THE PIEDMONT ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL

Land use and policy: analyze local, regional, state and federal policies that affect virginia's northern piedmont and provide public education.

Outreach & education: pec's on-the-ground, hands-on education, demonstration, outreach and advocacy work inspires greater public participation in the processes and decision-making that affect the environment of the virginia piedmont and the sustainability of its communities. Pec is focused on encouraging implementation of broader policy goals by facilitating individual and community participation in assisting with applications for available programs, organizing volunteers and supporting direct action. Farms and food: educate consumers and institutions about local food and farms, and connect them with fresh, healthy local food sources through the "buy fresh buy local" program. Pec also supports expanded opportunities for farmers through workshops that connect piedmont landowners and farmers seeking farmland to lease or purchase, participation in and promotion of state and national new and beginning farmer initiatives, the development of a farmer-chef express online service to connect local farmers to retailers, the management of demonstration projects for innovative pasture management practices, and leasing pec owned land to local farmers for agricultural uses. Transportation and growth management: promote orderly economic progress sensitive to conserving resources; analyze the impact of planned roadways in order to promote alternatives that minimize damage to the virginia piedmont.