One of my favorite things about spring is the opening of our local farmers' markets. Your diet has as much impact on our enviornment as the car you drive, because much of conventionally-grown food travels thousands of miles to get from farm to table. Shopping at your local farmers' market decreases the amount of miles your food travels, supports local agriculture, and supplies your table with food that is almost always fresher and tastier than what you would find at the grocery store.

Not only can you find seasonal produce, but many farmers' markets have locally-produced meats, eggs, dairy products, honey, baked goods, salsas, jellies, and jams. In fact, many chefs either shop at farmers' markets or have working relationships with local farmers because they know that fresh and local produce is of a higher quality. New to farmers' markets? Don't worry. With a few guidelines, you can easily become a regular in no time.

Walk the entire market before buying. You can get a feel for what's in season this week, compare costs, and get ideas for meals using different items.

Bring cash. Although I've seen vendors who accept plastic and checks, err on the side of caution and bring real dollars–small bills are even better.

Don't be afraid to talk to the farmers. Unless it's insanely busy, farmers are almost always willing to answer questions about their products and growing methods. Is their produce organic? Where is their farm located? When were these tomatoes picked? What do they feed their cows? What's a good way to cook this veggie? I would have never discovered sunchokes if I hadn't asked a local farmer about them. Also, developing a relationship with a certain farmer has its benefits. Some vendors will hold back your favorite produce if you are a regular.

Don't rule out non-organic produce. I make a point to buy organic produce when I can, but sometimes small farmers don't get certified because of the costs involved. That doesn't make their produce a bad choice. Oftentimes, their growing methods are just as rigorous as "certified organic" methods. Local food is almost always a better choice for the environment–given the option, I'd choose a locally-produced conventional tomato from a farmer I trusted over a certified organic one shipped in from California.

BYOB. That's right–bring your own bags. No need to add to the plastic floating around, and saving farmers money on bags saves you money on produce.

Be considerate of other market patrons. Some farmers have a cult-like following. If the line is long, don't take ten minutes with your questions and browsing–keep it short or come back when the line has died down. And please observe the lines–I've had pushy, rude, people cut me in line without so much as a glance in my direction, and nothing kills the festive spirit of the market more than rudeness.

Make your shopping a social event. My favorite local market has live music, guest speakers, ready-to-eat food like smoothies and crepes, yoga, and treats for dogs and kids. Chances are, you'll see the same patrons every week. These community events are a great way to meet new people who may have similar interests as you. Also, they are a great place for kids to learn about where food comes from and to be exposed to new types of fruits and veggies.

Check out multiple markets. If you are fortunate enough to have more than one market in your area, make a point to check them all out. There will probably be some overlap in the vendors, but you just may find that one great combination of products that make one market your personal favorite. Don't rule out smaller markets either: they are often less crowded and more laid back than their bustling, bigger counterparts.

I'm getting excited just thinking about perusing fresh asparagus, sungold cherry tomatoes (THE BEST TOMATOES EVER), and purple potatoes, with a fresh cup of coffee and my dog. To find a farmers market near you, try FarmersMarket.com or the USDA's Farmers' Market Drectory.