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

Kevin.Schmidt@vdacs.virginia.gov

www.vdacs.virginia.gov/preservation

www.vafarmlink.org