HARRISONBURG, Va. — A farmer-owned cooperative in Virginia is moving forward with a massive expansion that promises to boost the region’s agricultural sector and create significant employment opportunities.
Governor Abigail Spanberger recently unveiled details of the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative’s ambitious $113.9 million investment in Rockingham County. The comprehensive development will bring 146 new positions to the area while substantially increasing the cooperative’s turkey processing capabilities.
The centerpiece of this multi-phase initiative involves constructing a cutting-edge feed mill featuring nearly 2 million cubic feet of capacity, making it the East Coast’s most expansive grain storage operation. The project will also enhance processing abilities to handle an additional 4.5 million turkeys within the next three years.
Additional improvements include installing a rail spur at the Linville location, upgrading water treatment infrastructure at the Hinton site, and expanding overall turkey processing operations.
“The Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative’s investment speaks volumes for its commitment to the future of its turkey-producing members and grain farmers here in Virginia,” stated Tony Banks, senior assistant director of the Agriculture, Development & Innovation Department at Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. “The fact the investment is being made by a successful local company is outstanding. It truly represents a great opportunity for farmers, local businesses and communities.”
The enhanced processing and feed production capabilities will open doors for additional grower agreements and enable current member-farmers to scale up their operations. These developments come at a crucial time when agricultural producers face increasing operational expenses and narrow profit margins, where operational efficiency and size often determine long-term sustainability.
Operating as a completely farmer-owned entity, VPGC functions under a cooperative framework that channels profits directly back to the member-producers who raise the turkeys. This structure provides Virginia Farm Bureau poultry and grain producers with financial benefits while offering operational stability, risk distribution, and input in industry direction.
Farm Bureau officials have consistently highlighted the value of community-controlled agricultural infrastructure, and this investment demonstrates that philosophy in practice by maintaining value-added processing, management decisions, and earnings within Virginia’s farming communities.
“This historic investment is a testament to the power of Virginia’s farmers and producers,” Spanberger noted.
State financial support includes a $1 million performance-based grant through the Virginia Investment Performance Grant program, which incentivizes continued capital investment by established Virginia businesses. Additional funding comes from a $500,000 AFID facility grant through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund, supporting projects that source Virginia-grown products, plus a $750,000 allocation from the Virginia Rail Industrial Access Program.
