Racial Diversity of Farmers in Virginia From row crops to vegetables, cattle to chickens, farmers of every major racial demographic play an essential role in agricultural production as well as soil and water conservation throughout Virginia. The most recent Census of Agriculture conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2017 indicated that Virginia had over 2,500 farmers of color involved in some form of agricultural production. African Americans and Latino farmers make up the majority of this sizable group of Virginia farmers. Other groups represented include Asian American, Native American and Native Hawaiian farmers. The map below shows the distribution of farmers of color throughout the commonwealth according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture. From north to south, east to west, these farmers make up an important part of Virginia's agricultural and economic fabric. They also play a critical role in the Division of Soil and Water Conservation's efforts to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution, thereby improving water quality throughout the commonwealth's streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.