Agriculture in Our County

Clarke County is one of Virginia’s most scenic and productive agricultural areas.

Located in the northwest region of the state near Winchester, the county borders West Virginia and contains a portion of the 2,000-mile Appalachian Trail, which is the longest marked hiking trail in the world. The trail gives hikers a picturesque view of some of Clarke’s 472 farms, which add up to 74,279 acres.

The county also has close to 17,000 head of cattle, including beef cows and some milk cows. Farmers here also raise hogs and sheep. They typically plant more than 4,000 acres in corn, 1,100 acres in soybeans and 16,000 acres in hay.

Overall, Clarke’s agriculture generated $15.6 million in cash receipts in 2002, according to the latest agriculture census.