by Madison V. Fisler
Aug. 2, 2013. On Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 3-4 from 2-6 p.m. High Country residents and visitors will get the unique chance to really see and experience where their food comes from at the High Country Farm Tour. During this event, which is hosted by Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, guests will get a chance to meet the local area farmers and see the farms where local food is grown year round.
On the tour this year, there are a total of 28 farms including:
- A Berry Patch Farm in West Jefferson
- Faith Mountain Farm in Creston
- Goodnight Family Sustainable Development Teaching and Research Farm at ASU in Fleetwood
- Landmark Farm Alpacas in Grassy Creek
- Mountain Works Farm in Zionville
- Owl Feather Organic Farm in Crumpler
- Woodland Harvest Mountain Farm in West Jefferson
- Zydeco Moon in Grassy Creek
- Trosly Farm in Elk Park
- Granite Falls Brewing Company in Granite Falls
- Herbville and Crane Farm in Granite Falls
- Six Waterpots Vineyard and Winery in Hudson
- Well Preserved Products, LLC in Lenoir
- Wild Pilgrim Farmstead in Lenoir
- Against the Grain in Zionville
- Appalachian Mountain Brewery in Boone
- Apple Hill Farm in Banner Elk
- A Yokel Farm in Sugar Grove
- Bridle Creek Farms in Deep Gap
- Cornett Deal Christmas Tree Farm in Vilas
- F.A.R.M. Cafe’s “The Garden Spot” in Historic Valle Crucis
- FIG Farm in Banner Elk
- Horse Helpers of the High Country in Boone
- Hospitality House Community Gardens in Deep Gap
- Lively Up Farm in Banner Elk
- Nelson Family Farm in Zionville
- New Life Farm in Boone
- The Farm at Mollies Branch in Todd
Load up a car and take the tour in any order you wish.
A weekend pass to the tour is $25 in advance per carload, which covers admission to all farms for the entire weekend. Tickets are available online here, at the Ashe County Farmers’ Market, at the Blowing Rock Farmers’ Market, at the Downtown Lenoir Farmers’ Market, the Watauga County Farmers’ Market, and at the Trosly Farm Store in Elk Park. You can also purchase a ticket on the first day of the tour at the first farm you visit for $30, or at each individual farm at a rate of $10 per farm.
Volunteers are also welcome at the Farm Tour to help farmers prepare for the visitors and to work each farm on the days of the event. A donation of at least 4 hours of volunteer time will be rewarded with a discounted Farm Tour Pass. Event day volunteers will receive a free t-shirt plus a free pass to take the tour themselves.
“Its one level to go to the farmers market and meet the farmers, but when you take the extra step and visit the farm, see the farmers in action, see the land and meet the families it really inspires you and touches you on a deeper level,” said Courtney Baines, Farm Tour coordinator and director of programs for Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture.
“It really makes you want to support these families and local agriculture.”
This year, the Tour offers much more than just a jaunt through the various farms. For the kids, there will be stickers and workbooks and a “Little Locavore” learning series to teach children about eating locally. There will also be adult and little Locavore photo contests.
For more information on this event, please click here.
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