Agriculture

The North River Ranger District plans to conduct 103 acres of prescribed burning Monday in Augusta County.

“I don’t want anyone, young or old, getting caught in an agricultural machine accident,”

Augusta County is inviting residents and visitors to hit the backroads this spring and summer and discover the farms that anchor the region’s agricultural economy.

Virginia’s long‑running drought may finally be easing as the Commonwealth heads into spring.

Puffenbarger’s Sugar Orchard in Blue Grass, Virginia, announced this week that it will remain closed for the final weekend of the Highland County Maple Festival.

Virginia Cooperative Extension has sharply increased its estimate of agricultural losses from the winter storm in late January, placing total direct damages at roughly $19 million across 32 counties.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Health & Human Services recently released updated dietary guidelines that acknowledge the value of prioritizing high-quality protein, dairy and fresh fruits and vegetables to address poor health outcomes across the nation.

While frozen conditions disrupt life on the street level, plants and grasses are insulated from extreme cold as slow-melting snow provides steady moisture and atmospheric nutrients.

The vineyard is poised to become one of the largest family-owned operations in the Mid-Atlantic region once all 200 acres are under vine.

Federal weather officials say Virginia’s deepening drought may linger well into spring, despite the recent blast of winter precipitation.