Each month, T. Edward Nickens roams and writes on the Carolina countryside. We sat down with the longtime Our State contributor to discuss his favorite outdoor spot in the state, the inspiration behind his columns, and his most treasured story.
LIVING IN NORTH CAROLINA
Books to Share in Lenoir
Tybrisa Books in Lenoir celebrates the joys and mysteries of used books. Plus, discover three book recommendations from owner Michelle Mahaffey.
Our State Knows Best: Baking Bread
Find out what three experts have to say about the science — and magic — of bread, the cooking skills that all home bakers should master, and how to make an artisan loaf in your own kitchen.
Sowing Second Chances
For formerly incarcerated women, a farm in Alamance County imparts knowledge and skills, nurtures their physical and spiritual health, and supports them as they rebuild their lives.
Hemp Comes Home
Absent from North Carolina’s landscape for 80 years, the plant with a hundred uses finds its way back to the fields.
North Carolina’s Rice Revival
Eastern North Carolina was once home to thousands of acres of Carolina Gold rice. And then, about a century ago, those rice fields disappeared. In Pamlico County, this heirloom crop is back — and coming to menus across the state.
Rewriting the Story of Cotton
On a sprawling farm in rural Northampton County, a young Black farmer-entrepreneur is teaching people the value of an ancient agricultural tradition with deep, dark roots.
Fruits of Our Labor
From apples in the mountains to peaches in the Sandhills to blueberries on the Coastal Plain, there’s a bounty of North Carolina-grown fruit to enjoy.
Red & Blue
North Carolina’s state colors adorn our flag, of course, but they’re also found in the things that make us who we are: food and music, nature and art.
