Virginia Businesses and Farmers Benefit From AFID Grants, From the Valleys to the Shores

On Posted on by Danielle Rotella Adams to Virginia, Virginia Crops & Livestock
state icon

In partnership with: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Governor Glenn Youngkin, Jeff Patterson, Rockingham Cooperative Board of Directors president, Matthew Lohr, secretary of agriculture and forestry, and Keith Turner, Rockingham Cooperative feed division manager
Governor Glenn Youngkin, second from right, visited Rockingham Cooperative and is pictured, from left, with Jeff Patterson, Rockingham Cooperative Board of Directors president, Matthew Lohr, secretary of agriculture and forestry, and Keith Turner, Rockingham Cooperative feed division manager. Photo credit: Rockingham Cooperative

Initiated 10 years ago to create new and expanded opportunities for Virginia’s farms and forests, the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund has invested approximately $12 million in 63 localities across the Commonwealth over the last decade.

AFID grants are awarded to create new jobs and investments from companies that add value to Virginia-grown agriculture and forestry products.

Since 2012, more than 120 projects from AFID grants have helped to generate more than 4,000 jobs and produce more than $1.4 billion in new capital investments. Continuing Virginia’s commitment to these critical investments, 13 grants were awarded in 2022 by Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Different spirits from MurLarkey Distilled Spirits, one of the AFID grant awardees
Photo credit: MurLarkey Distilled Spirits

Cheers to Virginia Ingredients

MurLarkey Distilled Spirits, a family-owned business that exclusively uses Virginia-grown corn, rye and barley for its awardwinning spirits, is one of the businesses that benefited from a 2022 AFID grant.

Currently located in Bristow, MurLarkey is expanding its operations within Prince William County to the campus of Farm Brew LIVE at Innovation Park in Manassas.

“Our expansion will greatly increase our production capacity and hospitality side of our business to open our doors to many more people in the Commonwealth,” says Nicole Murray, distillery relations director.

MurLarkey looks forward to being a more significant contributor to the travel and tourism industry in Virginia while cementing the Commonwealth as a key distillery destination like Kentucky. They plan to hire more employees, expand their support of local farmers, and continue giving back to Virginia charities.

“As we ramp up our production capacity, we’ll be purchasing more raw ingredients from Virginia farmers and offering more distilled spirit options to customers,” Murray says.

Truck deliveries at Rockingham Cooperative
Photo credit: Rockingham Cooperative

Rocking in Shenandoah Valley

Rockingham Cooperative, located in the Shenandoah Valley, also benefited from a 2022 AFID grant to upgrade and expand the grain handling and feed manufacturing operations of its Dayton mill.

The expansion allows them to add jobs and purchase more than $11.6 million, or 30,000 tons, of Virginia-grown soybeans, corn and barley over the next three years.

“These improvements will support the purchase of more Virginia-grown grain from Virginia farmers,” says Keith Turner, feed division manager.

Rockingham Cooperative represents more than 4,000 member-owners benefiting from investments made with the grant.

“The Shenandoah Valley is a very desirable region for individuals and families to live and work, and by partnering on this initiative through the AFID grant, we are pleased to help preserve that way of life for ourselves and others to enjoy,” says Sam Liggett, chief operating officer.

See more: Virginia Agricultural Council Grants Invest in Innovation

Aerial view of the Perdue AgriBusiness Chesapeake location
Perdue AgriBusiness will increase production capacity and modernize its Chesapeake facility with help from AFID grant funding. Photo credit: Perdue AgriBusiness

Expanding and Exporting in Chesapeake

Perdue AgriBusiness, a leading U.S. agriculture products and services company, will increase its production capacity and modernize its soybean extraction facility in the city of Chesapeake with financial help from the AFID grant.

“The grant will help us enhance the production, storage, conveyance and transportation infrastructure at Perdue Chesapeake and will go a long way towards realizing the Commonwealth’s and Perdue’s vision of Virginia agriculture,” says Gary Cordier, senior vice president of grain and oilseeds.

Virginia soybean production has gone from 10.6 million bushels in 2002 to 26.23 million bushels in 2022. By renovating and expanding Perdue’s Chesapeake operations, the company can enhance logistical efficiencies to better meet customer demand.

Perdue purchases grain from more than 700 farmers in Virginia annually while exporting 72 million tons of soybeans through The Port of Virginia.

“By modernizing and expanding the Chesapeake facility, Perdue is responding to the increased demand for soybean oil for food, feed and fuel in the U.S. and around the globe,” Cordier says.

See more: A New Grant Program Offers a Fresh Take on Improving Food Access

Governor’s AFID Fund Grant Awards

Below is a list of the grant awardees from 2012 to 2022. More than $12 million have incentivized 125 projects throughout the Commonwealth, expanding Virginia companies leading to 4,065 jobs, generating more than $1.4 billion in capital investments and facilitating the purchase of more than $1.4 billion Virginia grown projects.

Tags

Join The Conversation

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


More To Read

Virginia State University College of Agriculture Shapes Successful Careers for Students