Cardinal Conversation: The state of Virginia's farms

Agriculture is Virginia's largest private industry. It contributes $80 billion per year to the state's economy despite the challenges of weather, market uncertainties and many other factors.

There are 39,000 farms in Virginia, a number that's held steady for the past five years after peaking at 45,000 a decade ago. They are predominantly family-owned.

Matt Busse with Cardinal News recently wrote about farming in Virginia and he spoke with Fred Echols.