COOPERATIVE FOCUS
The Cheese Ministry
Rockingham County ministry provides for both dairy farmers and people in need June 2025 by Preston Knight, Contributing Writer Struggling dairy farmers needed a plan. Former Rockingham Cooperative’s Keith Turner offered something more. Hope. “Hope is a powerful...
The Little Pig That Could
Electric cooperative CFO’s daughter, 9, writes debut book May 2025 by Mark Thomas, Contributing Writer When young Kaylee Lynn Bullock met Esme, a spirited black piglet with a soft pink snout, it was love at first sight. Esme was born at the farm next to Kaylee’s...
Becoming a Nature Hero
An inside look at wildlife rescue and rehabilitation April 2025 by Amanda S. Creasey, Contributing Columnist One of the greatest thrills of spending time outside is encountering wildlife. Whether it’s a box turtle or bird, fox or frog, rabbit or raccoon, seeing native...
The Journey to the Top
A CEO’s journey is a testament to her determination, resilience and the power of dreams March 2025 by Laura Emery, Staff Writer “I remember my mother bringing a calculator to the grocery store,” says Sonja Cox, president and CEO of Southern Maryland Electric...
Breaking Down Barriers
Rapidan River project seeks to increase local fish populations January-February 2025 by Jeff Poole, Contributing Writer For more than two centuries, a dam across the Rapidan River in Central Virginia was an economic imperative. It propelled manufacturing and commerce...
Community Roots
Charles “Charlie” Cawley and his wife, Jane, aren’t just tree farmers. They are also the creators of holiday memories.
Of Light & Magic
Every Halloween, Noel Dickover turns the front lawn of his Centreville, Va., home into a sprawling showcase of beautifully intricate, hand-carved pumpkins, all softly aglow.
Breeding Success
Whenever Elaine Shirley leads visitors on tours of the agricultural exhibits at the Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster, Md., she always stops to showcase a plywood cut-out of a dairy cow.
It’s not that the museum lacks any living livestock. Shirley, the museum’s curator, is trying to make a point. The exhibit is painted with markings matching a Sheeted Somerset — a breed that went extinct in the 1930s. She says the reason for the board bovine often catches guests by surprise.
Where Life is ‘Just Peachy’
Welcome to Fruit Hill Orchard in Palmyra, Va. August 2024 by Laura Emery, Staff Writer “Just peachy” perfectly describes life at Fruit Hill Orchard in Palmyra, Va., from July 2 until shortly after Labor Day. That’s because it’s peach season, and there are peaches...