The Office of Working Lands Preservation (OWL) at the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) has announced that the FY26 Virginia Farmland and Forestland Preservation Fund Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) matching grant will be open from October 1, 2025, to October 31, 2025, at 5:00 pm. $437,500 is available for this funding round.
VDOF is transitioning to an online application portal (System Access Portal for Forestry Grants) for this opportunity. On September 29, 2025, at 10 am, we will be hosting a virtual webinar to review the program and explain the new application process. You can register for the event here. A recording will be made available upon request.
Additionally, VDOF is encouraging localities to complete their Office of Working Lands Preservation/Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Survey. The survey is for counties with an existing PDR program or exploring other conservation planning tools.
If you have any questions, or would like to learn more, contact Genny Harris, Working Lands Conservation Specialist, at gennette.harris@dof.virginia.gov and 434-282-4823.
VACo Contacts: James Hutzler and Joe Lerch, AICP