Life in Virginia's Appalachia

The importance of local folklore including the legendary Woodbogger.

We dive into the rich sounds of old-time music in Appalachia with a visit to the Floyd Country Store, a cherished hub for Virginia’s traditional tunes. We also connect with the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM), an organization dedicated to teaching the next generation of musicians.

Explore the legacy of coal and its enduring influence on culture, industry, and identity of Appalachia.

What is Appalachia without some biscuits and cornbread?! We talk with historian and expert, Leni Sorenson, all about cornbread and its roots in Appalachian culture. We also visit a couple of restaurants in SWVA to see their success with biscuits and cornbread.

We explore the rich agricultural traditions of Virginia’s Appalachia. We visit Scott Sink at Riner Ridge Farm and Hethwood Market to see modern farming in action, chat with the mother-daughter team behind Stormbrew Farm about the power of family and resilience in farming and sit down with Dixie Dalton at her family’s tobacco farm to uncover the deep-rooted history of agriculture in the region.

Lace up your dancing shoes as we experience the energy and tradition of flatfooting up close! Learn about the roots, rhythms, and stories behind flatfooting. Come along as we dive into the heart of Appalachian culture through music, movement, and conversation.

We explore the rich and enduring tradition of storytelling in Appalachia. Lee Hunsaker, creator of Hoot and Holler, discusses the heart and craft behind curating true stories from our region. Hear some classic Jack Tales from storyteller Rex Stevenson and Appalachian scholar Ricky Cox shares a fascinating history lesson on the roots and evolution of storytelling in the mountains.

We step off the beaten path and into the woods for a deep dive into the world of foraging in Appalachia. We join the NRV Mushroom Club on a foraging walk, chat with Appalachian Sustainable Development about the deep cultural roots of herbal traditions and visit Reeds Valley Farm to see how herbs are being cultivated. Plus, we get a flavorful glimpse of the annual Whitetop Ramp Festival.