Authority: Title 3.1, Chapters 1, 3, 4.1, 4.3, and 5; Title 10.1, Chapter 5, Article 3.1, Code of Virginia.

A. All fees collected by the Commissioner shall be paid into the state treasury.

B.1. Out of the amounts for this Item, $65,000 the first year and $50,000 the second year from the general fund shall be provided to establish the Virginia Agricultural Vitality Program. In establishing this program, the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in cooperation with one representative each from the Farm Bureau, the American Farm Land Trust, the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, the Virginia Cooperative Extension, and the Department of Business Assistance, shall develop standards for (1) local Purchase of Development Rights programs; (2) criteria and a process for certification of local programs for eligibility; (3) a method and source of revenue for allocating funds to localities to purchase agricultural conservation easements; and (4) creating and administering the Virginia Farm Link program.

2. The Farm Link program shall provide state assistance in the transition of farm businesses and properties from retiring farmers to active farmers. This assistance includes the preparation of business plans for the transition of business interests; matching of existing properties and agricultural operations to buyers; information on innovative techniques and methods; and advice and research assistance on agricultural, financial, marketing, and other matters.

C. Out of the amounts in this Item shall be transferred to Virginia Tech's Agricultural Education Program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences $150,000 and 3 positions the first year and $150,000 and 3 positions the second year from the general fund for agricultural education specialists to be located in the eastern and western parts of Virginia.