Grants for agriculture industry announced in Virginia

Nov 19, 2015

A total of three grants are being awarded

In an effort to boost the agricultural and forestry industries in the LENOWISCO Planning District Commission, City of Roanoke and Nelson County, the government of Virginia awarded three grants with a total value of $56,000.

Grants

The grants were awarded from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund and will help many different aspects of Virginia’s economy.

“Today’s announcement is an excellent example of the important role that our diverse agricultural industry can and will play in building the new Virginia economy,” said Governor Terry McAuliffe. “These AFID planning grants across the state are leveraging multiple aspects of economic development in Virginia – agriculture, tourism, community development, and food access, among others. I am pleased to see so many localities across the Commonwealth taking advantage of this program to support the local and regional efforts paving the way for future economic success.”

The grant awards are:

$20,000 for the Regional Agricultural Development Strategic Plan. The money will be used to develop, analyze and incorporate agricultural development into the LENOWISCO region’s economic development.
$20,000 for the LEAP Community Kitchen Grant in Roanoke. The project will strengthen the local food system by supporting food producers.
$16,000 for the Rockfish Valley Area Plan in Nelson County. The money will help maximize Nelson County’s agritourism operations and preserve prime agricultural landscapes and soils.

“These three initiatives will create economic growth in one of the Commonwealth’s largest economic sectors, agriculture, furthering the Governor’s plan to build a new Virginia economy,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore.

Virginia’s top five commodities in 2014 were:

Hay ($345 million)
Soybeans ($259 million)
Corn ($197 million)
Tobacco ($119 million)
Wheat ($95 million)

Video: Dr. Emerson Nafziger: Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Corn

The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Emerson Nafziger from the University of Illinois breaks down decades of nitrogen research. From the evolution of N rate guidelines to how soil health and hybrid genetics influence nitrogen use efficiency, this conversation unpacks the science behind smarter fertilization. Improving how we set nitrogen fertilizer rates for rainfed corn is a key focus. Discover why the MRTN model matters more than ever, and how shifting mindsets and better data can boost yields and environmental outcomes. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"The nitrogen that comes from soil mineralization is the first nitrogen the plant sees, and its role is underestimated."

Meet the guest:

Dr. Emerson Nafziger is Professor Emeritus of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with degrees in agronomy from Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois. His research has focused on nitrogen rate strategies and crop productivity. He co-developed the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) model, which is widely used across the Midwest. His research spans N response trials, hybrid interactions, crop rotation effects, and yield stability.