http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,0,0,html Relevant stories about farms, farmers and consumers of local food in Virginia and beyond. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/img/logo.gif http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,0,0,html PECVA 60 en (NPR 5/9/2012) Twice a week, local seniors in Warrenton, VA flock to a hip new dinner spot call the Bistro on the Hill for good food, a great view, and musical accompaniment... http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,931,-1,html (Civil Eats 8/6/2012) Starting a farm is not easy, a business in which high startup costs and a lack of available land for purchase or rent are obvious obstacles. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,929,-1,html (USDA 8/3/2012) Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced a 9.6 percent increase in National Farmers Market Directory listings as the kickoff to National Farmers' Market Week. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,928,-1,html (WAMU 05/17/2012) Some local clinics and nonprofits are about to start convincing patients that fresh produce may actually be just what the doctor ordered. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,915,-1,html (Good, 6/13/2012) America’s farmers are poised to start retiring in large numbers. In the next five years, something like 125,000 farmers will retire, says Lindsey Lusher Shute, Executive Director of the National Young Farmers Coalition... http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,914,-1,html (Flavor Magazine, 12/1/11) There’s a crisis in farming: The average age of a farmer in the United States is between 57 and 59. Thirty percent of our farmers are beyond retirement age. And the USDA says we need 100,000 new farmers a year... http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,885,-1,html (USDA 11/10/2011) Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan visited a community garden in Baltimore today to announce 10 grants to support 155 People's Gardens in neighborhoods from Maryland to Hawaii. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,882,-1,html (Anthony Flaccavento, SCALE, Inc, 11/01/2011) "The “local foods movement” has been growing rapidly for the past decade or more, reaching communities in nearly every part of the United States." http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,881,-1,html (Grist, 8/12/2011) The USDA released its latest Farmers Market Survey last week, showing 7,175 farmers markets across the country, up 17 percent from last year. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,863,-1,html (New York Times, 7/26/11) "When Steven Hopp envisioned his restaurant, the Harvest Table, he drew up a list of strict rules. Local farmers would provide the produce, meats and cheeses. Lemons would be banned:" http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,862,-1,html (Piedmont Virginian, Summer 2011) "It’s giving away one’s age to remember milkmen carrying wire racks filled with clinking glass bottles to the door of houses..." http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,857,-1,html (NBC29, July 6, 2011) According to an article from Forbes Magazine, the city of Charlottesville is the "locavore" capital of the world. The locavore movement refers to communities where people insist on eating food grown close to home. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,856,-1,html Are you looking for a gift for a gardener or to plant your own garden? Be sure to check-out this organic Rainbow Starters Mix from the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. They are generously donating 30% of proceeds to PEC's Buy Fresh Buy Local Campaign. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,848,-1,html (The Daily Progress, 4/8/11) Every new business is bound to experience growing pains. But a blister here or a few dirty fingernails there don’t compare to the smiles from satisfied customers plucking fresh vegetables from their own back yards. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,845,-1,html (Slow Food USA Blog, 6/21/11) "My neighborhood farmers market opened a few weeks ago, bringing the first local greens and asparagus of the season." http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,844,-1,html (The Georgetowner, 3/8/11) "The fresh food fad is sweeping the nation. As consumers become more educated and concerned with the quality of their food, and cultivating a growing interest in where and how is it being grown..." http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,843,-1,html (USA Today, 4/21/11) Nancy Tappan is sitting on a bench outside the community vegetable garden, bent over a small sign she is making. It will read: "A community feeds each other." http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,832,-1,html (3/10/11) The Charlottesville City Market is once again accepting EBT/Snap cards at Market, with matching coupons available on snap market items. Customers may spend $10 of their EBT/SNAP money and receive $10 more to spend. Learn more about the program. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,827,-1,html (January 2011) Watch the Down Home Virginia video produced by the Virginia Farm Bureau. This month's episode features local farmers & producers, agricultural legislation in the General Assembly, CSAs, attracting wild birds, recipes, and much more. http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,806,-1,html (Madison Eagle, 11/18/10) Eating local may not always be synonymous with eating healthy, but there was a push for both as Madison County Public Schools celebrated Farm to School Week.... http://www.buylocalvirginia.org/index.cfm/1,30,797,-1,html