2008 PRESS RELEASES
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December 22, 2008
STATE SOLICITS PROPOSALS FOR WORKSHOPS FUNDED BY AGRICULTURE LICENSE PLATE
Contact: Elaine Lidholm, 804.786.7686
The Office of Farmland Preservation of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is requesting proposals for workshops that will help Virginia farmers transition their farms and farming operations to the next generation. Research by Virginia Tech revealed that 70 percent of Virginia farms could undergo transition in the next decade and that most farmers are unprepared to make that transition. Workshop ideas should focus on helping farm families take the first steps toward developing and implementing farm transition plans that will keep farms in agricultural production.Workshops will be funded by revenue generated from the Virginia Agriculture specialty license plate. This is the first time funding will be used from license plate fees since the agriculture plate was introduced in 2004. License fees will provide funding of up to $40 per workshop participant per day.
VDACS is particularly interested in proposals that focus on building communication among family members, as well as increasing the ability of farm family service providers such as attorneys, financial planners or Extension agents to assist families with transition issues. VDACS will give special consideration to proposals that emphasize collaboration among different units, agencies and or organizations.
The Request for Proposal is available by clicking here or by contacting Kevin Schmidt in the Office of Farmland Preservation, 804.786.1346. Proposals received no later than 2 p.m. EST on January 29, 2009 will be considered as part of the first round of funding. Proposals submitted after that date and time will be considered as funding allows.
Questions related to proposal submission or terms and conditions should be directed to: Kathy Bosdell, Senior Contract Specialist, at 804.225.3798, by fax at 804.371.8372 or by email at kathy.bosdell@vdacs.virginia.gov. Mail or hand-deliver proposals to Ms. Bosdell c/o the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Procurement Office, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, VA 23219.
Contracts will be awarded to eVA registered vendors only. Click here for registration information.