Forgotten Fields Project

April was a crazy weather month.  As warm temperatures moved in, plants said "yes please". Then bitter cold followed. This episode ponders the effects and costs for local farmers and orchards.

Before radar, satellites, and apps, there was the sky—and those who knew how to read it. In this episode, we explore the sayings passed down through generations, like rings around the moon before snow, red skies at morning, the hush before a storm. Are these just old wives’ tales, or do they hold real observational wisdom?Our ancestors lived close to the land, watching patterns, seasons, and subtle shifts in nature to guide their decisions. Somewhere along the way, many of us stopped looking up.Joined by Kevin Myatt of Cardinal News, we wander through pieces of weather wisdom and regional lore—examining what holds truth, what doesn’t, and what these sayings reveal about how people once lived in rhythm with the natural world. Along the way, Chuck Miller weighs in on how we might begin to incorporate these observations back into our own lives—what it means to live with that kind of awareness, and what we may need to remember again in order to do so. More than prediction, this episode asks a deeper question: what might we gain by paying attention again? 

Join us this episode as Tom and Tara reflect on an unusually long stretch of icy winter weather and how it shaped life on the farm day after day. With no quick thaw in sight, even routine chores become calculated, careful work. They talk through the challenges of animal care, frozen ground, and altered rhythms, alongside the stark quiet and fleeting beauty that winter can bring. It takes preparation, patience, and adapting when the land sets the terms—and a reminder that farming means meeting each season as it comes, ice and all. 

As the year draws to a close, we gather around the metaphorical hearth for a thoughtful holiday wrap-up episode. We’re joined by Tom Williamson, who offers a candid and deeply grounded perspective on the future of farming, and the barriers, obstacles, and opportunities that face farmers today—highlighting the critical role of community, stewardship, and long-term thinking in sustaining agriculture for generations to come.As we look ahead to the coming year, this episode serves as both a reflection and a call to remember what matters most: the land beneath our feet, the people who tend it, and the responsibility we all share in shaping the future of food.

In this episode, we step into the misty crossroads of memory and myth, where history lingers and the past refuses to rest. Joined by Lynsey Allie, Director of the Botetourt County Historical Society, and investigative medium Laine Crosby, we wander through the area's most enduring ghost stories— from whispered Fincastle legends to spirits said to haunt old homesteads and forgotten spaces. Along the way, we explore why we cling to these tales, what they reveal about our fears and hopes, and how our stories shape the land just as surely as the land shapes us. These aren’t just ghost stories; they’re reminders that history has a heartbeat, and sometimes, you can still hear it... 

In this episode's conversation, we sit down with Pastor Chuck Miller of Wheatland Lutheran Church, whose Garden of Grace nourishes countless across Botetourt County. Did you know that right here at home there are families struggling with food insecurity—children going to bed hungry? With rows of vegetables and baskets of produce, Chuck provides not just food, but dignity, compassion, and the reminder that we are only as strong as our weakest link. His vision is simple yet profound, and left us questioning not just ourselves, but how we see the world, our neighbors, and the kind of community we hope to belong to here in Botetourt. 

Set along the banks of the James River, the Botetourt County Fair isn’t just an event—it’s a living tapestry, woven from generations of history, heritage, and homegrown spirit. In our first-ever live, on-site episode, we wander through the sights and sounds of fair day, from the historic Wilson Warehouse in Buchanan—where we uncover the county’s vital role in early river transportation and commerce—to the bustling show ring, where young citizens proudly present their hard work, skill, and dedication before the judges’ eyes.Join us as we share stories from those who work tirelessly to preserve and promote our rich history, the volunteers who keep the fair thriving, and a determined 4-H showman just moments before leading her calf— the culmination of months of hard work and preparation— to be judged before the panel and the gathered crowd. The fair changes with the years, but one thread remains unbroken: it’s made by the people, for the people, in celebration of who we are, the roots that ground us, and the legacy we’re still writing.

 In this return visit with Carmen Hambrick of Fincastle Farm, we talk about what the land has taught her over the past few years. From early challenges to unexpected joys, Carmen shares the hard-won lessons of running an agribusiness—how she’s adapted, overcome, and carved out a meaningful space in the local food system. Her story is one of grit, grace, and the quiet power of persistence. 

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Megan Seibel—Director of Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results (VALOR), Co-Founder of the Center for Cooperative Problem Solving, and Senior Extension Specialist at Virginia Tech—to shed some light on the increasingly buzzy concept of agrivoltaics.What exactly is solar farming? Can agriculture and energy production truly share the same soil—or is one bound to crowd the other out? Dr. Seibel helps us navigate the brilliance and the blind spots: the economic incentives, the ecological impacts, and the broader implications for farmers and our future.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Parkhurst, Associate Professor of Wildlife Science at Virginia Tech, to explore the elusive and often misunderstood world of coyotes. From their incredible adaptability and complex social behavior to their growing presence in both rural and urban landscapes, Dr. Parkhurst sheds light on how these canids have successfully spread across the Commonwealth, and what that means for farmers and ecosystems. We discuss their impact on agriculture, common misconceptions, and how humans can best coexist with one of nature’s most resourceful survivors. In the end, understanding the coyote may reveal less about the animal and more about ourselves. 

Double the meteorologists, double the fun? This week on Forgotten Fields, we’re talking about the recent freezing temperatures and what they mean for the farm—because nothing says "spring is coming" quite like ice-covered everything. Robin Reed is joined by fellow weather expert, Chief Meteorologist Brent Watts of WDBJ7, to break down the cold snap, compare methods, and discuss weather patterns. Tune in for farm talk, weather wisdom, and a fun conversation about the forces that shape our fields.

In this festive holiday special, Robin and Tara bring you a heartwarming farm-themed story that reminds us to find peace and beauty amidst the hustle and bustle of life. Enjoy the lively sounds of a spirited fiddle session performed by the talented Geoff White of Roanoke Fiddle Lessons, and join us in celebrating the close of another incredible year. It's an episode filled with joy, reflection, and the timeless magic of the season. 

In this episode, two prominent and respected members of Botetourt County— Anita Firebaugh and John Alderson— take us on a journey through our rich past, sharing historical and personal stories from the early days that shaped the region we know today. As they recount the challenges, triumphs, and milestones that laid the foundation for the county’s future, we pose the question: "Have you forgotten?" Join us for a reflection on how the past continues to influence the present—and why remembering it matters. 

Does the early nerd get the worm? We dabble in the old myths of winter weather prediction tied to the curious and fuzzy wooly worm caterpillar. What in the world is a hail cannon and can it save crops from destruction? Tara asks Robin his opinion on this supersonic superstition.Plus, learn about a weather program in which you can easily participate from home and share your own data to improve our weather calculations!

Good gourd! Hear about Robin’s walk of shame and lessons learned from his first pumpkin harvest, weird weather and its recent effects, and a new upcoming series in which we’ll feature the area's legacy farming families. 

Join us as we discuss how Botetourt County farmers have stepped up to meet the needs of Southwest Virginia and North Carolina residents following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. Courtney Henderson of Cave Hill Dairy shares how she and the community have organized a donation drive to support the relief efforts, supplying food and comfort to affected farmers and families. 

Meet Carmen Hambrick—the owner and operator of Fincastle Farm, LLC—as she takes us on her journey from the board room to the brood room. How does she raise and process chickens on her family farm, and is it all what it's cracked up to be?

Changing seasons are predictable, but how do farms handle the chaotic upheaval of a hurricane?

Meet Robin Reed and Tara Williamson and learn about what in the world got them into farming and what's on the agricultural horizon.