Forgotten Fields Project

Forgotten Fields Project

Delving into local and regional agricultural topics with Robin Reed and Tara Williamson. 

  1. 6D AGO

    Episode 17: Deep Freeze

    Join us this episode as Tom and Tara reflect on an unusually long stretch of icy winter weather and how it shaped life on the farm day after day. With no quick thaw in sight, even routine chores become calculated, careful work. They talk through the challenges of animal care, frozen ground, and altered rhythms, alongside the stark quiet and fleeting beauty that winter can bring. It takes preparation, patience, and adapting when the land sets the terms—and a reminder that farming means meeting each season as it comes, ice and all.

    28 min

  2. 12/22/2025

    Episode 16: Holiday Special

    As the year draws to a close, we gather around the metaphorical hearth for a thoughtful holiday wrap-up episode. We’re joined by Tom Williamson, who offers a candid and deeply grounded perspective on the future of farming, and the barriers, obstacles, and opportunities that face farmers today—highlighting the critical role of community, stewardship, and long-term thinking in sustaining agriculture for generations to come. As we look ahead to the coming year, this episode serves as both a reflection and a call to remember what matters most: the land beneath our feet, the people who tend it, and the responsibility we all share in shaping the future of food.

    26 min

  3. 11/01/2025

    Episode 15: Haunted Heritage: Ghost Stories that Refuse to Rest

    In this episode, we step into the misty crossroads of memory and myth, where history lingers and the past refuses to rest. Joined by Lynsey Allie, Director of the Botetourt County Historical Society, and investigative medium Laine Crosby, we wander through the area's most enduring ghost stories— from whispered Fincastle legends to spirits said to haunt old homesteads and forgotten spaces. Along the way, we explore why we cling to these tales, what they reveal about our fears and hopes, and how our stories shape the land just as surely as the land shapes us. These aren’t just ghost stories; they’re reminders that history has a heartbeat, and sometimes, you can still hear it...

    43 min

  4. 09/25/2025

    Episode 14: Food, Grace & The Measure of Community

    In this episode's conversation, we sit down with Pastor Chuck Miller of Wheatland Lutheran Church, whose Garden of Grace nourishes countless across Botetourt County. Did you know that right here at home there are families struggling with food insecurity—children going to bed hungry? With rows of vegetables and baskets of produce, Chuck provides not just food, but dignity, compassion, and the reminder that we are only as strong as our weakest link. His vision is simple yet profound, and left us questioning not just ourselves, but how we see the world, our neighbors, and the kind of community we hope to belong to here in Botetourt.

    26 min

  5. 08/13/2025

    Episode 13: Fair Enough: A Celebration of Roots & Ribbons

    Set along the banks of the James River, the Botetourt County Fair isn’t just an event—it’s a living tapestry, woven from generations of history, heritage, and homegrown spirit. In our first-ever live, on-site episode, we wander through the sights and sounds of fair day, from the historic Wilson Warehouse in Buchanan—where we uncover the county’s vital role in early river transportation and commerce—to the bustling show ring, where young citizens proudly present their hard work, skill, and dedication before the judges’ eyes. Join us as we share stories from those who work tirelessly to preserve and promote our rich history, the volunteers who keep the fair thriving, and a determined 4-H showman just moments before leading her calf— the culmination of months of hard work and preparation— to be judged before the panel and the gathered crowd.  The fair changes with the years, but one thread remains unbroken: it’s made by the people, for the people, in celebration of who we are, the roots that ground us, and the legacy we’re still writing.

    22 min

  6. 07/17/2025

    Episode 12: Soil & Grit: Lessons from Fincastle Farm

    In this return visit with Carmen Hambrick of Fincastle Farm, we talk about what the land has taught her over the past few years. From early challenges to unexpected joys, Carmen shares the hard-won lessons of running an agribusiness—how she’s adapted, overcome, and carved out a meaningful space in the local food system. Her story is one of grit, grace, and the quiet power of persistence.

    30 min

  7. 06/03/2025

    Episode 11: Trading Acres for Amps: Solar Farming & Agrivoltaics

    In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Megan Seibel—Director of Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results (VALOR), Co-Founder of the Center for Cooperative Problem Solving, and Senior Extension Specialist at Virginia Tech—to shed some light on the increasingly buzzy concept of agrivoltaics. What exactly is solar farming? Can agriculture and energy production truly share the same soil—or is one bound to crowd the other out? Dr. Seibel helps us navigate the brilliance and the blind spots: the economic incentives, the ecological impacts, and the broader implications for farmers and our future.

    43 min

  8. 04/17/2025

    Episode 10: Coyote Ugly- Predator, Prey & the Truth in Between

    In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Parkhurst, Associate Professor of Wildlife Science at Virginia Tech, to explore the elusive and often misunderstood world of coyotes. From their incredible adaptability and complex social behavior to their growing presence in both rural and urban landscapes, Dr. Parkhurst sheds light on how these canids have successfully spread across the Commonwealth, and what that means for farmers and ecosystems. We discuss their impact on agriculture, common misconceptions, and how humans can best coexist with one of nature’s most resourceful survivors. In the end, understanding the coyote may reveal less about the animal and more about ourselves.

    22 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Delving into local and regional agricultural topics with Robin Reed and Tara Williamson. 

Information

  • Creator
    Forgotten Fields Project
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Forgotten Fields Project
  • Show Website
    Forgotten Fields Project