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The constantly rising gas prices can make that relaxing summer vacation hard to manage, forcing motorists to travel in-state. But if you like local arts and agriculture, then "Homegrown Handmade: Art Roads and Farm Trails" might be the ticket to your dream trip.

"Homegrown Handmade" (John F. Blair, May 2008) is a guide book featuring information on 1,300 local arts and agriculture sites in 76 Piedmont and eastern North Carolina counties, such as Lakeland Cultural Arts Center and Dinner Theater in Littleton, Botticelli Vineyards in Jacksonville and Handscapes Gallery in Beaufort.

"We hope people will use this book and plan some short trips that will help them save on their fuel costs," said Ed Emory, Duplin County Extension director with the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, who helped select the sites featured in the guide.

The book was created by the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service and the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources with support from the Golden Leaf Foundation.

The N.C. Arts Council also contributed by providing the organizations with links to the 2,300 arts organizations in the state.

Together, these groups created the book, hoping to encourage people to explore a side of their home state that has gone largely unseen.

The book is divided into 16 self-directed driving trails that highlight festivals, wineries, restaurants, farmers' markets, art galleries, performing arts, hands-on farm experiences, music and crafts, specialty shops and museums.

Each trail links counties with similar arts and agriculture sites. The designers of the book also gave the trails names, such as "Rock Stew Ramble" and "Coastal Treasure Chest," which Emory said reflect the spirit of each area.

"The trails allow tourists to explore the rural parts of our state at their own pace in an affordable way," he said.

The book emphasizes what Emory calls "agri-cultural tourism," which includes farms or other sites that use products from a farm or natural resources. The trails in "Homegrown Handmade" include several farms, as well as the arts culture surrounding those farms. Produce stands, farmers' markets and restaurants that serve local food and feature live music are just a few examples of "agri-cultural tourism" sites the book explores.

Groups were organized in each county featured in the book inventory the arts and agriculture sites in their areas. The artists and farmers who were interested in being featured in the book had to sign an agreement and meet certain standards to be included, such as having regular hours and public restrooms.

"This book is truly insider information from the people who live there," Emory said.

"Homegrown Handmade" also has a Web site (www.homegrownhandmade.com) that was launched in 2004. The book, which was published in May was limited to 400 pages, Emory said.

So, book contains highlights of the best arts and agriculture sites in each county, but the Web site serves as a supplement listing many more destinations that tourists can add to their preferred trail.Contact Alexa Milan at 373-7081 or Alexandra.Milan@news-record.com