Agriculture

Wetzel County, WV and Bergton, VA – PHOTO ESSAY – What does the 1st proposed hydrofracking operation in Virginia have to do with the water supply for citizens of the Shenandoah Valley and the Greater Washington D.C. area? A lot. A Four-Hour Tour “Sit right back” and ride with me through rural WV. See for yourself...
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Washington D.C. – Food Crime – Control of Seeds – Control of Food Supply – I received this email alert today about the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2010. Check out what restrictions it will put on your ability to grow and choose your own food, as well as regulations about food allergies and...
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LEXINGTON, Ky. – Shenandoah Valley Education News: Dana A. Fisher, agricultural educator from Central High School in Woodstock, Va., (pictured) has been selected as the 2010 Virginia winner of the Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher Award – given by the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE). Outstanding Ag Ed Teacher Award winners are agricultural educators who...
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Pennsylvania, U.S.A. – This just in from WENY.com: The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has released a list of more than 80 chemicals used in drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale region. WENY obtained the list and noted that some of the chemicals have been shown to harm human health. View WENY...
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Woodstock, VA – Several hundred parents, friends, and others volunteer for Shenandoah County Public Schools every year. At their June meeting, the Shenandoah County School Board expressed appreciation to all of those who volunteered during the last school year, and awarded plaques and special recognition to the Volunteers of the Year 2010. “We could not...
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Washington, D.C. – This month, Virginia Congressman Bob Goodlatte introduced bipartisan legislation – the Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization and Improvement Act – which will protect the health of the Chesapeake Bay, while also ensuring the strength and vitality of family farms and local communities within the Bay Watershed. “The Chesapeake Bay, the argest estuary...
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Luray, Virginia – It won’t be easy to keep up with the Junior Rangers at Shenandoah National Park! It’s fun and healthy to play in the parks, and now National Park Junior Rangers get an extra reward for “movin’ it outside.” Shenandoah is one of 20 national parks kicking off “Let’s Move Outside Junior Ranger.” ...
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Commonwealth of Virginia – Hold your hats; hold the drilling! Read an attorney’s letter sent to the DMME for yourself. Here’s the latest on the controversial natural gas extraction method called hydrofracking, and its threat to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The following letter was sent to the Director and Deputy Director at the...
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Harrisonburg, VA – Tonight, withstanding an early-morning polling place software glitch, the special election for the Virginia House of Delegates seat in the Shenandoah Valley is history. Broadway businessman Tony Wilt (R) has beat Kai Degner (D), as well as Carolyn Frank (I). 26th District Election Results (unofficial) - Across Rockingham County, Wilt picked up 4,218...
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Woodstock, VA – Forty years ago, the Agriculture students at Central High School in Woodstock, Virginia, planted a former pasture with pine trees, in the hopes of raising funds for their department and the FFA chapter.  The trees in what is now called the Nature Trail have grown through the years, and the area...
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Woodstock, VA – Hey, all you fair lovers and animal lovers! Mark your calendars – This year, The Shenandoah County Fair – Virginia’s Friendliest Fair – will run August 27  through September 4, 2010. Features include: harness racing, food, rides,  games, demolition derbies, a tractor pull, TNA wrestling amazing concerts, and animals of all...
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Luray, VA – Summer days …they are on their way. In years past, kids would learn how to camp, how to build fires, how to survive in the wilderness. They’d go on family outings and learn how to hike trails safely. Seems like these days, more kids end up playing video games. Perhaps, there...
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Woodstock, VA – A combined effort by Friends of the North Fork and others against the spreading of out-of-state biosolids (sewage sludge) on environmentally-sensitive farmland in Shenandoah County has resulted in the granting of an information session and public hearing by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). It is being held on: July 6,...
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Strasburg, VA – With all of the talk about the dangers of nano-foods these days, it’s good to know a place where you can get real homegrown, fresh vegetables in the Shenandoah Valley. Cristina’s Cafe at 219 W. King Street  in Strasburg, Virginia, is now hosting a farmer’s market in their parking lot every Friday...
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New York, NY – Yesterday, I found a wonderful independent news web site, Democracy Now!  With so many of the major media web sites being owned by corporations, and thus what they elect to report  is based on their business and political positions, it’s refreshing to see a source of information that’s uncensored. A Challenge I...
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Strasburg, VA – Openings are still available for the “Cool Cloverbuds” 4-H Day Camp, which will be held at the Strasburg Park from June 28-30. The camp operates from 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. daily and is open to all children who are 5-8 years old. Daily activities include crafts, games, singing, “learn by doing”...
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Shenandoah Valley – Here is an excellent YouTube video on the natural gas drilling frenzy going on along the Marcellus shale (which includes West Virginia and the top portions of Virginia) – and the environmental hazards implicit in the process.  Your drinking water and food supply and health and rights to your private property...
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Rockingham County, Virginia – An article that appeared on citizensvoice.com on May 8, 2010 speaks about what is happening in nearby Pennsylvania that could threaten private property ownership in the Valley – and could threaten the health of Valley residents, the pollution of land and air, and the purity and sustainability of the Valley’s...
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Harrisonburg, VA - hburgnews.com is reporting the following story: “In a release sent out by the Kai Degner campaign, “Harrisonburg Virginia Mayor Degner would like to invite his three opponents, Dave Briggman, Carolyn Frank and Tony Wilt to a series of public debates held every week starting as early as late next week. This would mean...
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HARRISONBURG, VA – Today, Senator Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) thanked Governor Bob McDonnell for granting him the opportunity to serve on the new Governor’s Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring, created by Executive Order No. 2 moments after McDonnell took office on January 16. “It is an honor to be appointed to serve on the Governor’s...
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Shenandoah National Park, VA – It’s that time of year… Native flowers are sprouting up everywhere. Wildflowers are abundant in the Park this year, and will be the “star” of the Shenandoah National Park’s 24th Annual Wildflower Weekend, happening on Saturday, May 8 and Sunday, May 9, 2010. Treat Mom to a breath of...
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Berryville, VA – Straight from the heart of Susi Bailey come these Clarke County happenings for the month of May 2010: - Saturday, MAY 1 – Northern Shenandoah Valley Sacred Harp and Shape Note Singers – performing from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at St. Mary’s Parish Hall, Berryville VA. Directions: From the intersection of Rt 7...
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Shenandoah Valley, Va. – April showers brings May flowers. The Valley is beginning to bloom. And, don’t miss out on the strawberries! On May 29 and 30, in Delaplane, enjoy the “Strawberry Festival” at Sky Meadows State Park. Celebrate Spring,and the region’s strawberry season, with live music, arts and crafts, old-fashioned kids’ games, a...
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Afton, Va – Here’s something a little different. So many kids today, and for that matter so many adults, can tell you just about everything about technology, but when it comes to living in the wild, or building a camp fire, or good old fashioned survival, they would readily admit that they are clueless. The...
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Berryville, VA – Imagine green. Imagine sustainability. Imagine fun. April 22 is Earth Day and to celebrate, join hundreds in the Shenandoah Valley at Valley EarthFest 2010. This Earth Day-inspired festival is eco-friendly to the max.  The festival, now in its third year, continues to grow in popularity.  The all-day event will be held in...
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