Shore Breeze Farms Expands Operations in Northampton County, Virginia
07/06/2020
The company provides Virginia-grown lettuce to Virginia public schools, local restaurants, and farm stands on the Eastern Shore and in Virginia Beach. This is the first Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund grant awarded to Northampton County.
“It is exciting to see homegrown companies like Shore Breeze Farms harnessing new agriculture technologies to bring fresh, local vegetables to their communities,” said Governor Ralph Northam. “Shore Breeze Farms has long been known for innovative product offerings, and I am especially proud to see how they are branching into new markets during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis to offer pre-packaged salad kits to Virginians on the Eastern Shore.”
“Virginia agribusinesses like Shore Breeze Farms are finding new ways to improve their operations to extend the growing season and meet customer-demand for local, Virginia-grown products,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring. “It is this commitment to continuous improvement that has helped make agriculture the Commonwealth’s largest private industry.”
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services worked with Northampton County to secure the project for the Commonwealth. Governor Northam approved a $15,000 grant from the AFID fund to assist Northampton County with the project.
A fourth-generation farmer on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Steve Sturgis started his eight-acre farm in 1979, took over his family’s farming operation in 2002, and has since doubled its size to 900 acres. In 2019, Sturgis opened Shore Breeze Farms, a new produce market and hydroponic greenhouse facility. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants that uses a solution of water and nutrients instead of soil. This system typically yields more, requires less space, and allows for year-round growing.
“I’m pleased that Virginia has addressed the need for assistance to agricultural businesses through the AFID program,” said Steve Sturgis, owner of Shore Breeze Farms. “Agriculture is the Commonwealth’s largest private industry, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
“Agriculture is the largest and one of the most important industries in Northampton County,” said Northampton County Board of Supervisors Chairman Oliver Bennett. “We appreciate the Commonwealth’s assistance in bringing this dynamic project to fruition. We applaud Shore Breeze Farms and the Sturgis family’s commitment to agriculture on the Eastern Shore and their innovative approach to providing local produce to our students, our residents and our visitors year-round.”
Project Announcements
Little Leaf Farms Plans Coffee County, Tennessee, Production Operations
07/02/2025
White Rock Truss & Components Expands Lee County, Virginia, Operations
07/02/2025
Fox Tank Company Plans Coshocton, Ohio, Operations
07/02/2025
Ascentek Expands Shreveport, Louisiana, Operations
07/02/2025
ProBio Establishes Hopewell, New Jersey, Gene Therapy Operations
07/02/2025
22nd Century Technologies Expands Fairfax County, Virginia, Headquarters Operations
07/02/2025
Most Read
-
20th Annual Area Development Gold and Silver Shovel Awards
Q2 2025
-
First Person: Joe Capes, CEO, LiquidStack
Q2 2025
-
The Legal Limits of DEI in Incentives Agreements, Hiring, and Contracting
Q2 2025
-
From Silicon to Server: Mapping the Data Center Supply Chain
Q2 2025
-
Rethinking Life Sciences Site Selection in a Resilient and Dynamic Market
Q2 2025
-
39th Annual Corporate & 21st Annual Consultants Surveys: What Business Leaders and Consultants Are Saying About Site Selection
Q1 2025
-
First Person: David Robey, Co-CEO of QTS Data Centers
Q2 2025