Starting with the Loudoun Spring Farm Tour, local artisanal crafts and farm products will be more visible to visitors and residents alike, thanks to the new “Take Loudoun Home” campaign.
This is a collaborative effort between Loudoun Economic Development and Visit Loudoun to support the Loudoun Made, Loudoun Grown program. Launched in 2015, the program has more than 135 participating farms and rural businesses, all sourcing their products from Loudoun County.
“Loudoun farms have a reputation for high-quality products and the freshest produce. We created the Loudoun Made, Loudoun Grown program as a way to showcase the quality of our products. When shopping in Loudoun, look for the logo,” said Loudoun Economic Development’s Executive Director Buddy Rizer.
More than 1,200 farms help stitch the fabric of western Loudoun County, home to a wide array of products and experiences that can’t be found anywhere else in the Washington, D.C., region.
These rural businesses provide families with responsibly-raised meat and fresh produce that was picked in the field that morning. They support a vibrant craft beverage industry, and are home to animals from all six inhabited continents.
Produce bought locally spends less time in transit, giving it more time to ripen, improving its taste and nutritional value. Freshly cut flowers last longer in your home when bought locally. A shorter commute from the farm to the customer also decreases the environmental impact of farming and increases its efficiency.
Loudoun has more wineries and breweries than anywhere else in Virginia, most of which are rooted in agriculture. After enjoying a flight in the tasting room, a bottle of wine or growler of beer makes those memories mobile.
According to a study by the Institute for Service Research, Loudoun’s agritourism businesses hosted 1.2 million visitors in 2018, generating a total economic impact of $413.6 million. More than 40 percent of those people traveled from outside of the region.
Farms are essential to Loudoun’s identity as a great place to live, work, play and visit. But they can’t survive without customers.
“Loudoun farms are the backbone of our tourism industry, providing visitors with places to stay, food and drinks to consume and unparalleled experiences. But it isn’t just about visiting Loudoun, it’s about taking that piece home with you when you leave,” said Visit Loudoun’s President and CEO Beth Erickson.
Build a relationship with growers and producers by visiting the dozens of markets, roadside stands, artisan galleries, and pick-your-own fields throughout the county.
Find a full list of participating Loudoun Made, Loudoun Grown farms at TakeLoudounHome.org.
