AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (AFDS)

Your first point of contact for starting, expanding or relocating your business.

Agriculture and Forest Development Services (AFDS) staff assist entrepreneurs and existing companies at every stage of their business, from developing the concept to coordinating the Grand Opening

Depending on the specific needs of the client, AFDS staff will:

• Link businesses with appropriate resources elsewhere in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services;
• Serve as ombudsmen for the client with Federal, state and local regulatory authorities to resolve development issues;
• Assist businesses in making contacts with other state agencies whose regulations may affect the incoming industry;
• Serve as ombudsmen to localities where business development or expansion is planned;
• Assist businesses with site selection and infrastructure requirements;
• Provide information on the development of business plans and on sources of public and private sector financing; and  
• Serve as a source of information on community infrastructure, labor resources, environmental requirements and zoning regulations.

Finance an Agriculture or Forestry Business
VADO (Virginia Ag Development Officers group)
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Virginia Farm Bureau Federation
VA FAIRS (Virginia Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation, and Rural Sustainability)
USDA – Rural Development (Virginia)
USDA – Farm Service Agency (Virginia)
Specialty Crop Competitive Grant Program
Office of Farmland Preservation