Forgotten Fields Project

In this episode, the story of punishing heat and drought and how farmers are coping.  This as we celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation.  A wide ranging discussion with three special guests we think you will find entertaining and informative.

On this special show we focus on the 250th commemoration of the American Revolution and how it affected Botetourt County agriculture.  Join us and our special guests as we do a deep dive into history. 

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 subt...

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 preparati...

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...

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. Alo...

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...

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 commerc...

 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 on...

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...

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...

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, reflectio...

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 forgo...

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 ou...

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. 

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?

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. 

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.