RICHMOND—The number of farms in Virginia in 2014 is estimated at 45,900, down 100 from 2013, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

NASS also reported in late February that the commonwealth’s total amount of land in farms, 8.2 million acres in 2014, represents a 100,000-acre decrease from 2013. The average Virginia farm size is 179 acres, down 1 acre from 2013.

The number of farms with less than $100,000 in agricultural sales decreased by 200, while the number of farms with more than $100,000 in ag sales increased by 100.

“Virginia farms are trending similar to the national average with respect to changes in farm size, number and economies,” said Tony Banks, assistant director of commodity marketing for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. “If we look at farm size based on sales, it’s not surprising that the number of Virginia farms with $100,000 in sales has increased, given the increase in farm prices last year.”

Media: Contact Banks at 804-290-1114 or Herman Ellison, NASS Virginia field office, at 804-771-2493.