Buying a Farm in Virginia – 7 interesting facts
Some of the best farmers and small business owners can proudly say they come from Virginia. Agriculture is the largest industry here. If you consider buying a farm in Virginia, your family might be one of many to get away from the city rush. Whether you want to settle into a more rural setting and enjoy hobbies like gardening or want to start a full-time farming operation, we hope our article helps you along the way!
A little bit about Virginia
Virginia is a state with a vibrant history
and it’s often referred to as the Birthplace of a Nation. It is a perfect mixture of a place with a homey vibe, business opportunities, and high-quality education.
Virginia is rich in natural beauty, as well as in history. Much of Virginia’s state remains covered in forests as it descends from the mountains to the beaches of the Atlantic. As a result, this beautiful state has all four seasons and perks of both beaches and mountains.
There is no need to mention that fertile Virginia’s soil is perfect for farming. Therefore, it makes many farmers and agronomists move across the country to make the best out of their business. On the other hand, others want to move to a more quiet environment and indulge in peace and nature. If you are one of them, hiring a long-distance moving company to get you far away from the city is the first step to take. Let’s take a look at some interesting facts about why the decision you are considering is a good option.
Pros of buying a farm in Virginia
Virginia’s agriculture industry has a strong record of success. It also includes agritourism, agricultural education, agribusiness, innovation and research, and new technologies in the field, not just farming. These are our seven winning facts of why it is a good idea to purchase a farm property in Virginia.
- economic impact
- agricultural diversity
- large export markets
- privately owned properties
- natural beauties
- low crime rate
- world-class healthcare and educational system
Agricultural economic impact
As mentioned before, agriculture is the largest private industry by far in Virginia. This industry’s economic impact is 70 billion dollars per annum. It also provides more than 334,000 jobs in the Commonwealth. Only production agriculture in Virginia employs more than 54,000 farmers and generates around 3,8 billion dollars in total output.
Additionally, agriculture provides other benefits, such as tourism, recreation, wildlife habitat, biodiversity, improvement of water and soil quality.
Diversity of commodities
Virginia has 43,225 farms that cover 7.8 million acres. Here are the top ten agricultural commodities in Virginia:
- broilers
- cattle and calves
- dairy products
- turkeys
- greenhouse
- all other farm animals
- soybeans
- corn
- hay
- tobacco
Many of these commodities are classified under the top 10 of all U.S. states. For example, leaf tobacco is in 3rd place, turkeys in 5th, apples in 6th, grapes, and peanuts in 8th place, while broiler chickens are in 10th place among the top 10 in the country.
Export markets
The leading export markets in Virginia are Canada, with annual purchases of $342 million, China $235 million, and Switzerland $210 million.
Other countries also purchase a variety of Virginia agricultural goods and specialty food and beverage items. As a result, Virginia products are internationally promoted. This is done through the headquarters of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Their global network covers Canada, China, Europe, India, Latin America, Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Privately owned farms
Ninety percent of Virginia farms are owned and operated by individuals and families. Another interesting fact is that 1 in 5 Virginia farm owners is a woman. This adds to the fact that Virginia is a modern country where anything is possible. So, if your dream is to settle into a quiet place and have organic food” href=”https://allblogroll.com/benefits-organic-food/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>your own Organic Garden, go for it! But, on the other hand, if you wish to operate a large full-time farm with animals and crops, you have our support!
Rich in natural beauty
Even if buying a farm in Virginia means enjoying nature and having a certain kind of peace, nothing beats opportunities to travel and enjoy sightseeing. According to local relocation specialists from fairfaxtransfer.com, Virginia is home to some of the most known landmarks of the country. The natural wonders and beauties worth seeing are:
- The Natural Bridge (included in 7 Natural Wonders of the World)
- Natural Tunnel State Park (described as the 8th Natural World Wonder)
- Burkes Garden – Tazewell (the highest valley in the Commonwealth and largest rural historic district; also described as God’s Thumbprint)
- The New River in Southwest Virginia (one of the few in the world that flows from south to north; offers scenic views and numerous outdoor recreation opportunities)
- Great Falls Park – Mclean (one of the most historic natural wonders)
Low crime rates
The crime rate is another thing you want to consider when purchasing a property to make sure your family and your business are safe. In general, Virginia is a great place to live. It was ranked the 9th safest place in the U.S. Lexington, Purcellville, Bridgewater, Blacksburg, and Vienna are some of the safest cities in Virginia.
Health care and education
With more than 100 hospitals in Virginia and 21 of them meeting U.S.’s highest standards, you will definitely be in good hands.
Deciding to move to Virginia might also make you think of education opportunities for your children. The good thing is that Virginia’s educational system is constantly rated among the top ten states in the U.S. Also, if you are a resident, you will get a price reduction when enrolling at one of the best unis in the country – The University of Virginia.
Final thoughts
A lot of research is needed to find farmland that matches your unique needs. We hope our list of facts will help strengthen your choice of buying a farm in Virginia
Good luck with renovating, settling in, and starting a new life!
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