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🌱 Patch AM: How will Blacksburg’s extreme drought affect local hay and feed costs?

And check out Fall Cleanup SW Quadrant on the Blacksburg Patch calendar

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Good day Blacksburg! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How will Blacksburg's extreme drought affect local hay and feed costs?
  • Where can Blacksburg drivers still find cheaper gas this week?
  • What do today's Flood Watch and Wind Advisory mean for you?

Also on today's calendar: Punkin' Chunkin' and Lily Comer Live at Sinkland Farms Pumpkin Festival and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call somebody who crosses the ocean twice and doesn't take a bath? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Rain, with a high of 67 and low of 59 degrees.
  • Monday: Showers around in the morning, temps: high: 72, low: 52.
  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 81 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Drought Hampers Hay Production in Parts of Mid-Atlantic (lancasterfarming.com) — Farmers from Staunton down to Blacksburg are facing extreme drought that has slashed hay yields by up to 70%, forcing many to buy truckloads of hay from other states or cull their herds. Virginia Farm Bureau experts warn that winter feed will be tight and expensive, urging livestock owners to lock in hay supplies now and consider backup forage strategies.
   

2. Virginia Gas Prices: Cheapest and most expensive places to fill up - Oct. 9, 2026 (wsls.com) — Drivers in Blacksburg are paying about $4.13 for regular gas, with mid-grade at $4.62, premium at $5.03, and diesel at $6.16, according to AAA. Prices are similar but not identical to nearby Roanoke and Lynchburg, so checking local stations or tools like GasBuddy could save you a few dollars at the pump.
   

3. Hazardous Weather Outlook – Saturday October 10, 2026 (wataugaonline.com) — Residents in and around Blacksburg should prepare for a Flood Watch starting late Saturday morning and a Wind Advisory from late afternoon through Sunday, issued by the National Weather Service Blacksburg office. Strong winds and heavy rain could impact northwest North Carolina and southwest Virginia, so officials urge people to monitor NOAA Weather Radio or weather.gov for updates through the weekend.
   

4. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? A Smarter Path Forward for Produce Safety (producebusiness.com) — Food safety experts, including Virginia Tech researchers in Blacksburg, are pushing a shift toward "predictive produce safety," using data, sensors and AI to spot contamination risks before outbreaks occur. Their work, along with new traceability tools and on-farm interventions, could eventually help local growers and buyers prioritize investments, design safer irrigation and harvesting systems, and respond faster when problems arise.
   

5. Women's Tennis Shows Out at George Mason Invitational (mountathletics.com) — College tennis fans in Blacksburg may notice regional attention as the ITA Atlantic Regionals continue in town, where Mount St. Mary's men's doubles teams saw mixed results. The same program's women excelled at the George Mason Invitational, while another Mountaineer advanced in singles at the Navy Gold Invite, underscoring a busy weekend of Mid-Atlantic collegiate tennis.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Fire pit won't light.
    I have tried all the tricks, replace battery, clean with wire brush, used contact cleaner, used long lighter. We I use contact cleaner it creates a… (Nextdoor Gladewood)
  • Rally House posted a job opening for Assistant Coach (Assistant Store Manager) in Blacksburg. Apply here.
  • New River Valley Community Services posted a job opening for Program Manager II – Mental Health Case Management in Blacksburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Blacksburg here.

Ok Blacksburg! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What do you call somebody who crosses the ocean twice and doesn't take a bath?" — A dirty double crosser ! (Thank you Theresia F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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