Farm Tour in Western North Carolina

September 22-23, 2012 Here's your chance to visit farms in the Asheville area that are not normally open to the public. The Farm Tour will open 35 farms in six Western North Carolina counties. The region is home to agriculture of all kinds, ranging from century farms cultivated by the same family for generations, to certified organic farms, to urban gardens. The self-guided tour, organized by Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP), is your chance to learn how food grows, taste farm-fresh treats, interact with farm animals, and meet the community’s food producers. It’s the first time ASAP has hosted the event in the fall. The change allows farmers with seasons starting in late summer to take part. But the new season and farms—there are 14 new stops in total—aren’t the only new aspects of the tour. ASAP plans to launch a brand new local food app, entitled Appalachian Grown and modeled after their Local Food Guide, just before the big event. The free mobile app will be available for iPhone and Android users and offer detailed information about participating farms, as well as tap into a phone’s GPS for help navigating a chosen tour route. Beyond the tour, the app will connect folks with area farms and businesses that support local food. Those interested in test driving the new app will be able to find it post-launch by searching iPhone’s App Store or Android’s Google Play Store for “Appalachian Grown.” How can tour-takers visit the 35 farms? 1: Purchase a tour pass at select area businesses and tailgate markets, or online at asapconnections.org; passes are $25 in advance. 2) Pack a car with friends and family. One pass admits an entire carload. 3) Grab a guide and set off to celebrate the region’s agricultural heritage. The tour runs 1-6 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Tour guides are available from pass vendors and for download at asapconnections.org; guides include a map and directions, tour tips, information about the second annual Farm Tour Photo Contest, and other details. Those interested in taking the tour can find more information, including a list of pass vendors and details on volunteering and attending the tour for free, at asapconnections.org. ASAP’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as their community website fromhere.org, will feature event information and stories leading up to the tour. Participants are also invited to share their journey via Twitter during the weekend. Western NC Farms on Tour 2012 Buncombe County Addison Farms Vineyard Almosta Farm Asheville Fresh Herbs Cloud 9 Farm Flying Cloud Farm Good Fibrations Hawk and Ivy B&B Hickory Nut Gap Farm Hominy Valley Farms Hop ’n Blueberry Farm Imladris Farm J-Bee Farm (formerly Jordan Blackley) Long Branch Environmental Education Center New Sprout Organic Farms Razor Mountain Round Mountain Creamery Smoking J's Fiery Foods and Farm Haywood County Sunburst Trout Farms Henderson County Justus Orchard Madison County Bee Tree Farm and Vineyard Dry Ridge Farm East Fork Farm Farmhouse Beef Mountain Harvest Organics Mulberry Gap Farm New Direction Farm Troutlily Farm Wake Robin Farm Wild Mountain Apiaries Yancey County Firefly Farm Mountain Farm Mountain Gardens Mushroom Hut @ Fox Farms Wellspring Farm