An overview of agriculture in Bedford County.
Agriculture and Forestry are by far the largest land use in the County. It is also a powerful economic engine, with $26,470,000 annually in farm sales alone. According to a 2017 Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service report, the total economic impact of agriculture and forestry in Bedford (including secondary multiplier effects) was $60,800,000 and the combined industries accounted for 1,547 jobs.
Commodity | Value (2017) |
Cattle and Calves | $14,536,000 |
Milk | $2,663,000 |
Other crops and Hay | $3,862,000 |
Fruits/Berries | $704,000 |
Nursery/Greenhouse | $1,330,000 |
Grains (Corn, Wheat) | $1,806,000 |
Vegetables | $173,000 |
Horses/Ponies | $403,000 |
Christmas Trees | $25,000 |
Sheep and lambs | $140,000 |
Goats | $79,000 |
**Bedford ranks 38th among Virginia counties in cash receipts from agricultural product sales |
Value of agricultural products sold direct to individuals for human consumption | |
2007 | $565,000 |
2012 | $453,000 |
2017 | $1,210,000 |
Total Land Area | Land in Farms | % Land Area in Farms |
486,329 acres | 211,087 acres | 43.4 |
Average farm Size | 149 acres | |
Source: U.S. Census of Agriculture, 2017 |
State Rankings of Bedford Agriculture (among Virginia Counties) | |
All Cattle and Calves (48,235 head) | #6 |
Beef Cows (25,110 head) | #3 |
Milk Cows (782 head) | #25 |
Hay (41,910 acres) | #2 |
Horses, ponies, mules, burros, donkeys | #14 |
Sheep, goats, wool, mohair | #24 |
Orchards (221 acres) | #17 |
Grapes (70 acres) | #15 |
Sources: U.S. Census of Agriculture, 2017 | Virginia Agricultural Statistics Bulletin, |
Forestry
The forest industry in Bedford County generates approximately $18.1 million in economic activity. (Source: The Economic Impact of Virginia’s Agriculture and Forest Industries, Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, 2017.)
Bedford Businesses dependent on agriculture: |
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Farm Bureau |
Bedford Southern States Cooperative |
Bedford-Augusta Cooperative |
Moneta Farm and Home Center |
Tractor Supply Company |
Royal Oak Farm |
Boone Tractor |
Powers Tractor and Equipment |
Robertson Equipment |
New London Tractor and Implement |
Springlake Livestock Market |
Farm Credit of the Virginias |
George’s Seed, Feed and Grow Shop |
Eco-Friendly Foods – meat processing facility |
Farm Building/Fencing Contractors |
Bedford Animal Hospital |
Lil Doc’s Veterinary Service |
Equine Veterinarians |
Agriculture pays its way – a Cost of Community Services study documents that residential development does not pay its way, but agriculture does.
Cost of Community Services Study – Bedford County FY 2004 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Residential | Commercial/Industrial | Agricultural | |
Land use ratio* | 1.07 | 0.40 | 0.25 |
*Cost for each $1 of revenue generated |
Estimated Market Value of Land and Buildings, Dollars/Acre, Bedford | |
---|---|
1987 | $1,007.00 |
1992 | $1,206.00 |
1997 | $1,943.00 |
2002 | $2,920.00 |
2007 | $4,727.00 |
2012 | $4,430.00 |
2017 | $4,399.00 |
Source: U.S. Census of Agriculture |
Farmer Characteristics
2007 | 2012 | 2017 | |
---|---|---|---|
# Farms, total | 1,428 | 1,369 | 1,418 |
Farmer age group | |||
Under 25 years | 10 | 3 | 40 |
25-34 years | 34 | 35 | 165 |
35-44 | 166 | 102 | 193 |
45-54 | 352 | 304 | 373 |
55-54 | 352 | 385 | 679 |
65+ | 515 | 540 | 809 |
Average Age | 59 | 59 | |
Source: U.S. Census of Agriculture |