MURRYSVILLE, Pennsylvania — Elaine Noll is standing in front of the cherry white and blue stand for Billy’s Country Smokehouse at the local farmers market. Wrapped around her left arm is a canvas bag filled with local roots and vegetables she has purchased. She is now listening as Shirley Stana explains to her the different fresh and smoked meats she has in her cooler from the local farm.

(Shannon Venditti / for the Washington Examiner)

“I’ve always liked to purchase fresh vegetables from the local farmers markets,” Noll says of her armload of beets, turnips, and kale. “It is more than just about supporting local farms. The vegetables are fresher, it is higher quality, and I know where it came from.”