301-27-032 AFID Infrastructure Grant Program Notice

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is soliciting applications for reimbursable grants under the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Infrastructure Grant Program for capital projects at food hubs, farmers' markets, commercial kitchens, and value-added agricultural processing and packaging facilities, with applications due October 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Eligible applicants are small farmers, food producers, local food systems advocates, and community organizations developing local food and farming infrastructure in Virginia. Priority consideration is given to locally owned processing facilities, farmers' markets, food hubs, agricultural aggregation facilities, and projects benefiting multiple small-scale agricultural producers or located in economically distressed communities.

No specific maximum or minimum funding amounts are stated in the guidelines. This is a reimbursable grant program; grantees have two years from award announcement to complete project deliverables, with the option to request an extension of up to one additional year. Up to 75 percent of grant funds may be allocated prior to the end of the grant period, with the final reimbursement payment issued upon verification of all grant documents.

Grantees must submit an interim grant report at the one-year mark and a final grant report upon project completion, including all receipts, invoices, and backup documentation. Award recommendations are made by the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry to the Governor, who determines the review timeline and award announcements. All completed applications must be submitted via email to Joyce Blankenship at joyce.blankenship@vdacs.virginia.gov. Awardees must sign a Memorandum of Agreement outlining the grant period and reporting requirements.