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“Agriculture is Virginia’s number one industry” is a statement often repeated when we speak of agriculture’s importance to the region and the truth of this statement is derived from economic measures of farm output and value-added products produced in Virginia. By these conventional economic measures, agriculture’s preeminence in Virginia’s economy appears to be largely derived from the value-added poultry and pork products and the employment these food industries bring to the communities where they are located.
A look at agricultural statistics closer to home may leave one wondering about the importance of the local agriculture economy when we see just how few people in Rockbridge County actually make their living from farming.
Based on an analysis of the available agricultural statistics and a knowledge of the existing farm operations in Rockbridge, one comes to the realization that probably fewer than 20 households make their living from operating a farm. If we add the households that derive a living from employment by a farm operation, Rockbridge still has fewer than 35 families that can point to production agriculture as the primary source of their income.
So why is agriculture such a big deal in Rockbridge? There are several reasons but in this week’s column, I wish to spotlight a diverse and somewhat difficult to define demographic a local farmer has suggested we call “community farmers.”
I must give credit to this farmer, my several conversations with whom has been the inspiration for this week’s column. A look at USDA Agricultural statistics shows us that in addition to the 17-odd full-time farms, Rockbridge has at least another 700 community farmers who, while depending on off-farm income, are the stewards of some 36,000 acres of cropland, 53,000 acres of pastureland, and 39,000 acres of forestland.
These community farmers are the primary support for three retail farm supply outlets in Rockbridge, the sales and service of a huge inventory of equipment from chainsaws to tractors, and are patrons of a range of professional services from attorneys to veterinarians.
It is to community farmers (large and small, however one chooses to measure them) our nation now turns to help address the environmental damage we have done to our planet while functioning as a reservoir of resilience as catastrophic weather trends and international events have highlighted the fragility of our modern food system.
In this light, opportunities abound for community farmers large and small and we need them all. Whether they are planting a field to pollinator-friendly plants, picking blackberries to give to a neighbor, gathering calves to sell at the local sale barn, or planting soybeans for export, our community farmers should be encouraged and empowered to feed us and steward our precious natural resources.
This week we pause to celebrate our nation. It is also an opportune moment to express thanks for the good stewardship of our community farmers and think how to empower them further to steward our planet and nurture our communities.
