Written by Lucas LoBreglio
As the first hints of autumn start to grace the tables at our farmers markets, we are ecstatic to highlight another one of our partners in the Southern Piedmont Climate-Smart Project, one that pleasantly reminds us to savor those summer Sundays spent at the market.
Archwood Green Barns Farmers Market comes alive on Sundays in The Plains, VA, around 45 miles west of Washington DC. Visitors can enjoy sunshine and mountain vistas at the outdoor vendor stalls or seek shade and a unique shopping experience in the historic onsite horse barn, where each producer occupies a different stall. Local produce, coffee, baked goods, meats, plants, body-care products, and ready-to-eat farm-to-table meals abound, all produced by vendors themselves and encompassing a wide range of styles and cultures.
Farm2Facts founder Alfonso and Marketing Specialist Lucas had the pleasure of visiting the market this summer to kick off the Southern Piedmont Climate-Smart Project led by the Rodale Institute. This USDA-funded study examines the soil health benefits of climate-smart agriculture and how it might affect customers’ purchasing choices. Archwood Green Barns is using the Farm2Facts toolkit to survey customers, while its vendors will track their climate-smart practices and demonstrate them to buyers with the Ecosystem Services Tool. We’re excited to work with them on this multifaceted project, and we highly recommend visiting for the farmland aesthetic, friendly vendors, and, of course, amazing food.
A big thanks to Archwood Green Barns and market manager Elizabeth for giving our staff a warm welcome and being a great partner in the SPCSP! Visit the market’s website *here* and learn more about climate-smart practices *here*.
