Excellence in Agriculture Award Honors 30 years of Commitment to Preservation

The agricultural community and City leaders gathered March 19 at the annual Excellence in Agriculture banquet, held during National Ag Week, March 15-21. The event brought together farmers, local leaders and community members to recognize the importance of agriculture in the city and across the state.

This year, the Excellence in Agriculture Committee honored the Virginia Beach City Council and the Agricultural Reserve Program (ARP) with the 2025 Excellence in Agriculture Award. Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson and Councilmember Barbara Henley accepted the award on behalf of the City and the other council members in attendance.

Recognizing the Agricultural Reserve Program

The ARP has been an important part of Virginia Beach since it was created in 1995. The program helps preserve the city’s rural character and support local agri‑business. Today, 11,220 acres of farmland have been protected through the program.

"Dating back to 1994, City leaders, along with farmers, conservationists, businesses and civic leaders, developed a program to preserve agriculture and forestry land for future generations," said David Trimmer, director of the Virginia Beach Agriculture Department. "Their foresight to develop a program that is envied by other localities and states should never be taken or granted or forgotten."

Agriculture’s Ongoing Role in Virginia Beach 

Agriculture is the third‑largest industry in Virginia Beach and the largest private industry in Virginia. The ARP continues to help the city protect open space, manage growth and support the farms that have been part of the community for generations.

By preserving natural resources and farmland, the program strengthens the agriculture industry and helps ensure it remains a vital part of the region’s future. For more information on the program, visit VirginiaBeach.gov/ARP.

• ARP
• Agriculture