For Immediate Release
Bob Lazaro
PEC Director of Communications
571.225.0198

Hosting the Small Farm Dream: Is It Right For You?

(Warrenton, VA - February 23, 2009) The Piedmont Environmental Council is proud to announce and cordially invite residents to participate in two important educational seminars, "Hosting the Small Farm Dream: Is It Right For You?" The seminars are presented by the Local Food Project at Airlie and will take place on March 11 and March 25, at the Airlie Institute in Warrenton. Both seminars run from 6:30 PM to 9 PM.

The purpose of the seminar is to help local residents explore the potential for profit on your land, to learn about farmer-landowner partnership options, review local case studies, discuss pros and cons and consider next steps.

"We are excited to bring this program to area residents about how they can engage themselves in farming and make a profit," said Melissa Wiley of the Piedmont Environmental Council. "This community has been very supportive of the local foods movement and we are pleased to help bring this educational resource to its residents."

Course facilitators include: Don Loock, Mike Kane, Stacey Carlberg and Gem Bingol of the Piedmont Environmental Council and Pablo Elliott and Brynn Slate of the Local Food Project at Airlie. Guest speakers include landowners and farmers with insights into creative lease arrangements.

Interested persons can register by contacting Brynn Slate at 540-347-1300 x. 3163 or via email at bslate@airlie.org. The cost of the event is $90 for the two sessions.