High Country Farm Tour rolls out Aug. 4 and 5
Area residents have a chance to meet area farmers and see where local food is grown while celebrating the abundance of the High Country during August.
“Support local farms in Watauga, Ashe, and Caldwell counties by joining Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture for the 2012 High Country Farm Tour from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5,” a BRWA news release said.
“Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to participate in wine and cheese tastings and watch demonstrations of fiber arts, worm composting and mushroom production. This is your chance to learn more about raising alpacas, llamas, chickens, ducks, goats, horses and other farm animals. You'll be able to tour a working goat dairy, aquaculture facility, honey house and shiitake structure. Bring a cooler and an appetite. A variety of vegetables and fruits, meat, eggs, artisan cheeses, herbs, mushrooms, honey, molasses, preserves, cider, cut flowers, fiber products, cookbooks and homemade soaps and lotions will be available for purchase,” the news release said.
The farm tour is self-guided, so participants need to pick up a guidebook and ticket, visit farmtour.brwia.org.
Tickets are $25 in advance, or $30 if purchased at a farm, and entitle the passengers of one vehicle to visit farms on both days of the tour — or pay $10 per farm.
Tickets are available for purchase at Bare Essentials Natural Market, Earth Fare, Mast General Store Downtown Boone, Mast General Store Valle Crucis, Stick Boy Bread Company, Watauga County Farmers' Market, N.C. Cooperative Extension (Watauga, Caldwell and Ashe centers), Caldwell Arts Council, Bohemia in West Jefferson or online at farmtour.brwia.org/purchase-tickets.html.Visit http://www.farmtour.brwia.org for more information.
Volunteers needed
In addition, Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture is seeking volunteers to assist farmers participating in the 2012 High Country Farm Tour.
Volunteers will spend the day on a farm while helping to direct parking, greet and register visitors, and accept payment for farm tour tickets and BRWIA merchandise.
In exchange for volunteering on one day of the tour, volunteers will receive a free ticket to attend the other day of the tour.
“The High Country Farm Tour is not possible without the support of volunteers,” officials said. “Together, we can strengthen our local food system. Sign up to volunteer with BRWIA by emailing (volunteer@brwia.org) or by signing up at farmtour.brwia.org/volunteer.html.”
Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture is dedicated to strengthening the High Country's local food system by supporting women and their families with resources, education and skills related to sustainable food and agriculture.
Farms
2012 High Country Farm Tour participants are:
• Ashe Country farms: Creeksong Farm, Faith Mountain Farm, Foxfire Holler Farm, Goodnight Family Sustainable Development Teaching & Research Farm, Mountain Works Farm, New River Winery, Old Orchard Creek, Woodland Harvest Mountain and Zydeco Moon.
• Caldwell County farms: La Paz Atlantic Sturgeon and CaviarRipshin Goat Dairy.
• Watauga County farms: Apple Hill Farm, FIG Farm, Half Hippie U-Pick Farm, Horse Helpers at Wisteria Farm, Hospitality House Community Garden, Maverick Farm, Moretz's Mountain Orchard, New Life Farm, Springhouse Farm, St. Luke's Mary Boyer Memorial Garden and Watauga River Farms.
“Support local farms in Watauga, Ashe, and Caldwell counties by joining Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture for the 2012 High Country Farm Tour from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5,” a BRWA news release said.
“Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to participate in wine and cheese tastings and watch demonstrations of fiber arts, worm composting and mushroom production. This is your chance to learn more about raising alpacas, llamas, chickens, ducks, goats, horses and other farm animals. You'll be able to tour a working goat dairy, aquaculture facility, honey house and shiitake structure. Bring a cooler and an appetite. A variety of vegetables and fruits, meat, eggs, artisan cheeses, herbs, mushrooms, honey, molasses, preserves, cider, cut flowers, fiber products, cookbooks and homemade soaps and lotions will be available for purchase,” the news release said.
The farm tour is self-guided, so participants need to pick up a guidebook and ticket, visit farmtour.brwia.org.
Tickets are $25 in advance, or $30 if purchased at a farm, and entitle the passengers of one vehicle to visit farms on both days of the tour — or pay $10 per farm.
Tickets are available for purchase at Bare Essentials Natural Market, Earth Fare, Mast General Store Downtown Boone, Mast General Store Valle Crucis, Stick Boy Bread Company, Watauga County Farmers' Market, N.C. Cooperative Extension (Watauga, Caldwell and Ashe centers), Caldwell Arts Council, Bohemia in West Jefferson or online at farmtour.brwia.org/purchase-tickets.html.Visit http://www.farmtour.brwia.org for more information.
Volunteers needed
In addition, Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture is seeking volunteers to assist farmers participating in the 2012 High Country Farm Tour.
Volunteers will spend the day on a farm while helping to direct parking, greet and register visitors, and accept payment for farm tour tickets and BRWIA merchandise.
In exchange for volunteering on one day of the tour, volunteers will receive a free ticket to attend the other day of the tour.
“The High Country Farm Tour is not possible without the support of volunteers,” officials said. “Together, we can strengthen our local food system. Sign up to volunteer with BRWIA by emailing (volunteer@brwia.org) or by signing up at farmtour.brwia.org/volunteer.html.”
Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture is dedicated to strengthening the High Country's local food system by supporting women and their families with resources, education and skills related to sustainable food and agriculture.
Farms
2012 High Country Farm Tour participants are:
• Ashe Country farms: Creeksong Farm, Faith Mountain Farm, Foxfire Holler Farm, Goodnight Family Sustainable Development Teaching & Research Farm, Mountain Works Farm, New River Winery, Old Orchard Creek, Woodland Harvest Mountain and Zydeco Moon.
• Caldwell County farms: La Paz Atlantic Sturgeon and CaviarRipshin Goat Dairy.
• Watauga County farms: Apple Hill Farm, FIG Farm, Half Hippie U-Pick Farm, Horse Helpers at Wisteria Farm, Hospitality House Community Garden, Maverick Farm, Moretz's Mountain Orchard, New Life Farm, Springhouse Farm, St. Luke's Mary Boyer Memorial Garden and Watauga River Farms.