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Palmer Land Conservancy, a regional land conservation champion, has announced the launch of its Local Food Guide, a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive regional guide to local food producers throughout southern Colorado – including Fountain Valley producers such as Frost Livestock Co.

From Salida to Rocky Ford, the guide is a one-stop shop to discover farmers, ranchers, and farmers markets where community members can shop directly for one's favorite in-season produce and products. It also includes recipes, overview of the history of agriculture in our region, self-guided bike tour, and producer profiles. And, it's free.

The pandemic, along with other global tragedies, have made it abundantly clear that now more than ever we need a strong and secure local food system. Empty shelves, supply chain disruptions, food and formula shortages, are the new normal.

The new Local Food Guide is a critical piece of the food security puzzle helping to connect people to their local food resources and strengthening and fortifying relationships between community members and the region's agricultural producers. Buying local and direct strengthens individual and family health - and the local economy, community, and connections.

Locations where you can pick up the guide in Colorado Springs, Canon City, and Pueblo can be found at palmerland.org, along with a downloadable copy. It will also be available at these upcoming events:

• Sept. 8: Night on the Ranch, benefit fundraiser for land and nature

• Sept. 17: Bike the Bessemer, educational 11-mile bike ride through Pueblo farming community

In the Colorado Springs area, it can be found at:

• Venetucci Farm

• Bread and Butter Neighborhood Market

• Colorado College Office of Sustainability

• Food to Power

• Mountain Mama's Natural Foods

• Palmer's Colorado Springs office: 102 S. Tejon St, Suite 360, Colorado Springs

• Pikes Peak Bike Tours (Pikes Peak Adventure Center)

• Ranch Foods Direct

• Visit Colorado Springs office

Since 1977, Palmer Land Conservancy has protected 137,000 acres of land, including 20 public parks and open spaces, thousands of acres of working farms and ranches that provide local food, and panoramas and scenic corridors that are the inspiring backdrop to our daily lives.

"This local food guide is driven by the spirit of conservation," states Rebecca Jewett, President and CEO, Palmer Land Conservancy. "Farmers and ranchers are true conservationists, protecting, stewarding and producing food, some for generations, from the land. Palmer believes it is incumbent upon us to create a healthy and vibrant future for the next generation of Coloradans."

Palmer Land Conservancy, the U.S. 17th largest land trust, is committed to the land, forever. The organization's extensive service area spans 19 counties across southern Colorado representing over one million people.

About Palmer Land Conservancy

Since 1977, Palmer Land Conservancy has worked with individuals, private and public partners, and various communities to protect land forever including 20 favorite public parks and open spaces, important working farms and ranches, and iconic scenic views. passionately promotes the conservation and enjoyment of our region's most important natural assets that define why we love Colorado: its natural beauty, locally grown food, and outdoor recreation. Visit Palmer online at: palmerland.org