Agencies

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), created in 1877, works to advance the state’s agricultural industry and encourage its economic impact. The agency also safeguards consumers and promotes environmental stewardship.  VDACS is headquartered in Richmond. Agriculture is Virginia’s largest private industry.  Each year, agriculture has an economic impact of $82.3 billion, and it has created more than 380,000 jobs in our Commonwealth.  Virginia contains over 40,000 farms covering 7.7 million acres which generates billions of dollars in exports and production.

The Department of Forestry (DOF) was created in 1914 with the intention of suppressing and preventing wildfires as well as reforesting land.  DOF’s mission is to protect and develop healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians.  DOF is headquartered in Charlottesville.
 
Virginia has 26 state forests that include over 70,000 acres of forestland, all of which DOF oversees.  Forestry is the third largest private industry within Virginia, and the industry has created over 108,000 jobs and generates $21 billion each year to the Commonwealth’s economy. 

The Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) was formed in 1994 to regulate horse racing and the pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing.  VRC works to advance, preserve, and expand a native horse racing industry rooted in integrity, delivering economic benefits and honoring Virginia’s agricultural heritage. 

VRC has several racetracks and venues including Colonial Downs in New Kent and Shenandoah Downs in Woodstock. The Virginia horse racing industry, overseen by the VRC, generates over $540 million annually and promotes more than 5,000 Virginia jobs.