A legacy of land
By Carrie J. Sidener
csidener@newsadvance.com
June 29, 2006
Josh Goode feels sure that he will one day be offered hundreds of thousands of dollars by developers looking to build a neighborhood or a shopping center on his family’s 1,000-acre farm.
The dairy farm has been in the Goode family for more than 100 years.
“There are always people coming by looking at it,” he said.
If they’d offer to buy?
“I’d laugh at them,” he said. “It’s not for sale.”
Goode’s farm in Huddleston is one of more than 1,200 in Bedford County. That’s down more than 200 farms or so since 1997 in the county, which is going through growing pains as more and more farmland is subdivided into houses, condominiums and shopping centers.
The average Bedford County farm’s value stands at just over $429,000. With that kind of price tag, some in the farm community fear that farmers who are struggling may call it quits.
That is why the Bedford County Cooperative Extension office presented a multipoint plan to the county supervisors to help sustain the economic vitality of the farms. The plan was unanimously approved earlier this week.
“Agriculture is the first business we had in Bedford County,” said Sue Montgomery, Bedford County director of Economic Development. “I personally hope that agriculture continues to be a strong business.”
Scott Baker, the county’s cooperative extension agent, said the plan is the result of discussions between the Bedford County Farm Bureau, the Bedford County Citizens for Land Preservation and the Bedford County Ag Council.
“We went out and asked those in the community who make their living by farming what we can do at the county level to try to strengthen what we have,” he said. “It’s rather proactive, not reactive.”
Once tobacco was king in Bedford County, Baker said. Then it was tomatoes, but now there isn’t one crop that dominates Bedford’s agriculture. Instead there are cows, grapes, corn, wheat, strawberries, watermelons, asparagus, pumpkins and alfalfa.
That’s why promoting all aspects of farming is essential to keeping farms financially viable.
“There isn’t a cash crop,” said farmer Ken Palmer. “Otherwise, we’d all be growing it.”
Jeff Cox is one of the younger farmers that Baker hopes will continue in the tradition. He fears that not enough young people are interested in farming.
Farmers need a hand in combating urban sprawl and increased costs from everything from fuel to supplies, said Cox, whose farm is in Huddleston.
“We have to figure out how to make farms more profitable,” Cox said.
“Without selling out,” added Bill Nance, a member of the Bedford County Farm Bureau.
The county’s plan involves marketing, land preservation and education. Among its elements:
• Developing a coordinated marketing effort to help farms increase the sales of their products.
That includes developing a “Bedford Grown” brand for all farm products. The plan also will seek out grant money from agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Value Added Grant Program and Community Innovations Grants as well as promoting the Farmers Market.
• Creating an agriculture directory for farm-related resources.
• Promoting land preservation programs like agricultural and forest districts and conservation easements.
• Calling for a coordinated effort with Bedford County Schools to increase awareness and promote participation in agricultural programs. Brochures will be developed to teach those who aren’t associated with farms about agriculture.
“We are interested in introducing agriculture to young people,” Montgomery said. “We are concerned that not enough children are interested in agriculture.”
• Creating space on the county’s Web site to display agriculture statistics, farmers market information, a farm products guide and links to county farm Web sites.
• Pushing for Bedford County to be designated an Agriculture Enterprise District by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
County Administrator Kathleen Guzi recommended the county hire a part-time employee to work as part of the county’s economic development organization, even though the project touches several different county departments, including tourism.
“I see it as one component of an overall economic development program,” Montgomery said.
Cox said the plan is the best chance at assisting farmers in preserving their land.
“We have to try,” he said. “All you can do is try.”
Cox, too, has felt pressure from developers to sell his farm. He said he can’t abandon the family history on that land.
“It would take a whole lot more than money to get me off,” he said.
“Farming - it’s your life and your livelihood. Either way, it’s in your blood. We’ve got red clay coursing through our veins.”
