Photo courtesy of WHSV
Virginia Tech is reaching to beginning farmers across Virginia. The outreach program at this college will use $740,000 in federal funding to help farmers who have owned their operations for nine years or less.
Agriculture is the key to nutrition, food security and community viability so the school feels with workshops and education programs many farmers can learn valuable farming and business techniques to ensure successful businesses.
Researches at Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will offer support that ranges from agricultural training and networking to help the 13,000 farmers in Virginia. Even with beginning farmers, the average age of farmers is 50 years old. These farmers often do not have computer or business skills to create and maintain a successful business. With the funding Virginia Tech hopes to improve this issue and even get the youth interested in becoming farmers or ranchers.
The main goal of the program is to increase the number of farms and promote local agricultural production.  

This article courtesy of Farm Plus Financial.  For information regarding agricultural finance opportunities contact our offices at 866-929-5585. 

Written by: Melissa Warner / Farm Plus Financial staff writer