Teachers in the Valley spend a week learning about sustainable farming

Some agriculture and science teachers from throughout Rockingham County are spending their week working with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to learn about sustainable farming and clean water.

Each day, the group goes to a different location to learn about different topics. They visited Valley View Farm on Monday and on Tuesday, they went to the Shenandoah Valley Produce Auction.

Yancey Powell, who is the education manager for the Hampton Roads Program for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, said going to the auction was a way for the teachers to see how farmers can sell their produce and how it helps the local community.

"We can all work collaboratively and bring science and agriculture into the classroom to teach students about the importance of sustainable agriculture and good water quality," said Powell.

The focus of the entire week is how farmers can be good stewards of the land while being sustainable and still make a profit.

Brian Crickenberger is an agriculture instructor at Turner Ashby High School and a fifth generation farmer. He has worked with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for years, and said as an educator, he is always looking for ways to learn more.

"I'm going to take away lots of things this week. Things that I can return back home to my farm with. Ideas from seeing things in the community, but then also having new ideas to take back to the classroom to share with students," said Crickenberger.

Other stops during the week include canoeing the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, livestock sales, and a meats tour. They will conclude the week with a meal made from all local food.