Agri-tourism

Agriculture in Virginia

"Agriculture is Virginia’s largest private industry by far. The industry has an economic impact of $70 billion annually and provides nearly 334,000 jobs in the commonwealth. The industries of agriculture and forestry together have a total economic impact of $91 billion and provide more than 442,000 jobs in the commonwealth. According to a 2017 economic impact study, production agriculture employs nearly 54,000 farmers and workers in Virginia and generates about $3.8 billion in total output.

In addition, value-added industries that depend on farm commodities employ more than 69,000 workers. In addition to tangible benefits such as farm cash receipts and jobs, agriculture provides many intangible benefits. These include recreation, tourism, wildlife habitat, biodiversity, flood mitigation, improved water quality and soil stabilization." Source:https://www.vafb.com/membership-at-work/agriculture/agriculture-facts

Training in Northern Virginia

According to a Virginia Tech agritourism study, Northern Virginia has the most agritourism venues, with an estimated 353. https://www.roanoke.com/business/agritourism-a-growing-trend-for-virginia-farms

Monroe Advanced Technology Academy (MATA) - for high school students in Loudoun County

Website:https://www.lcps.org/AOL

Biotechnology

● 1 year, 3 credits

● Grades 11 & 12

● Explore the main areas of biotechnology: medical, industrial, agricultural, marine and bioinformatics. Topics include plant-based pharmaceuticals and applications, bioethics, forensics, health and medical applications, agriculture, and environmental management.

Environmental Plant Science (DE)

● 1 year, 3 credits

● Grades 11 & 12

● One-year pathway focuses on plants as related to environmental responsibility. Industry certification may be acquired in the following: Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association as a Certified Horticulturist; Virginia Flower Growers Association as a Certified Greenhouse Operator; Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service as a Pesticide Technician.

New Ag School - Mentoring Program

Loudoun County’s 1,400 farm businesses make up 51 percent of Northern Virginia’s agri-tourism venues. Source: 2017 Virginia’s Agritourism Industry Economic Impact Report

New Ag School (NAG)

15669 Limestone School Road, Leesburg

http://newagschool.org/

● Sign up for the newsletter: info@newagschool.org

● Education through mentoring

● Exposure to authentic farm industry

● Introduction to running a business (winery, brewery, B&B, farm)

● exposure to how agribusiness, farms, and agri-tourism provide value to Loudoun County

● Mentoring program modules: ○ Cleaning and Sanitation ○ Horticulture ○ Farm Equipment ○ Hospitality ○ Leadership and Entrepreneurship.