Equality State News

Campbell County Chamber of Commerce recently issued the following announcement.

To help fund qualified improvements which incorporate new practices and enhance their farm’s operations, Campbell County farms may apply for the new Virginia Precision Agriculture and Farm Efficiency Grant program. Funding is limited and will be provided to producers on a first-come-first-serve basis, with special consideration given to producers who have never received a Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission (VTRRC) Grant before. Producers must spend a minimum of $3,000 to be eligible for a 33% reimbursement. The maximum amount awarded is $5,000 (approximately a $15,000 project). Applications will be accepted beginning Monday, May 18th.

Southern and central Virginia producers in 20 counties, including Campbell County, may be eligible for this grant. The VTRRC has approved $505,000 for this program. Eligible projects include practices that will improve environmental management through the adoption of precision technologies such as:

• Produce handling and hay storage facilities
• Produce equipment and cold storage
• Livestock handling equipment

To receive an application, producers must attend the informational meeting held at the Southern Piedmont Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Blackstone, 2375 Darville's Road, Blackstone, Virginia 23824. The meeting will be accessible in person or via zoom Monday, March 28, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. Extension agents in each county will hold additional educational meetings in April to explain the program and administer applications.

For more information on this program, please contact the Campbell County Extension Office at (434)332-9538.

Original source can be found here.