Danny Federico [email protected] Families, friends and visitors from all over gathered on Saturday, June 6, for Riverbend News’ Fourth Annual Blackberry Festival. Individuals of all ages enjoyed a day full of food,…
Category: Farm & Outdoors
Leaves and Limestone: Smoke and flame azaleas
Jennifer Mason Contributor The air is thick with smoke as I get ready to work in my vegetable garden. It seems as if folks have gone burn crazy. Now I know that…
Keep your eyes peeled for the lubber grasshopper
Ed Duke and Sam Hand Florida A&M University Contributor Mid-summer is the time when North Florida residents typically notice the largest numbers of adult eastern lubber grasshoppers. The females are seeking appropriate…
Bringing home the bacon: Suwannee 4-H Livestock Judging Team advances to nationals
Danny Federico [email protected] The Suwannee County 4-H Livestock Judging Team is officially headed to nationals after winning the state championship at the Florida State 4-H Livestock Contest on Saturday, April 11, at…
Wildfire fight continues in Lafayette County swampland
Danny Federico [email protected] A wildfire that began as a 100-acre blaze in southern Lafayette County has since grown into a 2,200-acre firefighting operation deep within the Rawhide Sog and Mallory Swamp Wildlife…
FWC approves holistic management approach for spotted seatrout
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Contributor At its February meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved new management regions and regulations for spotted seatrout as a part of…
Madison Hosts State Land Judging Competition
Rick Patrick [email protected] On Friday, March 27, the Madison Soil and Water Conservation District served as the host of the 68th Annual State Land Judging Competition. The event took place on Roland…
Paw-sitive Adoption Spotlight: Woody
Danny Federico [email protected] Woody, only 4-months-old, may be the last of his litter, but his story and spirit make him impossible to overlook. This sweet German Shorthaired Pointer mix puppy was bottle-fed…
Celestial events in May
Hailey Heseltine [email protected] For those who like to keep eyes on the skies, May has some interesting activity in store. • For most of the month, Venus and Jupiter will be visible…
Suwannee High FFA Annual Banquet scheduled for May 8
Christian Peterson [email protected] The school year is coming to a close, and with that comes the celebration of most of the extracurricular activities that go on throughout the school year. On Friday,…
Tree appreciation today for a better tomorrow
Riverbend News Staff [email protected] “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.” – Greek Proverb April 25 is National Arbor Day. Arbor Day is…
Catfish Festival hooks crowd in Branford
Danny Federico [email protected] The Branford community gathered once again on Saturday, April 11, to celebrate the annual Catfish Festival. Hosted by American Legion Post 59 in Branford, the annual festival raises funds…
Local youth go hog wild at the Suwannee Valley Youth Livestock Show and Sale
Danny Federico [email protected] Students from all corners of the tri-county area converged on the Bob Holmes Arena in Live Oak for the 2026 Suwannee Valley Youth Livestock Show and Sale. This five-day…
Farm Bureau establishes disaster relief fund for agriculture
Danny Federico [email protected] Florida Farm Bureau has created a disaster relief fund that will assist Florida farmers and ranchers who have suffered significant agricultural losses or expenses because of weather-related events and…
SRWMD declares Phase II Water Shortage
Suwannee River Water Management District Contributor Due to continued drought conditions and a forecast that calls for lower than average rainfall in the months ahead, the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD)…
Plants, art and community: Wild Roots Collective opening March 21
Danny Federico [email protected] A new plant nursery and creative gathering space is preparing to put down roots in Suwannee County. Wild Roots Collective, a plant nursery, apothecary and creative studio, is set…
Annual livestock show and sale coming soon
Danny Federico [email protected] It’s that time of year again – the annual Suwannee Valley Youth Livestock Show and Sale (SVYLSS) is gearing up to take place from Monday, March 23, through Friday,…