Why are local farms important and how can you support them?
Buying local food creates jobs and livelihoods for people living near you, provides you with the freshest and healthiest food and supports more environmentally healthy farming practices.
Food from the grocery store often comes from large and far-away farms, which generally use more resources - water, land, big machines and fuel, fertilizer, and pesticides - to grow food. These "factory" farms produce large quantities of crops, dairy, and meat, and then ship them across the country, using even more resources to transport food to processing plants and grocery stores across the country.
Local farms and farmers use fewer resources and emit less greenhouse gas, providing more environmentally sustainable food. Supporting your local producers has the added benefit of putting money into your local economy and smaller businesses rather than large-scale agriculture.
Learn more about the farms in your community
What are the environmental benefits of local farming? How do farms impact people (for example what do jobs at local farms look like versus bigger farms)? What farms, farmers' markets, or farm stores are within walking or driving distance from your house? What types of food can you buy from local farms or farm shops? What farms will let you pick your own produce or visit with animals?
Where to start:
Cobblestone Farmers Market
Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Farmers Market
Let It Grow Produce
Mother's Finest Farm and Farm Store
Miss Angel's U Pick Farm
Take a photo of the research process or your farm visit and share it on social media. Make sure to tag @peancorg and #PEAYoungLeaders to be entered into the weekly Young Eco Leaders Raffle.
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