Floyd County, VA – SWVA Biochar LLC, based in Floyd County, Virginia, has been awarded a $3,032,736 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development. The funding, part of the USDA’s Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP), will support the purchase of a site for an additional production facility in Floyd County. This significant investment marks a major milestone for the company and supports its continued growth in sustainable agriculture.
Biochar is a type of specially produced charcoal used to improve soil health. Unlike traditional charcoal used for cooking, biochar is created specifically to be added to soil, where it helps increase fertility, improve crop yields, and capture carbon from the atmosphere. It’s also being studied for a growing number of uses in environmental cleanup, water filtration, and sustainable waste management.
The FPEP grants are provided to help boost manufacturing and processing of fertilizer and nutrient alternatives in the United States. The investment of SWVA Biochar in Virginia’s New River Valley helps further establish the region as a leader in sustainability and innovation in the agribusiness sector. Discover the fertile ground of the NRV’s food processing and agribusiness industry here.
Read Congressman Morgan Griffin’s press release here.
Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.
