Louisa County Hires Agricultural and Land Conservation Coordinator

LOUISA, VIRGINIA – The Louisa County Board of Supervisors is pleased to announce the hiring of Maggie Brakeville as the County’s first Agricultural Development and Land Conservation Coordinator. This new position reflects the Board’s commitment to preserving farmland, protecting forests, and ensuring that Louisa retains the rural character outlined as a cornerstone of the County’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan. In her role, Brakeville will work directly with landowners, producers, and conservation partners to advance farmland preservation initiatives, facilitate easement and development rights applications, and strengthen agricultural marketing and outreach.

The Louisa County Board of Supervisors has over 50 Boards, Committees and Commissions which provide vital input and direction on a variety of topics and issues in Louisa County, including the Louisa County Agriculture, Forestal, and Rural Preservation Committee. In May of this year, the Agriculture, Forestal, and Rural Preservation Committee presented recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for the County to preserve agriculturally zoned land, including the Committee’s highest priority of the creation of this new dedicated position. The Board of Supervisors fully supported the Committee’s recommendation and chose to quickly act on developing a full job description and finding the right candidate. 

“This is a great first step for our beloved Louisa County in protecting working farms and forestland,” said Jim Riddell, Chairman of Louisa’s Agriculture, Forestal, and Rural Preservation Committee. “We are excited to welcome the new coordinator and look forward to efforts to incentivize keeping farms in farms and forests in forests. We thank the Board of Supervisors for their strong support and actions protecting critical natural resources.” 

Brakeville brings a background in agricultural policy, law, and community engagement. She’s spent her career focused on supporting rural communities and protecting working lands, and her experience collaborating with producers, landowners, nonprofit partners, and government agencies spans from policy design to implementation. Brakeville’s legal experience includes serving as the lead attorney for a national traceability nonprofit and she has served as a board member on the Louisiana Board of Regents and the University of Louisiana’s Board of Supervisors.

With this hire, Louisa County takes a meaningful step toward ensuring it “keeps farms in farms and forests in forests.”