A goal of the Community, Local, and Regional Food Systems Steering Committee is to increase awareness of food systems work happening across Virginia.  In an effort to collect photos and celebrate the fun, freshness, people, and innovation of Virginia’s food system, we hosted a photo contest!

June through November, we collected images from across the state with 14 winners in mind.  The overall winning image was to receive a free 3-minute professional video for their food system project.  We also compiled swag bags with water bottles, measuring spoons, aprons, and more for the winning photos in each category: Fun, Freshness, People, and Innovation.  These five images plus nine more would be featured in the 2019 Community, Local, and Regional Food Systems calendar!

With so many submissions, the competition was tough!  We closed the submission window in November and winners were announced at the Virginia Farm to Table Conference.  We are happy to announce the winners!

Overall Winner: Riverstone Farm, Floyd County

Fun Category Winner: South Boston Farmers Market, Halifax County

Freshness Category Winner: Fields Edge Farm, Floyd County

People Category Winner: Blacksburg Farmers Market, Montgomery County

Innovation Category Winner: The Farm at Willow Run, Rockingham County

The other nine winners will be posted on Facebook throughout the year.  If you can’t wait, email Kelli Scott at kescott1@vt.edu for a copy of the calendar if it’s not available at your local extension office!