People need farms to grow food, so PEC has long focused on preserving farmland, with the result that 147,000 acres of important agricultural soils in our region are now protected from development. In recent years, PEC has expanded our farmland preservation work into the Piedmont Farm and Food Connection-a broader effort that is helping to bring about a renaissance of farming in our region by growing the local food movement.

We're also supporting farmers so they can increase supply and we're helping to facilitate distribution. A strong local food network can revitalize economic prospects for working farms, provide families with fresh healthy options and strengthen Piedmont residents' connection to the land.

PEC's Buy Fresh Buy Local Guides Reach 240,000 Homes

In 2009, PEC expanded our Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign, sending our highly popular local food guides to every home in our nine-county region-about 240,000 homes! We produced Buy Fresh Buy Local guides for the Charlottesville Area, the Northern Piedmont and Loudoun, and we partnered on the Northern Shenandoah Valley guide.

Interest in local food is booming, with direct marketing sales up 74% nationwide and the number of farmers markets in Virginia up 94% over the last five years. PEC's Buy Fresh Buy Local guides help producers to capitalize on these trends, maximizing economic opportunities that also benefit our health, our communities and our land.

In a survey of producers listed in PEC's 2008 guides, 90% reported that their customers mentioned the guide and over half said they have seen an increase in sales since being listed in the guide. Judy Stroske, a farmers market manager in Loudoun, told Leesburg Today that all markets in the county saw an increase in customers after PEC sent out our Buy Fresh Buy Local guides.

PEC's Don Loock and Karen Hunsberger take part in Local Foods Day in the Rappahannock County Public Schools.

2009 Highlights

• Over 8,000 acres of prime agricultural soils were protected by conservation easements for a total of 147,000 acres.
• PEC expanded our website, www.BuyLocalVirginia.org, to include over 1,000 listings from local food businesses statewide.
• PEC co-led our second Exploring the Small Farm Dream course, a resource for potential local food entrepreneurs.
• PEC hosted two seminars on Hosting the Small Farm Dream, introducing landowners to options for partnering with farmers who need land.
• PEC co-sponsored two Virginia Agriculture and Food Entrepreneurship Program conferences for people with an interest in food-based businesses.
• PEC helped the new non-profit Local Food Hub get off the ground in Albemarle, helping local food businesses overcome logistical obstacles.
• PEC manages the Forest Lakes Farmers Market in Albemarle, which we launched in 2008
• PEC produced a holiday Buy Fresh Buy Local guide for the Charlottesville area that was published in C-ville Weekly.
• PEC co-sponsored the well-attended Heritage Harvest Festival at Montalto, near Monticello, where we purchased a conservation easement last year.
• PEC held two Eat Local Challenge contests, with over 100 participants finding ways to eat 21 local foods in 21 days.
• PEC helped to start the Madison Community Garden, creating opportunities for more families to grow their own food.
• PEC assisted with Local Foods Day in the Rappahannock public schools, featuring a delicious local lunch in all school cafeterias.
• PEC produced our first Farmer-Chef Express directory, linking local food producers with restaurants and caterers.
• PEC provides Buy Fresh Buy Local graphics to over 50 marketing partners, to help them promote their locally grown products.
• PEC is monitoring state and federal bills on food safety, as well as local regulations, that could impact the viability of small farm businesses.
• PEC is active on the Virginia Food Systems Council -a statewide coalition aiming to strengthen Virginia's food system from farm to table.

Read more from the 2009 PEC Annual Report >>