Virginia-Based Organic Herb Business Plans Expansion

Shenandoah Growers Inc. is spending $6.7 million to expand its existing organic herb nursery greenhouse and production facility in Rockingham County, Va.  

The company will invest in its existing facility, significantly increasing production and growing sales by an estimated $15 million over the next three years, and create 15 new jobs. In addition, Shenandoah Growers will invest $2 million to relocate its headquarters and create a finishing system at the new site.  

The Commonwealth is partnering with Rockingham County and Shenandoah Growers on this project through the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund. 

Founded in Virginia in 1989, Shenandoah Growers has built a national reputation for its high-quality organic, fresh-cut herbs, and the company’s now signature Living Organic Herbs brand. As it looks to future growth and business opportunities, Shenandoah Growers will install a new 78,000-square-foot nursery greenhouse and other state-of-the-art technology in its current facility to meet increased demand for its products from major grocery chains. 

In addition, the company will purchase an existing warehouse and office facility in Rockingham County, which it will renovate into its new headquarters. That facility will also feature a new finishing system for its plants.  

 “Shenandoah Growers’ entrepreneurial spirit makes it a model for the role that agribusiness will play in building the new Virginia economy,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore, who represented Gov. Terry McAuliffe at the announcement. “The company has established itself as a significant player in Virginia agriculture through a reputation for technology, sustainability and an innovative product line. That reputation will be enhanced in this expansion as Shenandoah Growers implements a series of proprietary technologies to increase greenhouse production and improve the quality and yield of each plant produced. These investments will fuel the company’s expansion into major markets across the southern and midwestern United States, bringing high-quality, Virginia-grown products to millions of Americans.” 

Shenandoah Growers is already a significant player in Virginia agriculture with its 25-year history. Through this expansion, the company’s Rockingham County facilities alone will generate an additional $15 million in sales over the next three years.  

“We are very proud to be agriculture entrepreneurs in Virginia and Rockingham County,” said Tim Heydon, owner of Shenandoah Growers. “Our AFID partnership exemplifies the commitment among agribusiness, Virginia and Rockingham County to secure and create jobs, and ensure that the Commonwealth is at the forefront of agricultural innovation.”