Farm Credit disperses $130K in grants to support farmers, rural communities

Sixteen charitable organizations will receive a combined $130,000 from Farm Credit of the Virginias, a lending cooperative that serves Virginia, West Virginia and western Maryland.

The grants will support everything from agricultural mental wellness programs to hands-on learning experiences for youth in all three states.

In Augusta County, three applicants received funding including ARROW Project, Buffalo Gap High School agriculture program and Valley Career and Technical Center. The Virginia Cooperative Extension-Rockingham County also received funding.

The funds will be dispersed from the Farm Credit of the Virginias’ Charitable Contributions Fund grant program. The grant program was established in 2022 to enable FCV to engage with and build stronger partnerships with organizations that aid farmers and families in their rural communities. The program offers up to $10,000 grant opportunities for eligible organizations that serve the association’s 96-county territory and align with FCV’s mission.

FCV received 71 applications requesting more than $600,000 in this funding cycle, which ended June 30.

“On behalf of the board, we are honored to award these projects that support agriculture and our rural communities through our Charitable Contributions Fund grant program,” said Kevin Craun, chairperson of the Farm Credit of the Virginias’ board of directors.

“While our main objective is meeting the needs of our customer-owners, we also seek to make a positive impact and champion agriculture in the communities we serve, and this grant program allows us to do just that.”

Applications for the next round of funding through the Farm Credit of the Virginias’ Charitable Contributions Fund grant program will be available in spring 2026.

For more information, visit www.FarmCreditofVirginias.com/ccf.

Charitable Contributions Fund grant program recipients

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Virginia (12)

• ARROW Project – Agriculture mental wellness program (Augusta County)
• Buffalo Gap High School Agriculture Program – Improved infrastructure for livestock facility (Augusta County)
• Good Hope Equestrian and Regenerative Farm – Hands-on agricultural education for youth, plus free produce distribution (Halifax County)
• Greene County 4-H – Development of a hands-on embryology program for youth (Greene County)
• Halifax County Farm Bureau – Purchase of lifesaving grain bin rescue kits (Halifax County)
• Lee County Livestock Association – Purchase of virtual fencing systems to support local livestock producers (Lee County)
• Madison County Fair Board – Improved animal pen infrastructure at fairgrounds (Madison County)
• Pittsylvania Caswell Youth Livestock Association – Hands-on educational program serving 4-H and FFA youth, focusing on showmanship, animal care and agricultural leadership (Pittsylvania County)
• Valley Career and Technical Center – Purchase of wool shredder and pellet machine as part of a sustainability-focused, value-added agriculture project (Augusta County)
• Virginia Cooperative Extension-Rockingham County – Hands-on training for youth and farm workers utilizing a Calf Simulator and Bovine Breeding Simulator (Rockingham County)
• Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom – Creation of an interactive tabletop display to showcase STEM concepts and careers in agriculture for use at career days statewide (Virginia)
• Virginia State Dairymen’s Association – Promotion of bulk milk dispensers in schools to help boost milk consumption and reduce waste (Virginia)

West Virginia (3)

• Cabell County Fair – Improved animal pen infrastructure at fairgrounds (Cabell County)
• Capon Bridge Elementary School – Outdoor learning and wellness for elementary students through the Junior Growers program (Hampshire County)
• West Virginia Farm Bureau Foundation – Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab visits at elementary schools, plus Summer Agriculture Institute for teachers (West Virginia)

Maryland (1)

• Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation – Mobile Science Lab visits at elementary schools, community events and FFA chapters (Allegany and Garrett counties)