Buzzing about Harvest Time & Historical Preservation

Today’s show is yet another reminder of the breadth and depth of the powerful work that nonprofits do to build better community for us all.If you have a garden you know it’s almost harvest time, so BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill shares a conversation with Mo McGonagle, director of the Roanoke Foodshed Network, about its work strengthening our region’s agricultural ecosystem that now includes a Food and Farmers Trail.We also share a nonprofit engaged in the historical preservation of an iconic Roanoke, Virginia landmark, Fishburn Mansion, aka Mountain View, and a new concert series this fall called The Fishburn Sessions.And lastly, a personal project inspired by a nonprofit we featured on BUZZ back in 2021 — Christiansburg Institute. One hundred and sixty years ago, Black Americans in this Appalachian corner of Virginia rose up from slavery and segregation to create a school whose reputation stood alongside Tuskegee, Hampton and other sentinels of Black education. But now external threats from the Trump Administration and in-fighting among its descendants – assault allegations, mental health breakdowns, strokes, and in May 2026 a headline-grabbing lawsuit – threaten to destroy its inspirational legacy. Michael has written a book about CI’s history that he’ll start releasing on Substack on Thursday, August 13, We share a bit of that book in hopes you’ll be inspired to subscribe (for free and all you need is an email address).