Amherst County land and farms are attractive to developers, manufacturers, businesses seeking to expand and those looking for a haven where they can enjoy nature. Located in the Piedmont region near the center of the state, the 479-square-mile county has 32,000 residents. Farmland encompasses 79,000 acres, 42% of which is woodlands. Livestock and poultry make up about 57% of the county’s agricultural sales. Golfers can tee off at one of the three golf courses including Poplar Grove Golf Course, which receives high marks for being an upscale public course. For history, you can visit the Monacan Indian Ancestral Museum and the Amherst Historical Museum. Camping, hiking, biking and birding opportunities keep nature lovers happy. Nearly 50 miles of the Appalachian Trail pass through county as it winds its way from Georgia to Maine. Much of the western portion of Amherst County land lies within the George Washington National Forest, which forms a vast wilderness of more than 1 million acres in Virginia and West Virginia. The rivers and lakes provide plenty of space for canoeing and fishing. Hunting for turkeys and deer is good. In the heart of Lynchburg is the Old City Cemetery, a 25-acre public garden and wedding venue. Established in 1806, Old City Cemetery is the oldest municipal cemetery in Virginia still in use. Among the largest private employers are Sweet Briar College and Glad Manufacturing Co. Amherst County Public Schools provides K-12 education. Sweet Briar College offers higher education.
