Home Local garlic growing in popularity thanks to farmers markets, trade dispute
Local News

Local garlic growing in popularity thanks to farmers markets, trade dispute

Contributors
Photo Credit: Rawpixel.com

As the local foods movement continues to grow, it appears more farmers are planting garlic each fall for harvest in the spring.

The 2017 Census of Agriculture found 212 Virginia farms were growing garlic in 2017, compared to 49 farms in 2012.

“The jump in garlic growers is because of the jump in farmers markets,” said Jim Hankins, executive director of the Fauquier Education Farm. “Garlic is an excellent crop for smaller growers going to market. There is a big demand in a premium market for a crop that is widely used and stores easily.”

There are now 256 farmers markets across the state according to Kim Hutchinson, executive director of the Virginia Farmers Market Association. Many are experiencing an uptick in both supply and demand.

“There are multiple types of consumers at farmers markets,” Hutchinson said. “From the individual that does some of their shopping at farmers markets to the everyday shopper, to the chef that comes to source the products locally, farmers have to keep up with the demand as the desire has continued to increase to source more and more products locally.”

In the past couple of years, “farmers have become much more responsive to the growing trends with consumers,” Hutchinson continued.

Another reason garlic is selling well in recent months is the ongoing trade dispute between the U.S. and China. Tariffs on Chinese garlic increased from 10% to 25% in May.
Fortunately for Virginia’s garlic enthusiasts, the plant can be grown close to home—or at home.

“Anywhere from about mid-September to about mid-November,” Hankins said. “It overwinters beautifully, there aren’t any pests, deer don’t bother it, nothing really bothers it. And then next June, you’ll see the plant start to die back and you’ll get really nice big bulbs.”

Contributors

Contributors

Have a guest column, letter to the editor, story idea or a news tip? Email editor Chris Graham at [email protected]. Subscribe to AFP podcasts on Apple PodcastsSpotifyPandora and YouTube.

Latest News

robert f. kennedy jr.
Virginia News

Doctor: Higher infection rates of flu, COVID, RSV, norovirus in areas with lower vaccination rates

Sgt. Bill Mikolay Augusta County Sheriff's Office
Local News

Augusta County sheriff’s deputy resolves assault charge with Alford plea

An Augusta County sheriff’s deputy entered an Alford plea to a misdemeanor assault and battery charge on Thursday, resolving his legal exposure from a 2023 arrest of a Gordonsville man that ended up putting the arrested subject in the hospital. Sgt. William Mikolay, who has been on paid administrative leave for the past 14 months,...

staunton
Local News, Politics

Staunton encourages residents to participate in 2026 budget process

The Fiscal Year 2026 budget process is underway for Staunton City Council and city residents are encouraged to participate.

health care
Local News

Harrisonburg: Velocity rebranded as Sentara Urgent Care

closed business sign hospital
Virginia News

Funding freeze forcing Virginia health centers to close doors, cancel appointments

donald trump maga
Politics, U.S. & World News

Alon Ben-Meir: Forcing the Palestinians out of Gaza is a recipe for disaster

tony elliott
Football, Sports

UVA Football: Tony Elliott acknowledges ‘impact’ of investments in NIL