# Virginia Funds Agricultural Support Programs

Governor Abigail Spanberger announced that the Commonwealth of Virginia has secured **$300 million in funding** dedicated to agricultural best management practices to support family farmers facing challenges such as drought, high fuel costs, and federal trade disruptions. The state has declared a hay shortage emergency, underscoring the urgency of sustaining agricultural productivity and resilience.

- This funding targets conservation-oriented practices like rotational grazing and cover crops, which help reduce input costs and improve farm sustainability.
- Procurement professionals should anticipate opportunities related to agricultural services, conservation program implementation, and supply chain support for Virginia's farming sector.
- Contractors specializing in agricultural management, environmental conservation, and resource optimization may find increased demand for their expertise.
- The declared state of emergency may accelerate procurement timelines and prioritize contracts addressing immediate agricultural needs in Virginia.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** September 28, 2026

### Government Entities
- Commonwealth of Virginia

### Key Quotes
> Weve fully funded our agricultural best management practices. Thats hundreds of millions of dollars to support farmers who are utilizing rotational grazing and cover crops, which have a great conservation benefit  but are also really good on-farm practices that help lower input costs.
> — Governor Abigail Spanberger

### Sources
- [September Releases](https://www.governor.virginia.gov//newsroom/news-releases/2026/september-releases/name-1124085-en.html) - VA