Stafford County, VA

Stafford County is located approximately 40 miles south of Washington, D.C., and sixty miles north of Richmond, Virginia. The County covers 277 square miles of generally level to rolling land, with elevations ranging from sea level to 425 feet. The County is bordered by Prince William County on the north, Fauquier County and Culpeper County on the west, Spotsylvania County and the City of Fredericksburg below the Rappahannock River to the south, and the Potomac River and King George County on the east. 65% of the county is still forested. The population of Stafford County is estimated at approximately 124,000 people (2008).

Overall, this fast-growing county generated nearly $2.8 million in agriculture cash receipts in 2007. Stafford County has 236 farms and more than 26,100 acres of farmland. Nearly 120 residents call farming their principal occupation. Stafford farms are home to more than 3,000 head of cattle, mostly beef, as well as a few hogs and laying hens. Primary field crops are corn (1,500 acres) and hay (5,500 acres).

Agricultural Acreage in 2007: 19,816 acres
Number of Farms: 233
Number of Farm Markets: 1
http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/vagrown/frmsmkts.shtml
Top three to five Agricultural Products: Hay, cattle, corn, soybeans, fruits

Total Local Economic Contribution of Agriculture:

• Revenue from agriculture: $2,798,000
• Revenue per farm average $12,011
• Crop sales $1,720,000(61%)
• Livestock Sales $1,078,000 (39%)

Agricultural Lands protected: 2,196.80 acres (Source: Virginia Outdoors Foundation)

Other Farm-Related Products or Activities in the County:
Local 4-H and other programs: http://offices.ext.vt.edu/view.cfm?webname=stafford§ion=programs

Principal Agricultural Contacts:

Virginia Farm Bureau:
Chad Young, President Stafford Farm Bureau
540-899-9454

Virginia Cooperative Extension: 540-658-8000 - Main Office