(LOOTPRESS) – Farm Credit of the Virginias (FCV), a lending cooperative that serves Virginia, West Virginia and western Maryland, announced the Association would award more than $130,000 in funding to eligible charitable organizations through the Farm Credit of the Virginias’ Charitable Contributions Fund grant program. The following applicants were awarded grant funding to support their efforts:
- ARROW Project – Agriculture mental wellness program (Augusta County, Va.)
- Buffalo Gap High School Agriculture Program – Improved infrastructure for livestock facility (Augusta County, Va.)
- Cabell County Fair – Improved animal pen infrastructure at fairgrounds (Cabell County, W. Va.)
- Capon Bridge Elementary School – Outdoor learning and wellness for elementary students through the Junior Growers program (Hampshire County, W. Va.)
- Good Hope Equestrian and Regenerative Farm – Hands-on agricultural education for youth, plus free produce distribution (Halifax County, Va.)
- Greene County 4-H – Development of a hands-on embryology program for youth (Greene County, Va.)
- Halifax County Farm Bureau – Purchase of lifesaving grain bin rescue kits (Halifax County, Va.)
- Lee County Livestock Association – Purchase of virtual fencing systems to support local livestock producers (Lee County, Va.)
- Madison County Fair Board – Improved animal pen infrastructure at fairgrounds (Madison County, Va.)
- Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation – Mobile Science Lab visits at elementary schools, community events and FFA chapters (Allegany and Garrett Counties, Md.)
- 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, Va.)
- Valley Career and Technical Center – Purchase of wool shredder and pellet machine as part of a sustainability-focused, value-added agriculture project (Augusta County, Va.)
- Virginia Cooperative Extension-Rockingham County – Hands-on training for youth and farm workers utilizing a Calf Simulator and Bovine Breeding Simulator (Rockingham County, Va.)
- 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 Farm Bureau Foundation – Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab visits at elementary schools, plus Summer Agriculture Institute for teachers (West Virginia)
FCV’s Charitable Contributions Fund grant program was established in 2022 to enable the Association 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. Grant applications for this funding cycle were accepted May 1, 2025 through June 30, 2025, in which 71 eligible applications requesting more than $600,000 were received and reviewed.
Kevin Craun, Chairperson of the Farm Credit of the Virginias’ board of directors, said, “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. 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.”
Brad Cornelius, Farm Credit of the Virginias’ CEO, said, “As a cooperative, we are pleased to offer an added layer of support to our rural communities through the Charitable Contributions Fund grant program. In this fourth funding cycle of the grant program, we are thrilled to fund 16 projects that will advance agricultural education, support production agriculture and help to maintain the great quality of life throughout our footprint. We look forward to hearing more about these projects and their long-term, positive effects as they come to fruition.”
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. Applicants are encouraged to visit our website and follow our social media channels for timely updates related to the Charitable Contributions Fund grant program. Learn more about the program on our website at www.FarmCreditofVirginias.com/ccf.
