AGRIBUSINESS
Approximately 85% of the County’s land is zoned Rural Agricultural Conversation (RAC) making agriculture a significant part of Isle of Wight County life, both as a major industry and as a chief component of the County’s rural character.
Agriculture and forestry exports from Virginia were valued at $2.97 billion in 2018, an increase of $290 million over 2017. This is exciting news for Isle of Wight County where agriculture and forestry are among the County’s top industry sectors. The top export products for the state were soybeans and soybean products, wood products (lumber, logs and wood pellets), tobacco, pork and poultry.
Isle of Wight County is home to a variety of agribusinesses including national companies such as International Paper and The Scoular Company, Virginia companies such as Montague Farms, Franklin Lumber, and Commonwealth Gin, as well as a number of local horse farms and farm operations that produce farm fresh products, ham, peanuts, wine grapes, hay, Christmas trees, and more.
Isle of Wight is fast becoming the agriculture hub for Southeast Virginia because potential agriculture ventures and expansion opportunities feel confident in the County’s commitment to the agriculture industry.
Visit the Farms
Enjoy a taste of “Life on the Farm!” Visit one of our locally owned farms that infuse the County with its rich rural flavor. Take a tour, buy some locally grown fresh produce, and learn more about where your food comes from! Get lost in a pumpkin maze, bump along on a hay ride, touch the soft wool of an alpaca, get the buzz on some bees, buy some grass fed/grass finished beef, visit a vineyard, or simply enjoy the natural beauty of the rural setting. These farms of Isle of Wight County welcome visitors and shoppers alike. (Please call ahead before you make plans to visit, as their hours vary seasonally.)
Smithfield Farmers Market
The award-winning Smithfield Farmers Market, is dedicated to being a genuine homegrown, homemade and handcrafted farmers’ market. Our vendors are local farmers, ranchers, home cooks, crafters, artisans and craftsmen within 100 miles of Smithfield, Virginia. The market runs every Saturday April through October, 9:00 a.m. to noon, with specialty holiday markets in November and December. The Smithfield Farmers Market is held in the Bank of Southside parking lot at 115 Main Street in Historic Smithfield.
Rural Economy
Isle of Wight Farm Characteristics |
2022 |
2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Farms | 212 | 237 |
| Acres in Farm Land | 80,316 | 80,672 |
| Average Size of Farm | 379 Acres | 340 Acres |
| Market Value of Products Sold |
$73,354,000 | $64,223,000 |
Source: U.S. Census of Agriculture 2022 & 2017
Agricultural & Forestal Districts
The conservation and protection of Isle of Wight County’s agricultural and forestal lands for the production of food and agricultural and forestal products is vital to the public interest. Upon the advice and recommendation of the Agricultural and Forestal District Advisory Committee to the Planning Commission, and their recommendations to the Board of Supervisors of Isle of Wight County, the County established the Longview Agricultural District, the Knoxville Agricultural District, and the Courthouse Agricultural District by separate ordinances in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Virginia (1950, as amended), as follows:
Longview Agricultural District – established on June 21, 1979 for a period of eight (8) years, and subsequently renewed, effective June 21, 1987 for a period eight (8) years, renewed effective June 21, 1995 for a period of ten (10) years, and renewed effective June 21, 2005 for a period of ten (10) years, and renewed effective June 21, 2015 for a period of ten (10) years to expire on June 21, 2025.
Knoxville Agricultural District – established on April 21, 1983 for a period of eight (8) years, and subsequently renewed, effective April 21, 1991 for a period ten (10) years, renewed effective April 21, 2001 for a period of ten (10) years, and renewed effective April 21, 2011 for a period of ten (10) years , renewed effective September 16, 2021 (effective April 21, 2021) to expire April 21, 2031.
Courthouse Agricultural District – established on September 15, 1988 for a period of eight (8) years, and subsequently renewed, effective October 17, 1996 for a period ten (10) years, renewed effective October 17, 2006 for a period of ten (10) years, renewed September 15, 2016 for a period of ten (10) years to expire on September 15, 2026.
Moonlight Agricultural/Forestal District – established on September 20, 2012 for a period of ten (10) years which will expire on September 20, 2022.
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