We’ve reached the midpoint of a tumultuous year. There is a brief pulse of activity this week before the 4th of July holiday begins. As we mark the 244th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this is a good time to reflect on where we want to go into the future.
Marco Sanchez
PEC connects local beef farmers with local food pantries during pandemic shortage
PEC, in partnership with Fauquier Community Food Bank and Lakota Ranch, which lies on the border of Culpeper and Fauquier counties, will pilot a new initiative connecting high-quality, locally-raised beef with local food pantries experiencing shortages of ground beef during the Covid-19 pandemic. At 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, Lakota Ranch Farm Manager Jeremy Engh will deliver the first 50 pounds of ground beef to the Fauquier Community Food bank at 249 East Shirley Avenue in Warrenton.
Weigh In: Crescere Rural Resort Proposed in Madison County
PEC would like to bring your attention to the newly submitted Special Use Permit for a 749+ acre rural resort, proposed by Crystallis LLC. Crescere Rural Resort would be located on Route 231 and the Rapidan River in Madison County, just northwest of Montpelier.
Online Event: Local Update for PEC Supporters in Madison & Orange Counties
Thank you to those of you who were able to join us for The Piedmont Environmental Council’s Zoom meeting, A Local Update for PEC Supporters in Madison & Orange Counties on Thursday, June 25, 2020! While we certainly miss seeing folks face-to-face, we hope you enjoyed the online presentation and learned a little bit more about the things keeping us busy these days.
Creating Habitat for Native Bees
You don’t have to be a genuine bee keeper to help our native bees. You can create a place for them to thrive right in your backyard garden. First, assess your location. Is your project area in full sun, partial sun or is it fully shaded? Soil drainage also matters, whether it’s average, dry or wet soil. Once you know this, pick the plants that would thrive in that specific environment.
Capturing the Rain: Green Infrastructure Options for HOA Common Areas
Many residents frequent common areas that are managed by homeowners associations, churches, or local governments. How these entities manage their public landscapes can have a profound effect on the health of our local ecosystems, wildlife, streams and drinking water sources. HOA’s in particular have a significant amount of common area that is often just mowed grass.
In support of local dairies and the food-insecure, PEC connects local milk with local food pantries
At 9 a.m. on Friday, June 12, Maola Dairy will deliver 280 gallons of locally-produced milk to Blue Ridge Area Food Bank’s Thomas Jefferson Area Branch location at 1207 Harris Street in Charlottesville, for distribution to eight other food pantries in Albemarle, Greene, and Madison counties and the City of Charlottesville.
Webinar: Strengthening the Local Food System
Join PEC staff for a look at the importance of local farms and food during the Covid-19 pandemic. This webinar was recorded on June 5, 2020. 
Racism has no place
Like so many others, we are profoundly disgusted and deeply saddened by what is happening in our country: the horrific and inexcusable death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, along with the recent killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and countless others; the threat of arrest of Christain Cooper in Central Park; the shooting of peaceful protestors in Louisville; and the incarceration and use of excessive force to stifle democratic acts of protest. These actions are painful reminders that we have a long way to go to ensure that justice and equity are applied to all Americans.
Week Ahead for May 18, 2020 (Alb/Cville/Greene)
As the pandemic enters its third month, many institutions of local government have managed to get public meetings going again. It is crucial for the public to have access to information to what is happening and to have context by which our decisions are made. The goal of this newsletter continues to help you know what is happening and to let you know how you can get involved.