Residents are invited to bring their leftover food to Compost Awareness Day.
The Prince William County Solid Waste Division and its partners Freestate Farms and Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers will host the event on Saturday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Balls Ford Road Compost Facility, 13000 Balls Ford Road, near Manassas.
Visitors can drop off old food scraps and receive a free compost sample in their bucket, compliments of Freestate Farms. Volunteers from the Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners program will share materials on the benefits of compost and its use, as well as information on yard waste and food composting at home.
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Compost bins will also be available for purchase. Compost facility tours will begin at 10:30 a.m. and noon.
The Prince William event supports International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW), the largest most comprehensive education initiative of the compost industry. ICAW promotes composting efforts in the back yard and at large scale, commercial composting facilities, like the County’s Balls Ford Road Compost Facility, operated by Freestate Farms.
This year’s theme, “Recipe for Regeneration: COMPOST,” highlights the overall regenerative agriculture movement and how compost and organics recycling fit into that process.
Regenerative agriculture is a system that focuses on improving soil health using agricultural practices with the idea that healthier soil will lead to healthier, more nutrient-rich crops and, ultimately, less carbon in the atmosphere through increased carbon sequestration.
According to Prince William County Solid Waste Division spokeswoman Deborah Campbell, the 2022 theme encourages residents to recognize and promote the importance of composting and compost in growing healthier food, supporting healthier soils, mitigating climate change.
In October 2021, Prince William County implemented a yard waste collection program to manage better this organic resource, which is 13% of the waste stream. Local trash and recycling haulers must now collect yard waste separately from other trash and recycling for composting at the Balls Ford Road Compost Facility versus landfilling.
Residents can also bring yard waste such as leaves, brush, garden, and hedge trimmings to be processed. The compost that is produced at Balls Ford Road Compost Facility can be purchased by the cubic yard at the Balls Ford Road facility or the County landfill.
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If you’ve been watching the real estate market in Northern Virginia, you know things are constantly shifting. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned investor, or looking to sell, staying informed is crucial. That’s where experienced Realtor Mark Worrilow of Fathom Realty comes in. With his deep knowledge of the local market and an eye on mortgage trends, Mark helps clients make the best decisions in a competitive real estate landscape.
Mortgage Rates are Trending Down
One of the biggest concerns for homebuyers is mortgage rates, and the good news is that rates have been trending downward. Mark points to the latest numbers, showing that conventional loan rates have dipped to 6.59%, with VA loans falling below 6.15%. FHA loans have also seen a decrease, making homeownership more accessible for many buyers. While Jumbo loan rates remain near 7%, Mark remains optimistic that the overall trend is moving in the right direction.
“For buyers who have been hesitant due to high interest rates, now may be a great time to revisit their options,” says Mark. “We’re seeing a slow but steady decline in mortgage rates, which is encouraging for both buyers and sellers.”
Market Trends: Prices Remain Strong, Inventory is Growing
According to Mark’s research, home prices across Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Prince William counties, Manassas, and Manassas Park cities are holding steady. In Stafford, the average home price for March 2025 is $662,000, while Spotsylvania sits at $652,000, and Prince William, Manassas, and Manassas Park average at $678,000. While prices are still high, the pace of appreciation has slowed slightly, making it easier for buyers to find a home without experiencing extreme bidding wars.
Additionally, inventory levels are improving. According to data from the Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® (FAAR), active listings jumped 21% year-over-year, from 661 homes in February 2024 to 795 in February 2025. However, new listings are down 12%, and pending sales have dipped 10%, signaling that buyers are becoming more discerning in their choices.
Multiple Offers Still a Factor, But Cash Offers Less of a Concern
Even with inventory increasing, buyers should still expect some competition. “The market remains strong, and while more homes are available, we’re still seeing multiple offers in certain price ranges,” Mark explains. “That said, the fear of being constantly outbid by cash buyers seems to be easing.”
Multiple agencies gathered at Walker-Grant Middle School for a semiannual exercise on Friday, March 7, but the doors were closed to keep plans from reaching the wrong eyes.
Get ready for a fun-filled evening at Luck O’ The Irish Bingo on March 14 at the ARTfactory in Manassas! Doors open at 6 PM, and the first game kicks off at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $35 for 10 games, each with three squares per game.
Fire and rescue crews are battling a brush fire near Mills Drive and Overview Drive in the Massaponax area.
Properly using a car seat can reduce the risk of injury or death in a car crash by a significant amount, with studies showing reductions of 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.
Check your child safety seat with the Montgomery County Safe Kids Coalition on Thursday March 20, 2025 from 10am-12:30pm. No appointment necessary.
Fitzgerald GMC Rockville
McClung-Logan Equipment Company is hosting its 40th Annual Oyster Roast, a signature customer appreciation event celebrating tradition, community, and generosity.
This year’s milestone celebration will take place on Thursday, March 6th, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Fredericksburg Agricultural Fairgrounds.
The first Oyster Roast began as a fundraiser in 1985, led by White Oak Equipment founder Frank McCarty, to raise donations for an employee battling cancer. This turned into a time-honored tradition for individuals facing hardship.
Environmental Film Festival: Turtle Walker
DC Premiere.
In the late 1970s, Satish Bhaskar embarked on an epic journey along India’s coastline and the spectacular Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where he uncovered the vital nesting beaches of sea turtles. During his death-defying quest, he unravels mysteries
