Podcasts about virginia department

This week, Preston chats with John Odenkirk from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. They discuss John's involvement with the Northern Snakehead introduction into the Potomac River, covering everything from the initial media-driven public hysteria to the current population status and the documented impacts (or lack thereof) of the introduction. They also discuss aquatic species that have been introduced to Virginia that received less publicity, but have shown more negative impacts to Virginia's native populations than what can be attributed to snakeheads. We hope that you enjoy this episode!   Main point: "Don't move fish!" John's email address: john.odenkirk@dwr.virginia.gov   Get in touch with us! The Fisheries Podcast is on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky: @FisheriesPod  Become a Patron of the show: https://www.patreon.com/FisheriesPodcast Buy podcast shirts, hoodies, stickers, and more: https://teespring.com/stores/the-fisheries-podcast-fan-shop Thanks as always to Andrew Gialanella for the fantastic intro/outro music. The Fisheries Podcast is a completely independent podcast, not affiliated with a larger organization or entity. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by the hosts are those of that individual and do not necessarily reflect the view of any entity with those individuals are affiliated in other capacities (such as employers).

(The Center Square) – Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger's decision to rescind former Gov. Glenn Youngkin's Executive Order 47 does not immediately end state or local law enforcement cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to law enforcement officials and the order itself. Executive Order 47, issued by Youngkin in February 2025, required the Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Corrections to enter into 287(g) agreements with ICE. The order also encouraged local law enforcement agencies to participate in the federal immigration enforcement program. Spanberger rescinded the order as part of her first round of executive actions after taking office.Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Winter Tradition Takes Root Frederick County's beloved Restaurant Week returns for its fifth anniversary, bringing 26 diverse eateries together for a week-long celebration of local flavor. Running from January 26th through February 1st, 2026, FredCo Eats has evolved from a modest 15-restaurant launch into a cornerstone event that strengthens the entire regional food economy. In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Wendy May, Marketing Manager for the Frederick County Economic Development Authority, and Dan Myers, owner of Paladin Bar and Grill, to discuss how this initiative has transformed the local dining landscape. Recording from Paladin's original Stephens City location, the trio explores what makes this year's event particularly special. From COVID Recovery to Community Catalyst The story behind FredCo Eats reveals a strategic response to challenging times. Wendy explains that the Economic Development Authority launched the program five years ago as the region emerged from the pandemic. At that time, the organization recognized a critical gap in their community relationships—they needed stronger connections with local restaurants and agricultural producers. Rather than creating a standalone event, however, the EDA developed FredCo Eats as an umbrella brand. This approach allows the initiative to serve as a messaging hub that elevates existing efforts across the entire food economy, from farm crawls to agricultural conferences. Now, the brand is expanding into a standalone website at fredcoeats.com, which will launch in March as a comprehensive resource for anyone looking to start, scale, or expand a food or beverage business in the region. Diverse Dining Options for Every Palate This year's lineup demonstrates remarkable variety in both cuisine and participation style. Restaurants can choose from three categories: multi-course menus, meal deals, or promotional discounts. This flexibility ensures that food trucks, cafes, and fine dining establishments can all participate in ways that make sense for their operations. Among the multi-course menu participants, diners will find Carrabba's Italian Grill, Clem's Kitchen, Curry Cuisine, P2 at Woolen Mill, Paladin, Sal & Gino's, and Vault and Cellar. Meanwhile, meal deal options include Blue Ridge Baking Company, Daily Buzz Cafe (at both Middletown and Stephens City locations), Donut Dive food truck at Weber's Nursery, and Franklin's Smokin Barnyard, also operating from Weber's parking lot. Additionally, the roster features Jordan Springs Market, Laurel Cafe at Laurel Ridge Community College, Mi Ranchito, Paco's Market and Paco's Mexi Mart, Pan D Endz Jamaican Cuisine, Poblanos, Shaffer's Barbecue and Market, both Shawnee Springs Market locations, and West Oaks Farm Market. Rounding out the list, Bam Bam's Barbecue food truck, Italian Touch, and Touch of Italy offer percentage-off promotions. The Original Gangsters Eight establishments have participated every single year since the program's inception, demonstrating their commitment to the community initiative. Both Paladin locations, Vault and Cellar, Daily Buzz, Jordan Springs Market, Paco's Market, Shaffer's Barbecue, and Bam Bam's Barbecue have been there from day one. Paco's journey particularly exemplifies the growth Restaurant Week has witnessed. Starting as a food truck called Paco's Tacos during the first event, the business has since expanded to include Paco's Market and later Paco's Mexi Mart - a testament to how local food businesses can thrive with community support. Local Sourcing Takes Center Stage Dan shares his enthusiasm about this year's special approach at Paladin. For the fifth anniversary, his team is focusing heavily on local sourcing, partnering with West Oaks Farm Market for beef, Spring Valley Greens, obtaining mushrooms from his cousin Jessica Neff at Apple Hill Farm, and incorporating microgreens from Robbie D's operation. Furthermore, Dan reveals that Paige Cross at Farm to Fork (formerly Flour and Water) in Woodstock supplies all the bread for Paladin's restaurants—a behind-the-scenes collaboration that many diners never realize exists. These partnerships not only enhance menu quality but also circulate dollars throughout the local economy. The Stephens City location will feature meatballs, cast-iron cornbread, and locally sourced ingredients, while P2 in Clearbrook will offer a completely different, yet similar menu, including scotch eggs, bruschetta, mushroom carbonara, and duck—proteins that rarely appear on local menus.  More Than Just a Meal Restaurant Week offers participants the chance to win prizes through a passport program. Diners who collect stamps from three or more participating restaurants can enter drawings for prize packs, with each additional stamp beyond three counting as an extra entry. The more restaurants you visit, the better your chances of winning. Passports are available for download and printing at fredcoeats.com, with limited physical copies available at participating restaurants and the Winchester Frederick County Convention and Visitors Bureau. If diners forget to get a stamp, they can submit a photo or receipt as proof of their visit. Beyond individual participation, the event encourages businesses to support one another. Realty companies and other local businesses often bring lunch back to the office or take their teams out during Restaurant Week, creating a "biz-to-biz" camaraderie that strengthens the entire community. Strategic Timing and Lasting Impact The decision to schedule Restaurant Week during the last week of January proves strategic on multiple levels. This timing addresses the natural lull that restaurants experience after the holiday season but before Valentine's Day, providing a much-needed boost during slower months. Moreover, it gives diners a compelling reason to venture out during cold, dark winter evenings when staying home feels more appealing. For restaurant owners like Dan, the event creates exciting internal dynamics as well. His teams at the Stephens City and Clearbrook locations engage in friendly competition throughout the week, tracking which location sells more of each menu item. This competitive spirit energizes staff and drives creativity in menu development. Wendy notes that over the five years, Restaurant Week has fostered genuine relationships among participating restaurants. What began as simple cross-promotion has evolved into restaurant owners visiting each other's establishments, trying menus, meeting staff, and building lasting professional connections that extend well beyond the event itself. Looking Ahead As FredCo Eats enters its sixth year of planning, the initiative continues expanding its mission. The upcoming fredcoeats.com website will serve as a central hub connecting aspiring food entrepreneurs with resources from the county, state, and federal levels, including financing options, contacts at the Extension office, the Small Business Development Center, and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This evolution reflects the program's broader vision: creating a sustainable ecosystem where homesteaders can learn to scale their backyard operations, food trucks can transition to brick-and-mortar locations, and established restaurants can continue growing—all while maintaining the unique character that makes Frederick County's food scene special. Registration for future Restaurant Weeks remains open year-round, with the event consistently scheduled for the last Monday of January. As Wendy emphasizes, the more the community supports local establishments, the more these businesses can thrive and maintain the distinctive flavor that sets Frederick County apart. For complete menus, participating restaurant details, and passport downloads, visit fredcoeats.com and follow the event on Facebook and Instagram using #FredCoEats and #FredCoEatsRW.

How can we live and enjoy a better life? Harmony Harvest Farm began with a lofty dream in 2011 and a vision of helping people to live and experience a better life through fresh flowers. Jessica Hall of Harmony Harvest Farm and Flower Genius joined Mary, Jeff, and Eric for a conversation about the farm business's vision, mission, values, and history.Jessica owns and operates the farm business with her mom and sister in Weyers Cave, Virginia. Jessica and her family believe Virginia-grown and American-grown flowers should be accessible to everyone, everywhere. To fulfill this vision and mission, they built up soil health and nourished their flowers from the start, while being mindful of good land management, soil erosion, irrigation needs, and bed layout to fit the topography. Jessica emphasizes that a sustainable business that lives its values needs a complete toolbox with the right tools at the right time for the right application. For Jessica and Harmony Harvest Farm, the toolbox includes a strong, growing network of personal and business mentors. To learn about their heirloom chrysanthemums, plan a pick-your-own flower trip, experience a virtual mum summit and on-farm educational events, or order a floral bouquet, please visit Harmony Harvest Farm's website. We can all be 4 The Soil, for the future! Here is how with four principles:1) Keep the soil covered -- with living plants and residue. Cover crops are our friends and allies; avoid leaving soil bare.2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage as much as possible in your field or garden.3) Maximize living roots -- for the longest time to improve biodiversity, soil structure, and life in the soil.4) Energize with diversity -- aboveground and belowground with high-quality food for soil and plants, and integration of livestock on cropland. If you are interested in art and framing the 4 The Soil posters for your office or home, the 16” by 20” posters are available for purchase and printing as single posters or a set of five posters.If you have questions about soil and water conservation practices, natural resource concerns, and soil health principles and practices to restore the life in your soil, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.  4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today's program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.

Leader 2 Leader Series:Join Chamber President and CEO, Susan Spears on a journey as she interviews some of the top community leaders in this series. Susan and her guests will share their insight and wisdom on making teams more effective, leveling up your communication skills, and building the courage to lead during difficult times. The Leader2Leader series is about making the most of it all —with insights, research, advice, practical tips, and expertise to help you become the leader you desire to be.Today's Guest: Christopher Lindsay, Chief Operating Officer, Virginia Department of Health

To celebrate the incredible working relationship between Fishing the DMV and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, this special long-form compilation episode brings together multiple in-depth biologist reports covering Virginia's most iconic and productive river systems. This episode is packed with science-backed insight, fish population trends, and actionable information every serious angler should know heading into 2025.·      (Tidal) Potomac River with biologist John Odenkirk·      Shenandoah River System with biologist Jason Hallacher·      North Fork of the Holston River with Justin Helflin·      New River System biologist Kristen Chestnut-Faull.·      Upper James River system (Non-Tidal) withbiologist Hunter Hatcher·      York River, Chickahominy, Appomattox and Tidal James River with Biologist Margaret WhitmoreThis special compilation episode kicks off on the Potomac River with veteran biologist John Odenkirk, breaking down the 2025 fisheries report and the current health of bass and invasive snakehead populations in Virginia's tidal waters. From there, we dive into the Shenandoah River system with biologist Jason Hallacher, covering new sampling data across the North Fork, South Fork, and Main Stem, highlighting improving smallmouth numbers, strong sunfish action, successful stocking efforts, and ongoing habitat recovery.The episode then travels across Virginia's most iconic river systems, including the North Fork of the Holston River with Justin Helflin, the legendary New River with Kristen Chestnut-Faull, and the Upper James River with Hunter Hatcher. These segments explore trophy smallmouth potential, population trends, and survey results that reveal why these rivers continue to thrive. The compilation wraps up with a comprehensive tidal breakdown from Margaret Whitmore, covering the Tidal James, Appomattox, Chickahominy, and the often-overlooked Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers—spotlighting some of Virginia's most productive and underrated fisheries heading into the upcoming season.Biologist Reports & Forecasts: https://dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/forecasts-and-reports/non-tidal-river-fishing-forecast/Please support Fishing the DMV on Patreon!!! https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcastIf you are interested in being on the show or a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to me at fishingtheDMV@gmail.com Jake's bait & Tackle Website: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/ Link to Tactical Fishing Company: https://tacticalfishingco.com/ Click the link below to get 15% off any roll-on when you use the code BLUEFISH.BlueStuff.com/FishingtheDMV   #bassfishing #fishingtheDMV #fishingtips Support the show

A desire and passion for caring for the earth, soil, and the natural environment can start at a young age.Fatema Mohajir and her family are from the Bamyan province in central Afghanistan. As a child, Fatema's family lived in Iran, where her father worked at a large-scale vegetable farm. Fatema's father and older brother inspired her interest in soil science and farming.Fatema studied at Kabul University and graduated in 2020. As a part of her studies, Fatema participated in a year-long Permaculture Program led by Rosemary Marrow from Australia. After graduating, Fatema received a scholarship to study in Uzbekistan, where she focused on bioeconomy and irrigation.Fatema moved to the United States in 2023 and has been working at the Farm at Willow Run in Harrisonburg for the past two seasons. Fatema shares about her interest in organic farming and her overall aim to be a role model for others in caring for the earth, soil, and the bioeconomy.To learn about Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community's farm-to-table initiative and the Farm at Willow Run, please visit https://www.vmrc.org/the-farm. You can listen to Rosemary Morrow's Journey to Permaculture on The Permaculture Podcast.We can all be 4 The Soil, for the future! Here is how with four principles:1) Keep the soil covered -- with living plants and residue. Cover crops are our friends and allies; avoid leaving soil bare.2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage as much as possible in your field or garden.3) Maximize living roots -- for the longest time to improve biodiversity, soil structure, and life in the soil.4) Energize with diversity -- aboveground and belowground with high-quality food for soil and plants, and integration of livestock on cropland. If you are interested in art and framing the 4 The Soil posters for your office or home, the 16” by 20” posters are available for purchase and printing as single posters or a set of five posters.If you have questions about soil and water conservation practices, natural resource concerns, and soil health principles and practices to restore the life in your soil, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.  4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today's program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.

As agencies look to modernize healthcare systems, technology leaders face a unique challenge: driving innovation while safeguarding sensitive personal data and meeting strict regulatory requirements.   This week on Feds At the Edge, we hear from two unique perspectives on how to modernize healthcare safely, strategically, and effectively.   Suresh Soundararajan, CIO for the Virginia Department of Health, explains why technology initiatives fail when they aren't aligned with organizational strategy, and why success should be measured through meaningful outcomes like patient satisfaction and reduced processing times, not change for change's sake.  Nasheb Ismaily, Principal Solutions Engineer, Public Sector at Cloudera Government Solutions, introduces the concept of "precision health," showing how predictive analytics can help identify risks earlier, shift care away from costly emergency interventions, and improve long-term outcomes.    Tune in on your favorite podcast platform for this conversation that underscores the importance of shared vision, cultural change, and a deliberate, strategic approach to technology adoption in healthcare.   

How can we care for the soil and farm for better health outcomes?   Dr. Christine Mahoney of the University of Virginia's Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and Wayflowering Flower Farm joins Mary and Eric for a conversation about soil health, regenerative farm design, and organic flower farming. Dr. Mahoney shares how better outcomes, such as health, peace, and tranquility, can be achieved through enriching the soil, enhancing biodiversity, sequestering carbon, strengthening local ecosystems, and supporting pollinator habitats. For Dr. Mahoney, caring for the soil and creating an incredible place for flowers, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators is foundational and inspirational. Please visit https://www.wayflowering.com/ to learn more about cut-your-own flower opportunities and immersive experiences at Wayflowering Flower Farm. For details about the flower farming course and podcast that inspired and influenced Dr. Mahoney's thoughts on farm design and organic no-till flower farming, please visit Floret Flowers and The No-Till Flowers Podcast.    We can all be 4 The Soil, for the future! Here is how with four principles:1) Keep the soil covered -- with living plants and residue. Cover crops are our friends and allies; avoid leaving soil bare.2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage as much as possible in your field or garden.3) Maximize living roots -- for the longest time to improve biodiversity, soil structure, and life in the soil.4) Energize with diversity -- aboveground and belowground with high-quality food for soil and plants, and integration of livestock on cropland. If you are interested in art and framing the 4 The Soil posters for your office or home, the 16” by 20” posters are available for purchase and printing as single posters or a set of five posters.If you have questions about soil and water conservation practices, natural resource concerns, and soil health principles and practices to restore the life in your soil, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.  4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today's program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.

What does it take to build an archery event that welcomes first-timers, seasoned competitors, bowhunters, kids, families — and everyone in between?In this episode of the Green Top Outdoors Podcast, Hunter and Todd sit down in the Green Top podcast studio with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources to talk about the 2nd Annual Virginia DWR Archery Open, coming up January 10th at Richmond Raceway.You'll hear from:Ben Fairbanks, Archery Education Coordinator for DWRKelsey Steinberg, Community Engagement & External RelationsShelby, Public Information Officer

Mary, The Tunnel Boring Machine arrived with fanfare, performed flawlessly, and is preparing to head home to Germany. Mary's successful mission is a 2025 crowning achievement for the HRBT Expansion Project. In today's installment of HRBT Tunnel Talk, project personnel revisit her milestones in delivering twin bored tunnels for the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Gigaprojects aren't hard to spot: deep complexity, massive stakeholder groups, wildly ambitious scopes and a major boost to national economies. We discuss two gigaprojects with: Ryan Banas, project director for the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel expansion project and VP at HNTB in Norfolk, Virginia, USA; and Chris Hall, district engineer at the Virginia Department of Transportation in Hampton, Virginia, USA: Banas and Hall discuss how their teams prepared for the years-long bridge and tunnel project, how they keep teams aligned across multiple hand-offs, and the clever ways they engage stakeholders—including community members affected by construction.  Mohammed Almutlaq, project management office VP at the Royal Commission for AlUla in Riyadh: Almutlaq shares how teams are turning the historical site of AlUla into an archaeological tourism destination. He discusses how the PMO keeps teams across portfolios aligned to a singular strategy, ways teams best communicate and keep track of progress across projects, and builds flexibility into projects through solid change management practices.Key themes01:42 Managing a multibillion-dollar infrastructure overhaul in Virginia04:42 How teams collaborate to tackle years-long projects07:41 Good practices for hand-offs across the project life cycle10:12 Keeping the community informed—and building buy-in for the long haul15:44 Transforming the ancient city of AlUla into a tourism hub18:18 How a PMO keeps multiple teams aligned to one strategic vision21:19 Building adaptability into projects with change management25:06 Top challenges: continuous value delivery and retaining the right talent  over long timelines 

In this episode, we speak with Gerald Lackey, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, about how the state is using new innovative technology and deep learning to reinvent behind the wheel testing. Host: Ian Grossman Producer: Claire Jeffrey, Chelsey Hadwin, and Kayle Nguyen Music: Gibson Arthur

Why not start a week off with a podcast edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement? There are likely many answers why not with a primary one being that it is atypical for such a program to be sent out through this feed on a Monday morning. Perhaps a better question is why produce audio versions of this newsletter at all? The answer to that is simply just to take a listen and hear for yourself.In this edition:* Charlottesville City Council is briefed on transportation happenings, including plans to hire at least ten bus drivers a year until there's a total of 108 (read the story)* The Virginia Department of Transportation says Charlottesville is making progress towards delivering transportation projects, but the city is still deficient (read the story)* A future UVA Engineering Building gets boost from use of strategic funds (read the story)* The UVA Buildings and Grounds gets updates on various projects and adds repairs to Steele Wing to the Major Capital Plan (read the story)* Charlottesville Planning Commission gets updates on UVA projects (read the story)Shout-out to Patreon-fueled shout-outs!Since the beginning of this newsletter, several organizations and one business have been supporters of Town Crier Productions with a $25 monthly contribution funded through Patreon or some other financial method! That system is slowly giving away to something different but I thought I would take this special Monday morning slot to thank the following for still sticking to it:* Alliance Francaise* Camp Albemarle* Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards* Charlottesville E-Bike Lending Library* Cville Jazz Society* Design Develop* Plant Virginia Natives* Re-Leaf* Rivanna Conservation Alliance* WTJUIf you have a moment, take a look at any of the ones that sound interesting to you. Learn something new! A new system of shout-outs will come into place in 2026 and if you're interested in sponsorship opportunities, please drop me a line. I'm a one-person information outlet and for that number to go up, I have to continue to grow revenue. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Recent state reports and the upcoming legislative session could mean changes for how the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice is operated. Dave Cantor has more.

What role can social entrepreneurship have in building soil health and achieving positive ecological goals?Mary and Eric explore this question with Dr. Christine Mahoney of the University of Virginia's Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and Wayflowering Flower Farm. Dr. Mahoney shares her own experiences with social enterprises, systems thinking, and regenerative organic flower farming in this episode. Dr. Mahoney reflects on the catalytic effect organizations and businesses can have on innovation and change, such as enriching the soil, enhancing biodiversity, sequestering carbon, strengthening local ecosystems, and supporting pollinator habitats.To learn more about cut-your-own flower opportunities and immersive experiences at Wayflowering Flower Farm, please visit https://www.wayflowering.com/.If you want to become a member of the Central Virginia Flower Collective, send an email inquiry to CVAFlowers@gmail.com. If you are interested in impact investing, specifically related to displaced people and refugees, please visit the Refugee Investment Network that Dr. Mahoney helped found at https://refugeeinvestments.org/As always, we encourage you to cooperate with other farmers, graziers, and gardeners for peer-to-peer learning and to follow the four core soil health principles: 1) Keep the soil covered -- Cover crops are our friends and allies; avoid bare fallows;2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage as much as possible in your field or garden;3) Maximize living roots year-round -- to improve biodiversity, soil structure, and life in the soil; and4) Energize with diversity -- through crop rotation, high-quality food for soil and plants, farm enterprises, and livestock integration. If you have questions about soil and water conservation practices, natural resource concerns, and soil health principles and practices to restore the life in your soil, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.  4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today's program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.

As December arrives in the Shenandoah Valley, most residents brace for winter's first flakes with equal parts nostalgia and dread. Yet for Ken Slack, communications specialist for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the "S-word" signals something far more serious: the start of long days, sleepless nights, and the full activation of a year-round effort to keep the region moving safely. During this year's annual "Snow Show" on The Valley Today, host Janet Michael talks with Ken to uncover what really happens behind the scenes before, during, and after winter storms. The conversation reveals a complex system of planning, people, equipment, and science—all working together to protect the Shenandoah Valley's roads. A Year-Round Operation: Preparing for Winter in July Although most Virginians don't think about snow until the weather turns cold, VDOT never stops planning for winter. Ken explains that salt acquisition, equipment preparation, and contractor coordination happen "pretty much year-round." Because Mid-Atlantic states often pull from the same salt suppliers, VDOT begins stockpiling materials months in advance. By early summer, the agency starts contracting plow operators and supplemental crews—critical partners, since VDOT alone cannot cover the 11-county region with 150 miles of Interstate 81 in the Staunton District. For many contractors, winter work fills seasonal employment gaps, making it a mutually beneficial relationship. As fall approaches, VDOT conducts "dry runs," where plows, spreaders, dump trucks, graders, and even the occasional snowblower undergo rigorous inspection. Mechanics check everything from hydraulics to electronic components to the flashing safety lights. New operators also drive their designated routes with seasoned staff to learn every cul-de-sac, mailbox, driveway, and hazard before the first storm arrives. More Than Machines: The Human Infrastructure VDOT's winter workforce extends far beyond plow drivers. The agency maintains equipment repair shops in multiple locations—including Staunton, Winchester, Harrisonburg, and Alleghany County—staffed with specialists who not only service vehicles in the shop but often crawl under trucks on the roadside during storms. The agency also relies on dozens of employees whose regular jobs have nothing to do with snow removal. During weather events, environmental staff, surveyors, office workers, and administrative teams might be reassigned to phone operations, storm reporting, or road-condition updates that feed directly into the statewide 511 Virginia system. As Ken puts it, "VDOT is an all-hands-on-deck operation whenever it snows." Forecasting the Fight: Science Meets Local Knowledge Weather drives nearly every decision VDOT makes during a storm. To stay ahead, the agency collaborates closely with two National Weather Service offices—Sterling for the northern Shenandoah Valley and Blacksburg for the southern region—while also relying on a private forecasting consultant. However, the most valuable insights often come from the ground. Supervisors stationed throughout the district contribute hyperlocal knowledge about cold pockets, shaded roadways, tricky curves, and elevations where conditions can change dramatically within a few miles. This matters in a district that stretches from Page County's valleys to Highland County's rugged ridges, nicknamed "Virginia's Switzerland" for its long, snowy seasons. Understanding Treatments: Brine, Salt, and Abrasives One of the most common misconceptions among drivers involves road treatments—particularly when VDOT chooses not to pre-treat ahead of a storm. Ken clarifies that brine (a saltwater solution) only works when applied well in advance of snowfall. If a storm begins with rain, the liquid simply washes away. That's why VDOT carefully times its anti-icing operations 24 to 36 hours before precipitation arrives. Salt remains the standard treatment, but once temperatures drop into the low 20s or teens, its effectiveness weakens. That's when the agency may incorporate abrasives—fine, gritty particles smaller than pea gravel—to help vehicles gain traction. In extreme cold, VDOT may also use calcium chloride, a more potent but costlier option reserved for the harshest conditions. And yes—VDOT mixes its own brine in giant onsite tanks equipped with agitators. The Interstates Come First: Prioritizing What Matters Most When snow starts falling, VDOT's first priority is always the interstates and major primary roads that support hospitals, fire and rescue, commercial trucking, and essential travel. During heavy storms, plow operators may spend the entire event clearing a single 30-mile stretch of Interstate 81, circling back and forth until snowfall eases. Only once the major routes are reasonably clear can operators move to secondary roads and neighborhoods. Why Staying Home Makes a Difference Both Janet and Ken stress one message above all: staying off the roads during storms dramatically improves safety—and speeds up VDOT's work. "It's a lot easier to plow a road that doesn't have any vehicles on it," Ken explains. Fewer cars mean fewer accidents, fewer stuck vehicles blocking lanes, and fewer obstacles for plow drivers navigating low visibility and icy conditions. For those who must drive—retail workers, health-care employees, and service professionals—Ken offers clear advice: leave early, drive slowly, avoid sudden movements, and give yourself far more stopping distance than usual. And when in doubt, assume the road is icy—especially when freezing rain creates hazardous, nearly invisible "black ice." Tools for Drivers: 511 and Real-Time Road Temperature Data VDOT's 511 Virginia system provides far more than traffic cameras. Drivers can access pavement temperature readings, weather station data, alerts, and real-time incident reports—tools that help them decide when (or whether) to travel. Even VDOT staff use the traffic cameras to track approaching storms: "They'll watch the snow hit Mount Jackson, and they know it's coming next." A Final Word: Respect the Storm As the conversation ends, Ken offers one last reminder: preparation, patience, and caution remain the keys to a safer winter season. Whether you're a commuter, a weekend traveler, or just someone who loves snow days, VDOT's work depends on drivers doing their part. And if you need an excuse to stay home? Janet jokes that she'll be citing Ken personally.

Health and nutrition start with caring for the soil. Food can and should be our medicine. Dr. Robin "Buz" Kloot of the University of South Carolina's Arnold School of Public Health and Soil Health Labs shares his perspective on connections with soil health and public health with Eric, Mary, and Jeff in this episode. Buz reflects on his own research but also points out what he has heard from farmers and ranchers he has worked with through the years. Building on the idea that eating is an agricultural act and food can be medicine, Buz would like health professionals, agronomists, soil scientists, farmers, and ranchers to collaborate more on soil and public health research and education.In addition to your own research and study of soil and human health, Buz recommends reading Fred Provenza's book Nourishment: What Animals Can Teach Us about Rediscovering Our Nutritional Wisdom. As always, we encourage you to cooperate with other farmers, graziers, and gardeners for peer-to-peer learning and to follow the four core soil health principles: 1) Keep the soil covered -- Cover crops are our friends and allies; avoid bare fallows;2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage as much as possible in your field or garden;3) Maximize living roots year-round -- to improve biodiversity, soil structure, and life in the soil; and4) Energize with diversity -- through crop rotation, high-quality food for soil and plants, farm enterprises, and livestock integration. The 4 The Soil team recently commissioned a new set of art posters to help people remember the four principles of soil health and celebrate that “We Are 4 the Soil!”.  If you are personally or professionally interested in printing and framing the soil health artwork, the 16” by 20” posters are available for purchase and printing as single posters or a set of five posters.If you have questions about soil and water conservation practices, natural resource concerns, and soil health principles and practices to restore the life in your soil, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.  4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today's program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.

Host Radell Lewis sits down with Clarence H. Carter, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Human Services and author of "Our Net Has Holes In It," for an in-depth discussion on transforming America's broken welfare system and addressing the homelessness crisis. About the Guest: Clarence H. Carter is a career human services (safety net) administrator with 30+ years of experience in the administration of programs and agencies dedicated to serving economically, socially, and developmentally vulnerable Americans. Throughout his distinguished career, he has served in the administrations of two presidents, four governors, and one mayor, bringing unprecedented bipartisan expertise to social safety net reform. His unique perspective comes from working across both Democratic and Republican administrations, making him a true "solutionist" focused on practical outcomes over partisan politics. Connect with Clarence Carter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarence-carter-aaa0096 Book: "Our Net Has Holes In It" (Available on Amazon) Key Topics Covered: Welfare reform strategies that focus on growing individual capacity rather than perpetual dependency American safety net programs: Understanding the 114 federally authorized support programs and how to connect them effectively Homelessness solutions through housing-first approaches and Section 8 housing reform Poverty reduction strategies that balance compassionate care with economic efficiency Bipartisan policy solutions that appeal to both progressive and conservative values Social services reform: Moving from program-centric to consumer-centric human services Economic vulnerability and the wealth disparity gap in America Mental health support integration within comprehensive assistance programs Key Insights from 30+ Years of Experience: Why America spends $1.49 trillion annually on public supports but still fails vulnerable populations The "cliff effect" problem: How current welfare programs create disincentives for advancement Real success stories of welfare-to-work programs that restore dignity and freedom How to implement universal human development assessments for better outcomes The navigator/concierge model for helping families escape poverty Demonstration authority and policy experimentation for program improvement Lessons learned from implementing reforms in Virginia, District of Columbia, Arizona, and Tennessee Carter's Vision: "Strengthen America by strengthening Americans" - A philosophy centered on meeting vulnerable individuals where they are with the objective of growing them beyond dependency. His approach combines the heart of progressive compassion with the fiscal responsibility valued by conservatives, creating a truly purple political solution. Real-World Experience: Drawing from his tenure as: Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Human Services (current) Commissioner, Virginia Department of Social Services Director, District of Columbia Department of Human Services Leadership roles in Arizona's human services system Federal administration positions under two presidents Political Philosophy: This episode exemplifies purple politics at its finestfinding common ground between red and blue perspectives on social welfare, government spending, public assistance programs, and individual responsibility. Both host and guest explore how caring for vulnerable Americans and fiscal responsibility aren't mutually exclusive goals. Perfect For: Policy enthusiasts, social workers, nonprofit leaders, political moderates, human services professionals, government administrators, anyone interested in poverty alleviation, homelessness advocacy, welfare policy, government efficiency, social safety net reform, and bipartisan solutions to America's most pressing challenges. Related Topics: SNAP benefits, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), social services administration, human services policy, economic mobility, intergenerational poverty, public housing reform, case management systems, outcomes-based metrics, person-centered services, Tennessee Department of Human Services About Purple Political Breakdown: Hosted by Radell Lewis, Purple Political Breakdown is your source for nonpartisan political analysis that bridges divides and focuses on practical solutions. The podcast features regular segments including "Nuanced News," "Deep Dive Trends," and "Good News," with live Wednesday panel discussions at 6:30 PM EST and Sunday broadcasts at 8 AM EST. About Host Radell Lewis: Former Ballotpedia Fellow, Outreach Coordinator for STAR Voting, and political analyst dedicated to finding common ground across political divides. Radell brings a solution-focused approach to complex policy issues, emphasizing practical outcomes over partisan talking points. Connect with Purple Political Breakdown: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram Subscribe for weekly episodes and political insights Rate us 5 stars and share with friends who value nuanced political discussion #WelfareReform #PovertyReduction #HomelessnessSolutions #BipartisanPolicy #SocialSafetyNet #PublicAssistance #PoliticalPodcast #PurplePolitics #PolicySolutions #SocialServices #EconomicMobility #GovernmentReform #ClarenceCarter #HumanServices #TennesseePoliticsStandard Resource Links & RecommendationsThe following organizations and platforms represent valuable resources for balanced political discourse and democratic participation: PODCAST NETWORKALIVE Podcast Network - Check out the ALIVE Network where you can catch a lot of great podcasts like my own, led by amazing Black voices. Link: https://alivepodcastnetwork.com/ CONVERSATION PLATFORMSHeadOn - A platform for contentious yet productive conversations. It's a place for hosted and unguided conversations where you can grow a following and enhance your conversations with AI features. Link: https://app.headon.ai/Living Room Conversations - Building bridges through meaningful dialogue across political divides. Link: https://livingroomconversations.org/ UNITY MOVEMENTSUs United - A movement for unity that challenges Americans to step out of their bubbles and connect across differences. Take the Unity Pledge, join monthly "30 For US" conversation calls, wear purple (the color of unity), and participate in National Unity Day every second Saturday in December. Their programs include the Sheriff Unity Network and Unity Seats at sports events, proving that shared values are stronger than our differences. Link: https://www.us-united.org/ BALANCED NEWS & INFORMATIONOtherWeb - An AI-based platform that filters news without paywalls, clickbait, or junk, helping you access diverse, unbiased content. Link: https://otherweb.com/ VOTING REFORM & DEMOCRACYEqual Vote Coalition & STAR Voting - Advocating for voting methods that ensure every vote counts equally, eliminating wasted votes and strategic voting. Link: https://www.equal.vote/starFuture is Now Coalition (FiNC) - A grassroots movement working to restore democracy through transparency, accountability, and innovative technology while empowering citizens and transforming American political discourse. Link: https://futureis.org/ POLITICAL ENGAGEMENTIndependent Center - Resources for independent political thinking and civic engagement. Link: https://www.independentcenter.org/ GET DAILY NEWSText 844-406-INFO (844-406-4636) with code "purple" to receive quick, unbiased, factual news delivered to your phone every morning via Informed (https://informed.now) ALL LINKShttps://linktr.ee/purplepoliticalbreakdownThe Purple Political Breakdown is committed to fostering productive political dialogue that transcends partisan divides. We believe in the power of conversation, balanced information, and democratic participation to build a stronger society. Our mission: "Political solutions without political bias."Subscribe, rate, and share if you believe in purple politics - where we find common ground in the middle! Also if you want to be apart of the community and the conversation make sure to Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/ptPAsZtHC9

WMAL GUEST: MICHELLE HOLLAND (Spokesperson, Virginia Department of Transportation) on the I-495 Express Lanes Extension Opening This Saturday and New Connections at the Dulles Toll Road WEBSITE: VirginiaDOT.org SOCIAL MEDIA: @VaDOTNOVA Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Friday, November 21, 2025 / 6 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 6 AM hour, Andrew Langer and Patrice Onwuka discussed: WMAL GUEST: CULLY STIMSON (Deputy Director, Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at The Heritage Foundation) on His Daily Signal Article: "30-Year JAG Veteran Schools Democrats for Video Calling for Sedition in the Military" WMAL GUEST: MICHELLE HOLLAND (Spokesperson, Virginia Department of Transportation) on the I-495 Express Lanes Extension Opening This Saturday CAPITOL SCARE: A Fire Erupted in the U.S. Capitol Trolley System Tunnels Last Night Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Friday, November 21, 2025 / 6 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this insightful episode of the Public Sector Podcast, Sylvester Hubbard, Director of Enterprise Application Services at the Virginia Department of Corrections, takes listeners inside the complex world of data-driven corrections. He explains how the Department manages vast amounts of data—from inmate management and facility security to re-entry programs and workforce operations—and the challenge of connecting these isolated systems to drive smarter, safer, and more effective decision-making. Hubbard shares how his team is using AI, analytics, and modernization to transform correctional operations, improve efficiency, and support rehabilitation. From predictive insights and automated security systems to mobile access and real-time reporting, he demonstrates how innovation can enhance both safety and opportunity—while reminding us that technology is only as powerful as the people who use it with purpose and integrity. Sylvester Hubbard III, Director of Enterprise Application Services, Virginia Department of Corrections For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co  

Changing course is never easy, especially if the change requires a complete overhaul at the most basic, fundamental level. Dr. Robin "Buz" Kloot of the University of South Carolina's Arnold School of Public Health and Soil Health Labs talks with Eric, Mary, and Jeff about this paradigm shift among farmers and within the soil science community.Buz explains how the shift in thinking and paradigms occurred. In many cases, people were focused more on the symptoms rather than the cause, for instance, soil loss through erosion or poor water infiltration. Understanding the underlying cause required a whole-system approach. For Buz, an open mind to farmers' stories and experiences, and a beginner's mindset as a scientist were required to truly grasp the dynamic nature of soil.         If you are beginning your journey with soil health and cover cropping systems, the featured length Under Cover Farms video, Buz and his team produced, provides a good introduction and uplifts the initial experiences of farmers in South and North Carolina. As always, we encourage you to cooperate with other farmers, graziers, and gardeners for peer-to-peer learning and to follow the four core soil health principles: 1) Keep the soil covered -- Cover crops are our friends and allies; avoid bare fallows;2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage as much as possible in your field or garden;3) Maximize living roots year-round -- to improve biodiversity, soil structure, and life in the soil; and4) Energize with diversity -- through crop rotation, high-quality food, farm enterprises, and livestock integration. The 4 The Soil team recently commissioned a new set of art posters to help people remember the four principles of soil health and celebrate that “We Are 4 the Soil!”.  If you would like to learn about the history of the art posters and access a link to purchase an individual poster or the set of five 4 The Soil posters, please visit our recent blog post: Spreading the Message for Healthy Soil with Posters!If you have questions about soil and water conservation practices, natural resource concerns, and soil health principles and practices to restore the life in your soil, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.  4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today's program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.

A nonpartisan state report issued today/Monday said people who participated in education programs run by the Virginia Department of Corrections were less likely to be rearrested after release. They also were more likely to find employment and earn a higher wage than those who weren't enrolled in classes. Dave Cantor has more.

On this exciting episode of Fishing the DMV revisit in old episode from a couple years ago that is extremely topical sense. The invasive Alabama Bass was found in Smith Mountain Lake this past week!! I have the privilege to head to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources headquarters in Richmond to discuss the invasive Alabama Bass problem. The Alabama Bass represents a tremendous threat to Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass fisheries. Alabama bass negatively impact smallmouth bass by outcompeting them for resources, hybridizing with them to the point of replacing the native species, and creating fisheries with smaller adult bass. Links are below to all the information discussed along with social media platforms for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.   Please support Fishing the DMV on Patreon!!!https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcast If you are interested in being on the show or a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to me at fishingtheDMV@gmail.com To Report an Alabama Bass please call: 804-367-1000 or email at: fisheries@dwr.virginia.gov Alabama Bass Information resource: https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/fish/alabama-bass/  Virginia Department of Wildlife Resource YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@VirginiaDWR  Virginia Department of Wildlife Resource Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaDWR?mibextid=LQQJ4d Virginia Department of Wildlife Resource Instagram:https://instagram.com/virginiawildlife?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Virginia Department of Wildlife Resource Website: https://dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/ Fishing the DMV YouTube Channel:          https://youtu.be/n3c-CFvmpFg Places you can listen to Fishing the DMV Audio version:           https://www.buzzsprout.com/1893009 Fishing the DMV Instagram page:          https://www.instagram.com/fishingthedmv/?utm_medium=copy_link  #FishingtheDMV #fishing #bassfishingSupport the show

Did you know soil microorganisms of all sizes and shapes need water, air, shelter, and care to function and thrive? Dr. Ashley Jernigan, assistant professor and director of Virginia Tech's Sustainable and Organic Vegetable Crops Production Lab, returns to talk with Jeff and Mary about what farmers and gardeners can do to encourage a hospitable habitat for soil microorganisms.As a soil ecologist, Ashley recommends keeping track of your soil organic matter level and its aggregate stability, and how these soil health indicators compare to native biological systems. Soils, like people, need quality food in diverse and complex forms (compost, green manures, plant roots, etc.). Similarly, farmers and gardeners should avoid leaving the soil naked and bare. Being gentle and reducing the intensity of tillage is also key to maintaining a comfortable environment for soil critters and not disrupting the structures and networks that soil organisms establish.   We would encourage our listeners to visit Andy Murray's A Chaos of Delight: Exploring Life in the Soil website and tour the gallery of photos of different soil microorganisms. As always, we encourage you to cooperate with other farmers, graziers, and gardeners for peer-to-peer learning and to follow the four core soil health principles: 1) Keep the soil covered -- Cover crops are our friends and allies; avoid bare fallows;2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage as much as possible in your field or garden ;3) Maximize living roots year-round -- to improve biodiversity, soil structure, and life in the soil; and4) Energize with diversity -- through crop rotation, high-quality food, farm enterprises,  and livestock integration. To enjoy recent 4 The Soil blog posts and additional soil health resources, please visit https://www.4thesoil.org/blog and https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices, natural resource concerns, and soil health principles and practices to restore the life in your soil, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.  4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today's program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.

So the question this week is do deer have the ability to apply quick-witted intelligence? Or are they simply reacting to their environment in a way that has repeatedly had a positive outcome in the past? I think you know the answer because lets be honest if deer were smart they wouldn't travel in a pattern. UPO Gear & Such- https://uponation.co/ UPO Social Media- https://linktrh.ee/underpressureoutdoorsBecome a Patron- https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45295718Deep Roots Rifle Company-https://deeprootsrifleco.com/ Penn State Deer-Forest Study (2013–Present): GPS-collar research on deer movement, site fidelity, and behavior. https://www.deer.psu.eduOzoga, J.J. & Verme, L.J. (1982) – “Social organization, behavior, and learning in captive white-tailed deer.” Michigan DNR Research Report 306.Swihart, R.K., Pignatello, J.J., & Mattina, M.J. (1991) – “Aversive responses of white-tailed deer to predator urines.” Journal of Chemical Ecology, 17(4), 767–777.North American Whitetail (2018) – “The Science Behind a Deer's Sense of Smell.”Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (2018) – Managing White-tailed Deer in Suburban Environments

Plus: Charlottesville tourism spending is up; Virginia Department of Health tweaks vaccine recommendations; FOIA proposal to be heard at Richmond City Council's meeting tonight; and other stories.

How do you regenerate and bring back life to worn-out soils? Does your garden soil just fall apart in your hands? Dr. Ashley Jernigan, assistant professor and director of Virginia Tech's Sustainable and Organic Vegetable Crops Production Lab, in visiting with Jeff and Mary, advises doing your own test in your garden or crop field with a shovel.As someone who enjoyed digging soil pits as a seven-year-old, Ashley recommends sampling to a six-inch depth to get a sense of your soil's tilth and aggregate stability. If the soil does not have a good, varied crumbly structure, the soil's organic matter content and aggregate stability may be low. Therefore, feed your soil and soil animals to feed your plants to start the biological journey and bring back the life in the soil.If you have ever wondered what soil animals like springtails and soil mites look like, Dr. Jernigan developed a Soil Mesofauna: Who are They? resource guide to help. Ashley also highly recommends Andy Murray's Chaos of Delight: Exploring Life in the Soil website for wonderful photos and videos. As always, we encourage you to cooperate with other farmers, graziers, and gardeners for peer-to-peer learning and to follow the four core soil health principles: 1) Keep the soil covered -- Cover crops are our friends and allies;2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage in your field or garden as much as possible;3) Maximize living roots year-round -- to improve biodiversity, soil structure, and life in the soil; and4) Energize with diversity -- through crop rotation, farm enterprises, and/or livestock integration.More details about the Virginia Farm-to-Table Feast and Harvest Celebration scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at On Sunny Slope Farm in Rockingham, Virginia, can be found at https://virginiafarmtotable.org/2025vaf2tharvestcelebration/To enjoy recent 4 The Soil blog posts and additional soil health resources, please visit https://www.4thesoil.org/blog and https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices, natural resource concerns, and soil health principles and practices to restore the life in your soil, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.  4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today's program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.

Local school officials condemn Rockingham County school board member Matt Cross for posting a video of a student fight in a Harrisonburg public school...We visit one Valley vineyard enlisting the help of patrons to fight the spotted lanternfly invasion...The Virginia Department of Health takes the lead from the CDC in its controversial new vaccine advice....

In Episode 522 of District of Conservation, Gabriella interviews Julianne Szyper - deputy director of Virginia Department of Energy. Julianne discusses her role at the agency, VDOE's top priorities, the Youngkin administration's energy goals, supercharging nuclear fission and fusion, and much more. Tune in to learn more!SHOW NOTESLearn more about Virginia Department of EnergyYoungkin Virginia Energy Plan⁠Virginia Tech to lead $10 million critical mineral research ⁠⁠coalition in Appalachia⁠Commonwealth Fusion Systems to Build World's First Commercial Fusion Power Plant in VirginiaUSGS supports 13 states to study critical minerals in mines

In this episode Chrisley Confessions 2.0, Todd Chrisley is joined by Rick Stover, Special Assistant to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) who has been with the Bureau for nearly 29 years. They dive deep into the First Step Act (FSA) and its implementation within the Bureau of Prisons. He shares insights on the challenges and successes of the FSA since its inception in 2018, including the complexities of good conduct time calculations and the impact of the Second Chance Act.We discuss the growing pains experienced during the rollout of the FSA, the importance of accurate time credit calculations, and the steps being taken to improve the process for inmates. Our guest addresses common misconceptions about home confinement eligibility and the role of case managers in determining release dates.Listen in as we explore the ongoing efforts to streamline the FSA implementation, the establishment of a triage team to address inmate concerns, and the commitment to ensuring that inmates receive the benefits they are entitled to under the law. This episode is packed with valuable information for anyone interested in criminal justice reform and the future of the Bureau of Prisons.THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!- LEAN: Get 20% OFF when you enter code CHRISLEY at https://www.takelean.com!- Just Thrive: Go to https://www.justthrivehealth.com/CONFESSIONS to save 20%! Take the 90-Day Just Thrive Challenge today because when your gut thrives, you thrive!- HOME TITLE LOCK: Go to https://www.hometitlelock.com/chrisley and use promo code CHRISLEY to get a FREE title history report and a FREE TRIAL of their Triple Lock Protection! For details visit https://hometitlelock.com/warranty - BOLL & BRANCH: Get 20% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at https://www.BollAndBranch.com/confessions!- RULA: Use Rula to get affordable, high-quality therapy that's actually covered by insurance. Visit https://www.rula.com/Chrisley to get started. You deserve mental healthcare that works with you, not against your budget. #rulapod - Genesis Gold Group: Visit https://www.chrisleylovesgold.com today for your FREE Family Wealth Protection Gold Guide and join thousands of Americans who've protected their legacy with real assets!FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS:Todd Chrisley:Insta: (https://www.instagram.com/toddchrisley)Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/toddchrisley)Julie Chrisley:Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/juliechrisley)Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/JulieChrisley)Chrisley Confessions 2.0:Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/chrisleyconfessions2.0)TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisleyconfessions2.0)YouTube: (https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisleyConfessions)Produced and Edited by: The Cast Collective (Nashville, TN)YouTube: (https://www.youtube.com/@TheCastCollective)Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/thecastcollective)TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@castcollective)About Rick Stover:Rick Stover currently serves as the Special Assistant to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He began his career in corrections with the Virginia Department of Corrections, where he worked for several years before joining the Bureau of Prisons in April 1997 as a Case Manager at FCC Forrest City (AR).In his current role, Mr. Stover leads the Bureau's efforts to advance implementation of the First Step Act (FSA). He was selected for this position in recognition of his prior leadership in developing and negotiating the FSA Time Credits policy. His work has included oversight of policy improvements aimed at enhancing inmate outcomes and fostering collaboration across federal, state, and local agencies to support justice system reform.Mr. Stover has also provided expert guidance on policy development and legal interpretation to ensure consistent application of FSA provisions across law enforcement entities. Throughout his tenure in the Correctional Programs Division and as Warden, he actively engaged with advocacy groups, legal professionals, and community stakeholders to promote transparency and trust in the justice system. In his current role, he is prioritizing agency-wide FSA training and advising the Director on significant immigration matters affecting the Bureau.Mr. Stover holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminal Justice from Duquesne University and a master's degree in the Administration of Criminal Justice from the State University of New York at Albany. He has been a member of the Senior Executive Service since 2024.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Plus: Richmond Public Schools approves collective bargaining changes; The Virginia Department of Energy has launched a tool to help customers cut electricity costs; and other stories.  

This week Hunter Brooks sat down with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Guests with DWR include; Justin Folks (deer), Carl Tugend (bears), and Michael Dye (turkeys/grouse). Join us to unpack youth weekend numbers, deer regulation changes, bear mange and season shifts, the new turkey plan, and how your surveys/trail cams help manage wildlife. Smart, simple, and Virginia-specific.

The state ombudsman monitoring the Virginia Department of Corrections, held her second public meeting Thursday in Richmond. Dave Cantor reports she heard from several frustrated families and advocates.

Is the economic rationale of soil health always the top priority for farmers? Or, do other soil values rise to the top of farmers' minds, for example, having a healthy habitat for soil fungi? Kasper Krabbe, a doctoral student at Aarhus University in Denmark and a visiting guest scholar at Virginia Tech, returns to talk with Mary, Jeff, and Eric about his research into understanding farmers' intrinsic and extrinsic values in caring for soil. Kasper states that a deeper understanding of farmers' values and motivations is needed because of the degraded condition of agricultural soils globally. For instance, peer pressure to maintain and strive for tidy fields can inhibit experimentation with alternative minimum till systems and diverse cropping mixtures because of neighboring farmers' perceptions of certain aesthetics.    The videos Kasper created of his interviews and interactions with cooperating Danish farmers as part of the Soil Values research initiative can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxwHRB9ybRM As always, we encourage you to cooperate with other farmers, graziers, and gardeners for peer-to-peer learning and to follow the four core soil health principles: 1) Keep the soil covered -- Cover crops are our friends and allies;2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage in your field or garden as much as possible;3) Maximize living roots year-round -- to improve biodiversity, soil structure, and life in the soil; and4) Energize with diversity -- through crop rotation, farm enterprises, and/or livestock integration.More details about the Virginia Farm-to-Table Feast and Harvest Celebration scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at On Sunny Slope Farm in Rockingham, Virginia, can be found at https://virginiafarmtotable.org/2025vaf2tharvestcelebration/To enjoy recent 4 The Soil blog posts and additional soil health resources, please visit https://www.4thesoil.org/blog and https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices, natural resource concerns, and the financial rationale of soil health, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.  4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today's program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.

It's been about a year since Andrea Sapone was hired as the state's first corrections ombudsman, monitoring the Virginia Department of Corrections. The office recently issued its first strategic plan. Dave Cantor explains the two-page document outlining both short- and long-term goals for the office.

In this episode of “The Valley Today,” host Janet Michael welcomed Jordan Herring, the city of Winchester's Arborist and Grounds Maintenance Manager, for an in-depth conversation about the upcoming Native Plant Festival and the broader mission of cultivating a greener, more sustainable city. As the driving force behind the city's lush parks, vibrant medians, and tree-lined streets, Herring offered listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and rewards of urban forestry. The discussion began with a nod to the often-overlooked labor that keeps Winchester's public spaces beautiful. Herring, who manages a team of 25 to 30 employees and coordinates with contractors, described the year-round hustle of maintaining 16 parks and thousands of street trees. His dual role as arborist and grounds manager means he's responsible not only for the health of Winchester's urban canopy but also for the careful selection of tree species—ensuring the “right tree right place” to avoid future issues with power lines, soil compaction, and invasive species. A significant portion of the conversation focused on the importance of native plants. Herring explained how native species support local pollinators like bees and butterflies, maintain biodiversity, and require less maintenance than non-native or invasive alternatives. The festival, set for October 4th at Jim Barnett Park, aims to educate the public on these benefits. Attendees can expect to find native plant nurseries, environmental nonprofits, and government agencies offering resources, free tree saplings, and expert advice. The event is designed to be family-friendly, with activities for children and opportunities to explore the park's new wildflower meadow—a project spearheaded by the late sustainability advocate Sari Carp. Janet and Jordan also addressed the pitfalls of popular but problematic trees like the Bradford Pear, which, despite their initial beauty, pose risks due to weak branching and invasive tendencies. Herring emphasized the city's commitment to replacing such species with more suitable, native alternatives and highlighted Winchester's designations as both a Tree City USA and a Bee City USA—testaments to its ongoing investment in urban ecology. The conversation wrapped up with practical advice for homeowners: do a little research before planting, consider the needs of pollinators, and take advantage of the wealth of local resources, from the Virginia Department of Forestry to the city's own Parks and Recreation Department. The Native Plant Festival, with its free admission and welcoming atmosphere, stands as a celebration of community, education, and the shared responsibility of nurturing the natural world right in our own backyards.

The Virginia Department of Corrections controls most facets of incarcerated peoples' lives — including when and how communication with the outside world happens. Dave Cantor has more on Attorney General Jason Miyares voicing support for allowing contraband cellphone jamming at state prisons.

When you close your eyes, how do you envision your farm and soil ecosystem? What ideals, values, and priorities are part of your vision and farm business model? Kasper Krabbe, a doctoral student at Aarhus University in Denmark and a visiting guest scholar at Virginia Tech, talked with Mary, Jeff, and Eric about these questions and his research interest in farmers' perceptions and decision-making. Kasper is particularly intrigued by the human and cultural elements of farming and how context informs and shapes the agroecological system and soil health of individual farms and regional farming. Kasper's ongoing inquiry into the agroecological dynamics of farming, soil health, and specific values-based business models aligns with the objectives of the European Union's Soil Values project https://soilvalues.eu/. Additionally, Kasper has created videos based on his interviews and interactions with cooperating Danish farmers. This sample Soil Values video is with a Danish farmer who owns and operates a community-supported agriculture farm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxwHRB9ybRM As always, we encourage you to cooperate with other farmers, graziers, and gardeners for peer-to-peer learning and to follow the four core soil health principles: 1) Keep the soil covered -- Cover crops are our friends and allies;2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage in your field or garden as much as possible;3) Maximize living roots year-round -- to improve biodiversity, soil structure, and life in the soil; and4) Energize with diversity -- through crop rotation, farm enterprises, and/or livestock integration.More details about the Virginia Farm-to-Table Harvest Celebration scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at On Sunny Slope Farm in Rockingham, Virginia, can be found at https://virginiafarmtotable.org/2025vaf2tharvestcelebration/To enjoy recent 4 The Soil blog posts and additional soil health resources, please visit https://www.4thesoil.org/blog and https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices, natural resource concerns, and farm decision-making dynamics you may be facing, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.  4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today's program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.

In this episode of “The Valley Today,” host Janet Michael sat down with Ken Slack, Communications Specialist for the Staunton District of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), to pull back the curtain on the region's most pressing road projects and the intricate web of planning, funding, and public engagement that makes them possible. The conversation opened with a celebration: the long-awaited reopening of Rockland Road, now featuring a new bridge over the Norfolk Southern railway. For years, drivers endured lengthy delays as trains blocked the at-grade crossing, sometimes for up to 20 minutes. Ken explained how federal funding—specifically from a maritime economic development grant—helped transform this bottleneck into a smooth, elevated crossing. The project, while nearly complete, still has a few finishing touches, but the impact is already being felt by local commuters and emergency services. Janet and Ken delved into the complexities of infrastructure funding, revealing that a single project can draw from a dozen different sources, including federal, state, and local grants. Ken described the “colors of money” that VDOT's programming section juggles, especially for large-scale projects like bridges and interstate improvements. The conversation highlighted how creative thinking and persistence are often required to secure the necessary resources, particularly for projects that don't fit neatly into traditional funding formulas. A major focus of the episode was the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program, a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar initiative to address safety, congestion, and capacity issues along one of Virginia's most vital highways. Ken outlined how dedicated funding—sourced from gas taxes and trucking fees—has enabled VDOT to move from wishful thinking to breaking ground on real improvements. The program, which covers 325 miles from Winchester to Bristol, is guided by a “smart scale-ish” scoring system that weighs safety, traffic mitigation, accessibility, and environmental impact to prioritize projects. Public input, Ken emphasized, is a cornerstone of VDOT's approach. Through online surveys, in-person meetings, and even one-on-one conversations with court reporters, the department gathers feedback from those who know the roads best: the people who drive them every day. Janet underscored the importance of this dialogue, noting that solutions are most effective when they're informed by real-world experiences and concerns. The episode also touched on the challenges of construction—environmental restrictions, utility relocations, and the need to keep traffic moving even as bridges are replaced or widened. Ken shared anecdotes about the planning and execution required to minimize disruption, as well as the long-term vision behind building infrastructure designed to last for generations. Innovative intersection designs, such as roundabouts and the unique quadrant roadway interchange in Front Royal, were discussed as examples of VDOT's willingness to try new solutions where they make sense. While change can be met with skepticism, Ken and Janet agreed that education and patience are key to helping communities adapt and ultimately benefit from safer, more efficient roads. As the conversation wrapped up, Ken pointed listeners to resources like the Improve81.org website and VDOT's own pages on innovative intersections, encouraging the public to stay informed and engaged. With winter approaching, Janet joked about her preference for staying off the roads during snowstorms—a sentiment Ken, representing VDOT's snowplow crews, wholeheartedly endorsed.

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic were designed to treat diabetes—but they're quickly becoming known for weight loss and possible kidney benefits. Kidney doctor Holly Kramer and kidney patients Patrick Gee, and Jane DeMeis, are here to break down what these medications are, how they work, and what people with kidney disease need to know.   In today's episode we heard from: Holly Kramer, M.D., MPH, is a practicing nephrologist who conducts research connecting nutrition and kidney health. Her connection to the National Kidney Foundation was inspired by her mom, who was a dialysis nurse and helped create some of the first dialysis units in Northwest Indiana. Dr. Kramer finds being on the NKF Board important, because it is the largest, patient-centered organization focusing on kidney disease. Her long-term goal is to increase national funding for kidney disease research and to heighten awareness about chronic kidney disease. Jane DeMeis  became involved with the National Kidney Foundation when she was diagnosed in 2018 with stage 4 kidney disease. She is currently on home hemodialysis and the transplant waitlist. Ms. DeMeis was the Director of Education and Organizational Development for U R Medicine Home Care. Part of her responsibilities was working with clinicians in teaching them how to present education to patients. She also was the Chairperson of the Patient Family Centered Care program and worked with improving home care through patient advocacy.  In 2018, Ms. DeMeis retired. She had been fighting CKD along with Psoriatic Arthritis for many years and needed to focus on her health.  She currently serves as a member of NKF's Kidney Advocacy Committee, as an Ambassador for NKF's online communities, and also as a NKF Peer mentor. Her other volunteer activities include being on the Board of the Perinton Food Shelf and working with clients as the Lead Verifier.  She and her husband sing with the Perinton Senior Chorus and enjoy working in their garden. Patrick Gee is a Community Activist, fighting against systemic issues such as poverty, social and racial injustices, criminal justice reform, and education reform. Patrick worked for the Virginia Department of Corrections and the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice, where during his time in service, he acquired several awards and recognitions. In April 2013, Patrick was diagnosed with Stage 3b End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD). He began doing Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) in December 2013. On April 21, 2017, Patrick received a kidney transplant. Patrick has been very passionate in his pursuit to speak on behalf of the underserved, undervalued, and disenfranchised communities of color. Because of this, he serves as an advocate and kidney patient expert for a number of organizations including the NKF, CMS, FDA, KHI, AKF, AAKP and HDU.  Patrick was the 2025 winner of NKF's Celeste Lee Castillo Patient Engagement Award.    Additional Resources: GLP-1 Receptor Agonists NKF Supports Proposal to Expand Access to Weight-Loss Medications   Do you have comments, questions, or suggestions? Email us at NKFpodcast@kidney.org. Also, make sure to rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts.  

Feeding hay to livestock in the winter is very expensive, and often results in a sacrifice lot where manure gathers. At the same time, manure is considered gold because of its nutrient content, ability to supply organic matter, and to build soil life. In this second episode, Dr. Summer Thomas, education and outreach specialist with the Virginia Soil Health Coalition, takes us on a deeper dive into her research on the benefits of round bale grazing and how it pertains to the four core soil health principlesSummer explains how livestock and round bale grazing are land and soil health management tools for reducing machinery costs, better distributing manure and essential nutrients across pastureland, and truly energizing the system with biodiversity. Overall, round bale grazing is a sound management practice that leads to healthy soils, healthy plants, and healthy animals. As always, we encourage you to cooperate with other farmers, graziers, and gardeners for peer-to-peer learning and to follow the four core soil health principles: 1) Keep the soil covered -- Cover crops are our friends and allies;2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage in your field or garden as much as possible;3) Maximize living roots year-round -- to improve biodiversity, soil structure, and life in the soil; and4) Energize with diversity -- through crop rotation, farm enterprises, and/or livestock integration.More details about the Virginia Farm-to-Table Harvest Celebration scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at On Sunny Slope Farm in Rockingham, Virginia, can be found at https://virginiafarmtotable.org/2025vaf2tharvestcelebration/To enjoy recent 4 The Soil blog posts and additional soil health resources, please visit https://www.4thesoil.org/blog and https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices, 4-H and FAA opportunities, and conservation activities for youth, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.  4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today's program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.

On this episode of Fishing the DMV, we break down the 2025 fish sampling survey results for Virginia's Upper James River with Hunter Hatcher with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.The James River—Virginia's largest—begins where the Cowpasture and Jackson Rivers meet in Botetourt County and winds through the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains before flowing past Lynchburg, Richmond, and into the Chesapeake Bay. Today, we're focusing on the non-tidal Upper James, a stunning 90-mile stretch from its mountain headwaters to the 14th Street Bridge in Richmond—famous for its world-class smallmouth bass fishery.In this episode, we cover:·       Smallmouth Bass Update – 2024 electrofishing surveys show increased catch rates and strong year classes from 2021 and 2023. Over 1,500 bass were sampled in fall 2024, with 60% at “catchable size” (7”+), and 20% topping 14 inches.·        Spawning Trends – Above-average spawns in 3 of the last 4 years point to solid fishing opportunities in the coming seasons, but consistent spawning is key to reaching the abundance levels anglers remember.·       Fishing Tips – Where to find less-pressured stretches of river for trophy smallmouth action.Link to the James River Biologist Report down below: https://dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/forecasts-and-reports/non-tidal-river-fishing-forecast/ Department of wildlife resources: https://dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/fish-stocking/state-hatcheries/front-royal-fish-cultural-station/Please support Fishing the DMV on Patreon!!! Patreon: https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcast If you are interested in being on the show or a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to me at fishingtheDMV@gmail.com Please Checkout our Patreon Sponsors Jake's bait & Tackle website:              http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/Catoctin Creek Custom Rods: https://www.facebook.com/CatoctinCreekCustomRods  Tiger Crankbaits on Facebook!! https://www.facebook.com/tigercrankbaits Fishing the DMV Facebook page:            https://www.facebook.com/Arensbassin/?ref=pages_you_manage      Fishing the DMV Instagram page:            https://www.instagram.com/fishingthedmv/?utm_medium=copy_link  #fishing #FishingtheDMV #smallmouthSupport the show

Ever wonder which probiotic strains do what? We've got just the experts. This week, we're joined by Dr. Joseph Gretzula and Christina O'Connor, RD as they dive into the deep world of probiotics. Listen in as they discuss the skin microbiome, different bacterial strains, and just why not all probiotics are created equal. Each Thursday, join Dr. Raja and Dr. Hadar, board-certified dermatologists, as they share the latest evidence-based research in integrative dermatology. For access to CE/CME courses, become a member at LearnSkin.com.   Joseph C. Gretzula, DO FAAD is a Board-Certified Dermatologist serving South Florida for over 30 years. He received his training in Dermatology at the Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami in Miami, Florida. He is board-certified in Dermatology and is a Diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology. Christina is a registered dietitian and the Senior Healthcare Account Manager at Pendulum Therapeutics. She received her bachelor of science at James Madison University and completed her Dietetic Internship through the Virginia Department of Health.   Sponsored by: Pendulum Visit Pendulum website for more information. 

We take a deep dive into coal dust air pollution in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia, where trains transporting coal expose residents of predominantly Black communities to harmful dust. We look at this issue of environmental racism with the help of the podcast Crosswinds, featuring producer Adrian Wood. Featuring: Lathaniel Kirts, practitioner-in-residence at University of Virginia's Repair Lab Malcolm Jones, practitioner-in-residence at University of Virginia's Repair Lab Grace Holmes, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality  Dr. Kim Fields, environmental policy expert at the University of Virginia and assistant professor in African American Studies Michael Mines, community leader in Newport News with Flow Church and Peninsula Baptist Association Carl Poole, advocate with New Virginia Majority Making Contact Team: Episode host and producer: Lucy Kang Producers: Anita Johnson, Salima Hamirani, Amy Gastelum, and Lucy Kang Executive Director: Jina Chung Engineer: Jeff Emtman Digital Media Marketing: Lissa Deonarain Music Credit: "That Documentaries" by The_Mountain Pixabay Credits - Crosswinds Ep. 1: Friendship: Hosted, written, produced, mixed and mastered by Adrian Wood Editing by Oluwakemi Aladesuyi of Rough Cut Collective Scoring by Torrin Purkett and Adrian Wood Produced through the Repair Lab at the University of Virginia Learn More:  Making Contact homepage | Coal Dust Kills | The Repair Lab Listen to the entire Crosswinds series:  Spotify |  Apple Podcasts    

Send us a textToday we bring back a past episode where we welcomed Dr. Rick Mitchell to the podcast. Rick serves as Commissioner for the Virginia Dept. for the Blind and Vision Impaired, and has been with the agency for 36 years in a variety  of roles. Rick is married for 41 years to Melinda, and has two daughters and four grandchildren.  Rick has a Doctorate in counseling and a Doctorate in Ministry and has served as bi-vocational pastor in Bristol Va. Visit the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired.

Turtles are built like tiny tanks—ancient, armored, and famously tough. But in the modern world, that toughness may be their greatest vulnerability. In part two of our turtle two-parter, we dive into the shadowy world of turtle trafficking, where backyard collectors, international smugglers, and unsuspecting pet owners all play a role. From sting operations to turtle triage, we meet the unlikely defenders working to stop the trade—and care for the reptiles caught in the middle. Because once a turtle is taken from the wild, getting it home again is a lot harder than you'd think.GuestsThomas Akre, head of the Turtle Conservation Ecology Lab at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute John (JD) Kleopfer, State Herpetologist for the Virginia Department of Wildlife ResourcesFirst Sergeant Tim Dooley, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Special Operations for the Virginia Conservation Police, Department of Wildlife Resources Connor Gillespie, Director of Outreach at the Wildlife Center of Virginia  Dr. Karra Pierce, Director of Veterinary Services at the Wildlife Center of Virginia

To understand the critical need for aircraft mechanics and other aviation professionals in Richmond and nationwide. We interviewed Betty Wilson, Public Relations and Education Manager, and Jeff Taylor, Aircraft Maintenance Manager, from the Virginia Department of Aviation.

Racism is ugly and must be fought. Not a controversial statement, right? What if racism rebranded itself as “anti-racism”? Such is what the Asian-American community is facing and no place has been more of a flash-point for that than Northern Virginia's Thomas Jefferson High School For Science And Technology. This prestigious STEM school has been at the center of a battle between the Virginia Department of Education's “anti-racism” directives from the Terry McAuliffe administration and the Asian-American parents that brought suit because their kids were denied admission.  Despite the US Supreme Court passing on their case last year, the Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the allegations. We sit down with Helen Raleigh, a child of Communist China who escaped to the US after coming to America as a college student. Her most recent book is titled “Not Outsiders” and she visited with us at Freedomfest in Palm Springs to talk about the quite racial prejudices the Asian American community faces. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices