Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces Virginia as First State in the Nation to Launch USDA Farm Recovery Block Grant Program

Sep 22, 2025

Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that Virginia is the first state in the nation to launch the Farm Recovery Block Grant Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Beginning Monday, September 22, 2025, farmers and forestland owners in designated localities can apply for direct financial assistance to recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. Through the leadership of the Youngkin Administration and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), Virginia moved quickly to partner with USDA and turn this program from an agreement on paper into real, on-the-ground relief for its citizens.

“Virginia is proud to lead the nation in delivering recovery aid to farmers and forestland owners still recovering from Hurricane Helene,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “The opening of this program reflects the power of state and federal collaboration, providing meaningful support to communities that provide so much to our Commonwealth and our nation. I want to thank Secretary Rollins and her team for their partnership in delivering for Virginia’s farmers and forestland owners.”

“Agriculture and forestry are vitally important to Virginia’s economy and serve as the backbone of commerce in the Southwest and Southside areas of the Commonwealth.

Source : virginia.gov

Video: EP 73 Diversity is Resiliency – Stories of Regeneration Part 6

During the growing season of 2023 as summer turned into fall, the Rural Routes to Climate Solutions podcast and Regeneration Canada were on the final leg of the Stories of Regeneration tour. After covering most of the Prairies and most of central and eastern Canada in the summer, our months-long journey came to an end in Canada’s two most western provinces around harvest time.

This next phase of our journey brought us to Cawston, British Columbia, acclaimed as the Organic Farming Capital of Canada. At Snowy Mountain Farms, managed by Aaron Goddard and his family, you will find a 12-acre farm that boasts over 70 varieties of fruits such as cherries, apricots, peaches, plums, pears, apples, and quince. Aaron employs regenerative agriculture practices to cultivate and sustain living soils, which are essential for producing fruit that is not only delicious but also rich in nutrients.