AFID Planning Grants

AFID Planning Grant program supports Virginia agriculture and forestry by funding innovative local efforts to assist agriculture- and forestry-based businesses and encouraging local governments and the ag/forestry community to work together on economic development. Supports strategic plans, feasibility studies, business/marketing plans, local ordinances, working-lands preservation policies, and entrepreneurship/business development efforts.

Funds awarded as reimbursable grants to political subdivisions; applicants may not hold more than one active planning grant at a time (excluding multi-locality projects). Applications primarily benefiting an individual for-profit business are not allowed, nor education/youth training. Requires a letter of support from the applicant's Chief Administrative Officer and active participation of an agriculture/forestry advisory board or committee.

Matching grants up to $20,000 (single locality) or $35,000 (multi-locality). 1:1 match required (2:1 for Economically Distressed Localities); at least 50% of match must be cash. Capital expenditures capped at $10,000. Two years to complete deliverables (one-year extension possible). NOTE: the live program page lists the contact as Joyce Blankenship, Project Manager, while the guidelines PDF lists Rachel Meyers, Program Manager — flagged for human confirmation.

Accepted on a rolling basis. Submit the AFID Planning Program Application and grant budget form, plus a Chief Administrative Officer letter of support.