Know Your Farmer

A staple of the local food lingo, "Know Your Farmer" is actually a stand-in for know where your food is coming from as you place it before yourself and your loved ones on your table. As anyone who remembers the e.coli outbreaks of the recent past knows, it can be a matter of life or death. But actually getting to know your farmer? Aside from some quick banter at the City Market, how much do you really know about the trials and tribulations of your local earth workers? (Did I just coin that?)

Here's some real-life farmer drama: Just got word that Megan and Rob Weary, of Roundabout Farm in Keswick, are staring at VDOT plans that would slice an estimated 40 acres off their farm. Besides being good friends, excellent people, and amazing farmers, the Wearys were also a major supplier of Retail Relay's local produce this summer, so this could hurt you, me, Retail Relay -- and an entire community of locavores.

What are the Weary's like? Check out this video we shot back in the wet, wet, spring, when their buttery lettuces, garlic stalks, and red-white-and-blue potatoes were just getting under way. Get to know a real farming tandem, and shoot them an email at info@roundaboutfarm.net to see how you can help fight their good fight. Don't let the bumper sticker read, "Local Food Lost is Local Food Lost Forever."