July 18, 2005

 

VERONA, VA. – Are you an agricultural producer in Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah, Rockingham, or Warren County?  In partnership with the Potomac Conservancy, the Shenandoah Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council is offering you an opportunity to market your services to your local community.

We are creating a community guide to local agricultural producers that will be distributed free to the public later this year, and are currently seeking local producers who sell directly to the public to include in this guide.  There is no cost to be listed.

The guide will to publicize Farmers’ Markets, Farm Stands, Community Supported Agriculture farms, wineries, and individuals who sell directly off-farm. Although there are no requirements for production methods to be listed in the guide, it will be beneficial to inform consumers of your organic certification or grass-fed, pasture-raised, hormone–free practices, etc., if applicable.  The guide is focused on locally-produced goods, but it is understood that many farm stands and markets sometimes sell products that are not available in the Valley during a particular part of the season.

The deadline for signing up to be in the guide is August 15, 2005.  The guide is projected to be printed by September 1, 2005.  Approximately 1,000 copies will be printed and distributed through visitors’ centers and other community displays, farmers markets, special events, and local businesses.  If you sell at multiple Farmer’s Markets please consider an individual listing to ensure that people are aware of what they can buy from you at each market.  

Since 1993, the Potomac Conservancy—with offices in Winchester, Va., and Silver Spring, Md.—has been protecting the health, beauty, and enjoyment of the Potomac River and its tributaries.  By providing effective and lasting conservation solutions and hands-on restoration opportunities to individuals, organizations, and communities throughout the region, the Potomac Conservancy is protecting the rivers and streams that people care about.  The Shenandoah RC&D Council is a non-profit, locally-directed program that promotes economic growth and environmental quality.  It sets area goals and objectives, and brings together partners, technical assistance and financial resources to complete projects to meet its goals and objectives.

For more information or an application for inclusion in the guide, contact the Potomac Conservancy’s Kelly McDaniel at 540-667-3606 or mcdaniel@potomac.org, or Shenandoah RC&D’s Kathy Holm at 540-248-3321  or Kathy.Holm@va.usda.gov.