Farming contributes to the Franklin County jobs base and overall economy, as well as providing added stability to community values. Several facts illustrate the magnitude of contribution:

Land Use

• About 166,477 acres or approximately 38% of the total County land area (442,955 acres) is devoted to agricultural production. This land bank of agricultural uses provides great natural beauty to the County, as well as economic strength, and enhances the marketability of the community.
• The average farm size is 178 acres.
• Of the 935 farms (1992), 490 were in beef cattle, 117 were dairy, 121 were tobacco and 26 grew fruit and nuts.
• Of the 166,477 acres in farms, farm cropland makes up 50% (82,657 acres).

Development Strategy

• Agriculture is a component of the County's economic diversity in addition to manufacturing, services, and other work sectors.
• As of 1998, Franklin County is the second largest dairy farming county in Virginia. Other important segments are beef cattle, tobacco, fruit, and other crops.
• The number of workers in Franklin County who worked in "Farming" increased between 1980-90 from 947 to 986, a 4% increase, and represented 5% of the total workers in the County (20,091) in 1990. This figure is 2 ½ times the representation of "Farming" in the statewide VA economy (2% in 1990).
• 49.3% of farms represent the principal occupation of their operators (461) and 50.7% are part-time farmers (474). Thus farming may be the primary income of a family or contribute to its overall income.
• 555 farms are fully-owned by their operators, 321 are partially-owned, and 59 represent tenant farmers.

Economic Contribution

• Of 95 Counties in the State, Franklin is a strong agricultural competitor. It was:

          •  #9 in the yearly average cash receipts ($40,121,000) (1992)
          •  #3 in tons of corn silage produced (1997)
          •  #7 in tons of all hay produced (1997)
          •  #8 in pounds of flue-cured tobacco produced (1997)

• The County's competitive position has increased over time:
• From 1980-95, the dairy industry increased the average number of cows/farm (from 68 to 1 1 1 on average), and lbs. of milk/cow (14,716 to 19,717).  The rank of the County in number of dairy cattle has increased from #3 to #2 over the past 15 years.
• The total Value of Farm Products Sold has increased since the early 1980's (1982) from $31,641,000 to $40,121,000 in the early 1990's (1992) (27%).
• Crop Product Sales and Livestock Related Sales have been on a steady increase over the period 1982-92. Crop Product Sales rose from $7,224,000 to $7,616,000 (25%) and Livestock-Related Sales from $24,305,000 to $32,505,000 (17%).
• Tobacco sales alone in 1992 were valued at $5,1 01,000 and dairy products brought $26,401,000.
• Of the 935 farms in 1992 9 had sales above $500,000 and 105 had sales between $100,000 - $500,000.
• Farm statistics on the number and size of farms have been decreasing over the recent past - for.instance:
• The number-of farms has decreased since 1982 from 1,214 to 935 in 1992.
  The land in farms has decreased from 193,799 acres to 166,477 acres over that period.
  The average size of farm has decreased from 280 to 178 acres.
• At the same time, the economic strength of farms remains:
• • The number of farms with sales of $40,000 and over remained stable in the most recent years (168 in 1987; 170 in 1992), and those with lower sales have been on the decline. The total average value of land and buildings per farms has increased 37% over the period 1987-92 (from $178,268 to $244,415).  The average farm in the VA-WVA district had equipment valued at $36,517 and $166,477 in land and buildings.  The total average farm investment in Grade A Dairy Farms in the region is $766,151.

These facts highlight the strong component of agriculture in the overall County economy. For further information, link to the VA Tech Cooperative Extension website: www.ext.vt.edu/offices/franklin

(Note:  Sources include the 1992 Census of Agriculture, 1995-97 VA Agriculture Statistics, 1980 and 1990 Census of Population, the Mountain States Management Services, Inc. "Analysis of Grade A Dairy Farms, 1989-92", and the Franklin County, Comprehensive Plan.)