News

Elizabeth Obenshain has received the 2018 Botetourt County Clean Water Farm Award from Mountain Castles Soil & Water Conservation District. Obenshain co-owns the 188-acre Blue Ridge Hall Farm on Beckner Branch in the Mill Creek area, which has been in

Despite unusually high water this fall, the sun was shining when Botetourt County middle school students paddled a portion of the James River and searched for aquatic insects in Catawba Creek. These field experiences were part of an ongoing initiative

Native plants can help solve problems, both in your yard and in the ecosystem. Put into practice at Read Mountain Middle School, a retaining wall planted with native plants is part of a solution to a soil compaction and erosion

Barry Holland of Botetourt County and Tracy Roberts Frist of Craig County have each received a “Clean Water Farm Award” from Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation District. Holland owns a 230-acre beef cattle farm on Long Run in Buchanan. 

Unless you are a local farmer or teacher, chances are you don’t know much about Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation District.  The district, which serves Botetourt and Craig, is one of 47 soil and water districts located throughout Virginia.

Jennifer Hannah of Central Academy Middle School has been selected by Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation District as the 2017 Conservation Teacher of the Year. As a teacher of agri-science, Hannah incorporates many different study areas into her conservation

We are excited to partner with Botetourt County Public Schools to provide a free Project WET workshop on Aug. 7 at Camp Bethel.  All K-12 teachers who work for Botetourt County or Craig County are invited to attend the 5

Fifty-nine miles of the Upper James is officially designated with “Scenic River” status.  Sponsored by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Scenic Rivers Program identifies, recognizes and provides a level of protection to rivers with significant scenic, historic,

Are you a teacher in Botetourt County or Craig County who needs a little extra cash to support environmental education in your classroom?  We are offering mini-grants of up to $200 to purchase materials for projects and/or activities.  Grant funds

Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation District awarded the $1,000 John and Hallie Seibel Scholarship to Ashley Phoenix of Lord Botetourt High School.  Sarah Harris and Mason Sowers of James River High School were the co-recipients of the Harold P.