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By Scott Nicholson
A new map focusing on agritourism features 16 Watauga
County farms, bed and breakfast lodges, and food producers,
part of a campaign by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture
to promote farm products and experiences.
The full-color, fold-out maps of North Carolina agritourism
efforts will soon be available at the nine state welcome centers,
county agricultural extension offices, farmers markets and other
spots across the state.
“Agritourism” refers to value-added agricultural activities
on a farm, ranch or vineyard that provide entertaining and recreational
experiences, such as sleigh rides on tree farms or sauces or
foods made with local products. The free map, published by the
N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is updated
for 2009 and features 213 farms and vineyards with barnyard
animal exhibits, pond fishing, pick-your-own opportunities,
vacations, weddings, unique meeting spaces for business retreats
and more.
The High Country locations include choose-and-cut tree farms
as well as growers.
Local farms listed include Appalachian Evergreens, Inc.; Big
Ridge Tree Farm; Brady’s Own Foods: Goodnight Brothers
Country Ham; Hospitality Mints; Blue Ridge Bones LLC; Cornett
Deal Christmas Tree Farm & Songbird Cabin, Crippen’s
Country Inn & Restaurant; Fire From The Mountain, Inc.;
River and Earth Adventures Inc. Shady Grove Gardens, Story Book
Hill Farm Inc., The Farm at Mollies Branch, The Mast Farm Inn,
Watauga County Farmers Market and What Fir! Tree Farm.
The map includes contact information, seasonal specifications
and directions from major N.C. cities for each farm. The map
also classifies farms into eight categories: Hayrides/Mazes,
Barnyard Animals, Groups/Tours/Food, Choose ‘n’ Cut/Pick-You-Own,
Lodging/Camping, Walking/Riding Trails, Slow Dining/Picnics
and Handicap Accessible.
Individuals, businesses and organizations can order maps, either
individually, packages of 25 or boxes of 300, by calling Martha
Glass, manager of the NCDA&CS Agritourism Office, at (919)
733-7887, ext. 276, or by e-mail at martha.glass@ncagr.gov.
A searchable directory of farms is available online at www.visitncfarms.com,
which lists farms by both county and category. The maps were
funded by a grant from the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission and
support from the NCDA&CS Marketing Division and Agritourism
Networking Association.
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