Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Model last updated August 2015.
The Virginia Agricultural Model was developed to quantify the relative suitability of lands for agricultural activity across the state. It is presented as a raster data set and associated maps, in which the relative agricultural value of lands ranges from 0 (unsuitable) to 100 (optimal). This provides some of the information needed for prioritizing lands that may be placed under conservation easements in the interest of sustaining agricultural values and uses.
In this model, agricultural value is assessed primarily based on inherent soil suitability, but also accounts for current land cover as well as travel time between agricultural producers and consumers. Among others, staff at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) were consulted to ensure a robust model. The Virginia Agricultural Model is one of several in a suite of conservation planning and prioritization models developed by the Virginia Natural Heritage Program and partners, known collectively as Virginia ConservationVision.
Click here to access the technical report.
In addition, an ArcGIS map package (MPK file) is available for download. Once you have downloaded and unzipped the file, use the "Extract Package" tool in ArcGIS to extract the MPK file to the folder of your choice. The map package contains vector data (polygons) representing the original soil map units obtained from the gSSURGO database. The polygons are attributed and symbolized with the Soil Quality Score, as well as three sub-scores from which that score is derived. This is a primary dataset from which the Agricultural Model was developed, and is likely to be useful in its own right.
Click here to register and download the data. High-resolution maps (PDF or PNG format) and alternative raster data formats are available on request.
For more information about the Agricultural Model, please contact Joseph.Weber@dcr.virginia.gov, (804)371-2545.
