Celebrate Virginia Farmers and Buy Local During Virginia Agriculture Week

Celebrate Virginia Farmers and Buy Local During Virginia Agriculture Week
Public encouraged to thank the Commonwealth's farmers and purchase local agricultural products

Richmond, Va. -Governor Abigail Spanberger has proclaimed June 7 - 13 as Virginia Agriculture Week. This annual recognition celebrates the hard work of Virginia's farmers, highlights the significant economic impact of the Commonwealth's largest private industry, and encourages the public to support the state's agricultural producers by buying local Virginia Grown and Virginia's Finest products and enjoying agritourism opportunities.

"Virginia's farmers and producers put food on our tables, fuel our communities, and power our economy," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "This week and all year round, I encourage Virginians to join me in celebrating the dedication and determination of these men, women, and families, and thanking them for all that they do for our Commonwealth."

Virginia's agriculture industry has an annual economic impact of $82 billion and $43 billion in value-added impact. The Commonwealth is home to approximately 38,600 farms on more than 7.2 million acres of farmland. These farms produce a wide range of food and agricultural products, from livestock and dairy, aquaculture, row crops, fruits and vegetables, to tobacco, wool and cotton, nursery plants, cut flowers, Christmas trees and more.

"Through drought, freezes, and hurricanes, nothing stops a Virginia farmer," said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier. "As our agricultural producers have struggled through multiple challenges, they continue to innovate within their operations and educate their customers and consumers about what it takes to bring us the food on our plates and products on our shelves. I am proud to serve the farmers and foresters of the Commonwealth, and I thank them and celebrate their successes."

Virginia agricultural production is one of the most diverse in the nation with many of the state's commodities and products ranking in the top ten among all U.S. states. The Commonwealth ranks third nationally for tobacco, fifth for apples, sixth for turkeys, eighth for peanuts, and ninth for trout and tenth for pumpkins. Approximately 95 percent of Virginia farms are owned and operated by families, and agriculture generates more than 381,000 jobs in the state.

"We're fortunate in Virginia to have local access to high quality meats, poultry, seafood, milk and dairy products, fruits and vegetables, wine, spirits, beer and more," said Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Green. "We want to thank our farmers this week and all year round by enjoying the fruits of their labor, visiting their farms and farmstands and looking for local products in the supermarket. I hope every resident of the Commonwealth will take some time over their next meal or while driving through the state's rolling fields to be thankful to the hardworking farmers that make all of this possible."

Consumers can identify locally grown and locally produced agricultural products by looking for Virginia Grown and Virginia's Finest logos on products ranging from produce to meats, snacks, sauces, craft beverages, and more. Consumers can visit their local farmers market or roadside stand for some of the freshest, best tasting food available, or find a local retailer by searching https://vagrown.vdacs.virginia.gov Virginia's Finest specialty food and beverages can be searched at https://vafinest.vdacs.virginia.gov/ .