Blog - Page 4 of 22 - Getting More on the Ground

The Endangered Species Act saved the California Condor

Ash Trees, Shrikes, the Roanoke Logperch, and the Endangered Species Act at 50

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is the most comprehensive law protecting imperiled plants and animals in the world. Because of the ESA, hundreds of plants and animals have been saved, including some of our most iconic birds: the American Bald Eagle, the California Condor, the Peregrine Falcon, and the Whooping […]

December 1, 2023 Endangered Species, Invasive Species, Nature, Watershed restoration, Wildlife 12 Comments

Riparian Buffer Walk 2023

October is Riparian Buffer Month. How Could I Not Write About That? Note: This post was written by a real person–me. All photos by R. Whitescarver unless otherwise noted. Walking under the shade of the trees we planted along Middle River, I look up and see abundant acorns. I smile. […]

October 23, 2023 Chesapeake Bay, Quail Habitat, Riparian Buffers, Watershed restoration, Whiskey Creek Regenerative Farming, Wildlife 8 Comments

Utility Scale Solar is Coming to a Farm Near You

Note: This article was first published in the Virginia Mercury on 9/21/23 and was written by a real person–me. We are in a wonderful, historic, frustrating, and devastating transition to renewable energy. Solar panels will be on buildings and parking lots and in highway medians, landfills, and brownfields. Utility scale […]

September 29, 2023 Climate Change, Renewable Energy, Solar 6 Comments

19-year-old-buffer-with Jeanne and Bobby

Every Tree Matters

Every Tree Matters: A Rant on Riparian Buffer Maintenance Note: A real person wrote this post—me. I’ve been planting trees professionally for almost 40 years. I’ll bet I planted half a million trees before most of you reading this post were born. In addition, Jeanne and I have our own […]

August 21, 2023 Riparian Buffers, Trees, Watershed restoration, Whiskey Creek Regenerative Farming 8 Comments

Earth Day 54: A Sense of Wonder and SB 697 (JMU 2024)

Note: This was first published as an oped in the Virginia Mercury on April 22, 2024 Walk Slow, Stand Around My wife and I are cattle farmers in Virginia’s legendary Shenandoah Valley. Early in our marriage, Jeanne gave me a nickname: “Walk Slow, Stand Around.” Yep, that’s me. Sure, it’s […]

July 22, 2023 Uncategorized 31 Comments

Our Turf Affects the Surf: Land and Water are Profoundly Connected

Our farm in Virginia’s legendary Shenandoah Valley affects the waters of America’s largest estuary over three-hundred miles away—the Chesapeake Bay. How we manage our land profoundly and inextricably affects groundwater and surface water. In other words, our turf affects what’s in the surf. Surf and Turf It was a special occasion […]

July 12, 2023 Chesapeake Bay, Nutrient Management, Riparian Buffers, Soil and Water Conservation, Soil Erosion, Stream Fencing, Water Pollution, Watershed restoration, Whiskey Creek Regenerative Farming 24 Comments

Calving Season 2023

Note: This post was written by a real person–me. All photos by me unless otherwise noted. March Fifth, Calving Season Begins Tagging Calves To promote good health and improve herd management, we catch each newborn calf before it is 24 hours old and put a tag that matches the mother’s […]

May 30, 2023 Cattle Farming, Herd Health, Whiskey Creek Angus 8 Comments

Earth Day 53: Invest in Our Planet

Note: This blog was written by a real person–me. The first Earth Day was in 1970; atmospheric carbon dioxide was 325 ppm. Earth Day 53 is April 22; atmospheric carbon dioxide now exceeds 418 ppm. This year’s theme is “Invest In Our Planet.” First, the Good News The best news […]

April 17, 2023 Climate Change, Conservation Easements, Renewable Energy, Stream Fencing 22 Comments

Identify and Deter the House Sparrow From Nesting Boxes

This post has been revised with breakthrough information on eliminating House Sparrows from your nesting boxes. It was initially posted in 2017, and revised on 3/6/2023. The House Sparrow is perhaps the most adaptable and prolific bird species on the planet. Often called English Sparrow, its scientific name Passer domesticus is […]

March 6, 2023 Birding, Invasive Species, Nature, Wildlife 111 Comments

Farmland Conservation is Critical for the Shenandoah Valley

Note: This was written by a real person: me. Farming is the heart and soul of the Shenandoah Valley and the number one industry in most counties. But perhaps not for long. As I drive around, I can hardly look anywhere without seeing houses, cookie-cutter subdivisions, or big box stores […]

February 20, 2023 Conservation Easements, Watershed restoration 10 Comments

“There’s often a story about cattle, a little talk of environmental concerns, and a mention of his ‘Princess’ and her collaborative work with him. That’s how conversations go when I get a chance to visit with Bobby. He’s easygoing and always has a great story, but there’s a wealth of shared experience, knowledge, and love of farming and our environment in everything Bobby does. This latest book is just like sitting down and visiting with Bobby. You’ll enjoy every bit of it.”
Emmett W. Hanger Jr.
Virginia Senator