Agriculture in Bedford County
Agriculture and Forestry is by far the largest land use in the County. It is also a powerful economic engine, $26,470,000 annually in farm sales alone. According to a recently completed study by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, the total economic impact of agriculture and forestry in Bedford (includes 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 |
211,534 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) |
#21 |
Hay (41,910 acres) |
#2 |
Horses (1,933 head) |
#7 |
Goats (1,479 head) |
#5 |
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: |
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 |
Aylor’s Farm Store |
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 |
|
|
|
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 |