Loudoun Economic Development Launches Agricultural Business Initiative

The Loudoun County Department of Economic Development is rolling out a year-long initiative designed to assist landowners in the development or expansion of agricultural businesses in Western Loudoun. The department offers a wide range of business services that will help any agricultural entrepreneur find information, resources and a strategy to achieve their business goals.

Agricultural production includes using land to grow crops or raise livestock, as well as making products from those crops and livestock – such as wine, wool or cheese.

“Encouraging landowners to use their land for agricultural production benefits everyone,” said Loudoun Agricultural Development Officer Kellie Hinkle. “It will increase the number of agricultural businesses, which helps grow the rural economy. Rural businesses contribute more than $69 million to the Loudoun economy per year, diversifying the county’s revenue base.”

Economic Development Director Buddy Rizer noted, “Building the county’s agricultural economy offers a key cost-avoidance opportunity. Farms require less infrastructure – fewer roads, schools and utilities – than residential communities. A thriving agribusiness sector actually saves the county money in the long run.”

The county will begin contacting landowners after Memorial Day. Landowners for whom the county has email addresses will initially be contacted by email. Starting in July, the county will mail postcards to landowners, zip code by zip code. The goal is to reach all landowners in rural Loudoun by the end of fiscal year 2015.

Hinkle said, “The department will work with individual landowners to help them find the right solution for the time and effort they’d like to invest in their land. We can help connect landowners who decide to lease their property for agricultural production to new farmers looking for land. The department is also a valuable resource for landowners who want to start their own business growing wine grapes, raising livestock or harvesting honey.”

Landowners with questions can call us at 1-800-LOUDOUN or email LoudounBiz@loudoun.gov.