A seasons come and seasons go, it can be easy to lose track of time between poultry shipments, corn harvests and cover crop plantings — and while the last year might have brought challenges to farmers throughout the Shenandoah Valley, agriculture remains the heartbeat of the county.
From drought assistance to plentiful strawberry picking and USDA grants awarded to award-winning wines, 2023 was filled with stories that give Rockingham County agriculturalists something to look back on and take note of.
Here are 10 moments that defined area agriculture in 2023:
- The conversation about mental health was brought to farmers’ tables as egg producer Leslie Neff voiced her “farming state of mind” testimony with DN-R readers and Virginia Cooperative Extension hosted a farm safety dinner theater at Showalter’s Orchard.
- The Farm Ministry continued its mission by adding a “Hens of Hope” program designed to provide starter flocks of backyard chickens to the poorest communities of Appalachia in the spring and donating seven hogs to Hope Distributed in the fall.
- Area farmers learned about nutrient management through a class offered by the Department of Conservation and Recreation at Blue Ridge Community College.
- Cross Keys Farm gave residents a glimpse into what opening and closing a farmers market, orchard and vegetable operation entails.
- Mount Crawford Creamery celebrated 10 years of successful dairying.
- Members of the Rockingham County farming community attended a farm bill round-table with state and national legislators.
- Local flowers and flavors were featured at Harmony Harvest Farm during Certified American Grown field-to-vase dinner.
- Rockingham County fairgoers made new memories during the fair’s 75th anniversary activities.
- Backyard gardener Kristina Blyer grew loofah for a Harrisonburg retail store — and taught everyone what exactly a loofah actually is.
- An Elkton-based beef, vegetable and poultry producer received a clean water award from the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
Source: Daily News-Record
