RICHMOND—The Virginia Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation & Rural Sustainability recently received a $225,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Cooperative Development Grant program.

Virginia FAIRS was one of 36 organizations to receive a portion of nearly $8 million in economic development loans and grants.

Under this program, grants of up to $225,000 can be awarded to colleges, universities and nonprofit groups to create and operate centers that help individuals or groups establish, expand or operate rural businesses, especially cooperatives and mutually-owned businesses. Grants can be used to conduct feasibility studies, create and implement business plans and help businesses develop new markets for their products and services.

Virginia FAIRS is a 501(c) (5) corporation that collaborates with Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance and Virginia Cooperative Extension. It offers assistance to individuals, cooperatives, small businesses and similar entities in rural areas.

“This is great news for Virginia FAIRS and those that we work with,” said Chris Cook, VFBF assistant director of rural development and the Virginia FAIRS executive director.

Most recently, Virginia FAIRS has offered grant writing assistance to 15 Virginia farms and vineyards. If successful, the grants will result in more than 
$2 million flowing into the state’s rural economy.

Contact Cook at 804-290-1111.