From veggies and fruit, to meat and dairy, to beer, wine and more, you’ll find your favorite local food in our recently released 2023-2024 guides for the Northern Piedmont, Loudoun County and Charlottesville Area.
Working Farms and Food
Farmland and forests produce the necessities of life and provide essential natural services. In PEC’s nine county area, over 180,000 acres of farmland and 140,000 acres of forests are protected through private, voluntary land conservation.
Loudoun Buy Fresh Buy Local guide arriving in mailboxes soon
With the spring growing season upon the Virginia Piedmont, The Piedmont Environmental Council is pleased to announce the release of its 2023-2024 Buy Fresh Buy Local Loudoun County guide, offering a one-stop source connecting consumers to fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat and more, by way of local farmers and farmers markets.
Free Upcoming Events at Roundabout Meadows
Spring is here and so is the event season at PEC’s incredible property at Roundabout Meadows in Aldie, VA. Over the next few months, we are so excited to be offering a number of educational ‘walk and talks’ along the Old Carolina Road Trail and through the pastures of Roundabout Meadows, providing an opportunity to connect more deeply with the work PEC is doing to protect the air and water, habitat, and working farms of the Virginia Piedmont.
Charlottesville and surrounding areas Buy Fresh Buy Local guides arriving in mailboxes soon
With the spring growing season upon the Virginia Piedmont, The Piedmont Environmental Council is pleased to announce the release of its 2023-2024 Buy Fresh Buy Local Charlottesville area guide, offering a one-stop source connecting consumers to fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat and more, by way of local farmers and farmers markets.
Volunteer Opportunities at the Community Farm
Interested in volunteering? Help us with planting and harvesting healthy food for Loudoun residents in need. On-site training will be provided. Previous experience is welcomed, but it is not required. Be prepared to work outside in variable weather conditions, get your hands dirty while doing a good deed, and learn about your local agriculture community. All ages are welcome. However, children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. There will be special days scheduled to accommodate the whole family!
Getting ready for the 2023 season at the Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows
Preparations for the 2023 season are well underway at the Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows! We can’t wait to have volunteers back out in the wake of Spring and to start planting.
Resources from our Solar on the Farm Workshop
On Friday, January 27, 2023, more than seventy participants gathered together to learn more about small agricultural solar. This workshop hosted by The Piedmont Environmental Council covered the latest information on incentives offered by USDA Rural Energy for America Program for improving energy efficiency and/or installing renewable energy, information about ag net metering and small generators options with utilities, tools for analyzing return on investment and tips for finding reputable solar installers.
Eyes on Richmond / Call to Support Farmland Protection
The Piedmont Environmental Council is tracking a broad array of bills and budget amendments, as well as supporting legislative priorities of partners within the Virginia Conservation Network.
2022 Highlights
Learn about our efforts to expand conservation and restoration efforts, empower local communities, invest in public access, and connect consumers to local farms in 2022.
Return of the Grassland Birds
The new Virginia (formerly Piedmont) Grassland Bird Initiative (VGBI) is showing promising signs of returning those birds to the Virginia landscape. With grant funding, the program pays farmers to adopt bird-friendly best management practices.