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Agribusiness and Agritourism Updates

Posted on: June 2, 2022 - 1:53pm
Haybale

Agriculture is taking a front seat this month in Campbell County

Along with the 2nd Annual Central Virginia Farm Tours on June 26, featuring three Campbell County farms, and the statewide recognition of Virginia Agriculture Week June 12-18, Campbell County Economic Development is rolling out a new section for Agribusiness on campbellvirginia.com.

New! Agribusiness Section on campbellvirginia.com

In support of the many farms and agriculture-based businesses in Campbell County, Economic Development is pleased to add a new Agribusiness section as part of our Business Support information on campbellvirginia.com. It provides easily accessible links and information for available agricultural programming.

Under Agribusiness, there are several pages to explore:

  • Campbell County Cooperative Extension- links to their website, staff, and office information
  • Virginia Century Farms-honoring family farms in operation for at least 100 years. Campbell County has 36!
  • Virginia MarketMaker-a new online interactive map of Virginia’s food system. Add your agribusiness or farmer’s market to help consumers and buyers find you.
  • Virginia’s Finest-information on how to apply and requirements for this program designating Virginian products that meet or exceed certain quality standards.
  • Buy Fresh, Buy Local-introducing this affiliate group for local food producers or purveyors and membership agreement link.
  • Virginia Grown-a marketing tool promoting fresh, local products to consumers. Marketing resourcese are still available with the traditional logo and all new branding is expected soon.
  • Virginia FarmLink-connecting retiring farmers and prospective farmers as well as connecting farmers with other farmers looking to collaborate

2nd Annual Central Virginia Farm ToursCVFT Logo

The 2nd Annual Central Virginia Farm Tour event will be held June 26, 2022, from 1 pm to 6 pm. Ten local farms in Appomattox, Campbell, and Charlotte Counties will be open to the public to raise awareness for local agriculture and agritourism. Central Virginia Farm Tours is a great opportunity for kids, foodies, locavores, gardeners, new or aspiring farmers, locals, and out-of-town visitors to connect with area farmers and gain a better understanding of what it takes to produce the agricultural products that we all enjoy purchasing at local farmers’ markets. Last year’s event featured fun for the whole family including distilling lavender and cleaning lavender buds at Evergreen Lavender Farm, an antique tractor presentation at Allgood's Farm, assembling freshly clipped flowers at Rosefield Farm and Flowers, hayrides and a petting zoo at Wilt Family Farms, seed preservation at Seeds of Faith Farm, as well as seeing all aspects of poultry production at Pamplin Poultry. This year, Campbell County Libraries will be adding to the fund by hosting farm-themed activities at Allgood’s Farm.

A $10 vehicle pass will cover admission for your entire carload to as many of the farms you care to visit during the event.

Details are available on campbellvirginia.com’s calendar or at centralvirginiafarmtours.com.

Download the official 2022 CVFT flyer here.

Celebrate Virginia Agriculture Week and Buy Local!

June 12-18 is designated Virginia Agriculture Week and celebrates agriculture’s $70 billion annual economic impact and the 334,000 jobs it generates. Commodities and products grown and produced in Virginia are sourced from a broad range of agricultural zones, from mountainous altitudes to the sprawling Piedmont, and below sea level.

Virginia is home to 43,225 farms on 7.8 million acres of land, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2017 Census of Agriculture. The average farm size is 181 acres. The typical Virginia farmer is 58.5 years old, and about 36% of primary farm operators are female. Broiler chickens top the state’s commodities list with annual cash receipts at $625 million, followed by cattle, miscellaneous crops, turkeys, dairy and milk, and soybeans.

The state’s farmers are represented by Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, the commonwealth’s largest agricultural advocacy group. With more than 132,000 members in 88 county Farm Bureaus, the organization provides a unified voice to advocate for local, state and national policies using a grassroots process.

“While we celebrate the efforts of our farmers every day, Virginia Agriculture Week is an opportunity to include the public in that recognition, sharing gratitude for the state’s agricultural community,” said Wayne F. Pryor, VFBF president and a Goochland County grain and hay producer. “The high-quality food, fiber and other products grown by Virginia farmers are valued at all levels—from neighborhood farm stands to international exports.”