Senator Warner highlighted two sustainability initiatives today -- a campus-wide effort at Ferrum College, and a growing aquaculture industry that's helping to diversify the economy of Henry County in Southside Virginia.

Ferrum College, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, has been at the forefront of sustainability education and living.

In addition to energy-saving techniques – from monitoring energy usage to composting -- the college food provider buys products from local farmers.

As the Roanoke Times describes:

The school's local food procurement and farm-to-cafeteria programs make up about 30 percent of the food used in the cafeteria, said Michael Martin, director of dining services. It's his goal to partner with more local farms and businesses to increase the amount of local foods and services used to 50 percent in the fall.

Senator Warner said he was impressed by the college’s commitment to sustainability education and encouraged students to continue participating and learning about sustainability.

“This is as cutting-edge as what’s going on at a Harvard or a Yale,” said Senator Warner. “The notion of local food sustainability, how we reinvigorate rural America, has got to be a much higher priority.”

After his visit to Ferrum College, Senator Warner traveled to Southside's Henry County to tour Blue Ridge AquaCulture, one of the world's largest indoor producers of tilapia.

Last year, Senator Warner requested $400,000 for Virginia Tech's inland marine aquaculture project, which partnered with Blue Ridge Aquaculture on research and development projects.

The Martinsville Bulletin talked to Senator Warner after the tour:

Near the end of Tuesday’s visit, Warner said he was impressed with what he saw. “I think it’s amazing,” he said. “If half of their goals come true, the potential for growth in Southside is remarkable.”