2008 PRESS RELEASES
March 5, 2008
GOVERNOR PROCLAIMS MARCH 16 – 22 VIRGINIA AGRICULTURE WEEK
Contact: Marion Horsley 804.225.3820
By official proclamation, Governor Timothy M. Kaine has designated March 16 – 22, 2008 Virginia Agriculture Week, and he invites all Virginians to mark the occasion.
According to the proclamation, agriculture in Virginia offers a lot of reasons to celebrate. It is Virginia’s largest industry, generating approximately $36 billion per year or 12.3 percent of all sales in Virginia, and creating nearly 10 percent of the total jobs statewide.
Virginia’s 46,800 farms encompass 8.5 million acres, or approximately one-third of the state’s total land area, and produce a diverse mix including field and orchard crops, dairy products, livestock, poultry, seafood and farm-raised fish, horticultural products, tobacco, wine, cotton, horses, lumber and processed food.
When ranked with other states, Virginia agriculture boasts ten crops in the top ten based on production, including fresh market tomatoes ranked #3, leaf tobacco #5, apples and summer potatoes both #6, fresh market snap beans #7, grapes and peanuts both #8, sweet potatoes #9, barley and fresh market cucumbers both #10.
Virginia also excels in livestock production. Virginia turkeys represent more than eight percent of the total U.S. output and rank #4 when compared to other states. Virginia broilers represent almost three percent of the total U.S. production and rank #10 when compared to other states.
Many Virginia farmers market their products directly to the public at roadside stands, farmers markets and pick-your-own farms. This approach has given small-scale and beginning farmers an initial sales outlet, helped support local farmers, enhanced local economies, and given consumers better access to fresh, delicious and nutritious foods.
Besides selling to domestic markets, Virginia agriculture has achieved an international reputation, exporting a variety of products including grain, fruit, livestock, poultry, tobacco and feed to markets in Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Canada, Africa and the Caribbean, to meet the demand for high-quality commodities.
Click here to find more information about Virginia Agriculture Week, including ways to celebrate.