Agriculture in Bedford County
Agriculture and Forestry is by far the largest land use in the County. It is also a powerful economic engine, $28,283,000 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 $135,731,096 and the combined industries accounted for 2,889 jobs.
| Commodity | Value (2012) |
|---|---|
| Cattle and Calves | $15,814,000 |
| Milk | $4,898,000 |
| Other crops and Hay | $3,178,000 |
| Fruits/Berries | $394,000 |
| Nursery/Greenhouse | $1,285,000 |
| Grains (Corn, Wheat) | $1,812,000 |
| Vegetables | $206,000 |
| Horses/Ponies | $301,000 |
| Christmas Trees | $75,000 |
| Sheep and lambs | $115,000 |
| **Bedford ranks 38th among Virginia counties in cash receipts from agricultural product sales | |
| Value of agricultural products sold direct to individuals for human consumption | |
|---|---|
| 2002 | $327,000 |
| 2007 | $565,000 |
| 2012 | $453,000 |
| Total Land Area | Land in Farms | % Land Area in Farms |
|---|---|---|
| 486,335 acres | 206,534 acres | 42.5 |
| Average farm Size | 151 acres | |
| Source: U.S. Census of Agriculture, 2012 | ||
| State Rankings of Bedford Agriculture (among Virginia Counties) | |
|---|---|
| All Cattle and Calves (49,253 head) | #9 |
| Beef Cows (24,260 head) | #3 |
| Milk Cows (1,292 head) | #15 |
| Hay (46,147 acres) | #9 |
| Horses (2,506 head) | #7 |
| Goats (1,137 head) | #10 |
| Orchards (287 acres) | #14 |
| Grapes (68 acres) | #16 |
| Sources: U.S. Census of Agriculture, 2012 | Virginia Agricultural Statistics Bulletin, 2012 | 2012 Equine Survey Report | |
| Annual Economic Impact of Horses in Bedford (Care and Upkeep) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Number of Horses | Care, $/Horse | Total |
| 6,200 | $3,642.00 | $22,580,400 |
| Source: 2006 Equine Survey Report | ||
Forestry
The forest industry begins with the forestland owner. On average from 1986 to 2001, Bedford County landowners received $3,750,334 annually for standing timber sold; 19th in the state.
| 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 |
| 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 | |
|---|---|
| 1992 | $1,206.00 |
| 1997 | $1,943.00 |
| 2002 | $2,920.00 |
| 2007 | $4,727.00 |
| 2012 | $4,430.00 |
| Source: U.S. Census of Agriculture | |
Farmer Characteristics
| 2007 | 2012 | |
|---|---|---|
| # Farms, total | 1,428 | 1,369 |
| Farmer age group | ||
| Under 25 years | 10 | 3 |
| 25-34 years | 34 | 35 |
| 35-44 | 166 | 102 |
| 45-54 | 352 | 304 |
| 55-59 | 185 | 194 |
| 60-64 | 167 | 191 |
| 65-69 | 175 | 188 |
| 70+ | 340 | 352 |
| Average Age | 59 | 59 |
| Source: U.S. Census of Agriculture | ||