Bellair Farms among 14 agricultural operations awarded state funding

A working farm in southern Albemarle County has received funding from the Commonwealth of Virginia to buy a refrigerated box truck to increase the number of pork products they are able to sell to clients across the area.

“By improving transportation between its partner businesses, Stock Provisions and Honest Meats, [Bellair Farms] can better serve its multiple customer channels,” reads an information release sent out on August 18 by the office of Governor Abigail Spanberger.

The Commonwealth of Virginia like many governments has opportunities for groups that seek funding to move forward with an idea be it the provision of a service or assistance moving forward with a business venture.

One of these is the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development grant program within the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

“Small farmers, food producers, local food systems advocates and others interested in building their community’s local food and farming infrastructure are encouraged to learn more about the program and work with their localities to identify and develop suitable projects,” reads a description of the program on the VDACS website.

The AFID program has funded several local projects in partnership with local economic development authority.

the Albemarle County Economic Development Authority. These include Potter’s Craft Cider’s decision in 2019 to relocate operations to Neve Hall south of Charlottesville which included a $50,000 AFID grant as part of a larger $1.56 million package. That included a match from the Albemarle Economic Development Authority.

The Three Notch’d Brewing Company also received an AFID facility development grant to assist their move in 2017 matched by a $50,000 investment from the Charlottesville Economic Development Authority.

The $11,000 award to Bellair Farms is one of 14 new recipients of AFID infrastructure grants announced by Governor Spanberger on Tuesday.

“These infrastructure grants are extremely beneficial for the state’s small and mid-size farms, helping to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers,” Spanberger is quoted. “Modernizing local food supply infrastructure is a win-win for Virginia — it supports local agriculture and strengthens communities with improved access to fresh, locally grown food.”

According to materials presented at the March 17, 2026 Albemarle EDA meeting, that entity will make an $11,000 match.

“The Farm raises and processes 60–80 hogs annually for its own markets and has the land, feed systems, and management capacity to scale up,” reads a memo from that meeting. “As a result of Business Retention and Expansion work, staff was approached by Bellair Farm with the request to support [the] application.”

If you’re interested in more details about how these work, take a look at the two-page resolution.

A company called Furniture by Design in Orange County will receive $25,000 to build new wood processing facilities.

“AFID funding will be used to install a new kiln and construct lumber storage buildings.AFID funding will be used to install a new kiln and construct lumber storage buildings,” the release continues.

The other recipients are:

• Appomattox County, Appomattox FFA Alumni Agricultural Complex — $50,000
• Bedford County, EcoFriendly Foods Initiative — $38,678
• Carroll County, The Cannery Equipment and Learning Initiative — $50,000
• Covington, The Nettleton Property — $50,000
• Grayson County, Farm to School and Value-Added Processing Initiative — $38,595
• Northampton County, Pearl Market — $50,000
• Page County, Page Valley Food and Visitor Hub — $50,000
• Powhatan County, Twin Oaks Farm Store — $10,000
• Russell County, Redbud Creamery — $10,000
• Kenbridge, Kenbridge Farmers Market Expansion Project — $50,000
• New Market, New Market Downtown Marketplace — $50,000
• Virginia Beach, Creekmore’s Place Farm to Table Project — $24,249

Want to learn more about the next grant cycle? Watch this webinar:

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