On a cool, drizzly morning in April over 50 eighth graders from Botetourt County gathered for Envirothon, a natural resources competition organized by Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation District at Greenfield Park. Thirteen teams from Central Academy Middle School
6th graders explore Catawba Creek
On April 4-5, more than 200 sixth graders from Read Mountain Middle School and Central Academy Middle School visited Roanoke Cement’s farm on Catawba Creek as part of a Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) organized by Mountain Castles Soil and
Paris Parsons wins Craig Clean Water Farm Award
Paris Parsons has been recognized by Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation District with the Craig County Clean Water Farm Award. Parsons is the tenant-operator of a 50 cow/calf beef cattle herd in the Meadow Creek area of the county.
Bob Smith wins Botetourt Clean Water Farm Award
Bob Smith has been recognized by Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation District with the Botetourt County Clean Water Farm Award. Smith owns and operates a 96-acre beef cattle farm in the Glade Creek area of the county. Smith completed
Learning Beyond SOLs
It can be difficult to argue against standards-based learning. We want our students to achieve at least a minimum level of competency in all subjects. We need our teachers, our schools, and our communities to be held accountable for that
Thinking Like a Mountain
What’s in a name? Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation District is named for the county seat of each county it serves — New Castle in Craig Co. and Fincastle in Botetourt — and for the impact and beauty of
Allison Vass wins George Todd Scholarship
Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation District awarded the $1,000 George Todd Memorial Scholarship to Allison Vass of Craig County High School. Vass has a strong academic record. She was an active member of many school organizations, including FFA, Future
Botetourt students awarded scholarships
Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation District awarded the $1,000 Harold P. “Bubby” Entsminger Honorary Scholarship to Samantha Jackson of James River High School and the $1,000 John and Hallie Seibel Scholarship to Katherine Alexander of Lord Botetourt High School.
Craig County HS competes in Envirothon
Two five member teams from Craig County High School participated in the Area I Envirothon at Natural Chimneys Park in Augusta County on April 26. Coached by Lara Edwards, Craig County students competed against teams from schools throughout the Shenandoah
Craig County students attend Conservation Camp
Trevor Smith and Victoria Johnston of Craig County High School participated in Youth Conservation Camp July 12-18 at Virginia Tech. Smith and Johnston joined 55 high school students from across Virginia for a week of conservation education, field trips, and