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HB 1169

Small Farms, Office of and Virginia Small Farms Fund; established and created, report.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nicole Cole

Virginia bill creates Office of Small Farms and funding mechanism to provide financial and technical support to small-scale agricultural operations statewide.

Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (10-Y 0-N)
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Bill Summary · HB 1169

Legislative bill overview

HB 1169 establishes a new Office of Small Farms within Virginia state government and creates a dedicated Virginia Small Farms Fund to provide financial and technical support to small-scale agricultural operations. The bill requires the office to develop programs, provide resources, and submit reports on small farm development initiatives.

Why is this important

Small farms represent a significant portion of Virginia's agricultural landscape but often lack access to capital, technical expertise, and market connections available to larger operations. Creating dedicated state infrastructure could help preserve agricultural land, support rural economies, and maintain farming as a viable livelihood for smaller operators.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding mechanism: The fiscal impact statement suggests resource requirements; legislators may debate whether creating a new office and fund represents efficient use of state budget during competing priorities
  • Definition and eligibility: How "small farms" are defined will determine who benefits; disputes may arise over acreage thresholds, revenue caps, or operational types included
  • Duplication of services: Existing USDA programs, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and other agricultural agencies already provide some support; critics may question whether a new state office duplicates efforts or creates inefficiencies

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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