Floyd Virginia Magazine 2021 Spring:Summer

Spring/Summer 2021 | Volume 13 Issue 1

magazine

Floyd Virginia Your FREE

Comprehensive Guide To

ot or Kn n e h c i ny L ompa C t n Pla

Celebrating the People of Floyd

Spring/Summer 2021

Phoen i Hardw x ood

s

All Things Floyd

S tonehaven st Bed & Breakfa

Woo

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Local Stories - Points of Interest - Map of Floyd Food - Wine - Art - Lodging - Real Estate & Land

www.Fl oyd V ir g in ia Ma g a zin e . c owww.FloydVirginiaMagazine.com m

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magazine

Floyd Virginia Your FREE

Comprehensive Guide To

Alphabetical Listing of Advertisers Page 46 For publication information, call John Brill (540) 815-1079 For additional copies, email john@brilldesigns.org

Floyd Virginia Magazine Team John Brill - Publisher Vickie Holt - Editor © 2021 FLOYD VIRGINIA MAGAZINE, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part, without written permission from FLOYD VIRGINIA MAGAZINE is prohibited. Every attempt has been made to verify the information contained in this publication. We assume no responsibility for incorrect, omitted or outdated information contained herein. We publish ads and stories without any implied endorsement of organizations, the views they express or the products/services they offer.

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Spring/Summer 2021 Volume 13 • 1st Issue

All Things Floyd

Backstage with the Owners of The Floyd Country Store........................... 8-9 The Future of Agriculture is in Good Hands with Floyd County Young Farmer............. 10-12 Growth, Expansion, and a New Partnership at Dulaney’s Greenhouses.......................... 14-16 The Show Must Go On!..............................................18 Floyd Farmers Market to Return Bigger and Stronger than Ever................... 20-21 Floyd Hemp Factory Brings New Industry Opportunity to Floyd Farmers........................22 Points of Interest ........................................................24 Directory.....................................................................26 A New Plant Shop with a Unique Angle ............. 28-30 FCHS Continue Their Mission of Serving Pets & Their People.............................32 “Where folks come for the pizza!”........................ 34-35 Spring & Summer Happenings 2021.........................36 Buffalo & More: Exciting Modern Foods Made from an Ancient Resource............... 38-39 An Iconic Bent Mountain Tradition is Saved............40 Sixth Annual Little River Poetry Festival...................42 Personal Wellness Retreats are Trending!...................44

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Celebrating the People of Floyd!

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Backstage with the Owners of The Floyd Country Store When Dylan Locke and Heather Krantz bought The Floyd Country Store from Woody and Jackie Crenshaw in the fall of 2014, they knew they wanted to preserve the beautiful traditions that had been going on since the early 1900s.

The building had taken many forms over the years – grocery store, farm store, music venue – but one thing held steady: it was always a community space.

Dylan and Heather set out to nurture the longstanding traditions of the Country Store and to accentuate them with food, retail, and other themes focusing on the local.

They prioritized a strong relationship with the music community, including, but not limited to, old time, traditional, and bluegrass music, as well as dance.

Dylan explains that they were drawn to the old Country Store’s energy and the connectedness it fostered. They sought to keep “one foot firmly planted in the past with the other foot moving the Store into the future.” The commonality between the past and the future for them was the ideal of simple living, especially through social connection with all generations.

Dylan and Heather were no strangers to this kind of business.

Dylan had years of experience promoting a variety of musical acts, and Heather had been involved in the local music scene which is where she met Dylan. In addition, Heather had worked at the Country Store for Woody and Jackie Crenshaw, doing booking and marketing. When they took over the Store, their respective skillsets enabled them both to manage events and business at a high level.

The Floyd Country Store grew and flourished. Soon, music events were held six days a week, with the Friday Night Jamboree honored as a 35-year tradition. The venue was celebrated and supported by Virginia Tourism, and travelers on The Crooked Road (Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail) were always sure to put the Store on their itineraries.

Visitors didn’t want to leave. Travel and tourism writers raved about it. It got a front-page feature in the Washington Post, along with features in Southern Living, Garden & Gun, and on NPR and the BBC. The good food, the fun, and the retail, as well as the common connection shared by all, kept cars on the road to Floyd. People got used to seeing the “fixtures”, meaning the regulars at the store, but they also got to experience new folks walking in and sitting down next to them.

Many feel strongly that the experience is “uplifting and transformative.”

In addition to strengthening the music and community around the Floyd Country Store, the couple also added new projects and revived others. They founded the Handmade Music School in 2016, and in 2019 reopened the historical County Sales music store, which was first established as a record label by David Freeman in 1965. In the fall of that same year, the Soda Fountain at the Floyd Country 8

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By Lindsey Terrell

Store opened its doors.

Being primarily an event venue and community gathering place, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic hit hard at The Floyd Country Store. In normal times, the energy generated by the music and dance at the Store creates an atmosphere where age doesn’t matter. Folks that have been a part of the Store since the first Friday Night Jamborees share the floor with families, students, and travelers.

Everyone joining in leaves their differences at the door and “steps into something inherently good and needed,” says Heather. “We are in the business of bringing people together, and the restrictions of operating during a pandemic and staying in touch with our community has been a challenge.”

The mission of The Floyd Country Store has long been to make their events accessible and affordable. Dylan and Heather are more dedicated to celebrating traditional music and dance than making profit from it, so they have kept prices low to allow many people to come and enjoy performances. The model works when lots of folks can be in the building, but not with limited occupancy and social distancing. Very fortunately, friends and fans of the Floyd Country Store were able to ease the strain of the pandemic’s impact with a fundraiser in late 2020.

The local and global community rallied together to help sustain and ensure the institution’s future.

Dylan, Heather, and their team adapted to Covid restrictions with creativity. Friday Night Jamborees were moved safely outdoors and live streamed around the world. During the winter months, social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube became the venues for live and pre-recorded performances. The Handmade Music School introduced online lessons, as well as a virtual workshop and lecture series called “Handmade at Home.” Finally, County Sales worked to fine tune their online offerings. All wings of the organization worked together to bring content, entertainment, and inspiration to the community.

It became clear that, despite the many strains and restrictions Covid had brought on Dylan, Heather, and their team, they were able to – albeit with some difficulty and road bumps – adapt to and creatively reinvent the meaning of community connectedness in a predominantly virtual world.

When asked what lessons they learned from this time and about their vision for the future, Dylan and Heather spoke of synergy between the Floyd Country Store, Handmade Music School, and County Sales.

The creative arts generate a high-level of human connection that can withstand the trials of a pandemic.

“Change can happen at any point in time,” says Dylan, “but if we operate with creativity and are able to adapt and grow with the challenges, we can be prepared for the difficult journey ahead.”

County Sales and the Handmade Music School now operate under the umbrella of “Handmade Music”, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Going forward, the school will offer robust learning opportunities both in-

Spring/Summer 2021

person and online. Also, County Sales will expand its work as a resource to the old-time, country, and bluegrass music community through honoring historic recordings and assisting living artists. And of course, the Floyd Country Store will always offer delicious food, quality retail items, and the music events that bring folks from around the world. Eventually, the in-person music and dance will be back, better than ever.

Dylan and Heather have learned new ways to engage with the community; ways they plan to keep offering in the future, including live-streamed events, virtual lessons, lectures, and workshops, online ordering for the café, and artisan goods available through the website. The two have also realized that The Floyd Country Store, Handmade Music School, and County Sales can work together to offer unique and inclusive visitor experiences, especially when it comes to traditional music.

By carefully connecting some of these moving parts, Heather and Dylan will be able to offer immersive cultural opportunities, while at the same time supporting and encouraging individuals and businesses in the community. Through adapting to the challenges of Covid, the pair hope to aid the Floyd community in preparing for growth, overcoming differences, and the challenges that come with change. With all the work involved, the couple know it’s about something much greater than themselves.

For more information about the Floyd Country Store, music events, Handmade Music School, County Sales, the Soda Fountain, and more, visit online at www.floydcountrystore.com.

You can also follow on Facebook at floydcountrystore. The Floyd Country Store is located at 206 S. Locust Street in Floyd, Virginia.

Dylan Locke and Heather Krantz Floyd Country Store, Handmade Music School, County Sales, & the Soda Fountain 206 S. Locust Street in Floyd, Virginia www.FloydCountryStore.com • (540) 745-4563 Facebook.com/floydcountrystore

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The Future of Agriculture is in Good Hands with Floyd County Young Farmer 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

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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.

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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, handson 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 12 www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine

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Leah Rodriguez & Sara Dulaney

Growth, Expansion, and a New Partnership at Dulaney’s Greenhouses

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, 14 www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine

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

Spring/Summer 2021

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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.

16 www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine

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.

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The Show Must Go On! 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 18 www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine

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

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www.willsridge.com • 202 Lumber Lane, Floyd VA

540-745-2044

Home of “BIG JACK” & “BIG BEAR”

Green Building Products • Eco Friendly Stains & Glues • Kiln Dried Lumber Envirosafe Lumber • Hardie Board Siding • El Dorado Stone • Cultured Stone

Spring/Summer 2021

www.FloydVirginiaMagazine.com 19

Floyd Farmers Market to Return in 2021 Bigger and Stronger than Ever SustainFloyd is a local nonprofit working to support the environment, agriculture, renewable energy, and community wellbeing. 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.

20 www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine

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.

Spring/Summer Spring/Summer 2021 2021

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.

Virginia wine... with an Italian flair

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

540.593.3100 Visit ou r we bs ite for a sch e du le of events

www.VillaAppalaccia.com 752 Rock Castle Gorge, Floyd, VA Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway between mile post 170 & 1 7 1 Spring/Summer 2021

www.FloydVirginiaMagazine.com 21

Kevin Howard, Caden Voss, Jackson Howard, Issak Keith, and John Reece

Floyd Hemp Factory Brings New Industry Opportunity to Floyd Farmers Floyd Hemp Factory was founded by farmers and businessmen in the Floyd County area of Virginia. In 2018, when hemp and CBD were legalized in the state of Virginia, Floyd natives Chad Quesenberry, Ryan Turman, and Jon Coburn saw a unique opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a brand-new industry. The trio believed in CBD’s medicinal uses, and they wanted to focus on growing the very best, all natural, and organically grown hemp they could produce.

Early in 2020, the group added a fourth member. Through a family friend, Ryan Turman met Jackson Howard, a Texas native attending Liberty University. Jackson was impressed by the progress the trio had made in two short years, and quickly became a fourth partner. They all agreed there was a lot of potential in the industry.

As a group, these four guys define initiative, resourcefulness, and self-sufficiency. They used their own financial resources, as well as their own existing farmlands, to literally plants the seeds of a new business. Through dedicated research and self-education, they learned how to grow, how to process, and how to commercialize hemp and CBD. Now a foursome, the goal of the group continues to be to ensure that local farmers have a commercially viable crop from which they can make a living. They do that by ensuring their hemp and CBD products come directly from their own farms, as well as farms they contract for growing. That way, the growers never have to suffer the consequences of middlemen vying for most of the profit.

When the group originally founded Floyd Hemp Factory, they hoped to build a market in Virginia that could sustain farmers growing hemp, as there were few crops left that were financially stable.

They also wanted to showcase Floyd and how well the area could grow cannabis. Their belief, as shared with many others in Floyd and the surrounding area, is that Floyd County could become the Napa Valley of Cannabis due to a unique soil that adds so much scent and flavor to the hemp and cannabis.

There are so many opportunities to implement the benefits of hemp and cannabis. For areas struggling with opioid and meth addiction, hemp has been shown to help people recover from those addictions.

Floyd Hemp Factory has received testimony from several customers about how the products helped them, or a family member, to kick their addictions, releasing them from the need to visit pain clinics.

Older Americans suffering from insomnia and arthritis can also benefit. Now that medicinal cannabis is legal, the Floyd Hemp Factory is able to produce products that continue to change lives by allowing patients to reduce or eliminate pharmaceutical drugs from their regimens.

All products from the Floyd Hemp Factory are handmade and organically grown in Virginia. Each product is thoroughly tested 22 www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine

in-house for its properties and abilities so the group can confidently promote the hemp and guarantee its effectiveness with integrity.

Customer service is a top priority at Floyd Hemp Factory, with the group striving to make the best and most affordable hemp products for their customers.

The folks at the Factory are often asked if CBD will help with various issues. Customers should be aware that CDB products are regulated by the FDA, and not approved as prescription drugs for any condition, with the exception of certain seizures.

Producers of CBD products must take strict measures to ensure their products are not advertised or labeled as making medical claims for the treatment of symptoms or conditions. For example, even though there are proven benefits, CBD producers cannot advertise that CBD is a treatment for arthritis. However, they may label the product in a way that designates it for promoting joint health. Though the group struggles with the philosophies behind the restrictions, they comply with every rule.

There is ongoing study to determine exactly how cannabis helps fight pain. The Floyd Hemp Factory encourages its customers to do research online, where lots of information can be found about the many ways in which people have experienced great progress in “promoting health” with CBD. As can be said of many medicines and supplements, different people respond differently to CBD. Many may feel the benefits in as little as an hour, with a calmer mood or a decrease in certain pain levels. Others require a regular dose for up to two weeks in order to achieve the same results. The reverse is also true for when the usage stops. Some people will notice an immediate fading of the benefits while others will not lose the benefits for up to two weeks.

Not all pain is the same. CBD customers will see better results with joint and muscle pain than they will with many internal pains. CBD product producers like the Floyd Hemp Factory suggest trying the products carefully to determine how your body will react and benefit.

Cannabidiol can be applied in multiple ways: inhalation of cannabis smoke or vapor, as an aerosol spray into the cheek, or by mouth. It may be available as containing only CBD as the active ingredient, with no included tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] or terpenes. It may also be available as full-plant CBD-dominant hemp extract oil, capsules, dried cannabis, or as a prescription liquid solution. CBD does not have the same psychoactive properties as THC and may change the effects of THC on the body if both are present. As of 2018, the mechanism of action for its biological effects has not been determined.

Floyd Hemp Factory • www.FloydHempFactory.com (540) 789-2665 • www.Facebook/FloydHempFactory

Spring/Summer 2021

Carry Out • Curb Side • Patio Seating

Bison, Pork, and Chicken meat for sale!

4041 Riner Road • Riner, VA

540-381-9764 To see our full menu, google “Buffalo And More Restaurant” and click on the menu

Sticks & Stones

Construction, Inc.

Distinctive Woodworking & Stone Masonry New Homes • Renovations Additions • Stone Masonry Custom Decks & Porches Timber Framing

540-763-2003 Floyd VA

Class A Licensed, Fully Insured

Spring/Summer 2021

www.FloydVirginiaMagazine.com 23

Points of Interest Bent Mountain Mercantile Bent Mountain Bistro

Stonehaven Inn

Red F Au loyd Rooster tov Je ille we Au lry Coffee to R & epa ir lle ri G ay ty Blue Parkw l Socie torica Ridge attoo Manifesting FC His Sun T e th Alchemy r Wellness Unde aggie The M

Schoolhouse Fabics Lichen or Knot Bell Gallery

op rcantile s Sh e Dres w Mt M y Store Little Ne Countr ouse h d y oad lo R F town Dog

Floyd Visitor Center, Cocoa Mia, & Blue Ridge Diner Woolly Jumper Yarns Hotel Floyd Th eS tatio n* *At The Station • Elma’s Corners • A New Leaf Gallery • Troika • Farmer’s Market

Floyd Center for the Arts

Christiansburg

Floyd County, Virginia

81

Bent Mountain Grateful Produce

AmRhein’s Wine Cellars

Apple Ridge Farm

Copper Hill

Aly’s Restaurant

Copper Hill Cakes & Goodies

653

Buffalo & More

Bent Mountain Lodge

Smith’s Grocery & Hardware

Riner 612

June Bug Center

Check

Springhouse Community School

8

642 Seven Springs Farm

Check Country Store

679 Whitlock’s Garage

The Eighty Four On the Water in Floyd

The Outpost

Bread Basket

754

s Will

Indian Valley

ge

Rid

G.J. Ingram & Son

Wills Ridge Supply

ie nP t ica an er aur Am est R ’s ey ses lan ou Du enh e Gr

Alum Ridge

787

Mickey G’s

Buffalo Mountain Brewing Company

T&E

Slaughter’s Supermarket

Willis Village Mart

787

to

77

221

Wildwood Farms General Store C.W. Harman & Son

Floyd

679 Chantilly Farm

Spencer’s Body Shop Blue Ridge Yurts

Phoenix Hardwoods

Streamline Timberframe

Griffith Lumber

Pine Tavern Lodge

Pearce Heating & Air

Floyd Yoga Jam & Living Light River Studio

221

Anahata Education Center

615

8

681

e Ridg Blue way Park

Belle La Vita Inn

Rakes Mill Pond Roberson Mill

Willis

Tuggles Gap Restaurant & Motel

Buffalo Mountain Getaway Cottage Buffalo Mountain Ziplines

799

Griffith Lumber Floyd Fest Grounds

Chateau Morrisette Winery

Villa Appalaccia Winery & Vineyard

8 Woolwine

Roads Also Roads Blue Ridge Parkway County Border U.S. Hwy 81

24 www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine

Mabry Mill

58 Country Road Realty

Jerry & Connie’s House of Collectibles

Meadows of Dan

In Meadows of Dan: • Blue Ridge Visitor’s Center • Poor Farmers Market • Jane’s Country Cafe • Poppy’s • Concord Country Store

0

6 Miles

Spring/Summer Spring/Summer 2021 2021

Bent Mountain Lodge Bed and Breakfast Inc. Mailing Address P.O. Box 134 Copper Hill, VA 24079 Owned and Operated by Bonnie and Jesse Lawrence

9039 Mountain View Drive Copper Hill, VA 24079 540-651-2500 mscmom74@swva.net

Ask about our Italian Supper Club!

Lodge, Pavilion and Gazebo Suites for weddings & reunions

www.BentMountainLodgeBedandBreakfast.com

A little something for everybody!

Yarn Gifts Books & More!

Chef’s Choice & Family Style dining available

Wed - Sun 12PM - 8PM

We have Alpaca Products!

Sweaters, Hats, Fingerless Mitts, Gloves, Headbands, Socks, Toys, and More!

276-952-8370 • MODpoppys.com 10 Concord Road • Meadows of Dan, VA

Call us or Check our Facebook Page for Updated Summer Hours!

www.MickeyGsBistro.com 540-745-2208

r o F Fun ryone!

Eve

Delicious Craft Beers!

Food Specials!

Family Friendly!

Live Music!

Bring your pup!

540-745-2491 332 Webbs Mills Rd N, Floyd VA www.BuffaloMountainBrewery.com

Spring/Summer 2021

facebook.com/MercantileofFloyd/

540-745-4278

114 S Locust St. Floyd, Virginia Mon- Fri 11AM-5PM • Sat 10AM-5PM • Sun 12-3PM www.FloydVirginiaMagazine.com 25

Directory Location

Contact Info

Phone

A New Leaf Gallery

www.ANewLeafGallery.com

540-745-7367

G.J. Ingram & Son

540-745-3201

All Pest Control & Solutions

www.GoAllPest.com

540-382-3181

Grateful Produce

540-988-6318

Amateur Raido

www.FloydAmateurRadioSociety.org 540-745-7742

Griffith Lumber Company

276-692-8754

AmRhein’s Wine Cellars

www.Amrheins.com/fine-wine

540-929-4632

Jerry & Connie’s House of Collectibles facebook.com/MeadowsOfDanAntiques 276-952-1095

Anahata Education Center

www.AnahataEducationCenter.com

540-745-5811

Lichen or Knot

Artisan Trail

www.FloydArtisanTrail.org

540-745-7333

Little Dress Shop

Autoville Auto Repair

540-745-4224

McHale Arborscape

facebook.com/ShaneMcHalesArborscape 540-810-1845

Bell Gallery and Garden

540-745-4494

Mickey G’s Bistro

www.MickeyGsBistro.com

540-651-2500

www.BellGalleryAndGarden.com

Bent Mountain Lodge Bed and Breakfast Inc

Location

Contact Info

Phone

www.GriffithLumber.net www.LichenOrKnot.com

540-267-6556 540-239-7038 540-745-2208

New Mountain Mercantile of Floyd facebook.com/MercantileofFloyd

540-745-4278

www.BentMountainLodgeBedAndBreakfast.com

On the Water in Floyd

www.OnTheWaterInFloyd.com

540-838-1877

Bent Mountain Mercantile

www.BentMountainMercantile.com

540-929-8046

Parkway Grille

facebook.com/ParkwayGrilleVA

540-745-4770

Blue Ridge Alchemy

facebook.com/BlueRidgeAlchemy

540-745-4904

Pearce Heating & Air

facebook.com/PearceHeatingAndAir

540-745-4912

Blue Ridge Yurts

www.BlueRidgeYurts.com

540-745-7458

Pine Tavern Lodge

www.ThePineTavernLodge.com

540 745 4428

Bread Basket

facebook.com/BreadBasket.floydva

540-745-5382

Pine Tavern Restaurant

www.ThePineTavern.com

540-745-4482

Buffalo and More

www.BuffaloAndMore.com

540-381-9764

Phillips Real Estate

www.PhillipsRealEstateVA.com

540-745-3700

Buffalo Hemp Company

www.TheBuffaloHempCompany.com

540-745-8242

Phoenix Hardwoods

www.Phoenix-Hardwoods.com

540-745-7475

Buffalo Mountain Brewing Co

www.BuffaloMountainBrewery.com

540-745-2491

Poppy’s

MODpoppys.com

276-952-8370

Buffalo Mountain Adventures

www.BuffaloMtnAdv.com

540-755-0910

Reed’s Garage

540-929-4236

Buffalo Mountain Ziplines

www.BuffaloMountainZiplines.com

540-200-5234

Rorrer Well Drilling

www.RorrerDrilling.com

540-745-6448

C.W. Harman & Son

www.CWHarmanAndSon.com

540-745-2252

Schoolhouse Fabrics

facebook.com/Schoolhouse.Fabrics

540-745-4561

Carter and Company Insurance jcarterinsurance@outlook.com

540-267-5054

SETEC

Chantilly Farm

www.ChantillyFarm.com

540-808-4984

Slaughters’ Supermarket

540-745-2908

Chateau Morrisette Winery

www.TheDogs.com

540-593-3647

Spencers Body Shop

540-745-5880

Chestnut Springs Retreat

540-745-2345

Sticks & Stones Construction

540-763-2003

Citizens

www.Citizens.coop

800-941-0426

StoneHaven Inn

www.StoneHavenbnbfloyd.com

540-745-4018

Cocoa Mia

facebook.com/CocoaMiaChocolates

540-695-0224

Streamline Timberframe

www.StreamlineTimberframe.com

540-230-5505

Concord Corner Store

facebook.com/ConcordCornerStore

276-952-3400

T & E Small Engine

www.TESmallEngine.com

540-745-8383

Country Road Realty

www.CountryRoadRealtyVA.com

276-952-6582

The Maggie

www.TheMaggieGallery.com

540-745-8000

Crockett Home Improvement

www.CrockettHomeImp.com

540-382-8747

The Schroeder Law Firm, PC

www.Schroeder-Law.com

540-745-4435

DeHart Tile Co

www.DeHartTile.com

540-382-3271

The Woodshed

540-320-3057

Dogtown Roadhouse

www.DogtownRoadhouse.com

540-745-6836

Thomas & Wall Real Estate

www.ThomasWallRE.com

540-745-8973

Dulaney’s Greenhouse

www.DulaneyGreenhouse.swva.net

540-745-2994

Tinbenders Inc

www.TinbendersInc.com

540-334-5841

Edward Jones - David Cross

www.EdwardJones.com/David-Cross

540-745-6851

Tuggles Gap Restaurant

www.TugglesGap.biz

540-745-3402

Elma’s Corners

www.ElmasCorners.com

540-230-8451

Troika Contemporary Crafts

www.TroikaCrafts.com

540-745-8764

Farm Credit of the Virginias

www.FarmCreditOfVirginias.com

540-745-2071

Under the Sun Tattoo

www.UnderTheSunTattoo.com

540-745-3080

Farmer’s Market / Sustain Floyd www.SustainFloyd.org

540-745-7333

United Country Real Estate

www.EdGallimore.com

540-230-9090

Floyd Center for the Arts

facebook.com/FloydArts

540-745-2784

Upon the Earth Construction

facebook.com/UponTheEarthServices

540-239-2362

Floyd County Historical Society

www.FloydHistoricalSociety.org

540-745-3247

Villa Appalaccia Winery & Vineyard www.VillaAppalaccia.com

540-593-3100

Floyd Country Store

www.FloydCountryStore.com

540-745-4563

Whitlock’s Garage

540-745-3585

Floyd County Tourism Office

www.VisitFloydVA.com

540-239-8509

Wildwood Farms General Store

540-745-5155

Floyd Hemp Factory

www.FloydHempFactory.com

540-789-2665

Willis Village Mart

540-789-7241

Floyd Humane Society

www.FloydHumaneSociety.org

540-745-7207

Wills Ridge Supply

540-745-2044

Floyd Jewelry

facebook.com/FloydJewelry

540-745-4653

26 www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine

www.SoilAndEnvironmentalTechnology.com 540-381-0309

www.WildwoodFarmsDaylilies.com www.WillsRidge.com

Spring/Summer Spring/Summer 2021 2021

Garden Center & Christmas Shoppe • Annuals, Perennials • Trees, Shrubs, Mulch • Potting Soil • Stone Decor • Starter Plants

• Top Quality & Low Prices • Farmers Finest Produce • Butchers’ Best Meats • Deli & Fresh Bakery • Great Lunch Specials

We Carry a Wide Variety of Gardening Items and Decor!!

536 Floyd Highway S - (540) 745-2908

A Business Favorite of Floyd Locals!

Spring/Summer 2021

www.FloydVirginiaMagazine.com 27

A New Plant Shop with a Unique Angle and a Funny Name 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 28 www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine

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!

Spring/Summer Spring/Summer 2021 2021

Bella La Vita Inn An Extraordinary Bed and Breakfast Experience the Unexpected...

Floyd-Crafted Artisanal Chocolates Truffles ˜ Chocolate Drinks ˜ Coffee Baked Goods ˜ Artisanal Chocolate Bars 540-695-0224 • 109 E Main St, Floyd, VA Located across from the Floyd County Courthouse Locate Store Hours or Shop Online at

www.cocoamiachocolates.com

540-421-0433 •BellaLaVitaInn.com 582 New Haven Road SE, Floyd, VA

Take a Ride on the Wild Side!

Ages 3 and up • Weight limit 275lbs

540-200-5234

zip@buffalomountainziplines.com

www.BuffaloMountainZiplines.com Located on Black Ridge Rd one mile off the parkway (one mile form Chateau Morrisette) MP 171.5 on BRP

Follow us on Facebook or check out our website for specials and events!

Spring/Summer 2021

www.FloydVirginiaMagazine.com 29

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.

540-745-3700

Floyd’s Rural Property Specialists From 2 Ac to 600 Ac available!

Doug Phillips 540-320-1515 David Phillips 540-250-6730

PhillipsRealEstate@gmail.com PhillipsRealEstateVA.com NewRiverValleyLandSales.com 214 N. Locust Street (Only 700 feet from the Red Light)

Lichen or Knot • Heather and John Barbieri 203 Fox Street, Floyd, VA • lichenorknot.com lichenorknot@gmail.com • 540.267.6556 30 www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine

Spring/Summer 2021

Spring/Summer 2021

www.FloydVirginiaMagazine.com 31

FCHS Pushes Through Pandemic to Continue Their Mission of Serving Pets and Their People 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 32 www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine

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 8x20 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

Spring/Summer 2021

Autoville Auto Repair

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The Custom Frame Shop at The Maggie Gallery We design beautiful packages to compliment and protect your treasures!

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• Tapestries and Rugs • Original artwork of all mediums • Cross Stitch and Needlepoint • Shadowboxes for 3D items

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www.TheMaggieGallery.com 187 North Locust Street • Floyd, VA • 24072 Spring/Summer 2021

www.FloydVirginiaMagazine.com 33

“Where folks come for the pizza and stay for the music!”

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 34 www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine

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 singersongwriter, 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, awardwinning 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.

Spring/Summer 2021

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!

540.745.8764 • WWW.TroikaCrafts.com Instagram/facebook: @troikacrafts

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/

Spring/Summer 2021

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Floyd VA Spring & Summer Happenings 2021 Located atop the magnificent Blue Ridge plateau in southwestern Virginia and spanning nearly forty miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Floyd is a haven of natural beauty, renowned for the hospitality of its people, and for a vibrant culture of music, arts, local foods and wines, and outdoor recreation. Spring and Summer are wonderful times to visit! For more information about below and other events, go to VisitFloydVA.com or call the Visitor Center at 540-745-4407.

SAMPLING OF MAJOR EVENTS: Sunday, April 25, 2021 Blue Ridge Virtual Eco Fair • www.blueridgeecofair.com Sponsored by SustainFloyd • www.SustainFloyd.org Saturday, May 1, 2021 Raise the Barre Dance Recital • www.ChantillyFarm.com Saturday – Sunday, May 1 – 2, 2021: VIRTUAL 16 Hands Spring Studio Tour • www.16hands.com May 23, 2021 Ray Wylie Hubbard - Performing Live Historic Epperly Mill • www.epperlymill.com June 4-6, 2021 Little River Poetry Festival • www.Littleriverpoetryfest.com June 18, 2021 Chris Knight – Performing Live Historic Epperly Mill • www.epperlymill.com June 24-27, 2021 Summer Goddess Retreat • Anahata Retreat Center www.interweave.love/events/retreat-2021 June 27, 2021 Appalachian Spring & The Four Seasons (Classical Music) Floyd Events Center • www.virginiasblueridgemusicfestival.org Friday – Sunday, July 17 – 19, 2021 Floyd Auto Fair & Vintage Swap Meet • www.ChantillyFarm.com Wednesday – Sunday, July 21 – 25, 2021 Floydfest • www.floydfest.com August 21, 2021 Replenish Festival • Burnett Farm • www.replenishfest.com Thursday-Sunday, September 2-5, 2021 Floyd Yoga Jam • www.FloydYogaJam.net 36 www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine

September 11, 2021 Floyd County Fair • www.ChantillyFarm.com September 17 – 19, 2021 Buses at Chantilly • www.ChantillyFarm.com

WEEKLY Music happens in the town and county Thursday through Sunday (Thursdays through August). Check with venues for 2021 updates. Sampling: • Small Town Summers concerts: free on Thursdays - every other week in the Warren G. Lineberry Park.

• Floyd Country Store: Friday Night Jamboree.

Saturday afternoons – American Afternoon music.

Sunday afternoons – music Jams, Oldtime, and Bluegrass.

Watch for Saturday and other night special concerts and dances.

• Wildwood Farm General Store: an affiliate site of Crooked Road.

Free bluegrass music every Saturday night throughout the year, Sunday music Jams every first and third Sunday afternoons, and monthly Cruise-Ins. • Dogtown Roadhouse: features music on weekends, downtown Floyd.

• Live Music on The Village Green: Saturdays, 11:30am - 1:30pm in front of Heather’s of Floyd, downtown, weather permitting.

• Check Heather’s of Floyd Facebook page for updates.

• Buffalo Mountain Brewery: hosts free music many nights, Thursday through Saturday.

Monthly Cruise-Ins • Dogtown Roadhouse: Music Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, downtown Floyd • Floyd Farmers Market: Saturdays through November, 9:00am1:00pm, Downtown Community Market • Buffalo Mountain Brewery: hosts free music many nights, Thursday through Saturday.

Cycle Floyd Spring and Summer are perfect times to check out Floyd’s Floyd County Bike Guide /Map in print and on-line. Available at the Floyd Visitor Center and on VisitFloydVA.com.

NOTE: The above events are scheduled as of time of printing.

We suggest that you check with the event organizers -- and visit VisitFloydVA.com and check the calendar for continual updates.

More information is available online at www.VisitFloydVA. com. Or, you can visit or contact our Floyd Visitor Center, open and staffed seven days week by calling 540-745-4407 or emailing info@visitfloydva.com.

Spring/Summer 2021

New Construction Remodeling • Additions Decks • Landscaping Snow Removal

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Dulaney’s Greenhouse A Family Business Since 1982 • Wholesale and Retail Plants

Over 50 varieties of Tomato Plants!

(540) 745-2994 •DulaneyGreenhouse.swva.net dulaneygreenhouse@swva.net • 148 White Pine Ln, NE • Floyd, VA Open March through December • Hours vary by season• See our Facebook page for current hours!

Spring/Summer 2021

www.FloydVirginiaMagazine.com 37

Connie Hale and Carla George

Buffalo & More: Exciting Modern Foods Made from an Ancient Resource 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, coowners 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.

With a background in restaurants and restaurant management, Connie Hale eventually found that she wanted to set off on her own. What she didn’t want, however, was to run just any middle-of-the-road type eatery. She wanted something unique. Something niche. She wanted to own and run a restaurant that served food you couldn’t get anywhere else.

At the 4041 Riner Road location, Jim Politis was already running Brush Creek Buffalo. Brush Creek sold bison meat, and they had a small grill, but it wasn’t a full-service restaurant.

Since Jim was looking to get out of the restaurant business, it was the perfect time, and perfect concept, for Connie Hale.

38 www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine

Hale and George took over the location, made some changes, and opened the full-service restaurant, Buffalo & More, on September 16 of 2008.

For the first year, they sourced the buffalo from the farm already being run by Jim Politis. In 2009, however, Politis wanted to retire from bison farming, too. Rather than finding another source, Hale and George decided to farm their own beasties.

Carla George already had a strong background in farming, as her family had a farm with a history of raising cattle.

With Hale’s thumb firmly on the pulse of the restaurant, George turned her focus toward farming the buffalo that would become the restaurant’s new source for the meat. The duo leased a farm, then headed off Photograph by to Greenville Tennessee with Jennifer Miller-McClellan cattle trailers to transfer thirtyfive head of buffalo to their new home. It took several trips, but the buffalo settled quickly and smoothly. The herd did magnificently and have been producing as many as fifteen new baby bison each year.

George carefully watches over the herd, making sure they are safe and healthy. In addition to grazing, the herd are given seasonally produced treats to enjoy, like pumpkins grown just down the road. The good feeding and care contribute to making bison a healthier alternative to beef, frequently shown to be lower in unhealthy fats and cholesterol. “Healthy and happy animals make healthy food!” says George.

Hale tells us that there are many differences between farming cattle and farming bison. “They’re smarter than cattle, and more herd-based. They like to stay together and are more protective of the herd than cattle are. They are also better foragers. You can put more of them on a small piece of land.”

Since 2008, Hale and George have offered delicious, home cooked meals made from the fresh bison meat. The array of Spring/Summer 2021

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buffalo-based offerings is impressive: smoked brisket, buffalo burgers, hot dogs, chili, steaks, and roasts. This is indeed a locally based, farm-to-table style restaurant!

True to the “and More” part of the name, they also offer regionally sourced chicken, as well as shrimp from the North Carolina coast.

For a sweet ending to a delicious meal, Ms. Hale’s mother, Reba, often stocks the cases with her handmade desserts, ranging from apricot nectar cake, to cream cheese brownies, to cobblers, and everything in between.

Locals and visitors alike recognize this quality, too!

Some customers visit weekly or even more often to enjoy a hearty meal. Buffalo & More also hosts products from other local businesses, such as honey, pepper jelly, and hot peppers.

In 2014, Buffalo and More was also been recognized by The Food Lovers Guide to Virginia as one of the “30 places to eat in Virginia before you die”.

This year has been especially challenging for Hale and George, as the Covid-19 pandemic forced creative thinking and a quick change in operations. “The community has been very supportive of us during this time,” said Hale, “which has kept us going through some difficult challenges.

We were able to keep the doors open with our take-out menu and upgrade our outside seating with heaters and other comforts that have been welcomed by many of our friends and neighbors”.

Looking forward to a time when life returns to normal, Hale and George hope to open a new, larger location for the restaurant. They are also looking forward to reimplementing their catering business, as well as their mobile food truck, both of which were curtailed by the pandemic.

For locals and visitors to the Riner and Floyd County areas, a stop at Buffalo & More is a must; not only will you enjoy amazing food, but you will also be supporting a local business. The best of all, however, is you will feel connected to the centuries-gone, original inhabitants of the area by taking nourishment from the same iconic American creatures that sustained their existence — the buffalo.

Buffalo & More • 540-381-9764 Connie Hale and Carla George 4041 Riner Road, Riner, VA, US 24149 www.facebook.com/BuffaloAndMore/

Chestnut Springs Rd NW, Floyd Virginia 540-745-2345 • 540-250-1993

Wildwood Farms General Store

One of the largest daylily gardens in VA! Unique Gifts, Home & Garden Decor 5 minutes from the town of Floyd!

Enjoy A Delicious Meal From Our Kitchen!

Check our website for our complete menu, music schedule, & daylily price list!

Call us or check Facebook for current hours!

540-745-5155 www.WildwoodFarmsFloyd.com

2380 Floyd Highway South • Floyd, VA 24091 Spring/Summer 2021

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An Iconic Bent Mountain Tradition is Saved The quiet little locality of Bent Mountain has been truly fortunate to have had two successful fruit and vegetable stores in recent history.

The Bent Mountain Fruit Market and Fralin’s Produce were fixtures of the community for thirty years or more. Both were focal points, not only for the local folks, but also for customers from across the Commonwealth. They would literally drive for hours to buy large sacks of Kennebec potatoes and Bent Mountain cabbage. From all directions, they would flock to Bent Mountain for produce that could be stored and eaten throughout the Fall and Winter months.

Unfortunately, The Bent Mountain Fruit Market closed its doors in 2017. In 2019, Fralin’s Produce followed. Bent Mountain lost two crucial businesses in just a few short years.

While the Bent Mountain Fruit Market was eventually renovated and re-opened as Bent Mountain Mercantile, there was no plan for Fralin’s Produce. As fate would have it, however, there was a couple nearby, ready to take the torch and run.

Dave and Dawn Trible live less than a mile from the old Fralin’s Produce building, and they have a farm just a few miles away on Bottom Creek. Long-time friends of the Fralins, the Tribles hated the idea of the produce store being closed and they missed having Fralin’s as an option. The couple began thinking that a more direct link between their farm and the store would provide a greater opportunity to sell their produce at retail prices to the community, as opposed to selling wholesale to other companies, co-ops, and grocery stores.

They also knew how much the surrounding community enjoyed shopping at the local produce shops, and they didn’t want to lose another focal point for the community.

With all this in mind, Dave and Dawn decided to take a leap of faith and re-open Fralin’s Produce under a new name; Grateful Produce!

Though the Tribles had no previous experience with running a business, they were wise enough to know it was foolhardy to reinvent the wheel when it came to organizing and running the new produce store. They borrowed proven ideas and concepts established by the Fralins over decades. Alan and Ruth Fralin were also extremely gracious in helping the new business owners by providing information that proved to be essential for success in the first year.

They helped to connect the Tribles with Woods Produce, a resource for jellies, jams, honey, beans, and a significant amount of produce. They also introduced the Tribles to other suppliers like Bryant Orchards, Harvey Largen honey, Newman’s Peanuts, and W&W Produce Packers for North Carolina sweet potatoes.

“They also sold us a ton of produce themselves,” says Dave Trible, “and just generally gave help when we asked. They even provided timelines regarding when things were ready to harvest.”

For novices starting a retail store for the first time, the challenge was daunting enough. Within their first year, however, they had to face added challenges brought by the global pandemic.

Thankfully, a customer base established over decades by the 40 www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine

Fralins was instrumental in sustaining Grateful Produce during that first, fragile year. Even though the Tribles struggled to source enough products for inventory, the locals were still happy to see the produce shop open. They came day after day to support the store, and with the help of the community Grateful Produce survived 2020.

Running Grateful Produce was truly a family affair for the Tribles.

Dave and Dawn were the main employees, but daughters Jessie and Carly also contributed many hours to helping run the store.

Going into their second year, the Trible family are happy to have a little more confidence, experience, and perspective on running a retail store. They have even positioned themselves to begin diversifying. In 2021, Grateful Produce will be adding more locally produced breads, cheeses, and honey, as well as beef, whole chickens, and pork.

“The Grateful Produce philosophy,” says Dave, “centers on selling the most local products available.” Fortunately, Bent Mountain, Floyd, and the surrounding area is rich with farms and fertile ground.

Grateful Produce sources fruits, vegetables, homemade breads, eggs, cheese, handmade soaps, and more from local farms and producers.

The Tribles are proud to partner with Fralin’s Farm, Flying Pigs Farm, Kat The Farmer, Field’s Edge Farm, Big Indian Farm, Peace and Harmony Farm, Rock Springs Farm, Wade’s Orchard, The Bread Lady, Greenwood Farm, and others that are all located within thirty miles.

By sourcing products locally, Grateful Produce helps to support local farms, farmers, and artisans.

Of course, one of the original reasons the Tribles decided to reopen the produce store was so they could sell the produce from their own farm to the local community. On Bottom Creek Farm since 2016, the Tribles cultivate organically grown tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, salad mix, and microgreens, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables. They take pride in growing the best quality produce, while making an effort to improve soil health through the addition of compost and other organic amendments.

Grateful Produce is an open-air market with six large garage doors. These doors open to provide natural sunlight, as well as fresh air, which is particularly important during this pandemic. The employees at Grateful Produce are dedicated to wearing masks, using hand sanitizer, and taking extra precautions to keep the customers safe and to provide a safe alternative to traditional grocery shopping.

Grateful Produce hopes to make 2021 a healthy and safe place for customers to find locally grown produce, meats, cheeses, breads, and more.

Grateful Produce is located at 10179 Bent Mountain Road, Bent Mountain, Virginia. For more information, follow Grateful Produce on Facebook.

Grateful Produce • (540) 988-6318 Dave Trible and Dawn Trible 10179 Bent Mountain Road, Bent Mountain, VA

Spring/Summer 2021

WHITLOCK’S GARAGE, LLC State Inspections - No Appointment Needed!

Mon, Wed, & Sat 9-5 Tue, Thu, & Fri 9-6 • Closed Sun

540-745-5382

2167 Webbs Mill RD • Floyd, VA

5 Bay Facility & 60+ Years Experience Mon-Fri 8AM to 5PM

540-745-3585

• Auto & Truck Repair • Farm Equipment Repair • Computer & Electrical Diagnostics • Engine & Transmission R&R • Used Oil & Battery Collection • Tires & Tire Studding • Heating & A/C Repair • Brakes & Exhaust Repair • Transmission & Coolant Flush Services

1075 Huckleberry Ridge Rd • Floyd VA • www. whitlocks.swva.net

Friendly Home Town Service!

C.W. Harman & Son is a family owned Farm and Building Supply business located in rural Floyd, Virginia. For over thirty years, they have offered a wide variety of competitively priced farm products and building materials.

2894 Floyd Hwy S • 540.745.2252 www.cwharmanandson.com

Spring/Summer 2021

Bird Feeders, Blades, Car Batteries, Cleaning Products, Concrete, Coveralls, Doors, Drywall, Electrical, Fencing, Fertilizer, Gravel, Heaters, Ladders, Lawn and Garden, Lumber, Mulch, Paint, Plumbing, Plywood, Pumps, Purina Feeds, Roofing Supplies, Rubber Boots, Sand, Tools, Trailers, Water Heaters, Water Filters, Windows, Wood Stoves, Vinyl Siding, and much, much, more!

www.FloydVirginiaMagazine.com 41

Sixth Annual Little River Poetry Festival Celebrates Its Host: Floyd 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.”

On the special Floyd Day, the Norfolk-based husband and wife will host a “Floyd Day Music Jam,” inviting musicians of all levels to come down and celebrate. The Festival will welcome everyone with a banjo, a fiddle, a mandolin, a guitar, or any musical instrument to stop by and share their songs. A microphone will be waiting where musicians can step in front of a receptive audience for a special experience.

As they are Floyd County poets, festival mainstays, Katherine Chantel and Colleen Redman, will join the Sunday Floyd Day celebration by introducing their latest books.

Poets from all over Virginia, as well as few from out of state, will be featured readers; leading workshops, nature walks, and gentle yoga. The fun begins Friday, June 4, from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

The events and activities will continue all day on Saturday, June 5, from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Among the festivities, visitors can attend readings by youth poets, Cas Horne of York, Pennsylvania, Coral Kendall of Norfolk, Star LaBranche of Chesapeake, Edith Blake of Portsmouth, and Beth Huddleston of Winchester.

On Saturday, with a cast of five readers from Floyd and other areas, poet-musicians Brian Magill of Yorktown and Jim Best of Meadows of Dan, will accompany a dramatic ensemble performance, “Courage: To Speak the Truth.” They will also have individual readings.

Also on Saturday at 9:00 am, visitors are invited to join the poets as they embark upon the Festival’s unique kayaking challenge! While on the water in their kayaks, poets will write a new poem on their way to the rock overhang that serves as a natural amphitheater. Visitors 42 www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine

are invited to float or paddle along the river journey with the poets.

At the journey’s end, the poets will then read what they have written to those on the water, as well as to those waiting on the riverbank.

During the Festival, home-cooked meals will be provided on-site by donation. All Covid-19 health precautions will be taken to keep visitors safe. Masks are encouraged, seating will be socially distanced, and hand-washing stations will be provided.

Primitive camping will be available for those who wish to camp in the meadow. For guests who prefer indoor lodging, accommodation can be found at Floyd Hotel, Oak Haven Lodge, or any of the outstanding Bed and Breakfasts throughout Floyd County and the surrounding area.

The Little River Poetry Festival is a casual affair, so guests are encouraged to “come as you are”. No need to dress up. Due to the outdoor setting for the festival, casual attire could be the better choice.

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and use the “lawn chair clause” when feeling the need to “opt out” and take a nap in the meadow.

Along with a journal or notebook, guests are also encouraged to pack rain gear, a flashlight, sunscreen, warm clothing for evening programs, and summer attire for sunny days.

This family-friendly event begins at 2:00 pm on Friday, June 4 and ends at 3:00 pm on Sunday, June 6. Cost is $45 for the entire weekend, or $15 per day. Drop-ins are welcome. There is an additional $35 charge for the optional kayak trip down the Little River.

Each year, Daniel Sowers, owner of “On the Water Outfitters,” along with his family, sponsor the Festival on their farm at 2053 Thunderstruck Road. Look for the big, open-sided tent in the meadow at “On the Water,” across from the Little River. Free parking.

“If you write poetry,” says Judith, “would like to learn how to write poetry, or simply enjoy reading or listening to poems and storytelling, come on down to the meadow. All ages and abilities welcome.”

For more information about the Festival, or to book tickets, visit online at www.littleriverpoetryfest.com. You may also follow the Festival on Facebook at LittleRiverPoetryFest.

Little River Poetry Fest • www.littleriverpoetryfest.com www.Facebook.com/LittleRiverPoetryFest

Spring/Summer 2021

Blue Ridge Land & Auction Co., Inc

Real Estate is Fun & Exciting in Floyd County

Ed Gallimore, Asso. Broker www.edgallimore.com

540-230-9090

SETEC Fast, Affordable Shelters for a Variety of Uses

540-745-7458 www.BlueRidgeYurts.com

Also check out FloydYurtLodging.com

SOIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY INC.

(540) 381-0309 • (540) 392-8049

• Professional soil consulting and soil survey for rural land development and conservation • Evaluation, design, and inspection of conventional and alternative septic systems • Perc Testing, Environmental Consulting, soil sampling and analysis

Professional Soil Scientists since 1989

www.SoilAndEnvironmentalTechnology.com Virginia Authorized Onsite Soil Evaluators (AOSE) • Member VA Association of Professional Soil Scientists

The Maggie Gallery

Unique Local Art and Gifts and Custom Framing Services

540-745-8000

www.TheMaggieGallery.com 187 North Locust Street • Floyd, VA • 24072

Spring/Summer 2021

• Auto • Home • Business • Life • Medicare Supplements

Carter and Company Insurance Agency Johnny Carter - Agent 201 East Main St, Suite 6 Floyd VA 540-267-5054 jcarterinsurance@outlook.com Fax: 540-301-1787

www.FloydVirginiaMagazine.com 43

Personal Wellness Retreats are Trending!

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!

With social distancing and travel restrictions in effect due to Covid-19, however, many of the usual vacation activities are currently not an option.

Festivals, fairs, theaters, conferences, crowded beaches, and nightclubs have been postponed, closed, or downsized.

Even prior to the pandemic, the stress of preparation, travel, whirlwind activities, over-indulgence in rich foods and drinks, and rushing home to make it to work the next morning resulted more in exhaustion than the rejuvenation many seek from their vacations.

As a result, more people are looking to get away from it all by turning to nature.

In recent years, many have been ditching the traditional vacation for the personal wellness retreat! The personal wellness retreat is the perfect occasion for relaxation and stress-reduction; a time to gather tools for a healthier lifestyle or spiritual deepening.

Floyd’s Tourism Department has jumped on board a state-wide trend to promote wellness tourism. “Floyd County has always drawn tourists eager to experience its small-town friendly vibe, as well as its rich offerings of music and arts,” says Director, Pat Sharkey. “But the greatest increase in tourism of late is around its recreational opportunities, natural beauties, and wellness offerings.”

Escaping into the pristine sanctuary of nature has become increasingly appealing for city-dwellers and suburbanites alike.

Reconnecting with natural surroundings can provide new perspectives, and with concepts such as ‘forest bathing’ and ‘earthing’ becoming more mainstream, Mother Nature provides the perfect setting for a wellness retreat.

44 www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine

Floyd provides an abundance of resources in this regard. There are over eighteen registered hiking trails in the area, with gorgeous mountain views, waterfalls, rivers, and streams. There is also river kayaking, biking, fishing, and more!

Vacationers are also increasingly opting for personal wellness activities such as massage, yoga classes, personal life coaching, or spiritual guidance. They may also seek out spa treatments such as facials and body scrubs, Reiki, sound healing, qi gong, and other modalities.

Programs at Anahata Education Center are individually tailored to the client’s preferences. Daily yoga classes incorporate stretching, strengthening, and balance, as well as meditation, deep relaxation, alignment with soul purpose, and universal spiritual teachings.

Guided activities that connect us to nature and to our deepest longings include walking through a labyrinth, participating in fire circles, movement, river swims, kayaking, nature walks, and ending the day with hot tubbing and star-gazing.

Journal-writing, deepening rituals, guided imagery, sound healing, and spiritual coaching round out the itinerary.

Meals are as colorful, organic, local, and home-grown as possible; plant-rich, and tailored to vegan, vegetarian, and omni preferences. It is also possible to incorporate juices, teas, and broths for a personal cleanse.

A personal wellness retreat can offer holistic restoration on several levels. Physical Restoration can be obtained through rest, bodywork, recreation, and optimal nutrition. Mental Restoration can be gained through slowing down in the presence of nature, away from media, electronics, and the sensory overload of modern life, while practicing stillness and mindfulness.

Emotional Restoration can be found by taking time to honor life’s milestones and transitions, bringing presence to deep feelings, releasing, transforming, celebrating, and mourning. Creative Restoration can be achieved through music, play, movement, art, journal-writing, or group ritual. And finally, Spiritual Restoration can be gained by tuning into the heart, the soul, and the Divine, in whatever personal form that takes.

Please visit the recreation and wellness pages online at visitfloydva.com to see the array of resources offered in Floyd County. For a more personal, orchestrated retreat, see the retreat and wellness offerings available at AnahataEducationCenter.com, or email kathrynashera@gmail.com.

Anahata Education Center • 571-422-3024 144 Anahata Circle, Floyd, Virginia 24091 AnahataEducationCenter.com • kathrynashera@gmail.com

Spring/Summer Spring/Summer 2021 2021

Griffith Lumber Co. Tim Telling

Office: 276-952-6582 • Cell: 540-695-0522

timtellingrealty@gmail.com • www.CountryRoadRealtyVA.com

“LET US TAKE YOU HOME”

“Call Stacy (276-692-8754) or Bud (276-692-5308) for your lumber or wood product needs. We make paneling and flooring with a rustic and unique flair.”

www.GriffithLumber.net www.GriffithLumber.net 1284 Charity Hwy, Woolwine, VA • 1399 Franklin Pike, Floyd, VA

646B JEB Stuart Highway • Meadows of Dan, VA 24120

INC

benders n i T

Inc.

Call us for all your heating & cooling needs:

• Service & Maintenance

• Installation

• Gas, Oil, Wood Furnaces

540-334-5841 www.tinbendersinc.com • tinbenders@tinbendersinc.com

www.SouthernHeritageHomes.com Spring/Summer 2021

• High Efficiency Heat Pumps

Use the earth to heat and cool your home!

Ask us about Geothermal!

540.489.7700 • Rocky Mount, VA www.FloydVirginiaMagazine.com 45

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS A New Leaf Gallery...................................9 All Pest Control & Solutions.....................5 AmRhein’s Wine Cellars............................7 Anahata Education Center.......................23 Autoville Auto Repair..............................33 Bell Gallery and Garden..........................41 Bella La Vita Inn......................................29 Bent Mountain Lodge Bed and Breakfast Inc......................25 Bent Mountain Mercantile.......................19 Bethesda “House of Mercy”....................33 Better Sofas..............................................35 Blue Ridge Alchemy..................................7 Blue Ridge Yurts......................................43 Bread Basket............................................41 Buffalo And More....................................23 Buffalo Hemp Company..........................48 Buffalo Mountain Adventures..................15 Buffalo Mountain Brewing Company.....25 Buffalo Mountain Ziplines.......................29 C.W. Harman & Son................................41 Carter & Company Insurance..................43 Chateau Morrisette Winery......................15 Chestnut Springs Retreat..........................39 Citizens....................................................37

Cocoa Mia................................................29 Country Road Realty................................45 Crockett Home Improvement..................11 DeHart Tile Co.........................................12 Dogtown Roadhouse..................................3 Dulaney’s Greenhouse.............................37 Edward Jones...........................................30 Farm Credit of the Virginias....................31 Farmers Market..........................................7 Floyd Country Store.................................27 Floyd County Economic Development Authority...................47 Floyd County Tourism Office..................47 Floyd Hemp Factory................................11 G.J. Ingram & Son...................................46 Grateful Produce......................................17 Griffith Lumber Company, Inc................45 Lichen or Knot................................... 1 & 6 McHale Arborscape.................................17 Mickey G’s...............................................25 New Mountain Mercantile of Floyd........25 On The Water in Floyd.............................27 Pearce Heating & Air...............................17 Phillips Real Estate..................................30 Phoenix Hardwoods.................... 1, 6, & 37

Poppy’s.....................................................25 Rorrer Well Drilling.................................13 Schoolhouse Fabrics..................................9 SETEC.....................................................43 Slaughters’ Supermarket..........................27 Southern Heritage Homes........................45 Spencers Body Shop................................13 Sticks & Stones Construction..................23 Stonehaven Inn................................... 1 & 6 Streamline Timberframe............................4 T & E Small Engine.................................19 The Maggie............................... 7, 33, & 43 The Schroeder Law Firm, PC..................23 Thomas & Wall Real Estate.......................2 Tinbenders................................................45 Troika Contemporary Crafts....................35 Tuggle’s Gap Restaurant & Motel...........15 United Country Real Estate.....................43 Upon the Earth Construction...................37 Villa Appalaccia Winery & Vineyard.......21 Whitlock’s Garage...................................41 Wildwood Farms General Store...............39 Willis Village Mart...................................12 Wills Ridge Supply..................................19 Woolly Jumper Yarns......................... 1 & 6

G.J. INGRAM & SON 2107 fLOYD hWY NORTH 540-745-3201 open Mon- Sat 7 am - 6 pm • Fax 540-745-2201

ANIMAL HEALTH PRODUCTS • PET MEDS • FEED • SEED • LIME • POSTS • FENCING MATERIALS FERTILIZER • SPREADING AND SPRAYING • Lawn & Garden Supplies • Chore Boots GATES • Cattle Minerals & Feed • Priefert Equipment • Ritchie Waters & PaRts Georgia Boots • Bunk Feeders - Round Bale Feeders • Pointer Bibbed Overalls

Thank You for letting us serve you since 1945!

We support the Floyd Chapter of the FFA 46 www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine

Spring/Summer 2021

Why just visit?

Live & Work Here!

Experience All Floyd Has to Offer!

Traditional handcraft & renowned fine art Farm-to-table dining & farm products Bike, Hike, Float

with 40 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway and our Little River

Sip the Spirits

Strong Workforce, vibrant community life Crenshaw Lighting

Space and Land Available Accomodating a wide variety of business needs

sample our wineries, distillery & brewery

Floyd Innovation Center: Memberships available for meeting space

Move to the Music

with music Thursday-Sundays weekly & festivals throughout the year

Business Support Programs Business networking, financial resources, incentive program

Floyd C4 Business Winners

YesFloydVA.org 540-745-4407

540.745.9300 info@yesfloydva.org

Floyd Visitor Center 109 East Main Street (across from the Courthouse)

Entrepreneurship • Craftsmanship • Innovation

VisitFloydVA.com Spring/Summer 2021

www.FloydVirginiaMagazine.com 47

48 www.Facebook.com/FloydVirginiaMagazine

Spring/Summer 2021