Rappahannock County, Virginia
Keeping it natural

Living with bears

Got bears on your mind? Or in your yard, your orchard, your beehives, your porch, or even in your kitchen? Many people are wondering how to live with our burgeoning bear population in a way that keeps both bears and people out of trouble. For some answers, read Clay Fulghum and Marshall Jones' article, "Living With Bears" for tips and a list of links to additional information about bears.

RLEP supports "Plant a Row" to help feed Rappahannock families

If you are planning a garden, plant an extra row for the hungry. Click here for how to participate.

Roots of the Local Food Movement

Local foods may be the "new organic," but this isn't the first time Americans have been encouraged to grow and buy food locally. Many of the reasons for doing this are also not new—for human health, food security, economic independence, strengthening community ties, and environmental protection. In a series of five articles, former RLEP director Don Audette looks at the roots of the local-food movement in World War I.

Part 1: "Eat Local" movement has roots in history

Part 2: Women organize to support the World War I effort through food production and conservation

Part 3: Home gardens in World War I

Part 4: School gardens in World War I

Part 5: Community gardens in World War I

Living in bear country—
A privilege and a responsibility

	Photo courtesy of the National Park Service.

If there is one wild animal which defines the special character of living in Rappahannock County, it must be the American black bear, Ursus americanus. In fact, bears are so common in the county that it's easy to take them for granted—but this was not the case just a few generations ago. [Read more]
Virginia's Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has posted an informative video, "Living with Black Bears in Virginia" with Rappahannock resident Bruce Jones is one of the interviewees.