Anahata Education Center has begun hosting solo wellness retreats lasting from three to thirty days in a variety of locations at its spacious nature sanctuary.  The Center offers accommodations in private rooms at the main retreat center, rustic cabins, cozy studio apartments, a yurt turned into a sound chamber, an octagonal home, a camping pavilion next to the river, and soon to come, a tiny retreat chapel in the woods.
In addition to individual guided retreats, Anahata sponsors small group retreats, spa retreats, and weekend retreats for men, women, and couples; providing tools to enhance self-awareness, communication, connection, and celebration.
How do you envision your ideal vacation?  Many dream of relaxation, adventure, and recreation.  Some seek learning, exposure to new cultures, and enjoyment of the arts.  Still others want to plunge into the restorative beauty of nature, enjoy a reconnection with self, and share quality time with loved ones.  No matter the type of vacation, we all look forward to the delicious – even exotic – food and libations!
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Because everyone has been isolated inside with families for over a year, Jack Callan and Judith Stevens – founders of the Little River Poetry Festival – are extending a special invitation to the residents of Floyd County.  During the Sixth Annual Little River Poetry Festival, Sunday, June 6, will be designated as “Floyd Day”.  On this day, all Floyd residents will be special guests of the Stevenses, invited to attend at no cost.
“Floyd has given us so much,” says Judith.  “It’s our favorite place to be.  Our hikes up the Buffalo, paddling trips year-round, camping in Daniel’s meadow – it’s hard to beat.  The town has opened its heart to us, and we lost our hearts to it.” Continue reading →

Five hundred years ago, the native peoples of the New River Valley survived by hunting the herds of wild American buffalo, or bison, that freely roamed the hills and valleys of this beautiful, mountainous region.  They not only filled their stomachs, but warmed their bodies using all parts of these majestic creatures.  When the first settlers arrived in the 1600’s, the buffalo were still plentiful, and as they looked toward the horizon, they saw the peak that would one day bear the name of these iconic animals.  Though Buffalo Mountain no longer hears the wild hoofbeats of its namesake, it certainly hears the heartbeats of those who love the mountain and the valley community of Floyd County, Virginia.
In the year 2021, society and circumstances have significantly changed.  However, the people of the New River Valley can still find full bellies and warm company provided by the bison who live and roam there.  Instead of being hunted while running wild, the buffalo are now lovingly farmed and skillfully prepared by Connie Hale and Carla George, co-owners of Buffalo & More Restaurant, located at 4041 Riner Road, in the village of Riner; just across the Floyd County line into Montgomery on Route Eight.
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Dogtown Roadhouse is well known for its delicious food and drink menu, but specifically for its hand crafted, wood-fired pizza.  It is also known for its friendly atmosphere, welcoming newcomers and loyal regulars alike.  Even the dogs of Dogtown know this is the place to be!
On any given night, Dogtown’s unofficial mascot Ty, may wander over from his nearby home to greet customers while waiting patiently for a treat from the dog treat bin.  Visitors may also run into Molly, a friendly, white labradoodle belonging to owners Anga Miller and Ed Erwin, as well at the booking manager’s happy little Una pup.
Friendly dogs are always welcome on Dogtown’s outside deck, but everyone who knows Dogtown knows that all this puppy love is just icing on the cake of what has become a world-class music venue!
Before Dogtown there was The Sun Music Hall.  Once Anga Miller bought the old sewing factory in downtown Floyd in 1999, she immediately began renovating it.  Primarily, she wanted to house her clothing business, WinterSun.  However, she reserved more than half of the main floor to fulfill her longtime dream of owning a music venue. The venue, known as The Sun Music Hall, opened in 2002.  Over the following years, the location presented top names such as Leon Russell and Richie Havens, as well as many up-and-coming artists like Grace Potter and Harry Manx.
In the two decades that followed, the Hall went through many changes, including adding a full kitchen and bar.  It also became a permanent home for the itinerant Dogtown Pizza, which had spent its first years operating out of an oven mounted on the back of an old, flatbed truck!  Eventually, what is now known as Dogtown Roadhouse established itself as not only a terrific place for food and drink, but also a worthy venue for a wide variety of local and regional talent, as well as prominent acts from outside the area.
Of course, the friendly and accommodating restaurant managers, booking manager, and sound techs, along with the bar, food, and service staff, also help to make any night at Dogtown a memorable one for audiences and musicians alike.
With the arrival of Covid-19 in 2020, the music hall played an especially important role in Floyd.  The pandemic devastated the town’s well-known music scene, even causing the cancellation of the area’s biggest musical attraction, FloydFest.  With a strong focus on keeping the music alive, the leadership team at Dogtown worked hard to find creative ways to protect its staff, customers, and musicians throughout the pandemic challenges.
It was difficult to keep the kitchen operating with online ordering and curbside pickup for Dogtown’s scrumptious wood-fired pizza and other menu items.  The real challenge, however, was convincing musicians to perform in an empty room.
With Virginia’s statewide Covid restrictions, Dogtown’s regular capacity of 328 was reduced by over 80% to allow for the required social distancing.  Even so, the venue continued the live music program, broadcasting to audiences in their homes via a free livestream.
To help develop the live stream strategy, Jake Retting, a treasured local singer-songwriter, took to the stage weekly; playing only for virtual tips and offering much needed entertainment for fans stuck at home.
As time passed, the Livestream helped to provide exposure and fair pay for more local and regional acts.  Dogtown music fans had the opportunity to enjoy such diverse artists as the funky and soulful Solacoustix, award-winning singer-songwriter, Dori Freeman, and the world groove sound of Floyd’s own Music Road Co.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Dogtown’s new livestream program has been a big success, receiving thousands of views, but the management team didn’t stop there.  To delight their audiences and gratify their talented performers, Dogtown recently worked with Stage Sound of Roanoke to completely upgrade the venue’s sound and light systems!
The restaurant and bar have also made big changes to remain viable in the age of Covid.  They continue to offer online ordering with a choice of takeout or curbside pickup.  For those who wish to dine in, Dogtown has a “mask when on feet” policy, and limits server interactions to delivering orders to tables.  To protect both staff and customers, Dogtown has opted to have customers place their orders at a shielded and sanitary counter.
For slightly larger parties, Dogtown now offers their beautiful upstairs dining room, with its own private deck overlooking Floyd’s outdoor stage and park.  This room is available to rent with or without catering services.
As always, and since the very beginning, Dogtown still offers full catering service.  Dogtown will bring their mobile, wood-fired oven to your location where your party can enjoy hand-tossed, gourmet pizzas, baked and served hot right out of the oven!
While the leadership and staff at Dogtown have gone above and beyond in continuing to offer the best food, drinks, and entertainment around, they know that none of this would be possible without the cooperation, love, and support of the customers and the musicians.
In an effort to give back to the community that has supported them, Dogtown has created a “Pay it Forward” program, which accepts contributions through the online ordering page.  This program provides free, discrete meals to those in need.  They also continue to host a community Thanksgiving Pot-Luck event, as well as a clothing and food drive to benefit PLENTY!  They have also recently added the CHIP (Children’s Health Improvement Partnership) fundraiser during the month leading up to Christmas.  And finally, local police, firefighters, and EMTs, as well as all veterans and military, receive a 10% discount in gratitude for their service.
The challenges of the pandemic have been hard on everyone, but Dogtown Roadhouse is awed by the dedication and willingness of their customers to come out and have fun under such trying conditions.  The entire team at Dogtown is eternally grateful to their artists and customers and is looking forward to all the good times to come!

Dogtown Roadhouse • Anga Miller and Ed Erwin
540-745-6836 • www.dogtownroadhouse.com
302 S Locust St, Floyd, VA • dogtownroadhouse@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/DogtownRoadhouse/

Floyd County is a community where residents share a strong bond with their furred and four-legged family members.  It’s also a place where folks are committed to caring about the homeless population of domestic animals.
More than twenty years ago, several Floyd County residents came together to form The Floyd County Humane Society (FCHS).  Throughout the years, the organization has grown, transforming the municipal shelter from a place of sorrow to a place of hope.
Two decades ago, the pound took in over a thousand dogs, the majority of which were euthanized because of space constraints.  Today, thanks to the Floyd County Humane Society’s three-pronged approach, the intake of stray or surrendered dogs at the pound has been reduced by over 80%, with a euthanasia rate in the single digits.  The Humane Society has partnered with the pound to advertise stray and abandoned dogs.  They’ve also encouraged and subsidized a successful community spay/neuter program.  Finally, they have created a foster program for those dogs whose time at the pound has come to an end.  These measures have all helped significantly to save the lives of Floyd County dogs.
For our feline friends, FCHS responds to calls and emails about abandoned, neglected, or stray cats and kittens.  They also respond to calls about cats and kittens that need to be re-homed.
The Floyd County Humane Society’s accomplishments are testimony to the local volunteers’ dedication.  It’s no surprise that they won the Nonprofit of the Year Award in 2019 from the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce!
The Paws Cause Dinner and Auction, an annual gala held at the Floyd Event Center, has always been the Society’s largest fundraiser.  They have also occupied booths at craft shows, festivals, and other events to raise money for their cause.
Like many other nonprofit organizations, however, the Humane Society’s coffers have been greatly diminished due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Having been forced to cancel in-person fundraising and adoption events, the group has had to invent creative solutions to sustain its many programs.
Social media has been a huge asset in reaching more people during this time of isolation.  FCHS has turned to Facebook fundraising to raise money for medical expenses, foster support, and the spay/neuter assistance program.  The Society also has an easily accessible online donation page (www.floydhumanesociety.org) for people who wish to donate in memory or in honor of a loved one or pet.  There, people can also sponsor a foster animal, donate towards a specific cause, or gift a membership to a friend.
Looking forward, the Floyd County Humane Society is preparing an online auction for their spring fundraiser, featuring ‘Floyd’s Favorite Things,’ and including two tickets to Floyd Fest 2021!
Since the organization’s inception over twenty years ago, it has been a long-term goal to purchase a permanent facility to house all the Humane Society’s operations at one location.  Currently, the organization utilizes a foster system of volunteers for the housing of both cats and especially larger dogs or animals that need daily medical attention.
Other spaces being utilized across Floyd County are multiple storage units, rented kennels, and loaned space at various businesses.  However, rented kennel space is restrictive in caring for puppies and larger dogs that need space, sunlight, and regular exercise for improvement of behaviors and temperament.  The rented kennels do not have outdoor runs for each dog, and the outdoor yard space is only 8×20 feet.  When no volunteers are available for mid-day walks outside the facility, dogs can begin to experience extreme anxiety in a matter of days.
Many of these animals are rescued from dire or abusive situations.  They need care, rehabilitation, training, and loving attention to prepare for successful adoptions.  It is difficult the meet the needed care requirements for these dogs without a facility that allows proper space and resources for them and for FCHS volunteers.
Cats also need socialization to become well-behaved indoor pets.  Floyd County Animal Control does not take in any cats, nor is there any rentable kennel space available for cats.  Having no local facility available to house the kitties, the Humane Society relies entirely on private foster homes.  The Floyd County Humane Society brought 187 cats into foster care in 2020, which was a 120% increase compared to 85 cats in 2019!
In 2020, FCHS helped a record number of dogs and cats.  Twice as many as in 2019, with over 150 dogs and 170 cats finding new forever homes!  As a result, the cost of care and fostering in 2020 was the highest the organization has seen in years.  To continue their mission in 2021, they need to raise more funds and get more volunteers involved.
The Floyd County Humane Society is an organization that has thrived due to a strong sense of commitment to the community it serves.  From helping senior citizens, the disabled, and underserved populations with pet care and veterinary expenses, to rescuing neglected or abandoned animals in distress, they continue to make a difference every day.
Thankfully, due to a generous donor, The Floyd County Humane Society is on the cusp of realizing an all-encompassing facility for operations, animal care, and support for the community!  The organization is hoping to announce an update on this project in 2021.
Floyd County Humane Society volunteers hope the community and other sponsors will stay tuned for updates and take part in their endeavors to make Floyd County a healthier, happier place for all pets and their people.
For information on becoming a FCHS volunteer or any other of FCHS’s many activities in service to the companion animals of Floyd County, please visit the website at www.floydhumanesociety.org.

Floyd County Humane Society
www.floydhumanesociety.org • http://facebook.com/FCHSVA
(540) 745-7207 • info@floydhumanesociety.org

Lichen is a plantlike organism composed of fungus and algae, often found on wood, rocks, and trees.  Using this natural element, along with knots found on wood, Heather and John Barbieri (pronounced barbie-airy) arrived at a clever name for their new business – Lichen or Knot!
In 1993, Heather Barbieri discovered a love for plants while healing from a tragic accident that left her unable to finish college.  After the accident, she moved to Cashiers, North Carolina, where she found a job revitalizing incredibly old English herb and flower gardens.  It was fulfilling work, sustaining her during the long months of healing.
A year later, Heather’s love for plants led her to start a business in Cashiers, offering container gardening services for high-end clients.  A year after that, Heather landed a job as a buyer for a local garden center, where she worked until 2003.
What had begun as a hobby had not only provided work for the convalescing young Heather, but it was also turning into a career!   In 2003, she landed her dream job when she became an outside sales rep for a wholesale plant distributor.  A position she held for the next ten years.
In 2015, Heather took an interest in vintage items.  After hunting for antique furniture and other bits and bobs at yard sales and auctions, she’d gather her findings and take them to market-day shows all over North Carolina, Tennessee, and even Pennsylvania.  It was very time consuming.  There was all the hunting, shopping, and purchasing.  Then, there was the show preparation time, the drive time, the set-up, and three days of showing.  Each three-day show actually consumed an entire week of activity.
As Heather got more and more into the routine of the vintage show circuit, she began taking plants along.  They sold quickly, and she gradually began taking more plants than the vintage items the shows were meant to feature!  Heather was doing well, but the disadvantages of the market-show business model were significant.  Between the show fees, travel, hotels, and restaurants, the cost was substantial.  She also had to consider the time she was spending away from her family.  The more she saw how well the plants were selling, the more she began to think about a different business model with far less overhead.  Food trucks are often a low-overhead alternative to prospective restauranteurs.  Why couldn’t the same approach work for a plant seller?
In July of 2018, Heather bought an old, GMC plumber’s truck.  It would be two more years, however, until the ultimate dream finally came true.  She and John were busy buying their new house in the New River Valley.  They were also caring for family members who needed them.  Finally, however, the old truck was painted and decaled.  Heather and John were ready to hit the road on a new adventure with plants.
John’s interest in horticulture began when he was young boy in New Jersey, planting maple sprouts in his parents’ front yard.  There was a nearby garden center called “Max is Back”, and John joked he would one day own a seasonal garden center called “John is Gone”!
John went on to get his horticulture degree from the University of Maryland, after which he spent ten years managing a successful retail garden center.  Like Heather, John also became an outside sales representative for wholesale plant companies.
These two had all the background and all the experience, and they were ready to join forces in plant retail.  But that was early 2020.
Rather than being a devastating obstacle to the launching of Heather’s new business, the Covid-19 pandemic meant that the Barbieri’s eldest son would be out of school and able to help on the truck.
“I had an overwhelming feeling that the timing wasn’t right yet,” Heather recalls.  “I was at a point in my life where I was learning to be okay in the quietness of a busy world.  I think that time prepared me for what was to come.”
Despite these misgivings, in April of 2020, Heather began taking the mobile truck into Christiansburg, and news spread quickly.  When they found out there was a plant truck in the area, Covid-weary patrons flocked to the parking lot of a nearby mall.  They showed up to shop for plants in the open air, away from the crowded box store garden centers.  That is how it all began.
“Being in business during the pandemic has certainly brought many challenges to our young business,” says Heather, “but it has also brought a unique opportunity to spread joy, love and beauty in a most uncertain and difficult time.”
Heather often smiles when people try to figure out the name of her budding company.  She smiles even bigger when they try to pronounce it!  Sure, the dictionary indicates the pronunciation of ‘lichen’ can also rhyme with ‘kitchen’, but if you use the other accepted pronunciation, ‘like-en’, then the name suddenly makes sense as the play on words it was meant to be…Lichen or Knot!
The words ‘Lichen or Knot Mobile Garden Shop’ adorn the vintage truck as it rolls along Routes 8 and 221, continuing Heather’s mission to bring plants to the people.  Based in Floyd, Lichen or Knot roams not only the communities of the New River Valley, but makes excursions into the Roanoke Valley, as well.
During spring and summer, Heather offers annuals, perennials, and herbs, as well as houseplants.  In the fall and winter, shoppers are more likely to find houseplants and finished indoor containers.
Lichen or Knot collaborates with regional businesses, parking the truck at retail stores, local breweries, apartment complexes, and health-based businesses such as yoga and fitness centers.  These collaborations have become an integral part of the business, providing a fun and creative way to connect with customers.
By the fall of 2020, business was thriving, but colder weather was on the horizon.  The Barbieris realized they’d need a solid home base for their new company, where the plants could survive the weather and the customers could shop in comfort.  Renaming the business ‘Lichen or Knot Plant Company’, a brick-and-mortar store front opened its doors on Black Friday.
Conveniently located in the heart of Floyd, the newest little plant shop took up residence in the Green Label Organics building located at 203 Fox Street, behind Food Lion.  Responding to an increase in demand for houseplants, the Barbieris stocked their store with monsteras, philodendron, pothos, and prayer plants.  Also meeting demand, the couple sourced pottery for their indoor plant offerings and began a signature service of offering complimentary potting with any purchase.  With a minimalist urban feel, the pottery allows the plants to steal the show.
Lichen or Knot customers share a belief that ‘plants make people happy’.  It’s a belief that brings folks back to the store, as well as out to the truck, time and time again.  They purchase pieces for their homes and businesses.  They buy for their friends and family members.  They collect them.  They propagate and share them.  They take them to baby showers and have then them delivered to homes where people may be mourning a loss or celebrating an event.
What’s next for Lichen or Knot?  The company will continue to operate from their store front in Floyd, as well as continuing to operate the region’s only plant truck.  In the store, there will be an emphasis on indoor plants and containers, with annuals and perennials in stock during the spring.
With warmer weather approaching, the plant truck is already getting booked for events, collaborations, upcoming festivals, and markets where it will carry a large variety of both indoor and outdoor plants.
What started out as a side hustle for Heather to ease back into the industry has grown into what she describes as a blessing.  A way to connect with people and bring them together.

Lichen or Knot • Heather and John Barbieri
203 Fox Street, Floyd, VA • lichenorknot.com
lichenorknot@gmail.com • 540.267.6556

SustainFloyd is a local nonprofit working to support the environment, agriculture, renewable energy, and community well-being.  Under the leadership of this organization, Floyd Farmers Market has flourished in its mission to help develop a local food economy, growing over time to accommodate new vendors and more customers.
The Floyd Community Pavilion was custom built by SustainFloyd to house the Farmer’s Market.  Every Saturday from May to November, this open-air space, across from the iconic Floyd Country Store, has played host to farmers, bakers, millers, and more. The Market has been going strong for over ten years and will continue to provide locals and newcomers with the freshest food Floyd County has to offer.
In recent years, however, there has been an increase in demand for additional space to accommodate more vendors so that customers can find the produce they have come to love and rely on.  In response to this demand, and in keeping with the Farmers Market mission of bolstering the local food economy, 2021 will see an exciting expansion of the Market’s space and scope.
The adjacent Village Green, which is located immediately behind the Community Pavilion, will play host to craft vendors and other unique items on offer from local producers.  The live music which has served as the Market’s soundtrack in previous seasons will also move to the Village Green; a move which will give customers the space and time to safely gather and enjoy the local artists.
While this new space will add considerably to the number and variety of products available each Saturday, there will be even more growth to look forward to this year.
In the early months of 2020, grocery store shelves were bare, leaving many people looking to their local producers for access to staple products.  Though the mood and setting were different, though the live music was cancelled, and even though space was limited due to distancing requirements, the needs and means of meeting them remained the same.
By instituting social distancing guidelines and integrating online ordering, the Floyd Farmers Market grew to meet the need of its community.  Vendors stepped up each week to bring their products into the heart of Floyd for those consumers who needed them most.
With this experience in mind, SustainFloyd has come to see online sales as an important part of diversifying the local food economy for producers, improving access for consumers.  This year, the Floyd Farmers Market will launch its own, permanent, online marketplace where customers can see and pre-order from the broad range of products on offer week to week.
Pickup for products ordered online will take place on Thursday evenings under the Floyd Community Pavilion, alongside an experimental mid-week Floyd Farmers Market set up between 4:00 and 8:00 in the evening.  This will allow more shoppers to take home local goods, and it will offer yet another opportunity for visitors to take advantage of Floyd’s unique range of local products.  Perhaps most importantly, this second market day will give even more vendors the chance to bring their products directly to the consumer.
All these expansions are in service of the Floyd Farmers Market’s foundational goal: to develop a truly local food economy that simultaneously serves growers, consumers, and community health.  These steps are important, and SustainFloyd looks forward to having both community members and visitors join the journey of developing a strong local food system.
The expanded Market is not the only SustainFloyd project that visitors can look forward to in 2021.  This year, the annual Blue Ridge Eco Fair will move to a virtual format and will be airing on April 25.  To learn more about the Eco Fair and other SustainFloyd initiatives taking place throughout the year, visit online at sustainfloyd.org.
Details about the items available at the Floyd Farmers Market this season will be available online at floydfarmersmarket.org, with timely information and weekly updates.  After a year full of unexpected challenges, Floyd Farmers Market looks forward to returning bigger and stronger than ever in 2021.  Everyone involved is prepared to meet the needs of the community while still providing a unique experience that focuses on the agricultural, artistic, and forested products that Floyd County has to offer.  More than anything, the Floyd Farmers Market will continue to be a venue where food, freshness, and friends can safely come together.

Floyd Farmers Market • (540) 745-7333
205 S Locust St, Floyd, VA, US 24091
www.floydfarmersmarket.org
www.facebook.com/FloydFarmersMarket

On March 13th, 2020, The June Bug Center for Arts & Education had to close its doors and turn off its stage lights due to the global pandemic.  For a while, the center was in limbo, waiting to see when restrictions would allow the doors to open again.  In the meantime, June Bug had to get creative.  After all, the show must go on!
In November of 2020, June Bug cautiously put on their first production since the shutdown.  To make the performance safe for the community, Chantilly Farm offered their outdoor venue which opened many opportunities for the musical theater group, allowing larger audiences and a bigger stage.
After the success of that outdoor performance, the Center began thinking that Chantilly Farm could become a regular venue to be used throughout all their production seasons.
The June Bug Center is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization in Floyd, providing performing arts, music, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) opportunities through ongoing afterschool programs, classes, and community theater productions with the Floyd Community Theater Guild.
November’s performance was a young actor’s production of “Frozen Jr.”, which is based on the 2018 Broadway musical that brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life onstage.  The show features all the memorable songs from the animated film, which makes it a family favorite.
“After not being able to produce live events for months, it was an overwhelming amount of emotions seeing the community come together for this show,” stated director of the June Bug Center, Emily Gruver. “There was so much support, and it was great to see the audiences getting into the story of Frozen! Many of the kids came dressed up and it was fun hearing them get excited when their favorite character came on stage.”
The show featured twelve young actors in grades ranging from fourth to ninth. Rehearsing for the production while also observing COVID safety was a challenge.  All rehearsals were outside at the June Bug.  While learning choreography and blocking, masks were worn.  Closer to show debut, they moved to face shields.
“Even through all the guidelines,” says Gruver, “the kids were just happy to be back on stage. They have adapted so well and this production has meant so much to them and to me.”
In addition to theater performances, June Bug was able to continue its Blue Ridge Strings Program with an outdoor summer concert and a virtual winter concert.  The program’s summer performance showed five returning violin students that performed outside at the Floyd Center for the Arts.  The winter concert was filmed virtually for family and friends and showcased seven young violin students and a cello student.
In 2017, Blue Ridge Strings introduced the study of classical music on stringed instruments to students in grades three through eight.  Through hands-on instruction and creative enrichment, the program supports growth and development by instilling a deep appreciation for music and specific skill in performance.
To follow COVID guidelines, the group is split up to create smaller class sizes.  Students are given their own instruments, included in the tuition, and are required to wear masks.  During the program, students receive one hour of Suzuki instruction and one hour of music enrichment, which includes xylophone performance through the Orff method, rhythm lessons, and learning how to read music.  The program partners with Virginia’s Blue Ridge Music Festival.  As the program continues to grow, Blue Ridge Strings will be transforming into a small youth chamber group that will be ready to bring classical music performance to Floyd!
Just like Blue Ridge Strings, the June Bug continued operation with their other after school programs.  These include classes in music, Robotics, LEGO, Improv, and Theater.  Programs are held Monday through Friday from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.  The June Bug also has options to provide virtual lessons and one-on-one lessons for families that are not ready to return to a classroom setting.  What is unique about the June Bug is they provide sliding scale tuition to all students and offer discounted show tickets to the community, making these activities available and affordable for any family in the New River Valley.
As the Center prepares to finish the last after-school session of the school year, they are also gearing up for summer!  Summer camps will be jam-packed at the Bug this year, with camps in Improv, Playwriting, Musical Theater for Young Actors, Theater 101, LEGO, Computer Camp, Robotics, and Musical Theater for Teens!  Starting May 1, Summer Camp registration will be available on the website at junebugcenter.com.
More outdoor performances are on the calendar for the fall and summer, including Shrek Jr. and The Addams Family Musical.  Information and tickets for these events can also be found on the website.
To learn more about the June Bug Center, call 540-745-6550, or email emily@thejunebugcenter.com.  For those interested in donating to help keep the Center in operation, donations can be made online at the website or mailed to P.O. Box 940, Floyd, VA 24091.  Visitors may also join June Bug in person on GiveLocalNRV day, June 23, which is a community day of giving!

The June Bug Center • 540-745-6550
251 Parkway Ln S, Floyd, VA 24091
emily@thejunebugcenter.com • junebugcenter.com

by Vickie Holt

In the first half of the twentieth century, Charles and Kate Spangler owned and operated a cattle farm in Floyd County.  They also grew Rutgers and Marglobe tomatoes, which they sold to Huff Cannery.  At the time, the cannery was a cornerstone of the Floyd County community.  It closed its doors, however, in the 1950’s, and the shell of the once-bustling business can still be seen about four miles south of downtown Floyd on Highway 221, at the corner of, appropriately, Canning Factory Road.
By 1982, the Spanglers’ granddaughter, Sara Dulaney, was continuing her family’s farming tradition.  She had built a greenhouse on her grandparents’ land to grow tropical plants and flowers for the florist shop she’d opened.  Sara’s husband, Glenn, had helped her while also working in technology manufacturing with working Hollinsworth & Vose.
One misunderstanding, however, was all Fate needed to turn an out-building into what has become one of the most successful businesses in Floyd County.  A local business had asked Sara to grow some vegetable plants for an upcoming need.  When the tomatoes and peppers were ready, however, it was discovered that there had been a miscommunication.  The buyer had actually opted to get their plants from another source.  Sara and Glenn found themselves with a surplus of peppers and tomatoes, so they did a little advertising, set a jar out front at the florist shop, and sold the plants on the honor system.
In 1982, Sara and Glenn made the growing of plants, vegetables, and flowers the focus of their efforts, and Dulaney’s Greenhouses was born.  They grow flowers, vegetables, herbs, hanging baskets, and over fifty varieties of tomato plants, including the Rutgers an Marglobe Sara’s grandparents grew decades earlier.
With its thirteen bustling greenhouses, Dulaney’s occupies the last five acres of the Spangler’s cattle farm.  Located at 148 White Pine Lane, NE, Dulaney’s can be found just two miles north of downtown Floyd, off Highway 221.
“We use a commonsense approach to growing what we sell,” says owner, Sara Dulaney, explaining that she uses no sprays or chemicals on her plants.  Dulaney’s uses only non-GMO seeds, grown organically.
Customers and visitors are welcome to browse the greenhouses at their leisure, shopping among the vegetables, the flowers, and over four thousand hanging baskets!  Sara and her crew are always available and happy to answer questions.
In addition to in-person shoppers, Dulaney’s also grows for commercial and contract customers.  The City of Blacksburg comes to Dulaney’s for their hanging baskets.  Christiansburg, Radford, and Salem also come for the hanging baskets, but contact Dulaney’s for their public bed plants, as well.
The hanging baskets are also popular with individual shoppers, but another favorite are the striped tomatoes!  The size makes them perfect for sandwiches and Sara tells us the striped varieties are sweet, with low acid.  The biggest seller from this variety is called Mr. Stripey.  Ask for it by name!
Historically, Dulaney’s has operated each year from March through June, with herbs and vegetables being most popular in the spring.  Last year, however, Sara tried an experiment that has turned into a partnership that will result in growth for Dulaney’s starting this year.
Leah Rodriguez has been Head Grower at Dulaney’s for three years, but she also wanted to start her own nursery.  Seven years ago, Leah won $2500 to start her own business, Petals and Leaves, when she achieved Second Place in the EDA C4 Entrepreneurship.  She bought part of Dulaney’s land will be setting up two additional greenhouses for Petals and Leaves, allowing shoppers to buy from two growers in the same location.
In 2020, Dulaney’s was able to extend its operations well into the fall by offering Leah’s chrysanthemums and Christmas wreaths after the spring and summer items were gone.  The experiment was a success, so the new partnership will be going full bore in 2021.  Leah sold 3500 mums last year and will be growing twice as many this year!  Dulaney’s will be open for the spring and summer herbs, veggies, and flowers, then the business will switch over to Petals and Leaves for fall.
Dulaney’s hopes to enhance their online presence this year by upgrading their website at dulaneygreenhouse.swva.net.  In the meantime, however, new folks can see Dulaney’s and get a virtual tour on YouTube!  Citizens Telephone Cooperative filmed a tour and interview with Sara Dulaney which can be found on YouTube by searching “Community Show A Visit to Dulaney’s Greenhouse in Floyd, Virginia”.
Regarding the current climate, Sara says that Covid-19 hasn’t really affected Dulaney’s.  Since they are outside and the greenhouses are spread out, it’s easy for customers to observe social distance.  “We appreciate everyone’s support of our small, local business,” says Sara.  “It’s going to be what keeps us going.”
Sara would also like everyone to know that she partners with the Floyd County Humane Society by fostering kittens in the spring that are available for petting, socializing and adoption.

Dulaney’s Greenhouses • (540) 745-2994
www.Facebook.com/Dulaneys.Greenhouses
Monday through Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday 8:00am – 2:00pm.

Colby Gearhart, an eighteen-year-old from Floyd County, is well on his way to a successful career in the cattle industry.  He credits three F’s for his early eminence in agriculture: Family, Floyd County, and Farm Credit.
Colby is a third-generation farmer and knew from the time he was old enough to understand his family’s beef cattle business that he wanted to be involved.  Colby’s parents, Randall and Anne Gearhart, told us, “Colby has been farming since he was three years old with little tractors.  It seemed like he skipped being a kid and went straight to being an adult.  He has always wanted this, and we are proud to see him doing what he loves, day in and day out.”
Throughout the season, the Gearharts hold a weekly buying station at their Floyd-based farm, RG Cattle.  Cow and calf farmers from fifty miles around bring their steer and heifer calves, weighing between 300 and 700 pounds, to sell at the station.  Colby and crew sort, sex, weigh, and buy the locally sourced calves, providing convenience and increased support of other area farmers.  Once the calves are purchased, they are then backgrounded.
RG Cattle is responsible for backgrounding approximately 10,000 cattle each year.  Backgrounding is the period of time in which a producer works to grow and maintain the health of the weaned calf prior to the next sale.  The Gearhart’s pre-conditioning program lasts four-to-five months.  They feed and care for the calves until they weigh between 800 and 900 pounds and are ready for their next home, typically a feedlot out west.
At RG Cattle, there are a lot of moving parts that keep Colby on his toes, and his day-to-day responsibilities can change by the minute.  As he finishes up his final year of high school during the COVID-19 pandemic, Colby spends less time in the classroom and more time on the farm.  He often starts his mornings by feeding a handful of calves that he is backgrounding for himself, monitoring their health and growth.  Following the morning routine, he is frequently called out to haul cattle, which can be for a neighbor in need, as well as for RG Cattle.  Most of his day is spent riding around RG Cattle lots, keeping watch for distressed or sick calves in need of attention.
Looking past graduation and into the future, Colby plans to continue farming.  He has dreams of expansion for both his personal herd and for RG Cattle.  He will continue to work alongside his family, not only helping to increase their customer base, but to also become more efficient in raising healthy and happy cattle.
Colby is cognizant of how the success of his operation and continued growth is attributed to the Floyd County community.  Generations of his family created business partnerships which turned into friendships that have lasted to this day.  “It feels like we’re doing business with our friends instead of strangers off the street,” says Colby.  “It’s easier to do business with our neighbors and friends because we can trust people.  In our experience, everyone is honest.  Floyd County farmers are a reliable and trust-worthy bunch, making it a great place to not only live, but also conduct business.”
Customer relationships and family support aren’t the only steppingstones to Colby’s success, or to his involvement in agriculture.  Colby learned early on that the importance of working closely with a trusted lender and financial partner cannot be overstated.  Colby has been a participant in Farm Credit of the Virginia’s Youth Agricultural Loan Program since he was sixteen.  The program requires teen participants to apply for a loan, talk to a lender, fill out and provide eligibility documentation, and sign loan papers.  This provided Colby a wealth of valuable, hands-on experience by the age of eighteen!  His involvement in the program also helped Colby to expand his personal operation and pay more attention to the financial side of the industry; making sure his cattle make enough money to pay back accrued interest.
“I think it is valuable when you have to prove to your loan officer that you will pay the money back and that your livestock will turn a profit,” says Colby.  “The industry entails more than just buying cattle and keeping your fingers crossed, and the Youth Ag (Youth Agricultural Loan Program) loan helped me see that.”
Another benefit of the Youth Agricultural Loan Program that Colby experienced was the aspect of relationship-building.  Colby is only eighteen years old and already has an established relationship with a lender he trusts, which will come in handy as he seeks to grow his operation.
There is no doubt that the agriculture industry is a tough field, and recent COVID-19 disruptions to the supply chain and market volatility have not eased the plight of the American farmer.  Colby summed it up best when he shared his motivation for continuing in such a challenging industry.  “Every day presents a new challenge – the weather, market prices, you name it – there is always something thrown in the mix to slow you down.  But for me, knowing that I’m a part of feeding the world and that I can show my passion for that every day – I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

RG Cattle • Colby Gearhart • (540) 651-8626
1296 Stonewall Rd NE, Check, VA, US 24072
www.facebook.com/RGCattleCo1/ 

Farm Credit of the Virginia • 1-800-919-3276
www.farmcreditofvirginias.com