to participate—whether that’s nominating candidates, voting in elections, or serving in office themselves.
Understanding Local Administrative Areas
Local Administrative Areas (LAAs) are the electoral districts for FSA committees. These can cover:
Single counties
Multi-county jurisdictions
Urban or suburban focused areas
Not every LAA holds elections each year, so your first step should be contacting your local FSA office to determine if your area is up for election in 2025. You can also use the geographic information system locator tool at fsa.usda.gov/elections to find your specific LAA.
Urban and Suburban Agriculture Gets a Voice
The FSA recognizes that agriculture isn’t limited to rural areas. Urban county committees specifically focus on promoting urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices. These committees serve 27 cities nationwide and work to:
Provide outreach to urban producers about USDA programs
Serve as advocates for urban agricultural communities
Assist in implementing programs that meet the unique needs of urban farming operations
Urban producers elect their own committee members, ensuring that the specific challenges and opportunities of urban agriculture are properly represented.
What Committee Service Involves
Serving on an FSA county committee is a significant commitment that offers real influence over agricultural policy implementation. Committee members serve three-year terms on panels that range from three to 11 members, depending on the size and needs of the area.
The role involves regular meetings, program oversight, and serving as a liaison between local producers and federal agricultural agencies. It’s an opportunity to directly impact how programs are administered in your community while gaining valuable insights into agricultural policy and program management.
Take Action Now
With the August 1 deadline approaching, interested producers should act quickly. Here’s your action plan:
Contact your local FSA office to confirm your LAA is holding elections this year
Register with FSA if you haven’t already
Obtain and complete FSA Form 669A
Submit your nomination before the August 1 deadline
Remember, election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters in November 2025, so the nomination period is your chance to ensure qualified candidates are on the ballot.
More Resources
For additional information about FSA county committee elections, nomination forms, and to access the LAA locator tool, visit fsa.usda.gov/elections. Urban agriculture information is also available at farmers.gov/urban.
Your local USDA Service Center can provide personalized guidance about the nomination process and answer questions about serving on county committees.
The Bottom Line
Agricultural producers have a voice in how federal farm programs are administered—but only if they choose to use it. Whether you’re interested in serving yourself or know someone who would make an excellent committee member, the nomination process is your opportunity to strengthen agricultural representation in your community.
Don’t let this chance pass by. Get involved, nominate qualified candidates, and help ensure that local agricultural voices are heard in federal program administration.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has appointed two farmers to represent the state on a newly established Chesapeake Bay Program Agricultural Advisory Committee. The committee aims to incorporate agricultural expertise into conservation efforts across the Chesapeake Bay watershed as officials work to accelerate progress toward water quality goals.
Kevin Craun and Robert “Bob” Waring will serve as Virginia’s representatives on the committee. Each jurisdiction in the watershed will appoint two representatives.
The committee’s formation follows a December 10 meeting of the Chesapeake Executive Council, where members formally approved its establishment. The initiative came at the request of agriculture secretaries from states within the Bay watershed and aligns with plans to revise the existing Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement by the end of 2025.
“Since day one, I have consistently said that we must work with Virginia’s farmers, not against them, in order to achieve our goals,” Youngkin said in a statement. “Under my administration, we have fully funded the Virginia Agricultural-Cost Share Program for the first time ever.”
Agriculture Secretary Matthew Lohr called the committee’s creation “a game-changer for ensuring that farmers’ voices are front and center in shaping the future of the Chesapeake Bay.”
Craun co-owns a 900-acre operation in the Shenandoah Valley, managing 190 dairy cows and 100 cow/calf pairs. He serves on multiple agricultural boards, including as chairman of the Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District and as a commissioner of the Virginia State Milk Commission.
Waring co-manages Brandon Farms, a third-generation row crop farm in Essex County recognized by the American Farmland Trust for its conservation practices. He serves on the executive board of the Southern Cover Crops Council and works at Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District.
The Chesapeake Executive Council includes governors from Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, along with the mayor of Washington, D.C., the chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission and the EPA administrator.
Agriculture is the largest non-forest land use in the watershed and will play a critical role in creating solutions for a healthier Chesapeake Bay, officials said.
Barboursville Vineyards captured the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup for its 2023 Vermentino, a white wine made entirely from estate-grown grapes, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced.
The award, presented during the annual Governor’s Cup Gala at Richmond’s Main Street Station, marks the sixth Governor’s Cup victory for the Monticello AVA winery. The 43-year-old competition drew more than 600 entries from over 140 Virginia wineries, cideries and meaderies.
“Luca Paschina and his team at Barboursville Vineyards embody the passion and pioneering spirit of Virginia wines,” Youngkin said at the ceremony. “Their dedication to excellence is evident in every vintage they produce.”
Located in Barboursville, Virginia, the vineyard has produced wines for nearly five decades. Paschina, who joined as winemaker and general manager in 1990, works alongside Vineyard Manager Fernando Franco and Assistant Winemaker Daniele Tessaro to develop grape varieties suited to Virginia’s climate.
Under Paschina’s leadership, Barboursville previously won Governor’s Cup awards for:
1988 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
1997 Cabernet Franc
1998 Cabernet Franc Reserve
2009 Octagon
The winning Vermentino earned the highest average score from judges evaluating appearance, aroma, flavor, commercial suitability and overall quality.
The wine will be featured in the Virginia Governor’s Cup Case, a collection of the competition’s 12 highest scoring wines that includes:
50 West Vineyards, 2021 Aldie Heights Cuvée
Barboursville Vineyards, 2023 Vermentino
Barboursville Vineyards, 2017 Octagon
DuCard Vineyards, 2023 Cabernet Franc Vintners Reserve
King Family Vineyards, 2021 Mountain Plains Red
Michael Shaps Wineworks, 2022 Chardonnay
Paradise Springs Winery, 2023 Cabernet Franc, Brown Bear Vineyard
Potomac Point Winery, 2023 Albariño
Trump Winery, 2018 Sparkling Rosé
Valley Road Vineyards, 2023 Petit Manseng
Veritas Winery, 2023 Monticello White
Winery at La Grange, 2023 Petit Manseng
The case features a balanced mix of six white wines, five red wines and one sparkling rosé.
In a separate category, Daring Wine & Cider Company received the Cider of the Year award for its Crab Apple Blend, marking the fifth year cider has been judged in its own competition.
This year’s competition introduced “Best in Show” awards for categories with at least five entries. Winners included:
Breaux Vineyards’ 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon
7 Lady Vineyards’ 2017 Petit Manseng for Dessert Wine
Pollak Vineyards’ 2022 Merlot Reserve
Carriage House Wineworks’ 2022 Petit Verdot Reserve
Jefferson Vineyards’ 2023 Viognier
Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr emphasized the importance of wine and cider to Virginia’s economy.
“I welcome the opportunity to see new wineries and our standard-bearers of Virginia’s quality continue to raise the bar for what can be achieved in Virginia as a wine region,” Lohr said.
The Virginia Wineries Association’s Governor’s Cup is held in partnership with the Virginia Wine Board. All entries must be made from 100% Virginia-grown fruit to be eligible.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced $264,000 in matching grants to support six community infrastructure projects focused on strengthening local food production and sustainable agriculture.
The funding, provided through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund Infrastructure Grant program, will enhance markets and food distribution while expanding access to locally grown food across the commonwealth.
“[These grants] are pivotal in providing targeted support to communities who want to create innovative solutions to local, healthy food access,” Youngkin said. “We are proud to invest in the efforts of these dedicated food leaders.”
The competitive grants will support projects in six localities:
Abingdon: $50,000 to enclose and heat the town’s farmers market, transforming it into a year-round facility with weather-resistant curtain walls, tracked doors and a two-bay sink.
Bath County: $50,000 to establish The Village Kitchen, a fully equipped shared-use commissary kitchen and food aggregator that will help local farmers and food businesses scale their operations.
Cumberland County: $32,678 to upgrade the farmers market at the Luther P. Jackson Community Center, including flooring protection, electrical improvements, new lighting, doors and signage.
Newport News: $50,000 for the SIP Seafood Market’s commercial kitchen and fresh seafood retail area, covering purchases of ice machines, refrigeration units and food display equipment.
Onancock: $31,943 to purchase equipment and a prefabricated building to house a winter market, creating a year-round food hub for farmers and food vendors.
Prince William County: $49,450 to support Sunshine Honey Farm’s expansion from a small farm stand to a brick-and-mortar market selling meat, eggs, honey and vegetables.
“It’s so important that we help our farmers and small food producers get their products to consumers, especially consumers in their local community,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr. “These grants support farm income, strengthen local economies, and increase residents’ access to fresh local foods.”
Created by the General Assembly in 2021, the AFID Infrastructure Grant program partners with local governments to develop community infrastructure supporting small-scale farmers and food producers. Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in spring 2025.
More than $557,600 in federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funding has been awarded to eight agricultural projects in Virginia to help promote and enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in the state.
“I applaud each of these awardees for their ingenuity and innovation in research and development initiatives that enhance the competitiveness of Virginia’s specialty crops. Not only will these projects help boost economic development in the Commonwealth, but they will enhance and expand new market opportunities for agricultural producers,” said Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
The purpose of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, by funding research and development initiatives that are developing improvements for the sector. Agricultural associations, industry and producer groups, localities, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and non-profits are eligible for this grant opportunity. The competitive grant process established by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) gave priority to projects that included the following activities:
Assist farmers transitioning into specialty, high-value agricultural initiatives that address the eligible specialty crops.
Increase net farm income through high-value or value-added enterprises.
Find new ways to market or add value to specialty agricultural products.
Develop pilot and demonstration programs in specialty agriculture that have the potential for transferability within rural Virginia.
“By supporting strategic research that helps to increase success for Virginia producers, these grant awards help to further our efforts of encouraging economic growth in rural areas through the use of agriculture,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr. “Congratulations to each of the awardees for their innovative research and programs that will help improve the competitiveness of Virginia’s specialty crops, strengthen food safety and resiliency, and help our producers access new markets.
Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. Among this round of specialty crop grant awards are projects that advance research with different crop varieties and disease management, while also improving economic resilience, food safety, and market access. For more information, please visit the Virginia’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program website.
During this grant round, the following recipients and projects received funding:
Increasing access to diverse markets for specialty crop farmers with pathways to food safety training and certification Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD), Duffield, Va., Robin Robbins ASD and its partners will conduct food safety classroom training, provide individual technical assistance, and conduct mock audits to increase the competitiveness of Virginia specialty crop producers. This effort will help producers reduce food safety risks, while expanding their knowledge and business model by enabling them to access new markets.
New disease management approaches to improve the quality of fresh market snap beans Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC) Painter, Va., Dr. Douglas Higgins Research will determine the prominence of fungal pathogens, Alternaria alternata and Plectosporium tabacinum, in Virginia snap beans and determine their resistance to strobilurin type fungicides. The goal of this research is to provide new disease management approaches to improve snap bean pod quality.
New blackberry varieties: Yield, post-harvest traits, and antioxidant capacity determination Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va., Dr. Dennis Cladis Researchers will evaluate the yield, post-harvest traits, and antioxidant content of new and established Virginia blackberry cultivars. This project will enhance the competitiveness of Virginia blackberries by identifying cultivars that maximize yields for growers while also producing a high antioxidant content which optimizes the health benefits for consumers.
Protecting Virginia vegetable crops from pests through novel biofumigation approaches Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va., Dr. Steven Rideout As many specialty crop producers are interested in biofumigation with brassica crop covers, Virginia Tech researchers, in cooperation with Virginia Cooperative Extension, will conduct research to explore the usefulness of BioFence applications (granular, irrigation, and foliar) for disease control and the safety of produce produced using these tactics.
Do floating row cover types influence yield and disease carry over potential in strawberry crop? Virginia Tech, Hampton Roads AREC, Virginia Beach, Va., Dr. Jayesh Samtani Led by Virginia Tech’s Hampton Roads AREC, in partnership with the Southern Piedmont AREC and Virginia Seafood AREC, researchers will study row cover usage to assist growers in managing diseases and improving crop yield with the increase in climate change and temperature fluctuations.
Profitable faba bean production and marketing in Central and Southeastern Virginia Virginia State University, Petersburg, Va., Dr. Shahram Torabian The Virginia State University Agricultural Research Station will explore profitable strategies for faba bean production and marketing in Central and Southeastern Virginia.
Assessing and mitigating food safety risks associated with using freeze dryers to enhance competitiveness of value-added specialty crops Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va., Dr. Alexis Hamilton Virginia Tech will help specialty crop producers safely produce freeze-dried products by assessing the impact of pre-processing acid rinses on the activation of Salmonella enterica prior to freeze-drying.
Farm2Food Accelerator: Energizing growth for Virginia’s small-scale specialty crop producers National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Foundation, Arlington, Va., Chris Jones NASDA Foundation will adapt the Farm2Food Accelerator curriculum to serve Virginia’s specialty crop producers launching/refining food/beverage value-added products to reduce food waste and improve economic resilience, food safety, and market access.
The Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture is a pilot program that will incentivize farmers and ranchers to adopt climate-smart agriculture practices that will maintain and improve agricultural productivity, benefit the producer, and improve climate resilience.
Under the three-year pilot program, The Alliance and its partners will help producers in Virginia prove the value of paying farmers and ranchers $100 per acre or animal unit for stewardship practices that deliver public value through carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas reduction, improved soil health, water quality, water conservation, and other environmental services. Direct payments will be issued by Virginia Tech.
Participating Districts:
Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District (757) 645-4895 OR samantha.pereira@colonialswcd.org: Charles City, James City, New Kent, York and City of Williamsburg. For the Alliance grant, Colonial has an expanded service area of: Caroline, Chesterfield, Essex, Gloucester, Hanover, Henrico, Isle of Wight, King & Queen, King William, Mathews, Middlesex, Prince George, Surry and City of Suffolk
Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District (434) 975-0224 ext 112 OR agriculture@tjswcd.org: Louisa, Fluvanna, Nelson, Albemarle and City of Charlottesville
Eligibility:
Farm located within an eligible county shown above
Verified Farm Service Agency (FSA) Number
Two-acre minimum
Land can not be enrolled in another state or federal conservation program in the same practice on the same acres
Applications opening on February 15-March 15. Looking for more information? Join in to our Alliance Virtual Information Session on Monday, February 5 at 5:30pm! Register HERE!
Plows and Politics 