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Chop Wood, Carry Water  is an independent newsletter examining democracy as a daily practice — the ongoing, often unglamorous work of showing up, caring for neighbors, and staying engaged at the community level. Through essays, reporting, and commentary, the publication explores themes of civic participation, accountability, organizing, culture, and the human impact of political decisions.

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Rather than focusing on personalities or partisan spectacle, Chop Wood, Carry Water emphasizes process, place, and people. The writing encourages readers to understand how national and global forces are experienced locally, and how small, consistent actions contribute to healthier civic life over time.
 

A Virginia-Centered Lens

A significant portion of Chop Wood, Carry Water is grounded in Virginia’s cities, small towns, and rural communities. Drawing on lived experience and on-the-ground observation, Jess Craven highlights how statewide policies, elections, and organizing efforts intersect with everyday life across the Commonwealth.

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For readers in the Alleghany Highlands and western Virginia, this perspective is especially valuable because it:

• Centers rural and small-town voices often overlooked in political coverage

• Connects state-level issues to local consequences

• Reflects the diversity of experiences within Virginia beyond its urban centers

• Reinforces the importance of community-based civic engagement

 

🔗 Read and subscribe:
https://chopwoodcarryva.substack.com/

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ACDCVA shares this resource to support civic education, community awareness, and informed dialogue. Inclusion does not imply endorsement of any candidate, campaign, or organization.