2024 Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is currently accepting applications for the spring round of the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Infrastructure Grant program. Donor Name: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) State: Virginia County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The AFID Infrastructure Program is focused on awarding reimbursable grants primarily for capital projects at new and existing food hubs, farmers’ markets, commercial kitchens and other value-added facilities such as those used for processing and packaging meats, dairy products, produce, or other Virginia-grown products. Small farmers, food producers, local food systems advocates and others interested in building their community’s local food and farming infrastructure are encouraged to learn more about the program and work with their localities to identify and develop suitable projects. Project Types  Projects receiving funding through the AFID Infrastructure Program must be infrastructure development projects that directly support local food production and sustainable agriculture/forestry and demonstrate a broad community benefit. Grant funds should be used primarily for capital expenditures. Priority Project Types Consideration will be given to the following project types: Processing facilities that are primarily locally owned, including commercial kitchens, packaging and labeling facilities, animal slaughtering facilities, or other facilities, and that are primarily utilized for the processing of meats, dairy products, produce, or other products. Farmers markets. Food hubs and other agricultural aggregation facilities. Funding Information The maximum award per grant is $50,000. Eligibility Criteria  Applications must be made by a political subdivision of the Commonwealth, typically Counties and Cities, but also Towns, Industrial and Economic Development Authorities, or Planning District Commissions. Applications may be made on behalf of more than one locality, provided each applicant contributes matching funds and a single political subdivision serves as the lead applicant and grant administrator. Applicants are permitted to have multiple active AFID Infrastructure Program grants but will only be eligible for one grant award per grant round. Applicants must be in good standing with any other awards from the AFID program. For more information, visit VDACS.