Family Farm 2.0

Mike Watson grew up on a family farm in rural southwestern Virginia. Having made a career at the electric company, he never imagined himself – let alone his children and grandchildren – back on that farm. Read more…

After Tobacco: In Appalachia, Farmers Hope the Future is Organic Vegetables

This still looks like tobacco country. Tractors still slow traffic on the roads. An autumn celebration is still called the “Tobacco Festival.” And family farms still have the region’s trademark tall barns where the harvest’s giant green leaves once cured in the rafters until they were rusty brown and ready for market.

But despite decades of tradition, tobacco farming is on the wane in Appalachia. The elimination of government price supports and increased costs of production have prompted many tobacco growers to seek out new crops in order to get by. What some have found may change the face of agriculture in this remote region. Read more…

The Last Man in the Mountain

You’ve heard of the “Old Man in the Mountain,” the giant stone face that fell off its New Hampshire perch in 2003. But have you heard of “Stone Face Rock?”

Tucked away in the mouth of a cramped mountain pass near Pennington Gap in southwestern Virginia, this naturally face-shaped outcropping looms just 150 feet above the road that passes directly underneath. It enjoys far less fame than its former rival up north, but it is equally impressive. Read more…

Among Ghosts

You may have noticed from the map box over there on the right side of the page that we haven’t moved around much in the last week or so. It’s because we’re at my Mom’s house as the family deals with a few things that have come up. Julie’s been wonderfully understanding of the situation and we hope to be back on the road by the end of this week. Read more…

Fighting Hunger at Home

Their stories begin with the loss of a job, an injury or illness, or the simple realization that Social Security retirement income alone isn’t enough to feed a family. Whatever the circumstances, in the mountains of rural Southwestern Virginia, the stories intersect on the third Wednesday of the month at the Patrick County Community Food Bank. Read more…

Beginnings

Look with favor upon a bold beginning.
-Virgil

I don’t suppose ol’ Virgil was thinking about taking off cross-country with a some video cameras, a couple of laptops and an old RV. But his point is taken.

Beginnings for me are twisted up in anxiety and boundless excitement. Six years ago I began an international backpacking trip on a ferry bound for a dusty Mexican port. Read more…

Stitch by Stitch

The area around Martinsville, Virginia once teemed with busy factories churning out raw fabric, underwear and countless sweatshirts. This town once proudly called itself “The Sweatshirt Capital of the World.” Read more…

On the Hunt for Fairy Stones

In a rural part of southwest Virginia, unique geology creates naturally cross-shaped stones that have become a local legend. Along the way we’ll be taking the occasional break from stories of hard times to show you the interesting attractions we see on the road.

One of the few spots where the stones are easily found is behind the “Haynes 57″ gas station on state route 57 north of Martinsville. Owners Mary and Ronnie call their business the “Home of the Fairy Stones” and share their fascination with visitors who drop by. Read more…

The High Road in Hard Times

When Rick Percival was laid off from his job in Kansas City, he decided to return home to New Zealand by an unusual route: a 2,175 mile hike along the Appalachian Trail. Read more…

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