Culpeper County, VA

Culpeper County is located approximately an hour and a half from the Nations Capital. It is a largely rural county situated in the Virginia Piedmont. Culpeper County is a rural community which grew substantially between the years 1990 and 2000, but at a manageable average growth rate of 2.3 % per year. Since 2000, Culpeper has experienced explosive growth, approaching 4%. This growth has been largely generated by the expanding of the Washington Metro region. Many people in the county commute to job centers in Fredericksburg and Northern Virginia. The county seeks to continue to grow and preserve its rural character. It is achieving this by targeting growth to specific areas in an effort to reduce sprawl and preserve agricultural land, forestal land, and open space. The county strives to ensure that future development is in keeping with the rich history and culture of the County.

Culpeper’s scenic views, lakes, rivers and woodlands, are enhanced by agriculture--a mainstay of the community. Culpeper County is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and has some of the state’s most fertile farmland. Farmers produced 3,700 acres of feed corn, 35,000 acres of hay and graze more than 28,000 head of cattle according the 2007 Census of Agriculture.

Interestingly, other corn produced in the County is used for distilling state licensed moonshine for sale in Virginia ABC stores. Viticulture is also a growing sector of the County’s agriculture for Virginia wineries. Farmers here also take advantage of the fields and meadows to of them.

Agricultural Acreage in 2007: 111,370 acres
Number of Farms: 667
Number of Farm Markets: 2
Top three to five Agricultural Products: Nursery and green houses, Cattle & Calves, and Corn.

Total Local Economic Contribution of Agriculture:

• Market Value of Agriculture Production: $27,137,000
• Per farm average $40,685
• Crop sales $12,796,000 (47%)
• Livestock Sales $14,341,000(53%)

Other Farm-Related Products or Activities in the County: Farm Tours and Wineries
County 4-H Programs
Culpeper Harvest Days Farm Tour
Other Agricultural Events

Agricultural Lands protected: 9,000 acres (PECVA 2009)

Principal Agricultural Contacts:

Culpeper County Farm Bureau Representative: Julie Williamson
540-825-0682

Culpeper County Agricultural Extension: 540-727-3435 - Main Office