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Back-to-School Snacks and Lunch-Packing Hacks

Find quick and easy tips for selecting, storing and packing nutritious foods that will help you save time (and stress) this school year!

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Red, White and 'Cue Backyard Barbecue Series

The 4th of July has come and gone, but the summer of celebration is just beginning! From delicious dry rubs to signature spare ribs, discover the secrets to making mouthwatering North Carolina BBQ all summer long.

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Homegrown

How to Make Your Own Dry Rub 

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Making Smoked Barbecue Spare Ribs as Simple as 3-2-1 

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How to Make a Barbecue Martini 

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How to Prepare Perfect Pork Butt Barbecue 

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How to Make Barbecue Chicken 

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Learn and Explore

Discover the latest findings for the kitchen, garden and farm right here. We’ll share tasty, nutritious recipes and safe food prep tips; show you what’s in season and how it’s grown; and help you learn where your food comes from and what it takes to feed North Carolina.

IN THE GARDEN

From growing your own produce to composting your kitchen scraps, we’ll take you through the finer points of putting your green thumb to good use. Go ahead, get your hands dirty.

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North Carolina’s Very Hungry Caterpillars

North Carolina is home to nearly 3,000 caterpillar species, of which only about 3% are garden pests. Learn more about these baby butterflies and moths, and their ecological value. 

Discover the Secret Science of Fireflies

One of the more magical moments of summer is the first firefly (or lightning bug)! These little luminaries are both mesmerizing and mysterious, so our expert shed some light on the subject. 

Pollen Season Is Nothing to Sneeze at

Find out where all that yellow pollen comes from, steps you can take to reduce the impact of pollen on allergies, and how pollen actually plays a critical role in our everyday lives in unexpected ways! 

IN THE KITCHEN

Join us in the kitchen as we share nutritious recipes, expert cooking advice and food preservation tips to help you make the most of all our state offers.  

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Back-to-School Snacks and Lunch-Packing Hacks

As if mornings with young children weren't stressful enough at times, nothing cranks up the chaos like realizing you forgot to pack their lunch as you're heading out the door. 

How to Make Your Own Dry Rub

Dry rubs can be as complicated or as simple as you want them. We're of the mindset that simpler is better. Learn how to make a simple salt-and-pepper rub that works well with many meats. 

Egg-cellent Hollandaise Sauce in a Blender

We humbly submit to the pantheon of condiments: hollandaise sauce. Indulge in a little haute cuisine at home with this rich and creamy sauce that can be made in a blender. 

ON THE FARM

We have a rich agricultural history in North Carolina, and the typical family farm is growing and changing all the time! Come with us as we meet some of the folks who are ensuring our food’s future.

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Flour Power: Supporting North Carolina’s Wheat Industry

North Carolina produces upwards of 500,000 acres of wheat each year. Find out what happens before all of those grain-based goodies get to your store shelves and pantries. 

This Spud’s for You: North Carolina Potatoes

If you live anywhere in the Eastern U.S. and tear into a bag of potato chips, you're probably enjoying North Carolina potatoes. Learn more about the industry that’s all that and a bag of chips. 

The Perfect Time for Pickin’ Strawberries

Pollen and gardens aren't the only things bursting anew come springtime in the South – sweet and scrumptious strawberries are back in season! Discover pointers for picking the perfect berries.