Livestock producers in 14 Central/Southside Virginia counties, including Bedford, are eligible for matching grants under the Central Virginia Produce, Livestock, and Feed Storage Systems Program.

Jessica Hupp has been appointed Business Programs Coordinator in the Office of Economic Development effective April 21, 2014.

On March 15, 2014, Bedford County’s annual Coyote Lottery closed for the second time and names were drawn for cash prizes. A total of 97 coyotes were brought in and six prizes were awarded with the top prize of $2,000 going to one lucky hunter. According to organizers, this lottery has helped bring down the

Virginia’s farms saw a dramatic increase in both the market value of production and the average value of products sold per farm according to the preliminary results of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2012 Census of Agriculture.

The 2014 Farm Bill makes the Livestock Indemnity Payments (LIP) a permanent program and provides retroactive authority to cover eligible livestock losses back to Oct. 1, 2011.

There are several opportunities for Bedford Artisan Trail businesses and those considering joining the trail on March 11-12, 2014.

Agricultural associations, industry groups, community-based organizations and producer groups that seek to improve the competitiveness of specialty crops in Virginia are eligible to submit proposals for grants up to $50,000 per project.

The Virginia Tobacco Commission will hold an information session on how to apply for R&D grants on Friday, Feb. 28.

The Matrixx Group/Citadel Plastics has moved to a four-shift, 24/7 operation and has nine open positions to be filled immediately.

LiteSheet Solutions LLC will move its manufacturing operations immediately to Bedford County and invest up to $2 million over the next three years.