                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

LOCAL FOOD AND FARMING INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT PROGRAM (§ 3.2-311)

A. The Governor may award grants from the Fund for the Local Food and Farming
Infrastructure Grant Program to encourage efforts by political subdivisions to
support agriculture and forestry.

B. Any funds awarded by the Governor pursuant to this section shall be awarded
as reimbursable grants of no more than $50,000 per grant to political
subdivisions to support community infrastructure development projects that
support local food production and sustainable agriculture.

C. The Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry shall develop guidelines for the
Local Grant Program and administer the Local Grant Program on behalf of the
Governor. Such guidelines shall (i) include a requirement that any political
subdivision applying for a grant provide matching funds, (ii) require that
grants be awarded on a competitive basis, and (iii) state the criteria the
Governor will use in evaluating any grant application submitted pursuant to this
section. Such guidelines shall favor projects that establish or maintain (a)
farmers markets pursuant to Chapter 35 (&#xA7; 3.2-3500 et seq.); (b) food hubs;
or (c) processing facilities that are primarily locally owned, including
commercial kitchens, packaging and labeling facilities, animal slaughtering
facilities, or other facilities, and that are primarily utilized for the
processing of meats, dairy products, produce, or other products. Such guidelines
shall favor projects that create infrastructure in proximity to small-scale
agricultural producers.

D. The guidelines developed pursuant to subsection C may (i) allow contributions
to a project by certain specified entities, such as a nonprofit organization or
charitable foundation, to count as eligible local matching funds and (ii) accept
a reduced match requirement for an economically distressed locality applying for
an award.

HISTORY: 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 185; 2022, c. 287.