AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Agriculture is big business in Virginia! The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services realizes the importance of supporting our existing agribusiness in order to promote the continued economic vitality of Virginia's dynamic agricultural industry. Virginia's agricultural industry results in more than $25 billion in total sales and triggers an additional $6 billion from associated industries. Agriculture accounts for more than a quarter of a million jobs for Virginians. In fact, one of every seven jobs in the state is related to agriculture. Virginia's agriculture is diverse. Poultry, dairy products, calves and cattle, nursery and greenhouse products, tobacco, pork, soybeans, peanuts, fresh vegetables and fruits are among the state's leading products. Virginia's value-added food processing industry lays claim to specialty foods that have been nationally recognized in fancy food shows and gourmet circles.
Your first point of contact for Agribusiness Development Services is the Office of the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Agribusiness Development Services team can help with the critical first steps of expanding your agribusiness in the Commonwealth, such as
- Business plan preparation resources
- Site Selection for your agribusiness
- Assist with resources, public and private, for financing your agribusiness enterprise
- Connect agricultural businesses with the appropriate department resources
- Serve as ombudsman with federal, state and local regulatory authorities to resolve developmental issues
- Serve as an ombudsman to localities where business development or expansion is planned
- Serve as a source of information on community infrastructure, labor resources, environmental requirements and zoning regulations
Kevin Schmidt
Coordinator
Office of Farmland Preservation
804.786.1346
kevin.schmidt@vdacs.virginia.gov
T. Robins Buck
Project Manager
804.371.6094
robins.buck@vdacs.virginia.gov
Stephen Versen
Project Manager
804.786.6911
stephen.versen@vdacs.virginia.gov