Agriculture

Jeter Farm in Fall Botetourt County

image00026

image00005

Botetourt County has traditionally been a rural county, heavily reliant on agriculture.  

Our county has farms that serve the community offering dairy, beef and fresh produce.  Many of our family farms host annual events that draw thousands of visitors each year. Our farming community is a vital part of Botetourt County's economic success. 

Our county is also home to the famous Beaverdam Farm Sunflower Festival, winner of the Advancement Foundation's "Gauntlet Business Program & Competition" in 2021.

Agriculture Partners and Resources:

CARES Act Funding and Our Farmers

To help our farmers during COVID-19, the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors approved the “Botetourt County COVID-19 Farm Operation Grant Program”.  This program was used to assist the County’s farm operations with COVID-19 pandemic related losses.  Grants were made available up to $5,000 per farm operation and was intended to cover farm losses through September 2020 that were not covered by other grant sources. It is important to note that Botetourt County was one of the few counties that provided grant dollars to local farmers. 

The County was allowed to use funds from the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide grants to small businesses affected by decreased customer demand as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The grant was administered by the Botetourt County Economic Development Authority (EDA) and assisted 50 farmers with approximately $157,672 in aid.