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This week, March 16-22, is Virginia Agricultural Week, a time to acknowledge the industry that is the mainstay of the state’s and the nation’s economy—and the economy in Rappahannock County.
It’s also a time for all of us to resolve to do what we can to continue the effort here to preserve, promote and protect farming.
The latest census of agriculture shows the number of farms and the total value of farm products increasing. But that doesn’t mean that Rappahannock farmers aren’t facing the same price-cost squeeze that has imperiled the agricultural industry across the country. The prices they get for their cows and calves, hay, corn and other products have climbed but production costs have outstripped those gains. Despite the picture that the statistics paint here of more farms, younger people turning to agriculture and higher prices for farm products, our agricultural industry still needs help. We must remember that as we begin budget sessions and public heatings on revisions to Rappahannock’s zoning laws.
Our fanners need and deserve use value taxation. Yes, bills for the rest of the county’s taxpayers will be a little higher next year because of the preferential taxation program on farm, forest and orchard land but we
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