Livestock producers in 14 Central/Southside Virginia Counties will be eligible for matching grants this year under a program funded by the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. During its Jan. 12 meeting in Richmond, the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission approved $300,000 in Agribusiness grant funding for the Central Virginia Producer Support Grant Program.

The Central Virginia Producer Support Grant Program offers producers in a 14-county region an opportunity to apply for a cost share incentive of up to $3,300 per producer. This project includes the counties of Amelia, Appomattox, Bedford, Brunswick, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Cumberland, Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Pittsylvania and Prince Edward. The grant focuses on three components, including hay wrappers, creep feeders/mix wagons & cold storage facilities thereby, enhancing farm profitability with corresponding benefits to the region’s overall economy. Cost share funds will be available to agricultural producers who meet all eligibility requirements.

Producers interested in applying for funding must attend a minimum of one informational/educational session out of seven opportunities offered by Virginia Cooperative Extension prior to applying for funds.

These sessions have been scheduled at the following locations on the dates and times listed below.

Training classes are scheduled for: April 11 starting at 10 a.m. South Hill Town Hall – Room B, 211 South Mecklenburg Ave., South Hill; April 14 starting at 4 p.m. – Southern Piedmont AREC, Blackstone; April 19 starting at 9 a.m. – Olde Dominion Agriculture Complex, Chatham; April 20 starting at 6 p.m. – County Building Auditorium, Lawrenceville; April 21 starting at 6:30 p.m. – Lynchburg Livestock Market, Lynchburg; April 21 starting at 6 p.m. – Mary Bethune Office Complex, Halifax; and April 26 starting at 3 p.m. – Prince Edward Extension Office Conference Room, Farmville.                                                        

Cost share applications will be accepted beginning 8 a.m. on Monday, May 2, at the Virginia Cooperative Extension offices in the participating counties.

Funding is limited and will be provided to producers on a first-come-first-serve basis. Incentives will only be awarded on a one-time basis per producer and/or per farm.

Producers that have never received a Tobacco Commission Agribusiness grant will be given special consideration. For more information on this program, please contact your local extension agent.