A passion for indigenous grasses and wildflowers turned a ninth-generation farmer into a steward of seeds. On a ramble down to Johnston County, our roving writer learns how Don Lee is helping restore native landscapes across the South.
farming
Peanuts! Get Your Peanuts!
Boiled, brittled, or bagged at the ballpark, there’s a peanut for practically every time and place. We’re proud that so many of them come from eastern North Carolina — ranked fifth in the nation for peanut production — where a whole lot of legumes find purchase in our sandy soil.
Late Summer Harvest
Load up your basket at these farmers stands and markets.
Red, White, & Blueberries: Our Favorite Summer Fruits
Every heart beats true for the red, white, and blue — fruits! Deeply rooted in North Carolina soil, our favorite summer sweets offer an unmistakable taste of place. And lucky for us, they’re ripe and ready for the Fourth of July.
Home Brewed at Sideways Farm
A Henderson County brewery is using the flavors of local farms — including the one it’s built on — to bring beer back to its roots.
Hope for Hops
At Sticky Indian Farm in Candler, the demanding crop that lends our beer its distinctive flavor is worth the challenge.
Free-Range Life at Hardscrabble Hollow Farm
Larry McDermott and Anita Saulmon gave up a fast-paced life to rule the roost on a small farm in the foothills of North Carolina.
Beyond the Call of Duty at Veterans Healing Farm
On a farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Henderson County, John Mahshie and volunteers give veterans something many of them sorely need: camaraderie.
Jason Brown’s Journey From Football to Farming
One of the highest-paid centers in the NFL walked away from football at the peak of his career. His new life on a farm in Louisburg, just 30 minutes from where he grew up, was much harder, and happier, than he ever thought possible.
