1. Office of Farmland Preservation Virginia Farm Link Program November 22, 2010

2. The Virginia Farm Link Program Office of Farmland Preservation (OFP) created under VDACS by the 2001 General Assembly Virginia Farm Link (VAFL) program established as well OFP has duty to administer the VAFL program VDACS partnered with VA Farm Bureau in 2003 to create the VAFL database − first farm transition tool within the program VDACS launches revised version of the VAFL database in May 2008 at www.vafarmlink.org

3. What is the Virginia Farm Link Program? Purpose: Provide assistance in the transition of farm businesses and properties from retiring farmers to active farmers Database: Online tool to connect farm owners and farm seekers in Virginia

4. The Farm Link Program Helps: Farmers and landowners who are facing retirement and want to see their businesses continue and their land stay in production Beginning and aspiring farmers who are in search of business arrangements through which they can acquire land, equipment, experience and access to the knowledge of seasoned producers

5. Virginia Farm Link Database In two years, database has grown to 171 farm owners and 1,543 farm seekers Currently 24 active farm owners and 239 active farm seekers Farms are scattered amongst 9 regions in the Commonwealth

6. Getting Started https://epm.virginiainteractive.org/farmlink

7. New Visitor Sign Up

8. It’s This Easy

9. Just Fill In The Blanks

10. Filling In The Farm Information Add Property Pictures ! Describe Acres Owned

11. Farm Transition Resources http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/preservation/planning.shtml

12. Farm Transition Funding Office of Farmland Preservation provides ongoing funding to Virginia Cooperative Extension for farm transition workshops $81,410 allocated to date Funding comes from the Virginia Agriculture license plate OFP completed its first pilot workshop for three dairy families (Jan-March 2010) Partnered with dairy cooperative Limited to cooperative members OFP plans to deliver additional workshops in partnership with other agricultural organizations/sectors over the next year

13. Program Funding Get Your Very Own Agricultural License Plate! Be the first on your block to show your support for the preservation of Virginia’s working farm and forest land! Not only does the “Farming Since 1614” license plate look great, but $15 of the annual $25 fee per plate goes to the Office of Farmland Preservation to help us in our efforts to preserve agriculture for the future.

14. For Additional Information: Kevin Schmidt (804) 786-1346 Kevin.Schmidt@vdacs.virginia.gov www.vdacs.virginia.gov/preservation www.vafarmlink.org