The York River Group hosted a panel on 11/15/2023 that examined the benefits of a plant-based diet.  Going vegan is one of the most impactful ways that an individual can improve their overall health and make a difference in curbing the climate crisis!

The panel included Dr. Christine Llewellyn, a recently retired Radiologist who has been concerned about climate change for 15 years and organized the Williamsburg Climate Action Network.  She clearly described why a plant-based diet is one of the best ways an individual can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Renee Merchant serves as both a Registered Dietician and a Registered Nurse. She provided a dietician’s point of view, clearly describing the health benefits of a plant-based diet.  She also dispelled many of the myths surrounding a vegan diet.

Other panelists described their own journeys as vegans. Zaina Salman, president of the Veg Club at Virginia Commonwealth University and Hunter Noffsinger, Community Outreach Coordinator for Hampton Roads as a staff member of the Virginia Chapter Sierra Club, both included ideas for vegan recipes and good-tasting replacements for dairy products.  They talked about the benefits that a vegan diet has had on their own health.

Finally, Amy Hicks, founder of Amy’s Garden, talked about her USDA Certified Organic family farm.   They never use herbicides, harmful pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers.  Great information can be found on her website: https://www.amysorganicgarden.com/.