A Path to a Healthier Future

Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture

In a world where food production is a necessity but environmental conservation is a growing concern, sustainable and regenerative agriculture offer promising solutions. These approaches prioritize both human sustenance and the long-term well-being of our land and resources.

What is Sustainable Agriculture?

Sustainable agriculture is a farming method designed to balance food production with environmental stewardship. The three core pillars of sustainability—environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity—serve as guiding principles. The goal is simple: to produce food while preserving the land for future generations. This means reducing chemical inputs, optimizing water usage, maintaining biodiversity, and supporting local communities.

Sustainable practices often include crop rotation, integrated pest management, conservation tillage, and responsible water management. These efforts ensure that farmland remains fertile and productive without depleting the surrounding ecosystem.

The Rise of Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative agriculture builds upon sustainability but takes it a step further. Rather than just maintaining the land, it actively seeks to restore and enhance soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience. Instead of being a rigid set of rules, regenerative agriculture is a philosophy—an adaptive, holistic approach that encourages farmers to work with nature rather than against it.

Key regenerative practices include:

• Cover cropping to protect and enrich soil.

• Minimal or no tillage to maintain soil structure and reduce erosion.

• Diverse crop rotations to enhance soil fertility.

• Composting and organic amendments to build soil organic matter.

• Holistic livestock management that incorporates rotational grazing.

The emphasis on soil health is critical. Healthy soil captures carbon, improves water retention, and enhances plant nutrition—creating a positive cycle of environmental and economic benefits.

Why These Methods Matter

Both sustainable and regenerative agriculture play vital roles in addressing modern agricultural challenges, including soil degradation, climate change, and food security. By shifting toward these mindful farming methods, we can build a future where agriculture nourishes both people and the planet.

At Davidson County Local Food Network, we are proud to support local farmers who embrace these principles. By choosing sustainably and regeneratively grown food, consumers can contribute to a healthier food system—one that respects nature while feeding communities.

Join the movement. Support local. Eat sustainably.

Funding Freeze Impacting Food Network

Special Message: Funding Freeze Impacting Our Local Food Network

Recent freezes in federal funding have placed a heavy strain on the Davidson County Local Food Network and the farmers and food access programs it supports. As of now, our funding remains frozen.

While we received our December reimbursement in February, we are still waiting for our January reimbursement—with only limited reimbursements allowed through January 19th. This delay puts unnecessary pressure on local farmers, food distributors, and community organizations that rely on these funds to keep our local food system thriving.

Why This Matters

A strong local food system ensures that:
✅ Farmers get paid fairly and on time.
✅ Local families have access to fresh, nutritious food.
✅ Regional food economies remain resilient and sustainable.

With funding stalled, these vital systems are at risk. We need action NOW to unfreeze USDA funding and support our local food community.

Take Action: Call Your Representatives!

Help us get this funding back on track by contacting US Secretary of Agriculture Rollins and your congressional representatives. Your voice can make a difference in ensuring that the USDA honors its contracts with farmers and nonprofits.

📞 Secretary of Agriculture Rollins

• (833) ONE-USDA

• (202) 720-7100

• Email: AgSec@usda.gov

📍 Find Your Representatives:
🔗 https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials

What to Say: Sample Call Script

"Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I live in [Your City/State]. I’m calling to express my concern about the continued freeze on USDA funding, which is negatively impacting farmers, food access programs, and local food networks like ours in Davidson County. These funds are essential for keeping our food system running and ensuring that small farms and food distribution programs can continue their work. I urge [Representative’s Name] to take immediate action to unfreeze these critical funds and honor USDA contracts with farmers and nonprofits. Thank you.”

📢 If leaving a voicemail, be sure to include your full street address so your call is officially counted. If DC office mailboxes are full, call your representative’s local office in your state.

Our Local Food System Needs You!

Federal funding delays shouldn’t threaten the hard work of local farmers and food advocates. By raising our voices, we can help ensure a sustainable, fair, and thriving local food economy for everyone.

Thank you for taking action!
#PiedmontFresh #SupportLocalFarmers #UnfreezeFunding #LocalFoodMatters #TakeAction

Understanding Egg Labels

Understanding Egg Labels: Cage-Free, Free-Range, and Pasture-Raised

If you've ever compared eggs from a local farmer to those from the supermarket, you’ve likely noticed the difference in flavor, richness, and color. Fresh, locally sourced eggs often have deeper golden yolks, richer taste, and higher nutritional value. But beyond taste, you may have come across different terms describing how the hens that lay these eggs are raised. Understanding these labels can help you make informed choices when purchasing eggs.

Cage-Free

Cage-free eggs come from hens that are not confined to the traditional battery cages commonly used in large-scale commercial egg production. Instead, these hens are housed in indoor facilities where they can move more freely, stretch their wings, and exhibit some natural behaviors. However, they may still be in crowded conditions and not necessarily have access to the outdoors.

Free-Range

Free-range eggs come from hens that have some level of outdoor access. However, the quality and duration of that access can vary greatly depending on the farm. Some free-range systems provide only small pop-out doors with limited space outside, meaning the birds may not spend much time outdoors. Still, free-range conditions typically allow for more movement and natural behaviors than cage-free environments.

Pasture-Raised

Pasture-raised eggs come from hens that spend most of their time outdoors on open pasture, where they can forage for insects, grasses, and other natural food sources. This more natural diet contributes to higher nutritional content in the eggs, including more omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins. The yolks of pasture-raised eggs tend to have a vibrant golden color and a richer flavor, making them a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike.

Choosing the Best Eggs

While all three of these systems offer improvements over traditional caged environments, pasture-raised eggs are the closest to a hen’s natural way of living. If you’re looking for the most nutritious and flavorful eggs, sourcing them from a local farmer who raises hens on pasture is your best bet. Not only do you get superior eggs, but you also support sustainable farming practices and animal welfare.

At Piedmont Fresh, we take pride in providing high-quality, fresh eggs from happy, healthy hens. Next time you're looking for eggs, consider making the choice that supports both your health and local agriculture.