Two wineries opened for business here last month, Dr. McPherson’s Hunting Creek and Marshall Molliver’s operation on Waller Road in Nathalie.

Bright Meadows Farm, Boyd and Shirley Archer’s vineyard/winery, is the ol’ man of the ventures. And next year, Paul Greenwood’s vineyard in Vernon Hill is scheduled to come online with a winery, bringing the county’s total wineries to four. That’s not counting at least two vineyards, one owned by Bill and Jane Carlton Confroy in Halifax and Virgilina grape producer, Mike Hudson.

The county’s grape and wine producers also joined with four other producers in Southside to create the Southern Virginia Wine Trail, a beacon to tourists and, hopefully, a boost to grape production.

It is interesting that the first three wineries opening here are owned/operated by non-natives who retired to the area. Greenwood is currently the only Halifax County native opening a winery here.

Newspaper ads and the Internet continue to be shopping venues for those moving to the area with ag ventures on their minds. It is an interesting twist, and one economic developers might find interesting.

The county’s expanding ag ventures also include goat production, which is mirroring the vineyard story in “newcomer” ways.

While native son Ned Strange is without doubt the godfather of goat farming here, many others in the business bought land here and then opted for goat production, which apparently enjoys a flourishing market.

By and large organic food production is well behind the goat and grape business, but there are a few hearty souls who are seriously under way seeking certification in that venue. Apparently, just saying you are an organic farmer does not make it so, the designation carries certification.

Tobacco, cattle, grain production and tree farms continue as traditional county crops, but initiative and necessity are creating new venues.

Tobacco’s demise as a dominant crop also played a role through the tobacco commission by lending a hand to fund grape production studies at Virginia Tech. Alas, new beginnings from tobacco’s ashes  …

Immigration’s Face

We are convinced United States’ policy regarding immigration is absurd ….as was England’s when it threw open its doors.

Indeed, we would control illegal immigration at every point, at our borders and severely fine employers, etc.

Nevertheless, we understand why those in other lands flock to our shores. We have much to offer, stable government, jobs, but most of all hope for the future.

Gang members, drugs, arms dealing and terrorists fuel our legitimate unease, but there are those who demand our admiration.

For example, a father who always rides his bicycle to work, saving every penny to send to his child who is in medical school in his native country. This man is the essence of the American dream only a generation ago, a man hoping to better his life and that of his children.  He is neither spoiled nor lazy.

Of Heart and Head, while the moral dilemma is obvious, the head dictates this nation change its policy. The cost is too high.