The History of Eastern Shore Agriculture

We invite you to join us for our next “Perk Up & Learn” Coffee Hour, where we’ll take a fascinating look at the agricultural history of Virginia’s Eastern Shore—with a special focus on Northampton County and the rise of vegetable production.

The Eastern Shore has a remarkable story to tell.
In 1914, Northampton County held the highest per‑capita income in Virginia, fueled by a thriving agricultural economy. Our region once supported multiple canneries, frozen‑food facilities, and packing houses, and the Eastern Shore Produce Exchange helped set national standards for produce grading and packaging—returning more than one billion dollars to local farmers. In the early 20th century, the Eastern Shore was even the largest potato‑producing area in the United States.

We’ll explore these milestones and more during this engaging session.

Event Details
Date: Friday, February 20
Time: 9:00–10:00 AM
Location: New Location! Eastville Community Center, 17202 Courthouse Road, Eastville, VA

Speakers:

Hélène Doughty, Northampton VCE ANR Extension Agent
Theresa Pittman, Accomack VCE ANR Extension Agent

Historical artifacts and vintage produce labels will also be on display. If you have items to contribute, don’t hesitate to reach out.

This event is free and open to the public, and no registration is required.
For more information, contact Hélène Doughty at [email protected] or 757‑678‑7946 ext. 3.

We hope to see you there for a warm cup of coffee and a rich conversation about the Eastern Shore’s agricultural legacy.