Small, independent farms can encourage biodiversity by diversifying the landscape. Such diversity also reduces soil degradation, decreases agricultural run-off into rivers and streams, and provides habitat for wildlife.

Why should you buy locally grown food?

You'll get exceptional taste and freshness, strengthen your local economy, support endangered family farms and so much more.

Click here to find out more!

"BUY LOCAL" CHALLENGE SCOREBOARD

Check out our scoreboard below to see how your state is doing in the "Buy Local" Challenge. Scroll down to see how much money has been committed to local foods in your state.

If you haven't pledged yet, go back to the Challenge main page for more information or, if you've already committed money, tell a friend about the challenge.

State	# of People Pledging	Dollars Committed
California	208	$232,390
Washington	128	$101,455
Pennsylvania	180	$73,135
New York	115	$54,110
Texas	64	$43,550
Ohio	71	$34,610
Maryland	70	$30,230
Massachusetts	64	$30,195
Michigan	74	$29,780
North Carolina	61	$28,940
Virginia	59	$28,550
Minnesota	55	$28,010
Oregon	49	$27,420
Oklahoma	47	$25,060
Wisconsin	41	$19,420
Florida	64	$18,800
Illinois	42	$18,320
Colorado	36	$15,500
Hawaii	11	$15,240
Missouri	32	$13,990
New Jersey	41	$12,360
Georgia	41	$12,170
Arizona	26	$12,100
Connecticut	27	$11,840
Indiana	29	$11,600
Maine	24	$9,920
Vermont	19	$9,580
Kansas	25	$9,510
	30	$9,140
Iowa	25	$8,310
New Hampshire	16	$7,860
New Mexico	16	$7,760
Idaho	19	$7,720
Tennessee	27	$7,080
West Virginia	8	$6,340
South Carolina	17	$5,830
District of Columbia	11	$5,160
Arkansas	8	$4,480
Louisiana	8	$4,120
Kentucky	19	$3,780
Alabama	13	$3,300
Utah	13	$3,030
Nevada	8	$2,980
Delaware	7	$2,220
Rhode Island	8	$2,000
Alaska	6	$1,670
Montana	9	$1,540
Nebraska	6	$1,480
Mississippi	5	$1,220
South Dakota	3	$1,160
Wyoming	4	$920
North Dakota	3	$260
Totals:	1992	$1,057,145