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Forward Thinkers Move Back to the Land
by Rachael Goss When we think about the 1960s, certain iconic images pop up. From flower children and festivals to fierce protests and racial unrest, the decade was marked by a turbulent change in the social and political fabrics of our nation. In the late 1960s, many idealistic young Americans turned away from the mainstream…
Read MoreEducation: Appalachian Colleges Plant Seeds of Sustainability
By Meg Holden Many colleges and universities incorporate sustainability lessons into the classroom, but some exceed expectations. Take a look at three Appalachian schools that teach conscientious food habits through student-centered gardens. Warren Wilson College One of the greenest small colleges in the South, Warren Wilson College in Asheville, N.C., is known for its “above…
Read MoreDraftwood Horse Logging
By Jillian Randel Somewhere on the line between clear-cutting a forest and leaving it untouched lies a practice referred to as modern horse logging. This sustainable form of forestry is simultaneously a kick back to the past and the standard of the future. Horse logging is an evolving industry driven by a close-knit community of…
Read MoreCommunity Kitchens: Taking Food From Farm to Table
By Julie Johnson Jack Fischer had a great idea for a product, but no space in which to make it. “At home, I’d make nut butters out of raw, sprouted almonds and walnuts for my family,” he said. Fischer knew his nut butters were a marketable product, but because of health department regulations and the…
Read MoreThreats to the Land
By Jillian Randel Since large-scale farms of today have replaced the small farms of old, the bucolic nature of farming has given way to more industrialized techniques that may not always be better. Large-scale farming operations pose a huge threat to the health of America’s waterways. A major source of contamination in drinking water is…
Read MoreThe Art of Mushrooming
By Meg Holden From portabellas and button mushrooms to the more exotic truffles and shiitakes, there’s no “fun guy” like the edible mushroom. These tasty fungi bring flavor to stir fries, burgers, salads and more. But you do not have to go to a restaurant or the grocery store to take advantage of mushrooms—many edible…
Read MoreSeeing the Forests Because We Left The Trees
The region of central and southern Appalachia has more national land of any other region east of the Rockies. The parks and forests of Appalachia bring tourism, and tourism brings tourist dollars which help to boost the economies of our small mountain communities. With 2,193 hiking and biking trails—including 330 miles of the Appalachian Trail—in just the Jefferson and George Washington national forests alone, even the most rabid eco-tourist should have plenty do to for a while.
Read MoreAppalachian Summer Music Festivals
Is the arrival of summer like music to your ears? There’s no better way to celebrate warmer days, longer nights and fantastic food than Appalachian summer music and arts festivals. Festivals are held all throughout southern Appalachia as a way of celebrating music, art, food, summer, community and history. From cultural bluegrass festivals to award-winning…
Read MoreEnvironmental Summer Camps
Summer is just around the corner and that means it’s time for summer camps! Environmental programs can help your child become a stronger individual, make lifelong friends and foster independence while learning about the outdoors. We compiled this list of environmental summer camps to help you get your kids outside and learning. —By Kaley Bellanti…
Read MoreTake Me to the River(Fest)
By Parker Stevens, Festival Coordinator Start your summer with a splash at the 2nd annual Appalachian Voices’ RiverFest and membership gathering, slated for June 4 in beautiful Valle Crucis, N.C., on the banks of the Watauga River. At this year’s RiverFest, folks will have the opportunity to try their hand at making Japanese-style fish prints,…
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