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PEONY PARADISE —Suzanne and Ricardo Fernandez are the owners of the the Wildcat Ridge Farm. It is one of many farms found on the Visit NC Farms app.
FIRST-OF-ITS KIND — The Yin Yurt at Wildcat Ridge Farm in Clyde is the first luxury yurt in Haywood County. Perched overlooking the Pigeon River, in a quiet valley of Western North Carolina mountains, the yurt is a new concept in luxurious getaways.
PEONY PARADISE —Suzanne and Ricardo Fernandez are the owners of the the Wildcat Ridge Farm. It is one of many farms found on the Visit NC Farms app.
FIRST-OF-ITS KIND — The Yin Yurt at Wildcat Ridge Farm in Clyde is the first luxury yurt in Haywood County. Perched overlooking the Pigeon River, in a quiet valley of Western North Carolina mountains, the yurt is a new concept in luxurious getaways.
RALEIGH – Residents and visitors looking for farms that offer outdoor experiences and local food will have plenty of options this spring as farms across the state open their gates to welcome guests.
There are a variety of activities to choose from including workshops, tasting rooms, strawberry and flower picking, Mother’s Day events, farm stands and farmers markets. Here are a few of the experiences offered at Western North Carolina farms through Memorial Day.
Visitors can find farm experiences across the state by downloading the Visit NC Farms app with nearly 2,000 farms, fisheries and agriculture destinations nearby and across the state.
Sandy Mush Herb Nursery of Leicester is open for visitors Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays for garden walks, greenhouse walks, self-guided spring hikes. Online at https://sandymushherbs.com/
Mark your calendars for Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend in Henderson County. April 22-24. This action-packed weekend features artisan hard cider, award-winning wines, food, educational programs, live music, facility tours and more. Learn more at https://visithendersonvillenc.org/cider-wine-dine-weekend.
Mountain Brook Vineyards in Tryon offers award-winning wines paired with memorable hospitality. The vineyard hosts several events in March, including wine tastings, daily tours, wine dinners, sip & shop craft market, movies and barrel tastings. Find online at https://www.mountainbrookvineyards.com/.
Apple Hill Farm of Banner Elk will be hosting farm tours by reservation only this spring. They will have baby goat yoga mid-May, as well as an Agritourism Works! Workshop May 14. Check the website for details and bookings at http://www.applehillfarmnc.com/.
Valley River Vineyards in Murphy is now open for the spring. Check out its tasting room and vineyards, or enjoy a peaceful walk through the woods, tent camping and picnic sites. Experience grapevine pruning on April 23. Learn more about this event for adults at http://www.valleyrivervineyards.com/.
Mount Gilead Farm of Leicester invites guests to interact with its socialized goat herd and adorable new baby goats that love to be held and snuggled.
Make a reservation on the farm’s website for an educational tour focusing on regenerative agriculture and the integration of animals into farming practices, culminating in bottle-feeding baby goats. The farm store will be open selling goat cheese and other farm-produced items. Learn more at https://www.mtgileadfarm.com/.
Wildcat Ridge Farm of Clyde will be having its 2022 Festival of Peonies in Bloom from May 2-31. The festival is free and open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Potted herbaceous and intersectional peonies as well as blooms available for sale.
Seasonal rental of its Yin Yurt is available as well. Full event details are online at https://www.wildcatridgefarm.com/.
M. R. Gardens of Asheville is holding open houses showcasing its sustainable nursery, and offers native flowers, groundcovers, herbs and vegetable seedlings for purchase. M. R. Gardens focuses on pollinator plants and other species that benefit the ecosystem and aims to propagate plants in the most sustainable way possible. Check out its website for more information at http://www.nativeplantsasheville.com/.
The free app NC Farms app is available at www.visitncfarmstoday.com and by downloading from the app store on mobile devices. The app allows users to customize itineraries complete with driving directions. Or, online at www.gottobenc.com, by clicking on the agritourism listing under the Find Local link.
Visitors should verify event dates, ticket requirements and operational hours before going.
Haywood farmers who are not listed on this app will be able to sign up at no cost in 2022. In the program’s first year, the Haywood County Extension Service and Haywood County commissioners have budgeted funds to cover up to 50 local entries.
Haywood signed up for the app as part of a five-county group along with Henderson, Madison, Jackson and Mitchell counties. The cost could scale up if there’s more interest, but it’s ultimately seen as a worthy investment.
“The app is a great way to connect with local farms, food and people. It’s a great way to see what’s out there and what’s available,” said Julie Sawyer with the Haywood County extension service.
To list a farm or agribusiness listed on Visit NC Farms, contact Sawyer at the Haywood County Cooperative Extension by calling 828-456-3575 or emailing julie_sawyer@ncsu.edu.
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