About Us

The Buy Local Challenge was conceived and launched in 2007 by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) to highlight the benefits of buying local to Maryland's economy and environment.

SMADC and the Agricultural Marketing Professionals (AMPs) across Maryland worked together to bring the Buy Local Challenge to many Maryland counties.

In 2008, the BLC enjoyed tremendous popularity across Maryland, thanks in part to signature events by Governor Martin O’Malley and the Maryland Department of Agriculture as well as extensive media coverage in news and specialty publications.

Beginning with the 2010 event, SMADC is extending the invitation to all states to participate in the annual Buy Local Challenge with the idea that a unified nationwide effort during the last full week in July will be a profound way to spotlight the need to support local farms.

A user-driven, online community component to the official BLC Web site has been created to allow individuals, companies, ag marketing professionals and others across the country to bring the BLC to their region.

Also, the BLC logo and promotional materials are available free of charge.

Find out more about participating in the BLC.

If everyone across the country embraced the Buy Local Challenge, it would bring a positive and profound impact to our farms, our communities and our planet for generations to come.