Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rural Economy Agriculture topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rural Economic Development Council urges board to support agricultural enterprises, cites sales decline
Summary
The Rural Economic Development Council asked supervisors for continued collaboration to support farmers and rural entrepreneurs, reported an estimated 18–20% drop in first-quarter sales for some agribusinesses and suggested easing some zoning pathways to help expand rural businesses.
Jan Kernan, speaking for the Rural Economic Development Council, presented the council’s 2025 strategy to the Finance, Government Operations and Economic Development Committee on May 13, urging closer ties between the county and rural agricultural enterprises.
Kernan said the REDC’s strategy rests on two pillars: economic development support for established and emerging agricultural businesses and strategic partnerships to connect rural enterprises with countywide stakeholders, including homeowners’ associations and the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce.
“We have probably some of the highest quality fruits and vegetables, poultry, meats, wines and beers that any producer could possibly create,” Kernan told the committee, and asked the board for assistance in expanding direct-to-consumer pathways and easing regulatory steps that inhibit agribusiness expansion.
Kernan also reported what the REDC described as “unofficial” first-quarter sales information suggesting declines of roughly 18–20 percent in some agricultural sectors. The REDC requested that the board be mindful of permitting and zoning policies so rural entrepreneurs have clearer and less burdensome pathways for activities such as agritourism and small-scale processing.
Committee members sought clarification about the difference between “agricultural economy” and the broader “rural economy,” including agritourism and event venues that are not traditional crop or livestock operations. Several supervisors urged the REDC to refine messaging so the board better understands when the council speaks for farm producers versus the broader rural business base.
Kernan said the REDC will continue workshops, speaker events and outreach to strengthen rural ties across the county and suggested working with a newly formed HOA association to improve direct-to-consumer channels.
Why it matters: supervisors said they want clearer distinctions between strictly agricultural activities and other rural economic uses so the board can better balance rural conservation goals with opportunities to monetize rural land.
Ending: The committee thanked REDC for the presentation and asked staff to follow up on coordination opportunities and outreach to HOAs and rural entrepreneurs.
