While there have been a couple of sightings of Vespa mandarinia — commonly called the Asian giant hornet or murder hornet — in North America, there have not been any sightings in Virginia or on the East Coast.

Sadly, we are cancelling the 18th annual Rappahannock Spring Plant Sale scheduled for April 25th at Waterpenny Farm. We will miss hosting this wonderful community gathering that has become a traditional rite of spring for so many of us in the community.

The 2019 Rappahannock County Clean Water Farm Award has been presented to Thomas Atkins, who owns and operates a cow/calf beef operation just outside of Amissville.

Jim Manwaring: Rappahannock will need to “work hard to stay a rural, agricultural county.” 

Did you hear the most recent Weekend Edition Saturday on National Public Radio?

Despite summerlike heat and a rather fierce thunderstorm, the 11th Annual Rappahannock County Farm Tour this past weekend was a resounding success, offering behind-the-scenes glimpses of 14 working farms.

‘These are native grasses, so these were here when the European settlers first arrived’

The 2019 Rappahannock Farm Tour, which will take place the weekend of Sept. 28-29, has something for everybody this year.

Rare Purple Fringeless Orchid is classified as ‘critically imperiled’

People come from all around to see Sperryville resident Tom Lewis’ annual display of Christmas lights and ornamentation, but only his lucky friends and neighbors ever see his summer display of beautiful fruits and vegetables. Lewis harvested 18 bushels of potatoes last week and promptly repl…

Whippoorwill . . . the name melts in your mouth like a soft dinner mint. It conjures up images and sounds of the soft feathered wings of birds in flight, framed in the expanse of a powder blue sky.

179 people in county identify as ‘new and beginning farmers’

18 percent jump in five years

At feed and farm supply stores across the Piedmont right now, baby chicks are chirping away.

“We do a lot of lip service to supporting agriculture in the county, and if we could work with our representatives to get this sort of legislation in Virginia I think it would help [boost] sales of local products.”

Rappahannock County cattle farmers Chris and Caroline Parrish have been presented with the 2018 Bay-Friendly Farm Award by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation at its annual awards dinner in Culpeper.

‘I’ve spent a lot of years in greenhouses killing a lot of bad bugs and bad diseases, I’ve never seen anything like this’

On the eve of a local conference, a Q&A with two couples embracing self-sufficiency

Virginia Tech working to raise awareness, monitor movement of the spotted lanternfly

Vineyards battle back from excessive rain, reduced yields

Washington farm creating ‘nutrient dense’ vitamin packed produce

By Roxanna Pearl Beebe-Center

Cattle ranchers from around the world met in Culpeper this past week for the Red Devon USA Mini Congress. As part of the Red Devon Association, cattlemen from the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, Canada and Mexico began their tour at the Lakota Ranch Farm, which is set on 72…

By Jane Smith

‘Rappahannock County has so much potential . . . but there are still too many obstacles in the way’

Agriculture in the county at a ‘point of transition and uncertainty’

Garrett’s bill would protect state rights where pot is legal

A newly formed steering committee of Rappahannock County farmers and residents will bring the agriculture needs of the county into focus.

The 2017 Rappahannock County Bay-Friendly Farm Award has been presented to The Farm at Sunnyside in Harris Hollow along the banks of the Rush River.

Rappahannock farmers receive up to 85 percent reimbursement

Loblolly pine, dogwood, apple, bald cypress and more

The crush of Virginia’s wine grape harvest “is ahead of schedule, and the fruit is robust,” according to the Virginia Farm Bureau.

Locally sourced food a win-win for students, farmers

Farms must be owned, worked by same family for at least 100 years

Perhaps it’s not surprising that Rappahannock County has more cattle than people.

The Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission has just unveiled a new brand name and colorful logo to promote the region’s locally grown food, including Rappahannock County.

Public hiking and riding trails on horizon; farm’s attorney: ‘We want to integrate ourselves more into the community’

Fourth Estate Friday

After last year’s spring freeze, erratic temperatures are cause for concern

Economic impact of Virginia wines almost doubles to record highs

In the largest competition of American wines in the world —  the 2017 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition in California — Gray Ghost Winery’s 2014 Petit Verdot captured gold medal honors.

4-H thanks Jim Massie