"There is another way to live and think: it's called agrarianism. It is not so much a philosophy as a practice, an attitude, a loyalty and a passion – all based in close connection with the land. It results in a sound local economy in which producers and consumers are neighbors and in which nature herself becomes the standard for work and production."

Wendell Berry, famed author, poet, 2012 Jefferson Lecturer, and farmer

On the very outskirts of Aldie, right down Route 50 from Middleburg, in the middle of Virginia's famed hunt country and the Piedmont, lies The Virginia Center for Health and Wellness, owned and operated by Dr. Andrew Heyman.

And while Dr. Heyman may not be a farmer, he very much understands and embraces the ideal of the new agrarian.

"What makes the philosophy of the new agrarian so exciting for me," says Heyman, "is the underlying concept of interconnectedness, not only the idea that are we what we put in our bodies, but that our actions and lifestyles have a direct and measurable impact on everything we touch. It's one of the reasons I first came to Virginia to practice. And it's one of the things that I think will transform not only how we think about medicine, but how we, locally, regionally, nationally and, hopefully, globally, think about and interact with the community around us."

Just as a growing segment of the population is beginning to look more closely at the impact and consequences of industrial agriculture, Dr. Heyman has for years advocated, and practiced, a more integrated, interconnected approach to medicine and patient care.

"Our mission as doctors should never simply be: treat disease. That's incredibly reactionary, and leads us all down a path defined and built by the very things we're trying to prevent. Our mission must be more proactive than that, working to maintain and sustain health and wellbeing, to work with our patients toward personal empowerment and lifestyle enrichment."

And in the Virginia Piedmont, Dr. Heyman believes he's found an area that can, and should, serve as a model for the rest of the country, in terms of personal wellness, an awareness of ones environment, and an understanding of the direct relationship between the two.

"We work with a wide array of patients. Many are from the local area. Several come from other parts of the country. Some are very sick when we first meet them, and some are quite well. But our goal for all of them is the same: to help them achieve optimal health and, in the process, show them what a large role they can play in their own wellbeing. One of the things that's so remarkable about this area is that we can show them, in no uncertain terms, the value of awareness, the value of caring about where your food comes from, the value of supporting others in your community."

As people begin to better understand the importance of personal health and wellbeing, they naturally begin to look for ways to better make those lifestyle choices a reality. As with many exercises that involve introspection, at a certain point people begin to wonder how they can take greater control over their own lives. And, as more and more Americans are finding, greater control over their own lives often starts with what they put in their mouths.

In recent years, as farmers markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs have proliferated throughout the area, residents have increasingly grabbed hold of the opportunity to cut out the middle man, to forego the industrial agriculture model, to embrace the farm-to-fork blueprint, to support their local farmer and, in a way, embrace some of the traditions that, really, last prevailed in a time most of us have forgotten.

"We have a remarkable opportunity here," Heyman continues, his enthusiasm and commitment evident. "From the land itself to the local farmer to the small business owner to the actual consumer, it's all part of one larger puzzle. All those pieces fit together. Just as we like to showcase the value and the impact of an integrated approach to medical care, this area of the world, almost without consciously thinking about it, has begun to showcase the value and impact of this interconnected ecosystem. It's remarkable."

"The Virginia Piedmont, home to a revolution over 230 years ago, may well be leading an entirely new revolution as we move further into the 21st century."

In fact, Andy is convinced that the 30-mile radius of spectacular countryside around Middleburg, Virginia can become a center of 21st century health for the country.

"There are real visionaries and dedicated preservationists here," he emphasized. "Individuals who have devoted their lives to protecting, sustaining and creating the foundation required for true health and wellness.

"If we all work together, with a clear vision in mind, we can create a destination in our area that will rival any in the world as a center of new agrarianism. By doing so, we will make a major contribution to the health of our families, our community, our country and the world."