The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) will hold virtual public training sessions to help applicants for the new Virginia Farm Recovery Block Grant program. The initiative targets Virginia farmers and timber landowners who experienced damage or certain commodity losses due to Hurricane Helene.
Two online training sessions have been scheduled, offering guidance on the application process, including how to register an account on the online portal. Additional session dates will be posted at www.vdacs.virginia.gov/about-farm-recovery-block-grant.shtml as they are set. Applicants unable to attend can access a recorded session for reference.
“The Virginia Farm Recovery Block Grant is designed to assist farmers and timber landowners with certain losses directly related to Hurricane Helene that are not covered by other federal disaster assistance programs,” VDACS stated in its announcement.
The grant uses USDA eligibility criteria and plans to make recovery applications available for agricultural and forestry landowners in 27 designated localities across Virginia, including counties such as Bedford, Buchanan, Floyd, Pittsylvania, Tazewell, Wise, Wythe, and cities like Bristol, Danville, Norton, and Radford.
VDACS is collaborating with USDA to finalize the program details and develop a new online application portal. The official start date for registration and applications will be announced once USDA gives approval.
Applicants are encouraged to begin collecting necessary documentation ahead of time. Certain producers seeking funding must agree to acquire and maintain USDA Risk Management coverage for two crop years for claims related to market loss, future economic loss, plasticulture, and aquaculture.
Further information about program requirements is available at www.vdacs.virginia.gov/about-farm-recovery-block-grant.shtml.
