For Immediate Release

Bob Lazaro
PEC Director of Communications
571.225.0198

PEC Annual Meeting to Focus on Making the Food and Farm Connection

(Warrenton, Virginia) The Piedmont Environmental Council's Annual Meeting is focused on making the food and farm connection in Virginia's Piedmont. The meeting will be held on Saturday, September 19 at Firnew Farm, in Hood, Virginia (Madison County). The meeting will begin at 9AM and conclude at 2:30 PM. Dr. Timothy J. LaSalle, CEO of the Rodale Institute will be the keynote speaker at the event.

A number of workshops led by PEC expert staff and/or panels will be held. Workshops include: What's in the Conway River; Energy Smart Solutions; The Route 29 Solution; Cultivating the Next Generation of Farmers; Ask the Experts; Protecting Your Farm: Conservation Easements 101; Camera Capture: Documenting the Wildlife Around You; Illustrating the Piedmont Vision; Sustaining a Community Food System; and, Chesapeake Bay Restoration.

Admission to attend the Annual Meeting is $35 per person. Local foods will be available for purchase or you may bring your own picnic. Please visit PEC's web site: www.pecva.org for more information and to register online or call Karen Lamond at 540.341.0175 extension 4.

About Firnew Farm: In 1812 John Fitzhugh Conway, a cousin of James Madison, built a five-room house on a beautiful knoll by the Conway River. Today, the original Federal house provides the central structure of a much larger home, which incorporates an old winter kitchen with warming oven and exposed wall. In 2003, David and Trish Crowe, added a spacious modern wing with kitchen, such room, dining area and family room. The Crowes also installed a geothermal heating and cooling system. Firnew is protected in perpetuity under a conservation easement.