Today marks the first day since 1937 that Virginians 21 and older can legally possess up to one ounce of recreational cannabis and up to four living plants. The measure will go into effect exactly one year after Virginia reduced the severity of simple marijuana possession from a misdemeanor to a civil penalty of up to $25.

Can humans and beavers resolve their conflicts?

The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 legalized hemp farming on a federal level, ending 48 years of hemp prohibition. Soon afterwards processors, growers, and hemp advocates formed the Rappahannock Hemp Cooperative (RHC) with the aspiration of educating and aiding local farmers interested in industrial hemp farming

In observance of National Agriculture Literacy Week (March 15-19), members of the Rappahannock County High School chapter of Future Farmers of America teamed up with Agriculture Education Instructor Michelle Fincham and Ashleigh Cannon of the Rappahannock County Farm Bureau to read to K-2 students about agriculture.

Several Rappahannock County wines swept up awards at the Virginia Governor’s Cup in Richmond this past January, taking home a combined total of 21 medals. 

Bean Hollow farmer Mike Sands has been booking lambs for slaughter that aren’t even born yet. Why? Because since the beginning of the pandemic there has been a boom in demand for local meat while at the same time there’s a shortage of skilled meat cutters to process animals.

The apple season isn’t what it used to be in Rappahannock County, but don’t tell that to the droves of people who in the midst of a stubborn pandemic are devouring all Virginia varieties grown here — Granny Smith to Ginger Gold.

This is the third in a series of conversations with the 2020 Fifth district congressional candidates. Each week, the Rappahannock News will give Republican Bob Good and Democrat Cameron Webb an opportunity to present their views on a single issue. In a continuation of Part III from last week, Webb and Good share their approaches to the concerns of rural voters.

“We’re still here, after 20 years!” proclaims the joyful and bouncy message in the video celebrating Waterpenny Farm’s first two decades. 

The Board of Zoning Appeals met tonight (Wednesday) for a brief but lively regular meeting, which included Vice Chairman Ron Makela moving at the top of the hour to add a conversation about the prominent “Farmers for Trump” hay bales sign at Massies Corner to the agenda. 

Rapp at Home hosted an Zoom session for its members with speakers from two county wineries Gadino Cellars and Quièvremont Vineyard and Winery. 

Centrally located animal processing facility could be built for processing, dry-aging, storing and packaging meats

What made a Wall Street commodities trader swap the Big Apple for Rappahannock and a sheep farm?

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