April 3, 2008

New guide lists 170 venues for fresh Virginia farm products

RICHMOND—Going green? Looking for local? Demanding delicious?

Let the 2008 Virginia Grown Guide to Pick-Your-Own and Select-Your-Own Farm Products help you find nearby sources for Virginia fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, plants, honey, meats, poultry, eggs, fish, seafood and fiber products.

The recently released 2008 guide boasts a 20-percent increase in listings to 170 locations across the commonwealth that sell directly to consumers. Published by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, it is available online at www.vdacs.virginia.gov/vagrown/index.shtml. A free printed version also is available.

Venues in the guide include farms, farmers’ markets, orchards, produce stands, nurseries and pick-your-own operations. Sellers are listed by county or city, and each listing includes product details, travel directions, hours and contact information, as well as Web site addresses where available. The guide also includes information on venues’ unique features and plans for festivals, tours, lectures and other events.

An availability chart indicates approximate dates when produce will be ready for picking or purchase, although it’s always best to call ahead to ensure product availability. A map showing Virginia counties is included to help determine the location of the most convenient farms and markets.

To receive a free printed copy of the guide, or for information on listing your farm, e-mail vagrown@vdacs.virginia.gov; call 804-786-3530; or write to Virginia Grown Guide, VDACS, P. O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218.

Producers also can send information about their farms for inclusion in the online guide to webmaster@vdacs.virginia.gov.

Contact: Marion Horsley, VDACS, at 804-225-3820.