office of farmland preservation virginia farm link program november 22, 2010
TRANSCRIPT
Office of Farmland PreservationOffice of Farmland Preservation
Virginia Farm Link ProgramVirginia Farm Link ProgramNovember 22, 2010November 22, 2010
The Virginia Farm Link ProgramThe Virginia Farm Link Program• Office of Farmland Preservation (OFP) created under VDACS
by the 2001 General Assembly
• Virginia Farm Link (VAFL) program established as well
• OFP has duty to administer the VAFL program
• VDACS partnered with VA Farm Bureau in 2003 to create the VAFL database
− first farm transition tool within the program
• VDACS launches revised version of the VAFL database in May 2008 at www.vafarmlink.org
What is the Virginia Farm Link Program?What is the Virginia Farm Link Program?
• Purpose: Provide assistance in the transition of farm businesses and properties from retiring farmers to active farmers
• Database: Online tool to connect farm owners and farm seekers in Virginia
The Farm Link Program Helps:The Farm Link Program Helps:
• Farmers and landowners who are facing retirement and want to see their businesses continue and their land stay in production
• Beginning and aspiring farmers who are in search of business arrangements through which they can acquire land, equipment, experience and access to the knowledge of seasoned producers
Virginia Farm Link DatabaseVirginia Farm Link Database
• In two years, database has grown to 171 farm owners and 1,543 farm seekers
• Currently 24 active farm owners and 239 active farm seekers
• Farms are scattered amongst 9 regions in the Commonwealth
Getting StartedGetting Startedhttps://epm.virginiainteractive.org/farmlink
New Visitor Sign UpNew Visitor Sign Up
It’s This EasyIt’s This Easy
Just Fill In The BlanksJust Fill In The Blanks
Filling In The Farm InformationFilling In The Farm Information
Add Property Pictures !
Describe Acres Owned
Farm Transition Resources
http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/preservation/planning.shtml
Farm Transition FundingFarm Transition Funding• Office of Farmland Preservation provides ongoing funding
to Virginia Cooperative Extension for farm transition workshops
• $81,410 allocated to date• Funding comes from the Virginia Agriculture license plate
• OFP completed its first pilot workshop for three dairy families (Jan-March 2010)
• Partnered with dairy cooperative• Limited to cooperative members
• OFP plans to deliver additional workshops in partnership with other agricultural organizations/sectors over the next year
Program Funding
Get Your Very Own Agricultural License Plate! Be the first on your block to show your support for the
preservation of Virginia’s working farm and forest land! Not only does the “Farming Since 1614” license plate look great, but $15 of the annual $25 fee per plate goes to the Office of Farmland Preservation to help us in our efforts to preserve
agriculture for the future.
For Additional Information:
Kevin Schmidt
(804) 786-1346
www.vdacs.virginia.gov/preservation
www.vafarmlink.org