We have been an impressive lot in our bountiful Piedmont as the growing season draws to a close. As consumers we seem to have naturally figured out the importance of supporting the farmer, the grower, and being rewarded with the bounty of freshness. Now with the help of USDA, a new program has been rolled out with $65 million of funding to help The Agriculture Department better connect and build local and regional food systems.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the program with the hopes that the more people become engaged with their food supply, American agriculture will benefit from new income opportunities. He believes that “reconnecting consumers and institutions with local producers will stimulate economies in rural communities, improve access to healthy nutritious food for our families, and decrease the amount of resources to transport our food.”

In many ways, whether by supporting the various Buy Fresh, Buy Local campaigns, the bounty from CSAs, or the plenty from farm markets, we in the Piedmont can easily agree with the slogan and hope that some of the monies will make their way into the state to support our farmers.

We will all benefit.