Working Farms & Local Food

Farmland and forests produce the essentials of life, from the food on our tables to clean water and air. In PEC’s nine-county area, approximately 200,000 acres of farmland and 198,000 acres of forests are protected through private, voluntary land conservation.

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a heritage pig eating a flower

Summer at PEC’s Community Farm

Our Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows ushered in its third growing season this spring and welcomed hundreds of volunteers through its gates. As we all continue to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic, the Community Farm …
a cow stands on a farm

PEC Study Seeks to Aid Local Meat Processors and Farmers

Aided by Virginia’s northern Piedmont climate, pasture conditions, and open space, raising beef cattle has become one of the region’s dominant agricultural land uses. Cattle farming contributes enormously to the local economy, quality of life …
Freshly butchered steaks on a metal table.

New skilled meat cutter training program will help region’s meat processors serve Virginia cattle farmers

A recent study by The Piedmont Environmental Council and American Farmland Trust, spurred by pandemic-related breakdowns in national and local food supply systems, has led to the development of a new meat-cutter training program to …
seed packets

Order Seeds for Your Garden

Planning your garden for this year? Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, located in Louisa, is once again donating 30% of the sales of certain seed packages to support PEC’s Buy Fresh Buy Local program. And this year …
Community-based Partnerships Take Root & Grow in Loudoun County

Community-based Partnerships Take Root & Grow in Loudoun County

The Piedmont Environmental Council is proudly working with multiple community partners to support local farms and farmers, create more public access to outdoor spaces, and support the county’s food insecure population. Some of these initiatives …
buy fresh buy local guide in a mailbox

Buy Fresh Buy Local Northern Piedmont guides connect consumers with local food and farms

With the spring growing season upon the Virginia Piedmont, The Piedmont Environmental Council is pleased to announce the release of its 2021-2022 Buy Fresh Buy Local guides for each of PEC’s three Buy Fresh Buy …
mike curtin dc central kitchen piedmont environmental council webinar

Webinar: Quarterly Keynote Feat. DC Central Kitchen CEO Mike Curtin

In March 2021, PEC hosted its first ever Quarterly Keynote with Mike Curtin from DC Central Kitchen …
| | Video, Webinars, Working Farms & Food
native plant event banner image

We Hope You Can Join Us

I’d like to take a minute this week to highlight three upcoming events geared towards PEC members and supporters. Thurs, March 11: Go Native!Tues, March 30: PEC Quarterly Keynote featuring Mike Curtin (CEO of DC …

The Piedmont Environmental Council is a partner of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition. We support the 4 core principles of soil health management: Keep Soil Covered; Minimize Soil Disturbance; Maximize Living Roots; and, Energize with Diversity. Join the movement today at 4thesoil.org.