Calories and Kilowatts

The WVU Agricultural Extension Service hosted an absolutely outstanding cast of alternative energy speakers at this year’s West Virginia Small Farms Conference.  This event may be the premier renewable energy conference in the Mountain State.

At first blush it may seem strange that a farm conference should emphasize renewable energy.  But numerous speakers, including Michael Bomford from Kentucky State University, helped draw the connection between the energy in food and the energy that we use to drive our lives.  Ultimately, the net value of calories and kilowatts is greater when they are produced in close proximity to where they are consumed.  That is a pretty simple concept, but it isn’t one that a lot of people are tuned into. 

Good food and good energy go hand in hand.  I’m glad the connection is becoming more and more widely recognized.  The WV SmallFarms Conference reinforced for me the close association that exists between farming and renewable energy.  This is an association that I hope continues to strengthen and grow.

As a side note, we feel fortunate to receive locally produced food from several businesses including:

Backbone Mountain Farm – our CSA

DeBerry Farms – beautiful produce and great hot pepper jelly

Mountain Springs Farm – grass fed beef and pastured poultry

Wolpertinger Farm and Bakery – bread and the best bagels I’ve ever had in WV!