I strongly support bill HB1925, which will establish a Virginia Brownfield and Coal Mine Renewable Energy Grant Fund. Awards grants on a competitive basis to support wind, solar, or geothermal projects sited on formerly mined lands or brownfields. One provision requires that no state funds will be spent on the program unless the budget overrides, ensuring that Virginia can pursue federal funding without impacting the budget. This bill will also encourage renewable energy development on previously disturbed land rather than high-value agricultural and forest lands. Brownfields are generally 10-40% more expensive to develop than greenfields. This bill will create opportunities in Southwest Virginia and other communities with brownfields to ensure they share in the benefits of a clean energy transition. Many companies have committed to powering their operations with 100% clean energy. Programs to help make RE development more affordable in brownfield-impacted communities will help ensure these areas can attract new businesses. Also, many farmers work land they do not own. 39% of farmed land is rented and 70% of farm lease agreements are renewed annually. This creates a situation in which a tenant farmer could lose their livelihood if a landlord decides to switch to a long-term land lease to large-scale solar developers. Incentivizing solar developers to build on mined land and brownfields may help reduce the pressure to fragment economically and ecologically valuable forests and may help keep tenant farmers in business.

While HB2034 is directly for the benefit of energy consumers in SW Virginia, I strongly support it even though I live in Arlington. This Bill ensures that customers such as municipalities and public schools can enter into Power Purchase Agreements to access renewable energy. This access is already available to those of us within Dominion's territory but it needs to extend statewide. This will help lower the carbon footprint of these customers and that directly helps me. Thanks, Annette Lang, Arlington.

Please pass HB1925, referred to as the Virginia Brownfield and Coal Mine Renewable Energy Grant Fund and Program. Having done environmental enforcement work for my career as a lawyer in the Department of Justice, I saw firsthand what a difference it made to communities to have their brownfields moved from unproductive and unsightly eyesores to productive use. So much needs to be done in this area. The grants awarded would be on a competitive basis and would support wind, solar, or geothermal projects on formerly mined lands or brownfields. No state funds will be spent on the program unless the budget overrides. Its passage will allow VA to pursue federal funding without impacting the budget. Thanks. Annette Lang, Arlington

On behalf of our 150 conservation member organizations across the Commonwealth, Virginia Conservation Network (VCN) supports HB1925. Case for support: http://www.vcnva.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/HB1925-Brownfields-Act-Talking-Points.pdf

I think this is a great idea and a great opportunity to provide jobs and a new way to get tax dollars to our dying county’s. As a Solar installer I get the joy of showing people how to not only save money but give them a piece of mind that they own their own power! Solar is on the rise and more jobs are needed in the coal county’s, to see this go through would be a huge opportunity to SWVA! I would love to see them flat strip mines put to use and provide free solar energy to our communities! God bless.

I am writing in support of HB 1925, specifically for the coalfield communities of far southwestern Virginia where there has been a long history of neglect and abuse of both human and natural resources. This bill will take a step toward correcting past mistakes, but only if you agree to work together in a bipartisan manner for the good and well being of present and future generations of all Virginians. This bill would give incentives for development of solar energy on abandoned mine land, and take a critical step toward helping communities use this land in a sustainable, beneficial way. All natural processes on planet Earth are driven directly, or indirectly, by sunlight. Only 40 minutes of sunlight striking the United States generates as much energy as burning all fossil fuels combined for an entire year. Using energy from the sun, the driver of all life on Earth, is simply a no-brainer. Solar energy is not practical for all locations in complex, three-dimensional terrain, where sunlight becomes limited by surrounding topography. The exception, in most cases, being surface-mined land which typically leaves behind elevated, open areas which are well-exposed to incoming solar energy. HB 1925 would help target this land and give incentives for its reclamation and long-term use in a sustainable manner, helping coalfield communities make the vital transition to renewable energy. I ask you to please support HB 1925. Thank you.

As a Southwest VA native and an electrical engineer, I can clearly see how incentivizing companies to develop brownfield sites for alternative energy production can positively impact our regional and state economy. While I live in VA, I work in TN, as do many engineers and skilled technicians I know. Furthermore, I see many VA natives move to TN because of better job opportunities. This needs to stop - we need talent grown in VA to stay in VA - to strengthen our communities and economy. My area of VA has been greatly impacted by the world's transition away from fossil fuels. The future is in renewables, and we have the land (plenty of brownfield sites abandoned either directly or indirectly due to mine closures) and the talent to foster this area of economic growth. I humbly ask that you consider passing the bill to incentivize brownfield site development, thereby allowing Southwest VA to have the opportunity to continue to be an energy producing region with ample job opportunities. I know that I, personally, would love to be able to both live and work in the state, and region, I love. Thank you.

As the Commonwealth transitions away from fossil fuels, we need to ensure that all Virginians have the chance to benefit from the new clean energy economy through cost savings, jobs, and tax revenue. This bill ensures that disadvantaged communities left with the environmental hazards of coal mining and abandoned industrial sites have an opportunity to benefit from renewable energy, incentivizing developers to bring new life to brownfield sites throughout the state which may otherwise be left abandoned and dangerous. Lastly, this program will help to maximize the amount of renewable energy that occurs on previously developed sites in order to preserve farmland and forestland. On behalf of the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia and Appalachian Voices, I ask you to support this bill.

Support HB 1925: As the Commonwealth transitions away from fossil fuels, we need to ensure that all Virginians have the chance to benefit from the new clean energy economy through cost savings, jobs, and tax revenue. This bill ensures that disadvantaged communities left with the environmental hazards of coal mining and abandoned industrial sites have an opportunity to benefit from renewable energy, incentivizing developers to bring new life to brownfield sites throughout the state which may otherwise be left abandoned and dangerous. The program developed by this bill would infuse reclamation and rehabilitation dollars into these communities, making communities safer and healthier. Lastly, this program will help to maximize the amount of renewable energy that occurs on previously developed sites in order to preserve farmland and forestland. On behalf of the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia and Appalachian Voices, we ask you to support this bill.

Dear Delegate, Please support HB1925. This bill establishes a Virginia Brownfield and Coal Mine Renewable Energy Grant Fund, and will award grants on a competitive basis to support wind, solar, or geothermal projects sited on formerly mined lands or brownfields (which are generally 10-40% more expensive to develop than greenfields). Please note that the bill includes provision that no state funds will be spent on the program unless the budget overrides; its passage will ensure that Virginia can pursue federal funding without impacting the budget. This bill will encourage RE development on previously disturbed land rather than high-value agricultural and forest lands. It will create job opportunities in SW Virginia and other communities with brownfields to ensure they share in the benefits of a clean energy transition. Many companies have committed to powering their operations with 100% clean energy. Programs to help make RE development more affordable in brownfield-impacted communities will help ensure these areas can attract new businesses. Also, many farmers work land they do not own. 39% of farmed land is rented and 70% of farm lease agreements are renewed annually. This creates a situation in which a tenant farmer could lose their livelihood if a landlord decides to switch to a long-term land lease to large-scale solar developers. Incentivizing solar developers to build on mined land and brownfields may help reduce the pressure to fragment economically and ecologically valuable forests and may help keep tenant farmers in business. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Kathleen Nawaz

Lewinsville Faith in Action respectfully urges the members of the Committee to support HB1925. Virginia Brownfield and Coal Mine Renewable Energy Grant Fund and Program This bill will facilitate the development of wind, solar, or geothermal projects on formerly mined lands or brownfields, and allow the pursuit of federal funding to assist such projects. This is beneficial because many forward-looking companies have committed to using 100% clean energy, and programs that help make renewable energy development more affordable in brownfield-impacted communities will help those areas attract new businesses. This desirable result is less likely without this bill, since brownfields are more expensive to develop than agricultural and forest lands. HB 1925 will also help small farmers who rent their land. Incentivizing solar developers to build on mined land and brownfields may help reduce the pressure to fragment economically and ecologically valuable forests and may help keep small tenant farmers in business. HB 1925 is a creative and equitable approach toward facilitating the transition to a clean-energy economy in a way that will leave no Virginians behind, and we urge the Committee to support it.

The Piedmont Environmental Council supports HB1925. Siting solar on brownfields and previously mined lands reduces pressure on greenfield development, maximizing the benefits of solar while reducing impact to our forests and farms.

Dear Chairman Sullivan and members of the committee, I am writing in support of HB1925, patroned by Delegate Terry Kilgore, to establish the Virginia Brownfield and Coal Mine Renewable Energy Grant Fund. Delegate Kilgore has been a great advocate for Southwest Virginia on matters related to energy, including his leadership on efforts to support new jobs and economic growth through the expansion of clean energy opportunities. Our polling research indicates that more than 70% of voters want to put more emphasis on solar energy in Virginia. Both wind and solar energy enjoy overwhelming support from voters across the political spectrum and in all regions of the Commonwealth. For years, policy makers have talked about streamlining permitting and making it easier to locate new renewable facilities on previously used coal mines and other brownfields. Delegate Kilgore’s proposal takes an important step toward this goal by helping to address the additional costs that often come with locating these facilities in unconventional areas. While the cost of renewable energy has declined and is competitive with other types of generation, the infrastructure required to locate facilities in these areas can be cost prohibitive. Importantly, this bill seeks to leverage available federal funding to operationalize the program. Virginia families and businesses are demanding more and more renewable energy, and significant land will be required to meet that growing demand. This legislation will have a meaningful impact on reducing the pressure to locate more of these facilities in areas that compete with agriculture land or even residential development. Conservatives for Clean Energy strongly supports this legislation and hopes it will be the will of the committee to report the bill. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Mark Fleming CEO, Conservatives for Clean Energy

Support HB 1925: As the Commonwealth transitions away from fossil fuels, we need to ensure that all Virginians have the chance to benefit from the new clean energy economy through cost savings, jobs, and tax revenue. This bill ensures that disadvantaged communities left with the environmental hazards of coal mining and abandoned industrial sites have an opportunity to benefit from renewable energy, incentivizing developers to bring new life to brownfield sites throughout the state which may otherwise be left abandoned and dangerous. The program developed by this bill would infuse reclamation and rehabilitation dollars into these communities, making communities safer and healthier. Lastly, this program will help to maximize the amount of renewable energy that occurs on previously developed sites in order to preserve farmland and forestland. On behalf of the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia and Appalachian Voices, we ask you to support this bill. Support HB 2034: For more than three years, schools and local governments in the coalfield region including Wise, Lee, and Dickenson counties have been blocked from installing solar on seven schools and local government buildings due to utilities blocking the use of Power Purchase Agreements. These solar projects would save our local governments millions of dollars over the life of the projects. In Southwest Virginia, schools have only been able to install 22 kilowatts of solar energy, while access to PPAs in Eastern and Northern Virginia has led to over 34,000 kilowatts for solar-powered schools. It is crucial that this bill be enacted in order to help our local governments save money during these unprecedented times. On behalf of the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia and Appalachian Voices, we ask you to support this bill.

The Nature Conservancy supports HB 1925. The environmental benefit of solar energy depends in part on how it is sited. Solar sited on previously-disturbed land, such as mined lands, landfills, and rooftops, brings additional value to that land. Incentivizing development of large-scale solar on mined lands and brownfields can reduce the pressure to convert valuable forests and farmland into utility-scale solar generators. Southwest Virginia, the region that is directly experiencing the economic impacts associated with the decline in fossil fuels, is not yet experiencing the economic benefits that renewable energy is providing in other regions. Over 71,000 acres of land in Southwest Virginia have been affected by coal mining. Renewable energy development is an ideal option for repurposing some of these lands. However, these sites are generally more expensive to develop, and renewable energy companies are likely to continue to avoid them unless the General Assembly creates specific incentives. The Brownfield & Coal Mine Renewable Energy Grant Fund and Program creates a fund for grants to developers who site renewable energy on mined land and brownfields. The grants would offset some of or all the added expense of building on these lands, making these projects cost-competitive with projects built in more conventional locations. Because this fund and grant program would support the development of renewable energy on previously disturbed land, and because it would incentivize development of renewable energy in Southwest Virginia, we ask you to support HB 1925. Signed, Lena Lewis Energy and Climate Policy Manager The Nature Conservancy Virginia Chapter

I am asking for your support for HB1925 which will encourage energy development on formerly disturbed areas instead of agricultural or forested lands. It will also create opportunities in Southwest Virginia and other communities with brownfields to help them share in the benefits of a clean energy transition. Brownfields are more expensive to develop than greenfields; this will provide incentive and assistance. I would love to see more solar and wind farms, but not if they are going to cut down trees or use needed farm land! It makes sense to utilize brownfields. Please provide the needed leadership to bring Virginia into a cleaner, healthier future.

I ask the both these bills pass as written. I believe they will further our progress towards a sustainable energy system in as virginia and nationally

I support the bill by Kilgore and the bill by Hurst - people and schools in Virginia deserve better access to renewable energy!

I support Del. Kilgore's bill to turn coal brownfields into BRIGHTfields, harvesting solar energy and jobs at a utility scale. Our coal mining communities need help jumpstarting this energy job transition. We need to restore the land to productive purposes and people to hope in new employment sectors. The coalfields can be powering Virginia once again. Rees Shearer

HB1925 is necessary to encourage renewable energy development on previously disturbed areas rather than on Virginia’s high-value agricultural and forest lands, and to create opportunities in Southwest Virginia and other communities with brownfields to ensure they share in the benefits of a clean energy transition. HB2034 ensures nonjurisdictional customers in SW Virginia, which includes municipalities and public schools, can enter into power purchase agreements to access renewable energy. This opportunity already exists explicitly for nonjurisdictional customers in Dominion territory, and it is important to ensure existing policy is consistent throughout the Commonwealth. This bill does NOT increase or change the caps.

HB1925 will help the people of Southwest Virginia as the region transitions from a coal-production-based to the renewable energy-based economy. HB2034 provides needed clarification that both non-jurisdictional and jurisdictional electricity customers throughout Virginia are eligible to participate in third-party power purchase arrangements.

On behalf of our 150 partner organizations across the Commonwealth, Virginia Conservation Network (VCN) requests the General Assembly’s full support of Delegate Rasoul’s HB 2068. Case for SUPPORT: http://www.vcnva.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/HB2068-Food-and-Farming-Grant.pdf

In favor of programs to better facilitate the development and progress of my community.

I am in favor of Delegate Rasoul's grant bill and Delegate Filler-Corns food charity fund. These both seem great for farmers and the community as a whole.

My name is Francesca Costantino. I am a board member of VA Foodshed Capital, and represent a coalition of farmers, advocates, and environmentalists. I support HB 2068 (to establish a Local Food and Farming Infrastructure Grant Program) and HB 2203 (to establish the Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program). These two bills 1) address climate change, build a resilient, sustainable local food system, revitalize rural communities, and increase food access by investing in community food and farm infrastructure, and 2) help Virginia farmers provide agricultural products for food aid, while building farm livelihoods. For HB 2068, please consider amendments to: 1) remove the cap on maximum grant amount; and 2) to add additional language and definitions to establish criteria to target the grants to community infrastructure and sustainable agriculture. Thank you for your consideration.

Dear subcommittee members, I am a concerned citizen who believes that building a local food network based on sustainable agriculture is good for local economies, promotes healthful eating, and provides resilience when distribution chains are interrupted. Regenerative agricultural practices also help store carbon and contribute to carbon reduction goals. This year during the pandemic, the Charlottesville area was blessed with several farmers markets, operated by pre-order and drive-through pick-up, that enabled us to access farm fresh produce. I was grateful for this resource, and relied on it heavily. A non-profit organization, Local Food Hub, operated a couple of these markets, and provided “Farmacy Shares” of locally raised food to families in need. I hope you will support the growth and development of resources like these across the state. I ask you to support the following bills, which will promote local agriculture and the distribution of farm products to needy families: HB 2068 - Delegate Sam Rasoul’s bill for grants to establish a state-administered fund and grant program for community infrastructure development projects that support local food production and sustainable agriculture. Please consider amendments to the existing bill text to remove the cap on maximum grant amount and add additional language and definitions to establish criteria to target the grants to community infrastructure and sustainable agriculture. HB 2203 – Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn’s bill to establish the Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program for Virginia farmers and food producers to provide agriculture products to charitable food assistance organizations. Respectfully submitted Beth Kuhn Charlottesville area

My name is Abram Gagnon, Williamsburg resident: This is to ask you to support a bill that addresses climate change, builds a resilient, sustainable local food system, revitalizes rural communities, and increases food access by investing in community food and farm infrastructure and help Virginia farmers provide agricultural products to charitable food aid organizations. Supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of strong local food systems. Local food systems of small- and mid-sized farms using regenerative agricultural practices contribute to economic development and jobs, as well as resilience and sustainability, while increasing food access for the good health and nutrition of our communities. Helping Virginia farmers provide food to people who need it during a crisis builds farm livelihoods, while increasing food access, a win-win. We are seeking your support on HB 2068 - Delegate Sam Rasoul’s bill for grants to establish a state-administered fund and grant program for community infrastructure development projects that support local food production and sustainable agriculture. We ask that you consider amendments to the existing bill text to remove the cap on maximum grant amount and add additional language and definitions to establish criteria to target the grants to community infrastructure and sustainable agriculture. Thank you for your consideration. Abram Gagnon Williamsburg

The COVID-19 pandemic spotlighted the vulnerabilities in our food supply chain and demonstrated the importance of maintaining strong local food systems. We witnessed our local farmers struggle to make ends meet, while communities experience food shortages. HB2068 is intended to help address this disparity. HB2068 will help to expand community infrastructure to support more local food production, as well as sustainable agriculture. Using regenerative agricultural practices will not only promote resiliency and sustainability but will also contribute to economic development and jobs, while improving food access for our communities. Our small/ mid size farmers are extremely important to Virginia’s health, economy, and environment which is why I ask that you support this bill and vote yes.

This statement is in strong support of HB2068-Local Food and Farming Infrastructure Grant Program, introduced by Chief Patron Delegate Sam Rasoul. Agriculture continues to be Virginia’s largest private industry by far, seeing an economic impact of over $70 billion annually and with jobs totaling close to 350,000. HB2068 is not just a smart agriculture bill, but also a strong labor policy. It holds the potential to strengthen thousands of local Virginia farms at a time when small businesses are fighting to compete with bloated taxpayer-subsidized corporate agro-industrial companies that participate in worker exploitation and destruction of our environment through unsustainable farming practices. Delegate Rasoul’s HB2068 would incentivize local food and farming initiatives with critical startup funds up to $25,000 needed to sustain their efforts during and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time where we are seeing Great Depression-era levels of hunger and food insecurity, this is exactly the type of legislation we need to empower local food justice efforts and prioritize small independent Virginian farms over corporate agribusiness that are destroying our planet with harmful unsustainable farming practices. On HB2068 I urge you to consider two amendments to the existing bill: 1. To remove cap on maximum grant amount and 2. Add language to secure all grant funds for small independent farming business and prohibit any grant funds from being distributed to corporate agribusinesses. I urge the subcommittee to pass these amendments and pass HB2068 to uplift Virginia’s local food and farming infrastructure for non-corporate independent farms. — Karishma Mehta Preschool teacher for VA HD-49

My Name is Beth Furgurson, and I am the Executive Director of Real Local RVA. Real Local is a membership organization dedicated to building a more collaborative and networked local food community in Richmond and our surrounding area. Our mission is to educate, support and raise awareness of the local food movement and choices in the Greater Richmond area. We have 118 members representing a variety of small businesses within the local food system. Our members include farmers, farmers markets, independent grocery stores, value added producers, restaurants, breweries, colleges, nonprofits and distributors. We support sustainable agriculture and sustainable communities. On behalf of our members, I urge you to support HB 2068. I am constantly hearing from our farmers and producers the challenges they face with distribution, aggregation and marketing of their products. Investing in and allocating money to our local food system is one of the most important steps we can make towards building stronger communities, something I think we learned the hard way over this past year. With agriculture situated as Virginia’s largest private industry and an economic impact of over $70 billion annually we believe it is an important sector of the economy to invest in. We request amendments to the existing bill text to: 1) remove the cap on maximum grant amount; and 2) to add additional language and definitions to establish criteria to target the grants to community infrastructure and sustainable agriculture. Thank you for your consideration. Beth Furgurson beth@reallocalrva.com

I would like to express my support for both of these important bills. HB2068 and HB2203 are critical steps to both support local farms and food businesses and increase food access for thousands of Virginians.

Thank you to the members of the committee who have co-patroned this legislation and those who supported this bill last legislative session. I would like to express our strong support for this bill. Local food systems of small- and mid-sized farms using regenerative agricultural practices contribute to economic development and jobs, as well as resilience and sustainability while increasing food access for the good health and nutrition of our communities. Helping Virginia farmers provide food to people who need it during a crisis builds farm livelihoods, while increasing food access, a win-win. Thank you.

The Virginia First Cities Coalition and our 16 member cities urge your support for Del. Rasoul's bill. Our urban, core cities have consistently supported healthy food financing and investments to ensure our cities and citizens have access to thriving, sustainable food options. In addition, we are working very hard to connect our community small businesses and infrastructure development. Delegate Rasoul's bill is a very positive step in this regard.

As we work strongly this session to limit the contribution to the environment of transportation emissions, we must work equally hard to support those systems that can sequester carbon. That means our agricultural and forestry assets. As a member of RVALocal, a group committed to the support of local food systems and local eating, and as a supporter of Virginia Foodshed Capital, an organization also devoted to providing support to small Virginia food producers, I urge you to support Del Rasoul's bill 2068. As a physician, I routinely prescribe more fruits and vegetables and eating local and pesticide free. The citizens need you to support local food.

Dear Delegates, My name is Tallulah Costa, I am a 17-year-old resident of Roanoke, Virginia (24015), and I am the Policy Director of the Virginia Youth Climate Cooperative - a youth-run organization committed to climate action and justice. Today, I am asking you to support two bills that address climate change, build a resilient, sustainable local food system, revitalize rural communities, and increase food access by investing in community food and farm infrastructure and help Virginia farmers provide agricultural products to charitable food aid organizations. Supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of strong local food systems. Local food systems of small- and mid-sized farms using regenerative agricultural practices contribute to economic development and jobs, as well as resilience and sustainability, while increasing food access for the good health and nutrition of our communities. Helping Virginia farmers provide food to people who need it during a crisis builds farm livelihoods, while increasing food access, a win-win. My organization and I are seeking your support for two bills: HB 2068 - Delegate Sam Rasoul’s bill for grants to establish a state-administered fund and grant program for community infrastructure development projects that support local food production and sustainable agriculture. For HB 2068, we ask that you consider amendments to the existing bill text to remove the cap on maximum grant amount and add additional language and definitions to establish criteria to target the grants to community infrastructure and sustainable agriculture. HB 2203 – Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn’s bill to establish the Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program for Virginia farmers and food producers to provide agriculture products to charitable food assistance organizations. Thank you so much for your consideration. Please know that when you support bills like these, you are investing in my future and the futures of all the young people across the Commonwealth. Please don't let us down. Kindly, Tallulah Costa Roanoke, Virginia 24015 540-798-7416

I am working with a coalition of farmers, local food and sustainable agriculture advocates, and environmentalists to promote sustainable local food systems. Please support two bills that address climate change, build a resilient, sustainable local food system, revitalize rural communities, and increase food access by investing in community food and farm infrastructure and helping Virginia farmers provide agricultural products to charitable food aid organizations: HB 2068 to establish the Local Food and Farming Infrastructure Grant Program and HB 2203 to establish the Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program. Supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of strong local food systems. Local food systems of small- and mid-sized farms using regenerative agricultural practices contribute to economic development and jobs, as well as resilience and sustainability, while increasing food access for the good health and nutrition of our communities. Helping Virginia farmers provide food to people who need it during a crisis builds farm livelihoods, while increasing food access, a win-win. For HB 2068, please consider amendments to the existing bill text to remove the cap on maximum grant amount and add additional language and definitions to establish criteria to target the grants to community infrastructure and sustainable agriculture. Below is a summary of the changes we would like to see in the final bill for HB 2068: 1. Remove the cap on maximum grant amount (or if there must be a cap, increase it dramatically, to at least $200K) 2. Add additional language to establish criteria to target the grants to community infrastructure and sustainable agriculture, as well as to underserved communities, both rural and urban. 3. Add some definitions for clarity: - add "community" to infrastructure - add a definition of preference "given to communities where there is a general lack of such infrastructure and/or underserved communities and/or environmental justice communities" - define the terms used in this targeting language, including sustainable agriculture, community infrastructure, environmental justice community, and underserved community. Thank you for your consideration.

This is in support of two bills that address climate change, build a resilient, sustainable local food system, revitalize rural communities, and increase food access by investing in community food and farm infrastructure and help Virginia farmers provide agricultural products to charitable food aid organizations. Supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of strong local food systems. Local food systems of small- and mid-sized farms using regenerative agricultural practices contribute to economic development and jobs, as well as resilience and sustainability, while increasing food access for the good health and nutrition of our communities. Helping Virginia farmers provide food to people who need it during a crisis builds farm livelihoods, while increasing food access, a win-win. We are seeking your support for two bills: HB 2068 - Delegate Sam Rasoul’s bill for grants to establish a state-administered fund and grant program for community infrastructure development projects that support local food production and sustainable agriculture. For HB 2068, we ask that you consider amendments to the existing bill text to remove the cap on maximum grant amount and add additional language and definitions to establish criteria to target the grants to community infrastructure and sustainable agriculture. HB 2203 – Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn’s bill to establish the Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program for Virginia farmers and food producers to provide agriculture products to charitable food assistance organizations. Thank you for your consideration. Leon Calin leoncalin@hotmail.com

Dear Delegates, This is to ask you to support two bills that address climate change, build a resilient, sustainable local food system, revitalize rural communities, and increase food access by investing in community food and farm infrastructure and help Virginia farmers provide agricultural products to charitable food aid organizations. I am seeking your support for two bills: HB 2068 - Delegate Sam Rasoul’s bill for grants to establish a state-administered fund and grant program for community infrastructure development projects that support local food production and sustainable agriculture. For HB 2068, we ask that you consider amendments to the existing bill text to remove the cap on maximum grant amount and add additional language and definitions to establish criteria to target the grants to community infrastructure and sustainable agriculture. HB 2203 – Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn’s bill to establish the Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program for Virginia farmers and food producers to provide agriculture products to charitable food assistance organizations. Thank you for your consideration. Morgan Malone morganfaemalone@gmail.com Blacksburg, VA

I am a resident of Blacksburg and writing to express my support for HB 2068 and HB 2203. Support and development of local agriculture enhances food security, builds the local economy, improves nutrient content of foods available and lessens climate impact from shipping foods long distances. All of these issues are important in our rural Montgomery County. I ask that you please vote in favor of these bills. Thank you for your time and consideration.

As a citizen who lives in the state and on the Rappahannock river and has seen the impact of poor stewardship, I ask that the General Assembly support these bills.

As climate change wreaks havoc on our world, it is increasingly obvious that our own actions and lifestyles have highly impacted and worsened the natural phenomenon of climate shifting. As a citizen of Springfield, it is utterly imperative that we seek alternate sources of energy, continue recycling, and provide healthy climate actions for future generations of all economic, racial, and other marginalized communities. The churches of Virginia have joined to raise our prayers and our voices to see that we treat our planet with the respect it deserves, and ensure a healthy life for all those to come. Please vote YES on HB 2074 and other initiatives that work to preserve our community so that many may enjoy it for decades of our future. Dixie Ross 7704C Lexton Place Springfield, VA 22152

VACo is proud to support this bill. It will provide greater food access to our local communities while directly assisting our local/regional foodbanks and local farmers.

My name is Jacob Ellis, and I am the Co-Director of Economic Policy at the The Greater Good Initiative, a youth-led policy think tank that writes and advocates for research-driven policies across the nation and Commonwealth and we do support the bill. When our organization was founded nearly one year ago in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we devised a policy plan called the Tax Relief for Agriculture Industries in Need Act, or TRAIN as we called it. Our focus was directed towards the supply and demand issues between food banks and farmers, respectively. What we were witnessing at the beginning of the pandemic, and what we have still witnessed even 10 months later, is that farmers were dumping excess supply while food banks were being overrun by newfound demand. This was especially apparent in population centers like Hampton Roads. H.B. 2203 offers an immediate and feasible solution to the problem we were originally investigating months ago. Aside from the overwhelming support of the farming community and food banks, another notable point of this bill is that the funding is supported by $600,000 already allocated in this year’s budget bill. Per the Fiscal Impact Sheet, the Fund’s administration costs will be absorbed in current resources, making financial burden a non-issue. Senator Hashmi and her staff, the patrons of [the companion of this bill] S.B. 1188, have been incredibly supportive of our organization and policies, and we sincerely appreciate it. The Greater Good Initiative, representing many of the Commonwealth’s youth, fully support this bill and hopes that it is the pleasure of this committee and the body at-large to pass this bill. Thank you for your time.

In favor of programs to better facilitate the development and progress of my community.

Virginia Conservation Network (VCN) is proud to support HB2203.

VACo is proud to support HB 2203.

I am in favor of Delegate Rasoul's grant bill and Delegate Filler-Corns food charity fund. These both seem great for farmers and the community as a whole.

Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments. I am a registered dietitian with the Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. I manage a group of 13 renal dietitians for the University of Virginia where we care for over 900 people who are on dialysis in 13 facilities around Central Va. Food insecurity in the Commonwealth is a growing concern. In 2020 foodbanks experienced 41% increase in pounds of food served over 2019, just one year prior. One in ten people and 1 in 8 CHILDREN in VA face food insecurity. The problem is real and growing at an alarming rate. Ironically at the University of VA Dialysis program, we began a Food Pharmacy specifically for our dialysis patients in March 2020 with the help and support of the Blueridge Area Foodbank and a grant from Sentara health. While we knew the need was significant, we never imagined that we would send home over 600 bags of food to patients in our facility that is housed at the medical Center in the first 9 months. This month, we began our second site in Orange, Va and over 50% of those patients have needed and received help. Based on current usage, we will run out of funding by July 2021. HB2203 offers a reasonable opportunity for us to use the resources rich around the Commonwealth to potentially help extend this and similar program for its current users and expand to other centers and areas where the needs are just as great. There are many more examples and I am happy to provide more information if you have questions but I am sure we all agree that Nutrition in the cornerstone of treatment to many illnesses and to our overall wellbeing. An opportunity to help the growers who provide the most HEALTHY AND NUTRITIOUS fresh foods to our food banks and therefore helping our citizens improve the nutrition quality of their diet, is one we should not miss. Thank you. My cell phone is 434.485.1608 if you have questions or would like more information. Lesley McPhatter, MS, RDN, CSR

VACo is pleased to support HB 2203. This legislation is a simple, effective way to aid our local communities, further empower local and regional foodbanks, improve food access infrastructure, and assist our local farmers. This is especially true as the Commonwealth continues to grapple with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative is truly win-win in numerous ways, as is evidenced by the broad and diverse array of stakeholders in support of the bill. We are proud to support HB 2203, and we hope you vote in favor of this important legislation.

Dear subcommittee members, I am a concerned citizen who believes that building a local food network based on sustainable agriculture is good for local economies, promotes healthful eating, and provides resilience when distribution chains are interrupted. Regenerative agricultural practices also help store carbon and contribute to carbon reduction goals. This year during the pandemic, the Charlottesville area was blessed with several farmers markets, operated by pre-order and drive-through pick-up, that enabled us to access farm fresh produce. I was grateful for this resource, and relied on it heavily. A non-profit organization, Local Food Hub, operated a couple of these markets, and provided “Farmacy Shares” of locally raised food to families in need. I hope you will support the growth and development of resources like these across the state. I ask you to support the following bills, which will promote local agriculture and the distribution of farm products to needy families: HB 2068 - Delegate Sam Rasoul’s bill for grants to establish a state-administered fund and grant program for community infrastructure development projects that support local food production and sustainable agriculture. Please consider amendments to the existing bill text to remove the cap on maximum grant amount and add additional language and definitions to establish criteria to target the grants to community infrastructure and sustainable agriculture. HB 2203 – Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn’s bill to establish the Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program for Virginia farmers and food producers to provide agriculture products to charitable food assistance organizations. Respectfully submitted Beth Kuhn Charlottesville area

The Piedmont Environmental Council supports HB 2203. Over the past year, the pandemic has exposed significant vulnerabilities in our local food supply chain. Prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, approximately 843,000 Virginians lacked access to affordable, healthy food. The pandemic has added an estimated 447,000 Virginians to that number. At the same time, small, family-owned farms are already operating on the edge of survival due to falling prices for their products, inability to access processing, and the continued growth of commercial-scale operations. Since March, with the help of private partners and community supporters, The Piedmont Environmental Council has provided 25,000 pounds of vegetables, over 30,000 gallons of fresh milk from local dairy farmers, and more than 11,000 pounds of local beef and pork to the food-insecure in our nine-county region in the Virginia Piedmont. That's more than 250,000 pounds of locally sourced products for local food banks, which has a very different impact on the local economy than shipping in 250,000 of food from somewhere else. We've been able to support tens of thousands of families in need at 24 food pantries in 9 counties as the demand on our food banks has never been higher. It is imperative that we improve our food supply infrastructure in the Commonwealth, and in doing so there is a need for flexible and rapid response to changing circumstances, whether the need for cold storage, processing packaging distribution, or planned expansion of farming. We believe that HB 2203 is a good first step to creating a food rescue infrastructure for Virginia’s farmers and food insecure residents, and we hope that it engenders a broader discussion regarding further necessary steps to address local food supply and food insecurity issues.

I would like to express my support for both of these important bills. HB2068 and HB2203 are critical steps to both support local farms and food businesses and increase food access for thousands of Virginians.

As a many year supporter of FeedMore, I am aware of the pressing needs of our community to fight hunger this year. As a physician, I am concerned that much of what we provide does not meet current nutritional guidelines for fresh fruits and vegetables. I urge you to support HB 2203 to connect and support local food producers to those that are distributing food to our communities.

Dear Delegates, My name is Tallulah Costa, I am a 17-year-old resident of Roanoke, Virginia (24015), and I am the Policy Director of the Virginia Youth Climate Cooperative - a youth-run organization committed to climate action and justice. Today, I am asking you to support two bills that address climate change, build a resilient, sustainable local food system, revitalize rural communities, and increase food access by investing in community food and farm infrastructure and help Virginia farmers provide agricultural products to charitable food aid organizations. Supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of strong local food systems. Local food systems of small- and mid-sized farms using regenerative agricultural practices contribute to economic development and jobs, as well as resilience and sustainability, while increasing food access for the good health and nutrition of our communities. Helping Virginia farmers provide food to people who need it during a crisis builds farm livelihoods, while increasing food access, a win-win. My organization and I are seeking your support for two bills: HB 2068 - Delegate Sam Rasoul’s bill for grants to establish a state-administered fund and grant program for community infrastructure development projects that support local food production and sustainable agriculture. For HB 2068, we ask that you consider amendments to the existing bill text to remove the cap on maximum grant amount and add additional language and definitions to establish criteria to target the grants to community infrastructure and sustainable agriculture. HB 2203 – Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn’s bill to establish the Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program for Virginia farmers and food producers to provide agriculture products to charitable food assistance organizations. Thank you so much for your consideration. Please know that when you support bills like these, you are investing in my future and the futures of all the young people across the Commonwealth. Please don't let us down. Kindly, Tallulah Costa Roanoke, Virginia 24015 540-798-7416

I am working with a coalition of farmers, local food and sustainable agriculture advocates, and environmentalists to promote sustainable local food systems. Please support two bills that address climate change, build a resilient, sustainable local food system, revitalize rural communities, and increase food access by investing in community food and farm infrastructure and helping Virginia farmers provide agricultural products to charitable food aid organizations: HB 2068 to establish the Local Food and Farming Infrastructure Grant Program and HB 2203 to establish the Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program. Supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of strong local food systems. Local food systems of small- and mid-sized farms using regenerative agricultural practices contribute to economic development and jobs, as well as resilience and sustainability, while increasing food access for the good health and nutrition of our communities. Helping Virginia farmers provide food to people who need it during a crisis builds farm livelihoods, while increasing food access, a win-win. For HB 2068, please consider amendments to the existing bill text to remove the cap on maximum grant amount and add additional language and definitions to establish criteria to target the grants to community infrastructure and sustainable agriculture. Below is a summary of the changes we would like to see in the final bill for HB 2068: 1. Remove the cap on maximum grant amount (or if there must be a cap, increase it dramatically, to at least $200K) 2. Add additional language to establish criteria to target the grants to community infrastructure and sustainable agriculture, as well as to underserved communities, both rural and urban. 3. Add some definitions for clarity: - add "community" to infrastructure - add a definition of preference "given to communities where there is a general lack of such infrastructure and/or underserved communities and/or environmental justice communities" - define the terms used in this targeting language, including sustainable agriculture, community infrastructure, environmental justice community, and underserved community. Thank you for your consideration.

This is in support of two bills that address climate change, build a resilient, sustainable local food system, revitalize rural communities, and increase food access by investing in community food and farm infrastructure and help Virginia farmers provide agricultural products to charitable food aid organizations. Supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of strong local food systems. Local food systems of small- and mid-sized farms using regenerative agricultural practices contribute to economic development and jobs, as well as resilience and sustainability, while increasing food access for the good health and nutrition of our communities. Helping Virginia farmers provide food to people who need it during a crisis builds farm livelihoods, while increasing food access, a win-win. We are seeking your support for two bills: HB 2068 - Delegate Sam Rasoul’s bill for grants to establish a state-administered fund and grant program for community infrastructure development projects that support local food production and sustainable agriculture. For HB 2068, we ask that you consider amendments to the existing bill text to remove the cap on maximum grant amount and add additional language and definitions to establish criteria to target the grants to community infrastructure and sustainable agriculture. HB 2203 – Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn’s bill to establish the Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program for Virginia farmers and food producers to provide agriculture products to charitable food assistance organizations. Thank you for your consideration. Leon Calin leoncalin@hotmail.com

Dear Delegates, This is to ask you to support two bills that address climate change, build a resilient, sustainable local food system, revitalize rural communities, and increase food access by investing in community food and farm infrastructure and help Virginia farmers provide agricultural products to charitable food aid organizations. I am seeking your support for two bills: HB 2068 - Delegate Sam Rasoul’s bill for grants to establish a state-administered fund and grant program for community infrastructure development projects that support local food production and sustainable agriculture. For HB 2068, we ask that you consider amendments to the existing bill text to remove the cap on maximum grant amount and add additional language and definitions to establish criteria to target the grants to community infrastructure and sustainable agriculture. HB 2203 – Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn’s bill to establish the Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program for Virginia farmers and food producers to provide agriculture products to charitable food assistance organizations. Thank you for your consideration. Morgan Malone morganfaemalone@gmail.com Blacksburg, VA

I am a resident of Blacksburg and writing to express my support for HB 2068 and HB 2203. Support and development of local agriculture enhances food security, builds the local economy, improves nutrient content of foods available and lessens climate impact from shipping foods long distances. All of these issues are important in our rural Montgomery County. I ask that you please vote in favor of these bills. Thank you for your time and consideration.