Fairfax County, VA

Fairfax County, Virginia is a diverse and thriving urban county located within close proximity of the Nation’s Capitol. It has a population of over 2 million residents and a land area of 395 square miles. The median household income of Fairfax County is $105,200 making it one of the highest in the Nation.

The county’s 166 farms provide 6,700 acres of green space and trees for the ever-growing number of residents in the state’s largest county, according to the 2007 census of agriculture.

Fairfax is largely developed with commercial and residential development. Remarkably, this sprawling Northern Virginia County still retains a number of active farmers. The remaining Fairfax County farmers grow hay, primarily used to feed their beef cattle and horses. There was just under 1,000 head of cattle in the county as of 2007. A few farmers are using the county’s rich soils to grow sweet peppers, tomatoes, pumpkins and sweet corn.

Other farmers in this urbanized county have turned to the nursery business, including bedding, garden plants, foliage and cut flowers.

Agricultural Acreage in 2008: 6,700 acres
Number of Farms: 166
Number of Farm Markets: 23
http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/vagrown/frmsmkts.shtml

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farm-mkt.htm

Top three to five Agricultural Products:Nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, horses, & hay

Total Local Economic Contribution of Agriculture:

• Revenue from agriculture: $1,993,000.
• Revenue per farm average $12,006,
• Crop sales $1,712,000(86%)
• Livestock Sales $281,000 (14%)

Other Farm-Related Products or Activities in the County:
Fairfax County 4-H
Annual 4-H Camp

Agricultural Lands protected: 127.72 acres (Source: Virginia Outdoors Foundation)

Principal Agricultural Contacts:

Virginia Cooperative Extension: 703-324-5369 - Main Office

Frying Pan Park: Paul Nicholson - 703-437-5318 (farm)
Paul.nicholson@fairfaxcounty.gov

Elaine Yankey: President, Prince William/Fairfax County Virginia Farm Bureau
703-754-7600
elaineyankey@verizon.net