Crossing The Divide

Rachel's Crossing the Divide radio piece on educational divides in Massachusetts aired during New England Public Radio's Morning Edition. Music credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear.

Today was a full-on day of reporting for our projects covering healthcare, hemp and limited internet access in eastern Kentucky. Music credit: "Jettisoned" and "Massive" by Podington Bear.

As a farmer, a food writer and the president of the Pikeville Farmers' Market in eastern Kentucky, Joyce Pinson explained what makes the region's agricultural heritage so unique. Music Credit: "Jettisoned" by Podington Bear and "Turning on the Lights" by Blue Dot Sessions.

At the Pikeville Farmers' Market last night, we met Charles and Joyce Pinson, two vendors from eastern Kentucky. Charles's family has lived in these mountains for 10 generations, and agriculture has played an important role in shaping the culture and food traditions here. With specialty crops and more infrastructure, such as high tunnels and greenhouses, Charles says agriculture could boost livelihoods and draw in tourists.

Lauren Hamby, a sophomore at Floyd Central High School, shared what she hopes for her future and the future of this region she is proud to call home. The music is "Jettisoned" and "Springtime" by Podington Bear.

Some of the reporters and producers hiked in the nearby Breaks Interstate Park. It's approximately 4,500 acres of greenwood lands and mountain scenery shared by Kentucky and Virginia. The field trip involved references to Lord of the Rings and ended with ice cream from a diner in Regina, KY. For more information about our cross-country reporting trip, visit xthedivide.org.

The Crossing the Divide team arrives in Pikeville, Kentucky and attends a high school football game. Warning: you may hear some crackling and overmodulation due crowd enthusiasm. To learn more about our cross-country reporting trip, visit xthedivide.org.

Traveling can be exciting. But sometimes it's long, difficult and boring. On our way to West Virginia, we ended up getting stuck on an interstate in Maryland when a vehicle ahead of us caught fire.

On the night before leaving for Appalachia, the reporters thank the High School of Commerce in Springfield, MA for their openness and generosity. A big shout-out to Mr. Danboise and his journalism class! For more information about our cross-country reporting trip, visit xthedivide.org.

At an event with journalism students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Crossing the Divide photojournalist Brittany Greeson shared how she selects photos to convey mood and continuity. For more information about our cross-country reporting trip, visit xthedivide.org.