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By Alan Zuschlag
Rappahannock News Writer
For centuries agriculture has been the bedrock of the Rappahannock County economy. In recent decades however, tourism and jobs outside the county have shifted the economic focus a bit. The number of cattle and apple trees in the county continue to decrease each year, and little by little, some of the great farms of the past are being sold to new folks.
Yet farming in Rappahannock isn’t in decline, it’s just changing and diversifying. Today Rappahannock boasts a thriving viticulture industry. Small “boutique” farms specializing in organic produce, herbs, goat cheese, and mead are all selling to eager customers.
Our local livestock producers now market Kobe beef, venison, buffalo, llamas, horses, and lamb, among other things.
Recently there has been a lot of interest in Rappahannock’s growing “gourmet” agriculture. The Washington Post did a feature story on Rappahannock farmers and producers last May. In October the National Capital Area Chapter of the American Institute of Wine and Food held a member’s dinner at the Flint Hill Public House featur' ing an “all Rappahannock” ; menu. Chefs in several wellknown Washington, DC ! restaurants now feature Rappahannock-grown produce ! on their menus.
While many of today’s Rappahannockers are not I farmers, they still maintain a connection to the land and to
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