Rural life

 

Farming is not for the faint of heart

“Keep Goochland rural” is the rallying cry often used to oppose new development. This seems to mean, “don’t build anything anywhere near anything”. Newcomers contend “I’m here, don’t let anyone else in,” then whine about the distance to whatever it was they moved away from for the peace and quiet of rural life. They also complain about the sound of gunfire, especially during the “fall festival of firearms” that precedes the start of hunting season.

Agricultural pursuits, including forestry, contribute $105 billion to Virginia’s economy, according to Virginia Farm Bureau (vafb.com). Farmland covers 7.3 million acres in our Commonwealth. It is Virginia’s largest private industry.

Rural requires agriculture in its many manifestations. If you ate today, thank a farmer.  Astonishing advances in agricultural practices enable a relative handful of farmers to feed the world. Rural is not a theme park.

Farming can be noisy, messy, and smelly. Manure is often spread on fields in Goochland, with an accompanying fragrance. Biosolids, the residue from sewage treatment plants, is also spread on local fields to boost soil nutrients. Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/162/Biosolids-Program to learn more.

Goochland has a land use taxation program, where parcels activity engaged in farming or forestry are taxed on a per acre basis at a rate set by the Commonwealth. Participants must meet certain requirements (see https://www.goochlandva.us/339/Land-Use for details) to qualify.

The Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District, (https://www.monacanswcd.org/), which serves Goochland and Powhatan Counties, provides resources for farmers and administers cost share programs to fence livestock out of streams and replace water sources with wells. This program not only improves the water quality of streams but improves the health of herds, by reducing exposure to disease and resulting veterinary bills. Increasing vegetative stream buffers reduces runoff, which also damages water quality in streams and rivers.

MSWCD works to educate local farmers and encourage them to adopt best management practices that both protect the environment and lead to increased crop yields.

The Career and Technical Education Program (CTE) at Goochland High School includes an agriculture component as part of its mission to expose students to a wide array of career opportunities. MSWCD had advocated for an ag teacher at the middle school level to introduce younger students to the world of agricultural pursuits that has not yet been part of the school budget. GHS has a chapter of Future Farmers of America to increase interest in farming.

Goochland also works with the Virginia Cooperative Extension, which is an educational organization that operates under the auspices of Virginia Tech (https://goochland.ext.vt.edu/). It provides programs on agriculture and natural resources; family and consumer services; and 4H youth development. It sponsors a Goochland Ag Fair and livestock show in the summer; lawn and garden seminars; and summer camps for kids. Goochland Extension also holds periodic well water testing events.

MSWCD hopes to discuss conservation easements, which allow landowners to perpetually prevent development, with Goochland Supervisors this year. This would focus on the impact of easements on development; tax revenues; and agriculture.

In 2024, the Board of Supervisors added an agriculture report to its monthly meeting packet to underscore the importance of supporting local agriculture to preserve rural culture.

American agriculture faces serious challenges. The number of farmers and farms in America is dwindling and our farmers are getting older, with fewer young people interested in the field. Farming, especially on a smaller scale, is not for the faint of heart. Most small farmers must hold other jobs to make ends meet.

Major crops in Goochland are corn, soybeans, wheat and hay. Dairy products and cattle are also farmed here. A meat processing facility under construction near Hadensville will reduce the cost of bringing local meat to market, helping Goochland farmers keep their costs down.

The high rollers in America are not in casinos, but rather in fields all over the country where they literally bet the farm that their crops will generate enough revenue to cover their expenses and make a profit.

When you find yourself behind slow moving farm machinery on our country road, take the time to marvel at the ingenuity that created them and enjoy the ride.