How technology is changing what happens after you flush

New wastewater-treatment tech is cutting carbon emissions by converting our waste into garden-safe fertilizer — despite the ick factor. Let’s talk about gardening technology. Not some fancy gadget for monitoring water or sunlight, but technology that feeds the dirt itself. At Annie’s Ace Hardware in Washington, D.C., among the potting soil and ceramic planters and […]

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2021 VA AG Expo: “Farming: A Foundation for the Future”

The Annual Virginia Ag Expo returns to Corbin Hall Farm on August 5, 2021.  Situated on nearly 2,000 acres in Middlesex County, Corbin Hall Farm is a wealth of history and an innovator of field days. From those early days it has now evolved into the annual Virginia Ag Expo.  Corbin Hall Farm has increased […]

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Looking Forward: Utility of the Future

The water and biosolids communities have been been looking forward to integrate organizational culture and water resource recovery to become a leader in sustainability.  Specifically, wastewater treatment plants are transforming into water resource recovery facilities as a part of the Utilities of the Future program.  Biosolids recycling contributes to the utilities’ greater goals.  Beneficial biosolids reuse is […]

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Biosolids Key to Shoot for the Moon

Top-ranked Virginia Tech Soil Judging team lead by PhD student and soil scientist Jacqlyn Fiola was looking for a challenge this year with the normal competition paused by COVID-19.  Active in soil judging programs at University of Maryland and Ohio State, Fiola is committed to providing opportunities at Virginia Tech. Fiola came across the NASA […]

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Building Soil Health Focus of Climate Change Presentation – 2021 Virginia Small Grains Field Day

Hosted by the Virginia Grain Producers Association and Virginia Tech at the Eastern Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Warsaw, the 2021 Virginia Grains Field Day presented a wide array of small grains related research.  Topics included soil fertility, ariel image mapping, variety development, and the challenges and opportunities of climate change.    Building soil […]

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Loudoun Water fasts forwards education and outreach efforts during COVID-19

Engaging with schools and members of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic has presented Loudoun Water with opportunities to fast forward its outreach efforts.  Loudoun Water has taken advantage of the opportunity to present virtual tours and highlight many assets such as the Aquiary, a destination for Loudoun area students, teachers and parents to learn […]

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Let’s Restore the Earth – Together

Today is Earth Day. It is a time for all citizens to evaluate our connection with the Earth. It’s a very special day for people like me, whose job is centered on protecting and enhancing our natural environment. This year’s theme is “Restore Our Earth”, a perspective of optimism following a challenging year impacted by […]

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Weathering the Storm: A Little Luck Goes a Long Way

The Weatherly family has a long history in the farming industry. The Weatherly farm was started in the 1930s by Scott Weatherly’s grandfather. After being passed down to Scott’s father, Scott joined his father in farming in 1986 and then took over the farm in 2012.  The farm, spanning over 130 acres in the City […]

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