When Katie Brownell and Michael Herbst started Red Hawk Rise Organics four years ago, they had already collected years of hands-on experience in small-scale organic farming. Read the Full Story >>
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Connecting Solar In Jefferson County
The Observer spoke with several energy industry professionals with experience in the development and management of utility-scale energy projects to understand the general context for the types of large-scale solar projects being proposed for Jefferson County. We also researched the specific topography of the local power grid and land to understand both the potential and constraints for these types of solar projects in Jefferson County. Read the Full Story >>
Sparking A Converstation: Local Farmers Discuss Large-Scale Solar Development
Pastoral landscapes may be easy on the eyes, but farming them is a hard life. Todd Hough of Oakwood Farm has been working the land since he was a child. He and his brother are the fourth generation to run the family farm in the Kabletown District of Jefferson County. Read the Full Story >>
Protected Farmland Expanding in Jefferson County
Six years ago, the Farmland Protection Board set a long-term goal of obtaining conservation easements on 20,000 acres -- representing roughly one-third of the total farmland in Jefferson County. Read the Full Story >>
Clean & Green—Local Farmers Preserve Natural Lands
As more land is being used for residential and commercial properties, some are concerned that those green spaces will become more difficult to find. In 2000, West Virginia passed the Voluntary Farmland Protection Act, allowing for the creation of county Farmland Protection Boards. Jefferson County wasted no time in establishing its own board that same year—with 21 county boards throughout the state today. Read the Full Story >>
Shepherdstown’s Wild Goose Farm: a Symbol of Jefferson County’s Captivating History
One of the county’s most unusual historic farms will soon be added to the National Register of Historic Places: Wild Goose Farm. Built for Rezin Davis (R.D.) Shepherd in the mid-1840s, the Greek Revival-style farmhouse was remodeled in the Colonial Revival c.1911 and stylistically demonstrates Shepherd’s ties to New Orleans. Read the Full Story >>
Martinsburg Farmers Market Returns
Martinsburg Farmers Market Manager James Hersick is an advocate for all local markets, and he believes the intention behind the Martinsburg endeavor is what makes it unique. Read the Full Story >>
Local Herbal Sanctuary Empowers Public to Cultivate Resilience
Hillary Banachowski and Keir Knoll operate Sacred Roots Herbal Sanctuary in Shepherdstown (1799 Persimmon Lane). Banachowski is a community herbalist, grower, medicine maker, forager, and teacher, for whom herbalism, organic gardening, and permaculture are a way of life. She teaches classes on all aspects of herbal wisdom and organic vegetable gardening, and facilitates nature-based retreats. Knoll Read the Full Story >>
Recycling History to Sustain the Road Ahead
Breaking ground with methods and tools not used much in our region for several generations lets us slow down to truly observe our impact on the land. We see the rusting relics of a bygone era virtually any time we travel around our county. An old Oliver plow ornamenting someone’s garden, or a horse-drawn hay Read the Full Story >>