• Bedford County has one of the largest participation rates for farmers using voluntary state and federal cost share programs to protect water quality by excluding livestock from surface water. These programs protect the water that all citizens depend upon. Significant investment is required to install this exclusion fencing. Farmers now have many thousands of feet

  • The Bedford County EDA is providing up to $300 in grants to local companies for PPE and cleaning supplies due to COVID-19.

  • Are you a farmer or rancher whose operation has been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic? The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) will provide direct relief to producers who faced a five-percent-or-greater price decline and additional marketing costs due to COVID-19. About the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the Coronavirus Food

  • The Forest Farmers Market is celebrating its 10th season of operation this year, following a surprising turnout of compliant customers in its first few weekends...

  • Join the Virginia Cooperative Extension office for this on-line educational series designed for the Agritourism industry in Virginia. These sessions are open to agritourism producers, industry personnel or anyone wanting to learn more about agritourism. All sessions will be recorded and posted on the Virginia Agritourism page on Facebook and on the Virginia Cooperative Extension

  • Bedford County Office of Economic Development and EDA worked with the Dept. of Fire and Rescue to assist a dozen manufacturers and public-facing service industries in obtaining a supply of PPE.

  • The Office of Economic Development and Dept. of Fire & Rescue have reached out to local manufacturers and “people-facing” service industries to gauge the urgent Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needs for doing business. More than a dozen companies responded to the survey and have appreciated receiving the most critical supplies they need to keep their

  • In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories were able to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. This advance is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. This loan advance

  • On April 22, the General Assembly approved the governor’s plan to amend provisions of the Small Business Jobs Fund (which had been slated for dissolution) to allow the approximately $750,000 in remaining monies in that fund to be used for a grant program. The eligibility provisions were laid out in the governor’s amendments and are

  • Forest Farmers Market opened on Saturday, April 25, and the Bedford Farmers Market opens Friday, May 1.