The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) wants everyone to know that September is Honey Month across the Commonwealth. Governor Ralph Northam declared September Virginia Honey Month for many reasons. Here are VDACS’ top three:

Gainesville Supervisor Pete Candland and Va. Delegate Tim Hugo want to hear residents' thoughts and opinions on the Rural Crescent and their reaction to some of the proposals Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Battlefield High School auditorium.

Gov. Ralph Northam announced Aug. 23 that The Winery at Bull Run will invest $1.7 million, create 38 new jobs, and double production of its award-winning wines, which are made using only Virginia-grown grapes. The winery, which opened in 2012 on 225 acres adjacent to the Manassas National Battlefield Park, is an important tourist attraction, bringing thousands of tourists to the Commonwealth each year.

U.S. meat may be moving to other countries, but trade has slowed. That’s the assessment of Margaret Ann Smith, a Virginia cattle farmer and chairman of the livestock marketing council for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, regarding tariffs recently imposed by China.

A nine-year-old pony mare from Fauquier County tested positive for WNV at VDACS’ regional animal health laboratory in Warrenton and a USDA lab in Iowa. The horse was not vaccinated for WNV and has recovered. Symptoms included loss of control of bodily movements and partial paralysis in the hind limbs, dazed appearance and lack of ability to stand.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has announced the first case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a horse this year. The horse, a Quarter Horse mare from Suffolk, entered the North Carolina State Veterinary school hospital in late July and subsequently died. The disease has an 80 to 90 percent mortality rate.

Virginia’s recently established Beehive Distribution Program provides beehives to both new and established beekeepers in an effort to increase the number of actively managed bee colonies across the Commonwealth. The program is administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS).

Prince William County Board of County Supervisors is scheduled to consider initiating a zoning text amendment during Supervisors Time on the evening of July 17 to consider whether chickens and fowl can be kept in areas beyond current limits, by right in agricultural areas, and by special use permit in semi-rural residential areas. The proposal was suggested by Coles Supervisor Marty Nohe.