A career in economic development trains you to lean into data. Yet when it comes to describing the value of rural life, one writer finds more meaning in memories than metrics.
Answering the Call
In Randolph County and across the state, volunteer firefighters never hesitate to help a neighbor in need.
Where Print Lives
Across North Carolina, small-town newspapers make a major impact by reporting on the people and events that shape local communities.
The Family Business
When you grow up in Clinton and your dad runs one of the few newspapers in your small town, being a part of the “staff” isn’t really an option.
Barton College’s Bulldog Believers
After more than 70 years, football is back at Barton College, a small liberal arts school in the heart of Wilson County. Now, student athletes from rural high schools across North Carolina are finding not only a place to play, but also futures beyond sports.
Raising the Steaks With Shipley Beef
The Shipley family is again raising cattle on their picture-perfect farm near Vilas — just as the first Shipleys did more than 150 years ago.
School Spirit in Jarvisburg
A little white schoolhouse once served as a hub for Black students and farming families in Currituck County. Lovingly restored and filled with memories, it remains an enduring point of pride.
Sheltering a Community at The Filling Station
In the tiny town of Pollocksville in Jones County, the placid Trent River roared to life during Hurricane Florence, threatening homes and businesses. A group of volunteers formed to clean up the mess, one neighborly smile at a time.
United We Farm
A network of food hubs helps growers bring more varieties of fresh, locally grown produce to tables across the state.
