HARRISONBURG—Virginia poultry producers and grain farmers stand to reap long-term economic benefits from the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative’s $113.9 million expansion in Rockingham County—an investment that reinforces the strength of Virginia’s agricultural economy and the power of farmer-owned cooperatives.
Recently announced by Gov. Abigail Spanberger, the multi-phase project includes construction of a nearly 2- million-cubic-foot, state-of-the-art feed mill that will be the largest grain storage facility on the East Coast. The expansion is expected to create 146 new jobs, significantly increase turkey processing capacity, and generate new opportunities for family farms across the Shenandoah Valley and beyond.
The expansion also includes adding a rail spur at the Linville facility, completing critical upgrades to the water treatment system at the Hinton facility, and increasing turkey processing capacity.
“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,” said 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.”
With expanded processing and feed capabilities, VPGC will be able to handle an additional 4.5 million turkeys over the next three years, opening the door for new grower contracts and allowing existing member-owner farmers to expand their operations. These opportunities are especially important in an era of rising production costs and tight margins, where scale and efficiency can make the difference in a farm’s long-term viability.
As a processor completely owned by its poultry growers, VPGC operates under a cooperative model that ensures profits are returned directly to the member-owner farmers who produce the birds. For Virginia Farm Bureau poultry and grain farmers, that structure provides more than just financial returns—it offers stability, shared risk and a voice in the future of the industry.
Farm Bureau leaders have long emphasized the importance of locally controlled infrastructure, and this investment reflects that principle in action—keeping value-added processing, decision-making and profits rooted in Virginia’s farming communities.
This historic investment is a testament to the power of Virginia’s farmers and producers, Spanberger said.
The governor also approved a $1 million performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Performance Grant, an incentive that encourages continued capital investment by existing Virginia companies; a $500,000 AFID facility grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund that supports projects sourcing Virginia-grown products; and the $750,000 grant from the Virginia Rail Industrial Access Program.
Media: Contact Banks at 804-290-1114.
