A tribute to outgoing Board Chair, Judith Phoenix

Judith Phoenix served as BRWIA Board Chair from 2014 - 2018 and continues to be an outstanding advocate for Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture.  During her tenure, BRWIA experienced tremendous growth and grew in recognition, with great thanks to Judith's arrangement of numerous speaking engagements and her dedication to the organization.

Judith understands the important role that consumers play in ensuring a healthy and vibrant local food system.  She believes that consumers have a responsibility to the growers to ensure that they are able to keep producing high quality food grown from our community's soil.  While she doesn't plan on growing food for herself, her commitment to supporting local producers is an integral piece to the health of our local food economy.

As a farewell, Judith shared the following:

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"Over the past  10 years, I have had many roles with BRWIA from Farm Tour volunteer, participant in the many of the Home Grown workshops, Board Member, and most recently as Board Chair.

Each role has given me the opportunity to support what I believe in and what I want to have access to: local vegetables, eggs, meat and other value added products.  I love knowing where my food REALLY comes from and connecting with the individual farmer. 

As Board Chair I felt empowered to “shamelessly” promote BRWIA and the High Country Food Hub  to friends, strangers and civic organizations because I know that supporting BRWIA helps our community thrive.  I know my membership dues go beyond my immediate needs to help ensure food justice by underwriting programs such as the Double Bucks initiative that gives SNAP users easier access to fresh food grown by our local producers.

Ultimately it always comes down to the people. The BRWIA women and men are hardworking visionaries who are helping make Boone and the High Country a strong and resilient community.

 It is with great confidence that I turn the reins over to the new board chair, Julia Showalter."

Judith Phoenix