Farmers face several obstacles in making the switch to organic farming methods, including limited awareness of organic farming systems, lack of marketing and infrastructure and high managerial costs and risks involved in changing production methods. We're convinced that successful organic farmers will inspire others to follow suit.

Chefs, restaurateurs, and food merchants support local farmers and seek out sustainably grown products. Why? Because they understand the value of providing fresh, healthy, tasty products — both for their customers and for the environment. And local food is closer than you think. Even if you live in the city, farmers as close as 30 miles away are growing delicious products and many farms welcome visitors and offer pick your own.

CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture, is an easy and delicious system of mutual support between local farmers and community members. Here's how it works: members pay the farmer an annual fee, and in turn, receive a weekly share of the harvest throughout the growing season, which runs from June through November.

Farmers markets also provide the perfect venue to explore what's in season now, and to make real connections with the people who grow the fresh food we rely on.

Why buy local? Enjoying food and wine raised, harvested, or produced sustainably and regionally provides great quality, boosts our economy, protects our farmland, enhances our local food systems, and keeps us — and our environment — healthy. Communities benefit from protected open space, educational opportunities for children and families, a strengthened local economy, a personal connection to their food source, and direct access to fresh, nutritious, and affordable local foods.