Krista and Rob Rahm have owned and operated Forrest Green Farm since 1992. The 423-acre farm in Louisa County is a marvel to visit, with its spectacular views of the Blue Ridge and diverse offerings of farm-raised meat, poultry, dairy, herbs and produce, as well as other locally grown products. It also offers visitors the opportunity to see a model for regenerative farming practices that have restored soils while enhancing the land’s beauty.
Working Farms & 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.
Fireside Farm: From Harvest to Hearth
For Stacey Carlberg and Casey Gustowarow, good food is more than just a meal. It’s a gateway to building community, experimenting in the kitchen and creating healthy soil that nurtures fresh produce.
Farmed with Care at Long Stone
A quick browse on Long Stone’s website will tell you this farm is “owned and farmed with care” by Casey and Justin Wisch and their four young children. Although a simple phrase, the magnitude of that care is apparent after just a short conversation with these farmers who produce non-GMO pastured pork, beef, chicken and eggs on over 300 acres in Lovettsville.
Land Beer, Loudoun Grown
Bonny and John Branding, co-founders of Wheatland Spring Farm and Brewery, pride themselves on making beer that reflects the distinct agricultural region of Virginia’s Piedmont — a concept they call “land beer.”
More Than Vegetables at the Community Farm
When a PEC staff member recently posed the question “what does the farm mean to people beyond just donating to food pantries?” I remembered my first farming experience, when I discovered that farms are so much more than the food they grow.
2024 Highlights: By the Numbers
PEC’s dedicated staff work relentlessly to advance land conservation, sound land use planning, the protection of natural resources and better climate and energy policy.
Shining a Light on Agrivoltaics at Roundabout Meadows
This spring, the Piedmont Environmental Council will unveil a project at our Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows with the potential to revolutionize the relationship between the agricultural lands that make up the heart of the Virginia Piedmont and the need for more solar energy capacity across the Commonwealth.
A Win/Win for Farmers
Mike Willis, his wife Judy, and stepson Wesley know that farming is not for the faint of heart.
Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative offers financial incentives for delayed haying and summer pasture stockpiling
Now through Nov 15, the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative (VGBI) is accepting applications from producers in 16 counties across the northern Virginia Piedmont, Blue Ridge, and Shenandoah Valley, who are interested in financial incentives for protecting nesting grassland birds during the 2025 haying season.
Sources of Conservation Funding Workshop and Social – August 6, 2024
If you were unable to attend or need a refresher, The Piedmont Environmental Council and our fantastic conservation partners are here to help you explore your options! Below you will find the presentations along with the direct contact information for each program.