The Virginia Cooperative Extension Office has announced that
applications will be accepted for a second round of funding for the SOVA
Agribusiness Information Technology Cost-Share program. Applications will be
accepted June 30 through July 31.
The objective of the program is to increase producer
productivity by identifying producers who are willing to introduce information
technology into their business management and marketing strategies for an
overall increase in net farm income, either from increased revenue, decreased
expenses, or increased efficiency.
Crop and livestock producers who implement production
recordkeeping systems will be able to sort data, track performance, and make
strategic planning decisions, ultimately saving money on inputs and increasing
production performance and efficiency. Agritourism/direct marketing operations
implementing website development will have increased sales revenues from new
online buyers and referrals.
All producers will have an opportunity to implement
financial recordkeeping software and laptops (or iPad/tablet for Farm Logic
applicants only) for farm business.
Cost-share funds will provide 33.3 percent reimbursement
(not to exceed $1,200 cost-share per producer) to approved agribusiness
operators on eligible components: Farm Logic recordkeeping software, Cattle Pro
recordkeeping software, professional website development, laptop computers,
QuickBooks financial recordkeeping software, and iPads/tablets (for Farm Logic
applicants only).
In January 2017, Virginia Cooperative Extension was awarded
$104,000 by the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission for this program.
This pilot initiative will serve approximately 80 producers.
Round 1 launched in May 2017 and provided cost-share funding for 52 producers
in 10 eligible TRRC localities: Pittsylvania, Halifax, Campbell, Bedford,
Franklin, Henry, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Dinwiddie, and Wythe counties. With
the remaining available cost-share funding, Round 2 will serve approximately 35
additional producers in an expanded eligibility area to include the original 10
counties plus an additional 8 TRRC localities: Charlotte, Appomattox, Nottoway,
Amelia, Prince Edward, Brunswick, Buckingham, and Cumberland counties.
The Program Guidelines and Cost-Share Application are
available now. Applications will begin being accepted on Friday, June 30, at 8
a.m. with a deadline of Monday, July 31, at 4:30 p.m., and should be submitted
to the local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. The office is Campbell
County is located at 163 Kabler Lane, Rustburg.
Applications will be reviewed by an evaluation team
comprised of individuals from Virginia Cooperative Extension. Applications will
be scored based on evaluation criteria, and final selection of approved
cost-share applications will be based on the strength of the applications and
will give consideration to geographic distribution within the Tobacco Region.
Requests for Program Guidelines and Application and any
other inquiries related to the cost-share program should be directed to:
Ashley Nauta, project coordinator
Virginia Cooperative Extension – Central District
Pittsylvania County Office
19783 U.S. Highway 29 S
Suite C
Chatham, VA 24531
434-432-7770
aswolfe@vt.edu
Educational sessions will be provided for each best practice
on Friday, Nov. 3, at Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex in Chatham, and
attendance is requirement for eligibility. The tentative schedule is as follows
(more details to come):
9 - 10:30 a.m.: Cattle Pro
10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.: QuickBooks
12 – 1 p.m.: Lunch Break
1 - 2:30 p.m.: Farm Logic
2:30 – 4 p.m.: Website Development
The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission is a 28-member
body created by the 1999 General Assembly. Its mission is the promotion of
economic growth and development in tobacco-dependent communities, using
proceeds of the national tobacco settlement. To date, the Commission has
awarded nearly 2,000 grants totaling more than $1 billion across the tobacco
region of the Commonwealth, and has provided $309 million in indemnification
payments to tobacco growers and quota holders. For information on the
Commission’s history, mission, funding programs and recent grant awards, visit
our website at www.tic.virginia.gov or
call toll free 877-807-1086.
If you are a person with a disability and desire any
assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in
activities related to this program, please contact Ashley Nauta, Virginia
Cooperative Extension, Pittsylvania County office at 434-432-7770 during
business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior
to the event.