AFID Infrastructure Grants

The Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Infrastructure Grant Program is administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), under the direction of the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. The program is designed to strengthen Virginia’s local food systems and support sustainable agricultural practices by funding critical infrastructure projects. Specifically, it targets capital improvements that bolster food processing, distribution, and access facilities—such as food hubs, farmers’ markets, and commercial kitchens—that primarily serve smaller or newer producers and value-added food entrepreneurs. This program provides competitive reimbursable grants of up to $50,000 to political subdivisions within Virginia. Eligible applicants include counties, cities, towns, industrial and economic development authorities, and planning district commissions. Projects must show a clear community benefit and align with the goals of supporting local food production and sustainable agriculture. Special emphasis is given to applications that serve multiple small-scale producers and those located in economically distressed areas. The grants focus on capital expenditures, such as the renovation of existing buildings or construction of infrastructure that facilitates local food aggregation and processing. Applications are submitted and reviewed during two competitive funding rounds held annually: one in the fall and one in the spring. For the Spring 2026 cycle, the application window is open from March 16 to April 30. All applications must adhere to a standard format and include a detailed budget. Projects are evaluated based on their purpose, benefit to agricultural producers, alignment with program priorities, demonstrated community support, and the likelihood of successful implementation. To qualify, applicants must provide a match—typically on a 1:1 basis. However, economically distressed localities and projects aiding multiple small producers may be eligible for a reduced 2:1 match. Up to half of the match may be in-kind or composed of "Other Match" contributions, which may include federal funding or support from nonprofit organizations. Awarded grants are subject to a Memorandum of Agreement that outlines the grant term and reporting obligations. Grantees are given two years to complete their projects, with an option to request a one-year extension. Reporting requirements include submitting an interim report after the first year and a final report at the project’s conclusion. Reimbursements can be requested periodically throughout the grant period, with up to 75 percent of the total grant available prior to close-out. A final disbursement is made upon approval of the final report and accompanying financial documentation. Allowable uses of grant funds include specific equipment and building renovations, while marketing, land acquisition, and general administrative overhead are unallowable unless otherwise approved. Interested applicants are encouraged to consult the full grant guidelines and reach out to the designated program manager, Rachel Meyers, at [email protected] or 804.786.6911. The guidelines and application materials are available on the VDACS website. This program plays a vital role in supporting the development of infrastructure necessary for a robust, equitable, and resilient agricultural economy in Virginia.

Strong applications demonstrate broad community benefit, multiple producer involvement, and alignment with priority project types such as food hubs and farmers’ markets