Step into the world of Virginia tobacco farming. Unravel the story behind every leaf, from the seed that sprouts in the rich Virginian soil to the final puff of smoke. Discover the heritage, the tradition, and the craft that make Virginia tobacco farms a symbol of a state’s unwavering commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Meet the men and women whose hands shape the leaves, and whose passion keeps this proud tradition alive. This isn’t just about tobacco—it’s about the people, the places, and the stories that make Virginia’s tobacco farms more than just a place where tobacco grows. It’s about the heart and soul of a state. Step into Virginia, and taste the legacy.

A Brief History of Tobacco in Virginia

Tobacco has been a part of Virginia’s agricultural base since its founding as a British colony. The first shipments of Virginia-grown tobacco arrived in the United Kingdom in 1614. Since then, tobacco farming has witnessed many changes and has shaped the economic landscape of Virginia.

The Importance of Tobacco to Virginia’s Economy

Despite the changes over the years, tobacco remains a significant crop in Virginia. In 2021, Virginia ranked as the state with the third largest number of acres of harvested tobacco in the United States. Most of Virginia’s crop is grown in the counties along the North Carolina border.

Current Statistics and Rankings

In 2021, there were 15,030 acres of tobacco harvested in Virginia. The total production included 34.463 million pounds of tobacco. At a price of $2.123 per pound, the total value of the production of tobacco was $73.176 million in 2021.

Changes in Acreage and Production Over the Years

The acreage devoted to tobacco production has decreased substantially in the past 100 years in Virginia. Ground harvested with tobacco included 23,050 acres in 2015, and this number fell to 12,300 acres in 2020. Similarly, the production of tobacco fell from 55.6 million pounds in 2015 to 24.42 million pounds in 2020.

The Shift of a Seventh-Generation Virginia Tobacco Farmer

For the first time in its history, Barts Farms in Sutherlin, Va., a seventh-generation Virginia tobacco farm, is not growing a tobacco crop. The prices paid for tobacco today are no longer adequate to cover the costs of growing tobacco, leading the farm to expand on their corn, soybeans, and wheat acres instead.

The Implication of Contracts and Pricing

The current contract pricing system for tobacco, which was developed two decades ago, has significantly affected Virginia’s tobacco farmers. The contracts specify one set of prices, but costs continue to increase, causing concerns for many farmers.

The Impact of the 2004 Congressional Legislation

In 2004, Congress passed legislation that ended the tobacco quotaand price support system that had been in place since 1938. The ending of that system had a dramatic impact on tobacco farmers in Virginia, leading to consolidation among farms and diversification into other crops like grains and vegetables, and even animals.

Diversification and Consolidation among Tobacco Farms

With the changes in the tobacco quota and pricing system, many farmers who grow tobacco in Virginia now have farms of 100 or more acres. Some farmers have even tried growing hemp in place of tobacco, though this has not proven successful due to an underdeveloped back-end market for hemp.

The Impact of China’s 2018 Tariffs on Virginia Tobacco

In 2018, China placed tariffs on tobacco imported into the country, leading to a significant decrease in tobacco purchased for export. This development affected many tobacco farmers, especially those who had not diversified their crops.

Competition from Other States and Large Tobacco Farms

Virginia’s tobacco farmers also face competition from other states. Many tobacco farms in the Carolinas are much larger than the typical Virginia tobacco farm, and these larger farms often benefit from greater automation, making their operations less labor-intensive.

Labor Challenges and the Role of the Federal Guest Worker Program

Finding workers for tobacco farming has been a longstanding problem. Many of the workers on Virginia’s tobacco farms are seasonal workers who come to the state through a Federal guest worker program. These workers, mostly from Mexico, arrive in April and stay through the end of November. However, the costs of this labor, controlled by the government, directly impact farmers.

The Emergence of Large Tobacco Farming Operations in the Southern Hemisphere

As the global tobacco market evolves, large tobacco farming operations are developing in Southern hemisphere countries like Brazil and Zimbabwe. The costs of operating in these countries are significantly lower than in the US, making them strong competitors in the global market.

The Challenges of Competing in the Global Market

American tobacco farmers, including those in Virginia, face challenges in competing in the global market due to higher regulatory costs, labor rates, and other expenses. As these global dynamics continue to play out, the future of tobacco farming in Virginia remains uncertain.

Reflections and Final Thoughts on Virginia Tobacco Farming

Tobacco farming has a long history in Virginia, and it remains a significant part of the state’s agricultural base. However, the landscape of tobacco farming has been changing over the years due to both domestic and global factors. While the future is uncertain, what is clear is that Virginia’s tobacco farmers will continue to adapt and innovate in the face of these challenges.

Technical sources:

Tobacco farming has a long history in Virginia, dating back to its establishment as a British colony when the first shipments of Virginia-grown tobacco arrived in the United Kingdom in 1614. USDA started keeping limited annual tobacco statistics for Virginia in 1866, and the acreage devoted to tobacco production peaked in 1920 at 242,000 acres. Since then, the acreage has decreased substantially. The contracts to grow tobacco that came out in the beginning of the year specify one set of prices, but costs continue to increase. This, along with the ending of the tobacco quota and price support system in 2004, has significantly impacted Virginia’s tobacco farmers.

Statistics:

In 2021, there were 15,030 acres of tobacco harvested in Virginia. Total production included 34.463 million pounds of tobacco, valued at $73.176 million. However, the acreage and production have been on a decline, with 23,050 acres in 2015 falling to 12,300 acres in 2020, and production falling from 55.6 million pounds in 2015 to 24.42 million pounds in 2020. Virginia ranked as the state with the third largest number of acres of harvested tobacco in the United States in 2021.