2020 Local Food Guide

Appalachian Grown region in the mountains of NC, GA, SC, TN, & VA

Tailgate Markets | Farms to Visit | Farm Stories | and more

FREE

2020

appalachiangrown.org

at A-B Tech

Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon

Photos: Camilla Calnan Photography

Our mission is to help local farms

thrive, link farmers to markets

and supporters, and build

healthy communities through

connections to local food.

For nearly two decades, ASAP

has spearheaded a Local Food

Campaign to support the

Southern Appalachian region on

a journey to reconnect with food.

As part of that work, ASAP:

• Publishes free resources,

including the Local Food Guide

and Full Share: A CSA Guide.

• Identifies and defines “local”

through Appalachian Grown

certification and branding.

• Operates the ASAP Farmers

Market and Asheville City

Market and provides support

for other area tailgate markets.

• Connects chefs, grocers, and

other local businesses with the

farmers who suit their needs.

• Offers tools and workshops for

farmers, including our Business

of Farming Conference and

virtual webinars.

• Creates community events,

such as our Farm Tour and CSA

Fair.

• Provides farm to school

resources and training through

our Growing Minds program.

• Examines the role of regional

food systems through our Local

Food Research Center.

Learn more about our work at

asapconnections.org.

Welcome to the 2020 Local Food Guide. Like everything else, it looks a

little different this year. For the past 18 years, ASAP has published a guide to

Appalachian Grown farms, farmers tailgate markets, and partner businesses

committed to local sourcing. We were preparing to send the 2020 guide to

the printer, when COVID-19 brought so much to a halt. Rather than publishing

information collected prior to the pandemic, we are offering an abbreviated

print version this year. The 2020 guide features stories from the region’s farms

and how they have responded to the pandemic. There are updated listings

for farmers tailgate markets and on-farm activities still open this season.

We encourage you to use our online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.

org to find all of the Appalachian Grown farms and partner businesses. New

search functions let you look for online ordering, delivery, and other pickup

options. Remember that information may still be in flux due to COVID-19.

Always contact farms and businesses before visiting to find out about new

hours, offerings, or precautions in place.

Appalachian Grown means certified local. When you see the logo on farm

products or in area businesses, you know your purchase supports family

farms in the Southern Appalachians. The Appalachian Grown region is made

up of the 60 counties within 100 miles of Asheville, and includes Western

North Carolina as well as parts of Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South

Carolina. (Find a map of the Appalachian Grown region at asapconnections.

org.) The Appalachian Grown brand offers a sense of place, a community, and

a context for our food. Our Appalachian Grown farmers and businesses are

innovative and creative. Seek them out wherever you can, especially now.

FEATURES

3 Connect with Local Food at


5 Why Buy Local?

6 Farmers Markets in the Age of COVID

8 Tailgate Markets Listings

16 2020: Year of the Pivot

21 The Legacy and Future of Deal

Family Farm

24 Plan Your Appalachian Staycation!

30 Cherokee Traditions Sustain Long

Family Farms

34 Farms Feeding Families

On the Cover: Lewis Blake of Bear Necessities Farm shows off his strawberries at ASAP Farmers

Market. Photo courtesy of Shanti Elixirs.

All photos in this guide were taken in Western North Carolina and the Southern Appalachians.

We appreciate all of the photos submitted by photo contest submissions, volunteer

photographers, interns, and ASAP staff.

appalachiangrown.org Local Food Guide 1

Get in the Guide

Are you a farmer or business

committed to buying from

local farms in the Appalachian

Grown region? ASAP’s Local Food

Guide helps you connect with

customers and each other. Visit

appalachiangrown.org to become

an Appalachian Grown certified

farm or partner, and to be listed

online and in the next printed

edition of the Guide.

Help Make the Local

Food Guide Possible

ASAP produces and distributes

this free guide so that you can

find local food in your community.

This is just one part of our

commitment to reconnect people

to local food and to the farmers

who are growing it. Your support

makes a difference! When you

make a donation to ASAP, you

help our farmers, children, food

businesses, and communities. We

all benefit from a vibrant local

food economy.

To make a secure donation,

visit asapconnections.org or

mail a check to ASAP. For more

information on how you can help

sustain our organization, contact

giving@asapconnections.org.

Donations are tax deductible.

ASAP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit

organization.

Listing content is user-submitted. Details correct at date of publication; information subject to

change. Visit our online guide at appalachiangrown.org for updates and an expanded list.

©2020 ASAP. ASAP’s Local Food Guide is an annual publication.

Funding for the Local Food Guide was made possible in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s

(USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service through grant [AM180100XXXXG070] and the Beginning

Farmer Rancher Development Program [grant no.2018-70017-28533/project accession no. 1016663]

from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Its contents are solely the responsibility

of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.

ASAP

306 W. Haywood St.

Asheville, NC, 28801

828-236-1282

This publication is made possible with support from:

Asheville Regional Airport

2 ASAP asapconnections.org

Connect with Local Food at


Know your farmers! The family farms listed in ASAP’s online guide are the anchors of

our local food system. By buying directly from these farms, you help to strengthen the

local economy and build healthy communities. Get to know these farmers and seek

out their products at tailgate markets, grocery stores, and restaurants. If there are safe

ways to do so, visit their farms. Farms with u-pick, farm stands, lodging, and tours during

COVID-19 are listed on pages 24-28. You can also search for agritourism activities in the

online guide. Remember to contact farms directly to confirm any changes.

Shop at farmers tailgate markets. When you shop at markets, you don’t just get the freshest Appalachian Grown

produce, meat, cheese, eggs, and artisan products available. You also make a direct connection with the farmers who

grew that food. You can ask them your questions and learn their stories. By buying directly from farmers at produceronly

tailgate markets, you build relationships in your community, support family farms, and strengthen the local food

economy—all while filling your market basket with the best food our region has to offer. Find market listings on pages

8-15 or use the online guide to get more information.

Join a CSA. Participating in a Community Supported Agriculture program connects you directly with a local farm.

Purchase a “share” of a farm’s harvest upfront before the season begins. Then get a regular supply of produce, meat,

or other farm goods. With your commitment early on, the farmer can invest in their farm and plan for the season. As

CSAs have grown in availability and popularity, different models have developed. Some CSAs allow you to customize

your subscription size, product mix, or payment plan. Some farms offer fall shares. Search for farms offering CSAs at

appalachiangrown.org and look for ASAP’s CSA guide, Full Share, in January.

Dine at restaurants that source locally. Savoring the match between a chef and a farm is one of the most exciting ways

to appreciate local food. The restaurants listed in the online guide source ingredients directly from family farms and from

Appalachian Grown partner wholesalers and distributors. More than ever, it is critical to support these relationships as

we move through the COVID-19 crisis as a community. Keep an eye on restaurant websites and social media for the most

up-to-date information on takeout, curbside pickup, dine-in, and delivery.

Look for artisan foods featuring local products. Using techniques passed down for generations, artisan makers

handcraft breads, beverages, preserves, and more. These Appalachian Grown partners source ingredients from local

farmers or grow their own to create distinctive and delicious products. Search for them in the online guide.

Ask for Appalachian Grown at grocery stores. The grocery

stores, co-ops, and neighborhood markets listed in the

online guide stock produce, meats, and cheeses from local

farms. Look for Appalachian Grown signs and logos in stores.

And, if you don’t see them, ask! When you advocate for local

products in the aisles, you help change the entire food system.

Find wholesale products. Wholesalers and distributors

connect the dots between hundreds of farmers and

restaurants, caterers, grocery stores, and artisan producers.

Some also offer options for the public. Search the online guide

to find those that sell products by the bushel or create custom

produce boxes delivered to your doorstep.

Explore the region. Many farms, historic sites, and lodging in

the online guide offer travel-worthy experiences. Find outdoor

adventures, classes in traditional crafts, wine tastings, historic

tours, and more. Find farms offering on-farm experiences

during COVID-19 in the charts on pages 24-28.


Photo: courtesy of Mt. Gilead Farm

Connect with ASAP!

asapconnections.org offers information about ASAP’s

work and programs, including

• resources for farmers and food businesses

• events and workshops, such as our Farm Tour or

Business of Farming Conference

• reports from our Local Food Research Center

• how to get involved and support ASAP through

internships, volunteering, or donating

appalachiangrown.org is the home of ASAP’s online

Local Food Guide, with

• more than 1,000 food and farm listings in the

Southern Appalachians

• multiple search and filter options

• trip planner

• wholesale farm to business directory

fromhere.org is the place for you to connect with local

food news, events, and community, including

• weekly reports on what’s fresh at the farmers markets

• classified ads

• local food and farm events calendar

growing-minds.org is the home of our Growing Minds

farm to school work, including

• lesson plans and activities for school gardens,

classroom cooking, and farm field trips

• children’s literature database

• kid-friendly local food recipes

• resources for getting local food in cafeterias

Subscribe to ASAP’s e-newsletters at

asapconnections.org:

Monthly News from ASAP

updates about our programs, events, and resources

Weekly Farmers Market Report

what’s fresh at Buncombe County farmers markets

each week, plus local food and farm news and events

Farm to School Monthly

resources and opportunities from Growing Minds

Get social with us!

@asapconnections

WHY BUY LOCAL?

Our Choices Matter.

Keep value in the

local economy.

Buying local is

about more than

where we spend

our dollars. It’s

about supporting

what we value in

our community,

such as fair pay,

sustainable

agriculture, healthy

food, and strong

economies.

Build community

resilience.

Buying local

supports a diversity

of innovative and

interdependent

businesses. This

makes it possible

for communities to

survive and thrive

in good times and

bad.

Strengthen

community ties.

Purchasing

products made

or grown by our

neighbors builds

relationships.

These relationships

strengthen

the economy

and create

opportunities

for greater civic

engagement.

Create the food

system we want.

When we get

local, we exercise

our power to

change the food

system. Fight for

one that is more

transparent and

more supportive of

our farms, workers,

environment, and

community.

Celebrate local

character and

heritage.

Buying local ensures

that our farms and

local businesses

remain vibrant

and productive.

This helps to

preserve our scenic

landscape and

unique culture.

SAVOR A YEAR OF BILTMORE

when you purchase a new Annual Pass

at biltmore.com/annualpass.

Sample Your Benefits

• Save on estate dining and Biltmore wine

purchased in our shops and online.

• Bring friends to Antler Hill Village &

Winery after 5 p.m.

• Make reservations to bring guests for

dinner and Sunday brunch.

• Enjoy special dining and wine events

and much more!


Farmers Markets in the

Age of COVID

Farmers tailgate markets provide

vital access points for fresh, healthy

food. They are critical to keeping

many family farms in business.

And in many places, they serve

as community hubs for building

connections. But this year, COVID-19

has changed how we shop for food

everywhere, including at farmers

markets. While outdoor markets

and buying direct from farmers can

be considerably safer than closedin

grocery stores, there are new

precautions to be aware of. Please

remember that farmers and market

managers are doing everything

possible to keep markets open

throughout the pandemic. Rules that

may seem strict are in place to ensure

farmers markets continue to be a

viable sales outlet for farmers. Here’s

a quick guide to keep you shopping

at markets as safely and cheerfully as

possible.

Know before you go. Markets

have to adapt quickly to changing

regulations and community needs.

Checking a market’s websit, social

media, or e-newsletter before you

visit can prepare you for new hours,

alternate locations, or a rotating

vendor list. “I know it’s a bit confusing

that all the markets have slightly

different rules right now, but it’s so

helpful when customers take the

time to read the guidelines and show

up prepared,” says West Asheville

Tailgate Market executive director

Quinn Asteak.

Wear a mask. If you’ve forgotten

yours, most markets have them

available for free or for a small fee. If

you’re unable to wear a mask, many

markets offer accommodations, such

as curbside pickup or designated

shoppers. Check with market staff

ahead of time to learn about options.

Above all, know that vendors and

staff are doing their best to follow

safety protocols for the sake of

everyone. “Enforcing masks and

distance is such a foreign concept

to us as community organizers,”

says Jessica Dodson, manager of

River Arts District Farmers Market

in Asheville. “Traditionally, we bring

people together, but now we are

dedicating our time to keeping

people apart. Approaching people

with a calm, positive demeanor

when enforcing shifting regulations

is priceless. I enter every encounter

with the hopes that it will end in a

positive manner. It honestly doesn’t

always, but most of the time I end up


Photo: Camilla Calnan Photography

having a nice conversation and people

leave feeling respected.”

Be patient. Markets need to control

the number of people in the market

area at one time. You may wait to

enter the market, either in your car

or spread out along the sidewalk.

With only one customer approaching

a vendor table at a time, lines will

form inside the market as well, often

marked at six-foot intervals. Don’t

crowd vendor tables and make sure

you’re not jumping a well-spaced

queue.

Consider preordering. Some farmers

offer an option to order and pay in

advance to make sure you get what

you want. Markets may include a list

of vendors offering preorders and

the best way to connect with them

each week on websites, social media,

or e-newsletters. If not, you can find

contact information for farmers and

online ordering sites in the online

Local Food Guide.

Have exact change or an e-pay app.

Most markets are not using a token

system right now. How individual

vendors accept payment may vary.

Many accept credit or debit cards

with touchless card readers. Some

take cash dropped into a jar as exact

change. Some prefer e-pay apps like

Venmo or PayPal. It can be helpful to

have these already installed on your

phone. Many markets still accept SNAP

and some are offering Double SNAP.

You can search for these in the online

Local Food Guide.

Mind your social distances and your

belongings. If you are shopping with

children, be extra vigilant to make sure

they do as well. Dogs or other pets

are best left at home right now. Don’t

set your bags (or your phone or your

wallet) down on tables, which vendors

are working hard to keep disinfected

between customers. Hold your bags

while filling them or place them on

the ground, if needed.

“There is definitely apprehension

and anxiety as we navigate these

unprecedented times,” says Leslie

Logemann, manager of Transylvania

Farmers’ Market in Brevard. “I think

we’re all learning to take this one day

at a time, one week at a time, and

tackle challenges as they arise. Simply,

farmers markets are essential. Fresh

local food that supports local farmers

and businesses couldn’t be more

important right now.”

Find markets throughout the region,

along with hours and locations, listed

on pages 8-15. For more information,

including dates, vendors, and

products, visit the online Local Food

Guide at appalachiangrown.org.

FRESH&

LOCAL

FOR

EVERYONE!

Buy fresh, local food

with your SNAP/EBT

card at participating

farmers markets.

Some markets offer

Double SNAP.

Find a list at

asapconnections.org/snap.

HOW DOES

IT WORK?

It’s simple!

Bring your EBT

card to the market

information table at a

participating farmers

market.

Photo: courtesy of Hub City Farmers Market

Swipe your card for

the amount of money

you want to spend

and receive that

amount in market

tokens.

Shop for fresh and

healthy food while

supporting your local

farmers!

No cash back, but

tokens do not expire.


Tailgate

Markets

SMOKY MOUNTAINS, NC

Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon,

Swain counties

Brasstown’s Farmers Market

Brasstown, NC

Wed., 9 am-1 pm, Apr.-Oct.

facebook.com/brasstownfarmersmarket

10950 Old Hwy. 64W, across the street from

the Shops of Brasstown.

Franklin Farmers Tailgate Market

Franklin, NC

Sat., 8 am-12 pm, Apr.-Oct.

9 am-12 pm, Nov.-Mar.

(828) 349-2049

Parking lot on north side of the 200 block of

E. Palmer St.

Graham County Farmers Market

Robbinsville, NC

Sat., 8 am-1 pm, May-Sep.

(828) 479-7979

Parking lot of the Graham County Public

Library, 80 Knight St.

Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market C E

Waynesville, NC


waynesvillefarmersmarket.com

HART Theater/Shelton House (Museum of NC

Handicrafts) parking lot, 250 Pigeon St. (Hwy.

276S). Offers Double SNAP for 2020.

Jackson County Farmers Market C E

Sylva, NC

Wed., 3:30-6:30 pm, year-round


Sat., 10 am-1 pm, Nov.-Dec.

(828) 393-5236

jacksoncountyfarmersmarket.org

Downtown next to the Bridge Park Pavilion,

110 Railroad Ave. Offers Double SNAP for 2020.

Photo: courtesy of Hub City Farmers Market

Locally Grown on the Green

Cashiers, NC

Wed. 3-6 pm, May-Sep.

cashiersgreenmarket.com

The Village Green Commons, 160 Frank Allen

Rd.

Murphy Farmers Market

Murphy, NC


L&N Depot train station.


Swain County Farmers Market

Bryson City, NC

Fri., 9 am-1 pm, May-Oct.

(828) 488-3848

swain.ces.ncsu.edu/2014/05/

swain-county-farmers-market

Old Nelli Wiggins Barn on Island St.

The Whee Market C

Cullowhee, NC

Tue., 3-6 pm, Apr.-Oct.

(828) 476-0334

thewheemarket.org

Immediately off Hwy. 107S, across from

Western Carolina University, at the

Village Inn, 563 N. Country Club Dr.

SOUTHERN MOUNTAINS, NC

Henderson, Polk, Transylvania counties

Columbus Farmers’ Market

Columbus, NC


(828) 894-2281

polkcountyfarms.org

Historic Courthouse Square.

Flat Rock Farmers Market C

Hendersonville, NC

Thu., 3-6 pm, May-Oct.

(828) 891-4968

Parking lot at the Pinecrest ARP

Church, 1790 Greenville Hwy.

Henderson County Curb Market C

Hendersonville, NC

Tue., 8 am-2 pm, Apr.-Dec.

Thu. & Sat., 8 am-2 pm (Year-round)

(828) 692-8012

curbmarket.com

221 N. Church St., directly across from

the old courthouse.

Henderson County Tailgate Market

Hendersonville, NC


hendersoncountytailgatemarket.com

Parking lot at 100 N. King St. (between

First Ave. and Second Ave.).

Hendersonville Farmers Market C E

Hendersonville, NC

Sat., 8 am-1 pm, May-Oct.

(828) 233-3205

hendersonvillenc.gov/events/

hendersonville-farmers-market

Historic Train Depot, 650 Maple St.

Offers Double SNAP for 2020.

Mills River Farm Market C E

Mills River, NC


(828) 891-3332

Temporary location at 5046

Boylston Hwy. Regular location at 94

Schoolhouse Rd. Offers Double SNAP

for 2020.

Polk County Winter Farmers’ Market

Columbus, NC

Sat., 9 am-12 pm, Nov.-Mar.

(828) 894-2281

polkcountyfarms.org

The Rural Seed Restaurant, 322 E.

Mills St.

Saluda Tailgate Market C E

Saluda, NC

(828) 749-9365

Temporarily closed due to COVID-19.

Transylvania Farmers’ Market C E

Brevard, NC

Sat., 9 am-12 pm, Apr.-Nov.

10 am-12 pm, Dec.-Mar.

(828) 548-0660

transylvaniafarmersmarket.com

Large parking lot at the corner of Main

and Rice St. downtown. Offers Double

SNAP for 2020.

CENTRAL MOUNTAINS, NC

Buncombe, Madison, Yancey counties

ASAP Farmers Market C E

Asheville, NC

Sat., 9 am-12 pm, Apr.-Dec.

(828) 348-0340

asapfarmersmarket.org

A-B Tech parking lot A-13, adjacent to

the Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst

Dr. Operating in place of Asheville City

Market during COVID-19. Winter market

Jan.-Mar. Check website for hours and

location. Offers Double SNAP for 2020.

Asheville City Market C E

Asheville, NC

(828) 348-0340

ashevillecitymarket.org


See ASAP Farmers Market.

Black Mountain Tailgate Market C

Black Mountain, NC

Sat., 9 am-12 pm, May-Nov.

(828) 242-2578

blackmountainmarket.org

Behind First Baptist Church, 130

Montreat Rd.

East Asheville Tailgate Market C E

Asheville, NC

Fri., 3-6 pm, May-Sep.

eastashevilletailgatemarket.com

954 Tunnel Rd., in the upper parking

lot at Groce Methodist Church. Holiday

market inside church. Check website

for date. Offers Double SNAP for 2020.

Enka-Candler Tailgate Market C E

Candler, NC

Thu., 3:30-6:30 pm, May-Oct.

ashevillefarmstead.org/

enka-candler-tailgate-market

A-B Tech Enka Campus, 1465 Sand Hill

Rd., Small Business Center parking lot.

Across the street from Ingles. Offers

Double SNAP for 2020.

Mars Hill Farmers & Artisans Market

C E

Mars Hill, NC


marshillmarket.org

College St. by the Mars Hill University

Campus downtown. Offers Double

SNAP for 2020.

North Asheville Tailgate Market C E

Asheville, NC


northashevilletailgatemarket.com

UNC Asheville Campus Commuter

parking lot P28. Enter UNCA from WT

Weaver Blvd. traffic circle. Market is

first lot on the right. Follow signs for

additional parking. The Holiday Bazaar


Nov.-Dec., 10 am-1 pm. Offers Double

SNAP for 2020.

River Arts District Farmers Market C

Asheville, NC

Wed., 3-6 pm, May-Nov.

radfarmersmarket.com

Parking lot at Pleb Urban Winery, 289

Lyman St., between the new traffic

circle and Amboy street light. Winter

market Dec.-Apr. inside Pleb.

Riverside Tailgate Market C

Woodfin, NC

(828) 785-9232


Sundays on the Island

Marshall, NC

Sun., 12-4 pm, Apr.-Oct.

Cross the river at the courthouse on

Main St. and immediately turn right

onto the island.

Weaverville Tailgate Market C

Weaverville, NC

Wed., 2:30-6 pm, Apr.-Oct.

weavervillemarket.com

Lot adjacent to Reems Creek Nursery,

76 Monticello Rd. Holiday market Nov.-

Dec., 1-5 pm, at Honey and the Hive, 23

Merrimon Ave.

West Asheville Tailgate Market C E

West Asheville, NC

Tue., 3:30-6:30 pm, Apr.-Nov.

westashevilletailgatemarket.com

718 Haywood Rd., in the parking lot of

Grace Baptist Church. Holiday market

Nov.-Dec. Check website for hours and

location. Offers Double SNAP for 2020.

WNC Farmers Market C

Asheville, NC

Daily, 8 am-6 pm, year-round

828-253-1691

570 Brevard Rd. Farmers Truck Shed #1

is designated for farmers who sell only

what they grow.

Yancey County Farmers’ Market

Burnsville, NC

Sat., 8:30 am-12:30 pm, Apr.-Sep., 9 am-1

pm, Oct.-Nov.

yanceycountyfarmersmarket.com

S. Main St. at US 19E, just off the

town center.

FOOTHILLS, NC

Burke, Caldwell, McDowell, Rutherford counties

Caldwell County Farmers Market

Lenoir, NC

Sat., 7 am-2 pm, May-Dec.

902 Harper Ave.

Hildebran Farmers Market

Hildebran, NC

Tue., 8 am-1 pm, May-Oct.

(828) 397-5801

hildebrannc.com/farmers-market

202 S. Center St., in the Albert

Parkhurst Municipal Complex

parking lot. Handicapped restroom

available.

Historic Marion Tailgate Market

C E

Marion, NC

Tue., 3-6 pm, Sat., 9 am-12 pm,

May-Oct.

(828) 652-2215

hometownmarion.com

Corner of W. Henderson St. and

Logan St., one block from Main St.,

under city-owned shade shelter.

Offers Double SNAP for 2020.

Morganton Farmers Market E

Morganton, NC

Wed., 12-4 pm, Sat., 8 am-12 pm,

Apr.-Oct.

(828) 438-5252

downtownmorganton.com

Wed.: 111 N. Green St. in the grassy

lot across from Burke Co. offices.

Sat.: 300 Beach St. behind Maria’s

Pizza. Holiday market Nov. 28 and

Dec. 12, 10 am-2 pm at N. Green St.

location.

Mountain Gateway Museum

Farmers Market Old Fort

Old Fort, NC


(828) 668-9259

Green space behind the Mountain

Gateway Museum along the banks

of Mill Creek, 24 Water St.

Rutherford County Farmers Market

C E

Forest City, NC


(843) 597-3465

facebook.com/rutherfordmarket

172 Park Pl., directly across from POPS.

Accessible from either Main St. or Oak

St. Winter market 1st & 3rd Sat., Nov.-

Mar., indoors at Bread and Wine, 211 N.

Main St. Offers Double SNAP for 2020.

Sawmills Farmers Market C

Granite Falls, NC

Tue., 2-6 pm, May-Sep.

(828) 396-7903

facebook.com/sawmillsfarmersmarket

4303 Sawmills School Rd. off Hwy.

321-A, directly across from Sawmills

Fire Department.

Valdese Farmers Market

Valdese, NC

(828) 879-2129

townofvaldese.com


HIGH COUNTRY, NC

Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell,

Watauga, Wilkes counties

Alleghany County Farmers’ Market

C E

Sparta, NC


(336) 372-5597

Crouse Park, Hwy. 18N.

Ashe County Farmers Market C E

West Jefferson, NC


ashefarmersmarket.com

108 Backstreet, one block over from

Jefferson Ave. and across from First

Baptist Church. Check website for

holiday market dates.

Avery County Farmers Market C

Banner Elk, NC


averycountyfarmersmarket.net

On the lawn in front of the old Banner

Elk Elementary School on Shawneehaw

Ave.


Bakersville Main Street Farmer’s

Market

Bakersville, NC


(704) 819-0729

177 Crimson Laurel Way (US Hwy. 226),

between Maple St. and Hemlock Dr.,

across from the Creek Walk.

Blowing Rock Farmers Market

Blowing Rock, NC

Thu., 3-6 pm, May-Sep.

blowingrock.com/calendar/farmersmarket

Corner of Main St. and Park Ave.

Boone Winter Farmers’ Market C E

Boone, NC

Sat., 9 am-12 pm, Dec.-Apr.

farmersmarkets.brwia.org

Watauga Co. Agricultural Conference

Center, 252 Poplar Grove Rd. Offers


King Street Market C E

Boone NC

Tue., 4-7 pm, May-Sep., 4-6 pm, Oct.

farmersmarkets.brwia.org

Off King St., in front of the Watauga

County Social Services Building, 126

Poplar Grove Connector. Offers Double

SNAP for 2020.

Spruce Pine Farmers’ Market C

Spruce Pine, NC

(828) 387-7318

spfarmersmarket.com


Watauga County Farmers Market C E

Boone, NC


9 am-12 pm, Nov.

(828) 355-4918

wataugacountyfarmersmarket.org

Horn in the West parking lot, 591 Horn in

the West Dr. Offers Double SNAP for 2020.

Wilkes County Farmers’ Market C

North Wilkesboro, NC

Tue., 3:30-5:30 pm

Sat., 7:30 am-12 pm, Apr.-Sep.

(336) 667-7129

downtownnorthwilkesboro.com

In the Yadkin Valley Marketplace

downtown, 842 CBD Loop.


GEORGIA

Blue Ridge Downtown Market

Blue Ridge, GA

Sat., 9 am-1 pm, Jun.-Nov.

In the city park across from the

courthouse, 421 W. Main St. Fenced in

playground nearby.

Clayton Farmers Market

Clayton, GA

Sat., 9 am-12:30 pm, Apr.-Oct.

(706) 490-3837

In the Covered Bridge Shopping

Center parking lot, 46 Plaza Way, on

the west side of Hwy. 441S.

Dahlonega Farmers Market

Dahlonega, GA

Tue., 2-6 pm, Sat., 8 am-1 pm, May-Oct.

(706) 482-2707

dahlonegadda.org

Hancock Park downtown, 91 Hawkins

St.

Lavonia Farmers Market

Lavonia, GA

Wed. & Sat., 7-11 am, Apr.-Oct.

(706) 356-1926

1269 E. Main St., across from the

gazebo downtown. Check website for

holiday market dates.

Union County Farmers’ Market

Blairsville, GA

Tue., 2-5 pm, Sat., 7 am-1 pm, Jun.-Oct.

(706) 439-6043

ucfarmersmarket.com

148 Old Smokey Rd. Turn at the Home

Depot (Weaver Rd.) off Hwy. 515. Old

Smokey is the first road on the right.

White County Farmers Market

Cleveland, GA

Sat., 7:30 am-12 pm, Jun.-Oct.

(706) 865-2832

extension.uga.edu/county-offices/

white

66 E. Kytle St., in Freedom Park

behind the county courthouse.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Anderson County Farmers Market E

Anderson, SC

Tue., Thu., Sat, 8 am-1 pm, Jun.-Nov.

(864) 231-7275

andersoncountysc.org/farmersmarket

Corner of Murray Ave. and Tribble

St. one block off Main St. Holiday

market Sat. 10 am-2 pm between

Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Clemson Farmers Market

Clemson, SC

Thu., 3-6 pm, May-Sep.

(864) 654-3918

clemsonfarmersmarket.org

On the Patrick Square Village Green,

578 Issaqueena Tr., right off Calhoun

Memorial Hwy. (Hwy. 123).

Foothills Heritage Market C

Seneca, SC


(864) 247-7843

farmoconee.org

2063 Sandifer Blvd., off Hwy. 123,

just east of intersection of Hwy. 11/

Cherokee Scenic Foothills Hwy.

Hub City Farmers Market C E

Spartanburg, SC

Sat., 8 am-12 pm, Apr.-Dec.

(864) 585-0905

hubcityfm.org

498 Howard St. Winter market 3rd Sat.,

Jan.-Mar., 9 am-12 pm, Ciclops Cyderi

& Brewery, 197 E. St. John St. Offers


Landrum Farmers Market

Landrum, SC


Across from the Depot downtown,

111 N. Trade Ave.

TD Saturday Market C E

Greenville, SC


(864) 467-4494

saturdaymarketlive.com

S. Main St., from Court St. to Washington

St. Offers Double SNAP for 2020.

The Toasty Farmer C

Greenville, SC

Sat., 11 am-2 pm, Dec.-Mar.

(864) 558-0104

brewery85.com

Indoors at Brewery 85, 6 Whitlee Ct.

Travelers Rest Farmers Market C E

Travelers Rest, SC

Sat., 8:30 am-12 pm, May-Sept.

(864) 610-0965

travelersrestfarmersmarket.com

235 Trailblazer Dr., at Trailblazer Park.

On the Swamp Rabbit Trail between

Furman University and downtown

Travelers Rest.

TENNESSEE

Dandridge Farmers’ Market

Dandridge, TN

Sat., 8 am-12 pm, May-Nov.

(865) 397-7420

Corner of Gay St. and Meeting St.

Depot Street Farmers’ Market C E

Greeneville, TN


(423) 525-2621

depotstreetfarmersmarket.com

Downtown in front of the federal

courthouse, near Depot St. and Irish St.

Dixie Lee Farmers’ Market

Knoxville, TN


(865) 816-3023

dixieleefarmersmarket.com

12740 Kingston Pk., in the Renaissance

Farragut parking lot.

Downtown Sevierville Farmers’

Market

Sevierville, TN

Fri., 9 am-1:30 pm, Apr.-Dec.

At the gazebo downtown, 128 Bruce St.

Eastside Sunday Market C E

Knoxville, TN

Sun., 1 pm, Jun.-Sep.

eastsidesundaymarket.org

Walter Hardy Park, 2020 MLK Jr. Ave.


Ebenezer Road Farmers’ Market

Knoxville, TN

Tue., 3-6 pm, Apr.-Nov.

(865) 567-8250

easttnfarmmarkets.com

1001 Ebeneezer Rd., in the

Ebenezer United Methodist Church

parking lot.

Erwin Farmers’ Market E

Erwin, TN

Tue., 5-8 pm, Jul.-Sep.

(423) 220-7624

In the parking lot of Unicoi County

Jail Annex, on the corner of Main

Ave. and Tucker St.

The Farmers’ Market at East

Tennessee State University

Johnson City, TN

Thu., 10 am-3 pm, Mar.-Apr., Aug.-Nov.

The Pride Walk in the center of East

Tennessee State University’s campus,

between the DP Culp Center and the

Mini Dome.

Fox Park Fair C

Greeneville, TN

Tue. & Fri., 2-5 pm, May-Nov.

(423) 972-5755

grandviewacrestn.com

Parking lot at the corner of Main St.

and McKee St. downtown.

Gatlinburg Farmers’ Market

Gatlinburg, TN

Sat., 8:30 am-12 pm, May-Oct.

(865) 640-7190

gatlinburgfarmersmarket.com

1222 E. Parkway, across from Food City.

Greeneville Farmers’ Market, Inc.

C E

Tusculum, TN


(423) 552-3023

greenevillefarmersmarket.com

At the Doak House Museum on

Tusculum University campus, 690

Erwin Hwy.

THE FOLK SCHOOL

CHANGES YOU.

Engaging hands and hearts since 1925. Come

enjoy making crafts and good friends on 300 natural,

scenic acres in western North Carolina.

JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL

folkschool.org 1-800-FOLK-SCH

BRASSTOWN

NORTH CAROLINA

Pie by Nanette Davidson

Hardin Valley Road Market

Knoxville, TN

Thu., 3-6 pm, May-TBA

(865) 567-8250

easttnfarmmarkets.com

Parking lot of Hardin Valley Church of

Christ, 11515 Hardin Valley Rd.

Johnson City Farmers’ Market C E

Johnson City, TN

Wed. & Sat., 7 am-1 pm, Apr.-Oct.

(423) 467-5327

johnsoncityfarmersmarket.org

100 E. Market St.

Johnson County Farmers Market

C E

Mountain City, TN


johnsoncountyfm.com

Ralph Stout Park, 353 N. Shady St.,

across from ball fields near stage

area of park. Winter market Nov.-Apr.

indoors at the Welcome Center. Offers


Jonesborough Farmers Market C E

Jonesborough, TN


(423) 753-4722

jonesboroughlocallygrown.org

Online only due to COVID-19. Offers


Main Street Marketplace

Sweetwater, TN

(423) 337-6979

sweetwatertn.net


Downtown across from People’s Bank,

105 S. Main St. Vendors choose their

own hours.

Market at Mary Costa Plaza C E

Knoxville, TN

(865) 805-8687

nourishknoxville.org

Wed., 10 am-1 pm, Sat., 9 am-1 pm,

May-Dec.

Mary Costa Plaza, 500 Howard Baker

Jr. Ave. Operating in place of Market

Square Farmers’ Market during

COVID-19. Offers Double SNAP for

2020.

Market Square Farmers’ Market C E

Knoxville, TN

(865) 805-8687



See Market at Mary Costa Plaza.

Maryville Farmers’ Market C

Maryville, TN


Founders Square downtown between

Church Ave. and Broadway Ave., near

CBBC Bank.

New Harvest Farmers’ Market C E

Knoxville, TN

Thu., 3-6 pm, Apr.-Sep.

(865) 805-8687


4775 New Harvest Ln., at New Harvest

Park behind the East Knoxville Target

Shopping Center. Offers Double SNAP

for 2020.

Newport Farmers’ Market

Newport, TN

Wed. & Sat., 9 am-1 pm, Apr.-Sep.

(423) 487-4001

Near the Tanner Cultural Center and

the Community Center, corner of

Cosby Hwy. and Mulberry St.

Norris Farmers’ Market

Norris, TN

Mon., 3-6 pm

facebook.com/norrisfarmersmarket

In front of Norris Middle School, 5 W.

Norris Rd.

Nourish Knoxville’s Winter Farmers’

Market C E

Knoxville, TN

Alternate Sat., 10 am-2 pm, Jan.-Apr.

(865) 805-8687


Central United Methodist Church

fellowship hall, 210 E. 3rd Ave. Offers


Seymour Farmers’ Market

Seymour, TN

Sat., 8 am-12 pm, Jun.-Oct.

(865) 453-0130

seymourfarmersmarket.org

11621 Chapman Hwy., in the lower parking

lot of Seymour First Baptist Church.

Town of Unicoi Farmers Market

Unicoi, TN

(423) 735-0517

unicoitn.net

New Farmers Market Pavillion at the

Tourist Information Center, 106 Unicoi

Village Pl., off exit 32 on I-26.

Town of White Pine Farmers’

Market

White Pine, TN


(865) 674-2556

whitepinetn.com

Parking area next to Farrar Funeral

Home at corner of Main St. and

Walnut St.

VIRGINIA

Independence Farmers Market

Independence, VA

(276) 768-0597

independencefarmersmarket.org

Online only due to COVID-19.

Rural Retreat Farmer’s Market C

Rural Retreat, VA

Wed., 3-6pm, Jun.-Sep.

(276) 200-5323

facebook.com/depotfarmersmarket

Historic Rural Retreat Depot, 105 W.

Railroad Ave.


2020

YEAR OF THE

PIVOT

Evan Chender of The Culinary Gardner

Evan Chender had big plans for 2020.

For the past four years he has grown edible flowers

and specialty greens for restaurants in Asheville and

Atlanta under the name The Culinary Gardener. He hired

employees, bought four acres in the Reems Creek Valley,

and planted high-value specialty greens like agretti and

ice plants at the request of local chefs. “I thought that

2020 would be the year that I would finally start making

money,” he says.

Then COVID-19 changed everything. North Carolina

restaurants closed completely, then opened for take-out

only. Chefs weren’t able to buy the vegetables and edible

flowers they had asked Evan to grow. In June, his sales were

down 35 to 40 percent from the previous year. “I anticipate

that to be the case for the next few months at least, but

probably more than that. Once restaurants start opening

again, I just don’t see them purchasing at the same

capacity that they were prior to shutting down,” he says.

After years of selling only to restaurants, Evan came up

with a new plan. He would sell his vegetables through

community supported agriculture, or CSA, in which

customers pay upfront for a weekly box of farm goods.

He also started an online marketplace to sell items

individually, hoping to recover his losses.

Like Evan, many farmers faced with the disruption of

COVID-19 have needed to pivot business models to make

up for lost restaurant sales, reduced vendor space at

farmers markets, slowed tourism, and concerns about

finding or bringing additional labor onto the farm.

Farmers have added or expanded CSA programs, offered

home delivery, made products available for online

ordering, and collaborated with local grocery distributors.

When farmers markets suddenly shut down at the

start of the pandemic, Chue and Tou Lee of Lee’s One

Fortune Farm needed an alternate method to reach their


customers. The Lees sell produce grown by many of their

family members and neighbors in the Hmong community

in Western North Carolina. Tou says some of their family

felt scared when they heard that the indoor farmers

market was canceled. “Our cousin, she was just lamenting

about having to mow it all down or feed it to the animals,”

says Tou. “That was the thought of several of them, and I

told them, just hang on, let’s see what we can do.”

Chue and Tou reached out to their regular customers

on social media and got a lot of responses asking if they

could deliver. Though their farm is in Marion, about

40 minutes away from their Asheville-area customers,

delivery seemed like the best option. “All the way from

Black Mountain, Swannanoa, down to Asheville and all the

way back. It worked out. A lot of people come out,” Tou

says. Even now that most markets have reopened, Chue

and Tou have continued to rethink their business model.

“We will sell at any place that still has a farmers market,

and we also will do delivery to people that are running out

of produce,” Tou says. “We’re having a large pre-order. We

let them select whatever produce that they want from us

and we pack it in a box and deliver it to them.”

“We’ll just have to do what we do best and try to feed

the community at this time of crisis,” Chue says.

Instead, they offered more CSA shares this year. When

they did resume rentals this summer, they kept a reduced

schedule. “It is exciting to see that folks are still wanting

to vacation, and are vacationing closer to home, so most

of our guests are within driving distance of the farm,” says

Carl. Planning for the future may take a new direction.

“If there’s a silver lining to all this, it’s that people have a

renewed sense that they need to know their farmer and

also maybe grow some of their own food. So maybe we

move more of our production into plants and also maybe

doing workshops and teaching people.”

As they have adapted to changes due to COVID-19,

farmers have also had to shoulder unexpected new costs.

Farmers need increased packaging to meet public health

requirements, refrigeration so that food can be stored

longer, and technology updates, such as e-commerce

websites. To help farmers pivot their business models,

in April ASAP set up the Appalachian Grown Farmer

Immediate Needs Grants. These grants provide oneto-one

assistance and up to $500 for farmers who have

lost markets due to COVID-19. “Farmers are resilient and

creative. With some help they will figure out how to get

what they grow to the people who want to eat it,” says

ASAP Executive Director Charlie Jackson.

Beyond selling what they harvest, many farmers

also depend on agritourism, such as u-pick,

events, or hayrides, to diversify their business

income. Tourism is the number one industry in

WNC and many farmers offer on-farm lodging

as another way to supplement income and build

their customer base. But COVID-19 brought

canceled reservations as well as safety concerns.

“Now we wonder, are rentals something

that’s a dependable income source?” says Carl

Evans of Mountain Harvest Organics. He and

Julie Mansfield live on a 130-acre property in

Madison County, where they cultivate about

an acre of produce, plus five acres of pastured

livestock. They also offer two farm rentals—a

three-bedroom apartment in their converted

barn and a camper with a hot tub and mountain

views. As they approach retirement age, they

were on track to transition away from handson

farming. But when they learned about

COVID-19, they decided to pause their farm

lodging. “Safety is more important than money

right now,” Carl says.

Photo: courtesy of Mountain Harvest Organics

Carl Evans of Mountain Harvest Organics


“Business owners are entrepreneurs,

and so the challenge of changing

our business models is kind of

what we do and what makes any

small business owner successful,”

says Wendy Brugh. Wendy owns

Dry Ridge Farm in Madison County

with her husband, Graham Brugh.

Last year, they scaled up their egg

production so they could supply

Asheville’s booming restaurant

community with pastured eggs.

Now they have needed to rethink

how to move 700 dozen eggs each

Chue and Tou Lee of Lee’s One Fortune Farm

week. “Yes, it’s hard,” says Wendy. “I

don’t want to say I enjoy it, but there

is an element of being excited about

the challenge. We have a product

that people want right now, it’s just a

matter of me finding the best way to

get it to them.”

Although some of The Culinary

Gardener’s CSA customers are

excited to have access to high-end

produce, Evan doesn’t see the CSA

or online marketplace as a longterm

plan. He says that, in general,

customers aren’t willing or able to

pay restaurant prices for specialty

produce. Coordinating a CSA while

providing restaurants with small

amounts of product as they reopen

is a challenge.

But Evan is determined not to give

up. “I’m not going to quit and I’m not

going to let this be the thing that

ends me and my business,” he says.

Help ASAP continue to support

farmers through COVID-19 with a

donation to the Appalachian Grown

Farmer Relief Fund. Find out more at



Support Our Farms.

Support Our

Communities.

ASAP’s Appalachian Grown Farmer Relief Fund is addressing

unprecedented emergency needs due to COVID-19. This strategic fund

makes these grants and initiatives possible.

• Appalachian Farms Feeding Families gets fresh, healthy food to people

who need it—while also fairly compensating farmers. (Read more about

this program on pages 34-35)

• Immediate needs grants and one-on-one technical assistance support

farmers as they pivot their business models.

• Farmers market grants help to meet public health requirements.

• Relief pricing on Appalachian Grown–branded materials helps to offset

the cost of increased packaging requirements.

Sustain ASAP’s work to support farmers and the community during

COVID-19 with a donation to the Appalachian Grown Farmer Relief Fund.

Find out more at asapconnections.org.



LOCAL MEAT

(No, seriously.)

Apple Brandy and The Chop Shop Butchery invite you to take

part in one of the shortest supply chains in the country.

Located in Wilkes County, NC, Apple Brandy

Beef raises some of the finest all-natural

Angus and Hereford beef in the country!

100% natural, fully-pastured on rolling hills

and finished on corn that they grow and mill

themselves. The quality and taste are

undeniable!

Apple Brandy Beef is featured on the menus

of some of the finest restaurants in the area.

They are also the exclusive beef supplier to

Asheville's premier whole animal butcher

shop, The Chop Shop Butchery. Yes,

wholesale options are available!

Apple Brandy Prime Cuts is a USDA-inspected

abattoir and processing facility. All beef is raised,

processed and packaged right within the same

building, which means when you chose to eat Apple

Brandy, you’re participating in one of the shortest

USDA-regulated supply chains in the country.

"We take great pride in our work and we believe that

it shows! If you’re raising your own livestock, you

can trust us to do a quality job with your beef, pork,

lamb, goats, and even ostrich!"

- Seth Church

Fourth Generation Owner of Apple Brandy

www.applebrandybeef.com

336-696-2721

applebrandybeef@charter.net

@applebrandybeef

www.chopshopbutchery.com

828-505-3777

info@chopshopbutchery.com

@chopshopbutchery

abprimecuts@gmail.com

336-667-1346

www.abprimecuts.com

@abprimecuts


The Legacy and Future of

Deal Family Farm

Photos: Hilary Shuler

Joe Deal and his family gathered in front of their corn

maze last fall at Deal Family Farm in Franklin, North

Carolina. Joe’s wife, Devon, and their five kids jostle

into position for a family picture featuring some of the

fresh produce they offer seasonally at their farm stand.


Anyone with a big family will recognize the joy of getting

everyone together for a family picture. Add a field full

of pumpkins, a corn maze, and baskets of late season

produce, and you’ve got just the right amount of chaos.

“We have five kids and six opinions,” Joe says with a laugh.

It takes the whole family to keep Deal Family Farm up

and running. They have a fruit stand and sell wholesale

to Ingles grocery stores and other outlets. They have a

CSA during the growing season with about 60 members.

Typically in the fall the farm is a hub of agritourism with a

pumpkin patch and corn maze.

This diversified farm business is a big change from how

Deal Family Farm started out. It began with a fruit stand,

founded by Joe’s grandparents, Bobby and Elsie Deal,

in 1951. Joe considers himself a third generation farmer,

though the family’s connection with agriculture goes back

much further.

I’ve said, ‘Yes, sir’ to him for years and years and still do,

but we each have different responsibilities within the farm

now.”

Joe’s father prefers to work in the fields and let the rest of

the family run the fruit stand and agritourism. In addition

to overseeing the farm, Joe works a full-time job as a

livestock agent for the NC Cooperative Extension. His wife

works as a teacher. Yet, with the help of their kids and

extended family, they’ve been able to grow the business

and stay flexible as the needs of the community change.

In 2010, when the recession was in full swing, the fruit

stand business slowed down considerably. Joe attributes

this to families starting their own gardens to save money

as jobs disappeared. He decided to focus on selling

“We can trace the farm and lineage back seven or eight

generations. Most of those first generations, they were

just sustenance,” he says.

That farming knowledge got passed down, and the fruit

stand grew over time. In 2007, Joe took over, and added

many of the new elements that drive the business today.

Joe is now the president of Deal Family Farm, and his

father is vice president and secretary.

“I get reminded often that I’m still the young punk who

hadn’t been doing this near as long as he has,” Joe says. “I

think that’s one of the dilemmas with working with family.


produce in places where people

didn’t have the land or time to

garden. For the first two years of their

CSA, they drove a truck to Atlanta

every week to deliver vegetables to

customers in the city. As the economy

picked back up, they gained more

local CSA members and now they

focus solely on the local community.

Even among the uncertainties of the

COVID-19 crisis, there’s an influx of

youthful energy at the Deal Farm fruit

stand. Summer produce is bountiful

and the next generation of Deal

farmers is chipping in where they can.

“All five of them have a different

personality, and I try to incorporate

their personalities into the operation,”

Joe says. “I think that’s very important

to keep them interested and plugged

in, giving them a chance to succeed

and do something that they love and

be successful at it.”

Like everything these days, the fruit

stand runs a bit differently. Masks are

required inside and there are options

for online ordering and curbside

pickup. Even the growing season

looked a bit different this year. But

the Deal family is trying to adapt—

as they do every year.

“We were picking strawberries

through mid-July, which has never

happened, and the pumpkins were

slower to start with a cool spring,”

Joe says. “We still don’t know what

the fall looks like with COVID, and

we have to decide if we are going to

mow down a good bit of our corn

for a maze or not.”

Whether they offer a full range of

agritourism activities or not this fall,

the fruit stand continues to be an

important community hub for fresh

seasonal produce and an opportunity

to support the next generation of

farmers. Stay tuned to the farm’s

website for updates about the fall. Find

a chart of farm stands and on-farm

activities across the region on pages

24-28. Search by product or locations at

appalachiangrown.org.


Plan Your

Appalachian

Staycation!

Farm Stands range from self-serve sheds

to year-round stores. Take a drive through

county roads and buy direct from the farm.

As residents seek recreation opportunities closer

to home and visitors look for responsible ways to

explore the mountains, we have compiled an updated

list of on-farm offerings. These activities have been

adapted to fit current public health guidelines. More

than a hundred farms in the region are still open

for a variety of unique and authentic experiences,

including visiting with animals, u-pick orchards, onfarm

lodging, small group tours, vineyard picnics,

and more. With opportunities to engage and connect

with our community at a premium, it is critical we take

advantage of ways we can safely enjoy and support

Appalachian farms. Find something new right here in

the mountains, including summer or fall activities that

lift your spirits and stock your kitchen.

U-Pick farms allow you to select your farm

products straight from the source. Pick apples,

berries, flowers, veggies, and more across the

region. Seasonality will vary, so contact farms

about availability.

Lodging at area farms delights the senses

by combining gorgeous views with freshly

harvested food. You don’t have to travel far to

experience a mountain getaway.

Activities may look a bit different during

the pandemic, but the farms listed here offer

a range of agritourism activities. Search

appalachiangrown.org by farm, product,

activity, and location.

Always contact the farm before visiting, as offerings may

change throughout the year. Find contact information

and more details at appalachiangrown.org.


SMOKY

MOUNTAINS

NC

Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood,

Jackson, Macon, Swain counties

Photo: courtesy of Once Upon A Cow

FARM

A Blueberry Farm

Farm

Stand

U-Pick

•

Boyd Mountain Tree Farm • • •

Brasstown Beef

•

Lodging Activities

Brushy Mountain Berry Farm • •

Chambers Farm Market

Darnell Farms

•

•

Deal Family Farm • •

Jehovah Raah Farm • •

Ledford Farms

•

Lott Farm & Apiary • •

McRitchie Winery & Ciderworks • •

Otter Creek Trout Farm • • • •

Seasonal Produce

SMM Farms

•

Sunburst Trout Farms • •

The Ten Acre Garden • •

Walnut Hollow Ranch • • • •

Winding Stair Farm and Nursery

Wright-Way Nursery and Landscaping

•

•

Yellow Branch Cheese • • •

Find these farms and more at appalachiangrown.org.

•

When planning a visit,

always call ahead

SOUTHERN

MOUNTAINS

NC

Henderson, Polk, Transylvania counties

FARM

Adawehi Greenhouses & Gardens • •

Appalachian Ridge Artisan Ciders

Apple House & Owenby Orchards

Apple Mill

Bearwallow Valley Farms

Crab Creek Produce

•

•

•

•

•

Creasman Farms • • •

Grandad’s Apples • •

Heirloom Apples at Freeman Orchards LLC • •

Henn’s Plant Farm, LLC

Holt Orchards

•

•

Justus Orchard • • •

McCall Farm LLC

McConnell Farms

Mountain Brook Vineyards

Mountain Fresh Orchards

North River Farms

Farm

Stand

•

•

•

U-Pick

Overmountain Vineyards and Winery • •

Lodging Activities

Parker-Binns Vineyard • •

•

•

Queens Produce and Berry Farm • •

Rooster Head

Russian Chapel Hills Winery

Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards

•

•

•

Sideways Farm & Brewery • • • •

Sky Top Orchard • • •

Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard • • •

Three Arrows Farm and Cattle Co.

•

TK Family Farm • •

Tracy Grove Marekt Garden

•


CENTRAL

MOUNTAINS

NC

Buncombe, Madison, Yancey counties

FARM

Addison Farms Vineyard

Farm

Stand

•

U-Pick

Lodging Activities

Biltmore Estate • •

The Bird & The Beasts’ Farmstead •

Bloom WNC

•

Broadwing Farm • •

Burley Stick Farm • •

Davis Farms

Dogwood Hills Farm

•

•

Eagle Feather Organic Farm • •

East Fork Farm •

Franny’s Farm • •

Gladheart Farm • • • •

Green Heart Farm and Kanati Lodge • •

Hickory Nut Gap

Hominy Valley Organic Farm

Honey and the Hive

•

•

•

M R Gardens • • •

Mount Gilead Farm • •

Mountain Gardens

New Moon Herbs Farm

Reems Creek Nursery, Inc.

•

•

•

Sandy Mush Herb Nursery • •

Sunny Truth Farm • •

Sweet Pea Farm and Farm Camp • •

The Never Ending Flower Farm

•

Watershed Forest Farm • • •


FOOTHILLS

NC

Burke, Caldwell, McDowell,

Rutherford counties

FARM

Apple Hill Orchard and Cider Mill • •

English Farmstead Cheese

Farm

Stand

•

U-Pick

Lodging Activities

New Beginnings Historic Farm • •

Pangaea Plants LLC • • •

Photo: Megan Stewart

Perry’s Berry’s • •

Red Hill Farm

Skydance Farm

•

Sweet Betsy Farm • •

Wisteria Farms


•

•


HIGH COUNTRY

NC

Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell,

Watauga, Wilkes counties

FARM

Farm

Stand

U-Pick

Lodging Activities

Apple Hill Farm • •

Avery Farms

Beatitude Gardens and

Todd’s Table Mobile Market

Bingham Farm Store

•

•

•

Gentry Farms/Mountain Popcorn Girls • •

Healing Springs Farm • • •

Highland Meadows Cattle Co.

•

Ivy Point Farm • •

North Fork Farm

•

The Orchard at Altapass • • •

Always contact the farm before visiting, as offerings may

change throughout the year. Find contact information

and more details at appalachiangrown.org.

East Fork Farm & Cottages

Marshall, NC

East Fork Farm is a small family-owned farm nestled in the mountains of Western North Carolina.

We specialize in pasture-raised, organic-fed eggs, poultry, lamb, beef, and pork.

Come stay at the farm! East Fork Farm’s quaint and cozy cottages overlook

our farm hidden away in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

Experience the quiet serenity of the mountains on your private patio

while relaxing in the outdoor cedar soaker tub.

Contact us at info@eastforkfarm.net • 516-993-4055 • eastforkfarm.net


BORDER

STATES

Georgia, South Carolina,

Tennessee, Virginia

STONED HAPPY GRITS®

Hand Selected. Stone Ground.

Hand selected from heirloom

Hickory King dent corn

grown and milled in Weaverville, NC

Check out our story at

BARKLEYSMILL.COM

as well as grits cooking techniques

and exceptional recipes

828.620.1067

APPALACHIAN GROWN

FARM

Anderson Beef

Crane Creek Vineyards

Glory Seeds

GA

SC

TN

VA

Farm

Stand

•

U-Pick Lodging Activities

Jensen Farmstead • •

Ladybug Farms

MtnHoney

•

•

Paradise Hills, Winery Resort & Spa • •

Sharp Mountain Vineyards • •

Tesnatee River Winery and Meadery • •

The Herb Crib • •

Yonah Mountain Vineyards • •

Bee Well Honey Bee Supply

Belue Farms Natural Market

•

•

Louderbranch Farms • •

MacGregor Orchard

Split Creek Farm, LLC

•

Table Rock Tea Company, Ltd. • • •

The Happy Berry • •

Trantham’s 12 Aprils Dairy & Happy Cow Creamery, Inc. • •

Beauchene Berry Farm

Berney Blueberry Farm

Buffalo Trail Orchard • •

Dixon Hill Farms

Falls Blueberry Farm

Hoodley Creek

Kyle Carver Orchard

The Mockingbird Farm

Oak Grove Farm

Poynter Family Farm

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Rocky Park Organic Farm • • •

Scott’s Strawberry & Tomato Farm

Smokey Ridge Apiaries

Tsali Notch Vineyard

•

•

Old Rich Valley Farm • •

Silver Maples Farm

•

Always contact the farm before visiting, as offerings may change throughout

the year. Find contact information and more details at appalachiangrown.org.

•

•

•

•


Respect for the land

is our heritage

BILTMORE.COM/AGRICULTURE

MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO,

George Vanderbilt came to Asheville to pursue his dream of creating a working estate

supported by agriculture—a vision we proudly continue to honor today.

Our pastures are home to a variety of livestock, our vineyards yield grapes for wine

production, and our gardens offer lush produce to our chefs. We also work with area

farmers and artisans to source the freshest local ingredients whenever possible.


Cherokee Traditions

Sustain Long Family Farms

Last fall, Harold Long stood beside a row of pole beans. The vines were withered

and the pods were bone dry, but this seed’s journey was actually just beginning.

Harold and his wife, Nancy Long, grow heirloom beans, corn, pumpkins, and

heritage chickens at Long Family Farms in Murphy, North Carolina.

Harold is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. When he was growing up, he and his

nine siblings learned how to forage, fish, and grow vegetables. Farming stayed with him long into

adulthood. In 2014, he and Nancy purchased the farmland in Murphy, which borders 2,200 acres of

tribal land.

“We had actually looked for about 10 years to purchase a farm,” Nancy says. “The whole area at one

time was Cherokee land, so Harold knew it was prime soil and wanted to be close to the tribal land.”

The Longs specialize in heirloom seeds, particularly seeds that have been passed down through the

Cherokee community over generations. Some of their most prized seeds come from North Carolina

Candy Roaster squash. “We save that variety, which was important to the Cherokees and also the

community in Western North Carolina,” Nancy says.

Photos: Hilary Shuler


ON

THE AIR

Harold and Nancy also cherish their Cherokee Tan Pumpkin seeds, which were

brought back to North Carolina by extension agent Kevin Welch. He traveled

to Oklahoma to find the seeds and brought them back to farmers in Cherokee

County. A neighbor gave a few seeds to Harold and he grew them out so they

could be shared with more people in the community. “It’s a mission to save the

seeds,” Nancy says with pride.

But the seeds aren’t artifacts that are filed away for posterity. Many heirloom

seed savers believe it’s important to continue growing these varieties, both to

produce more seeds for other farmers to grow and to enjoy on the dinner table.

The beans Harold held in his hands can be eaten fresh during the summer, or

he can let them dry on the vine until they’re ready to be stored and eaten all

winter. Leafy greens are also important in Cherokee culture. A few of Harold and

Nancy’s favorites include wild greens like branch lettuce and sochan.

Growing and eating these foods

are one way the Longs carry on

Cherokee traditions. They are also

part of a larger effort to sustain

agricultural skills and knowledge

in the community.

Joseph Owle, Secretary of

Agriculture and Natural Resources

for the Eastern Band of Cherokee

Indians, describes Harold and

Nancy Long as “an example of

inspirational folks who have

farmed and gardened all their life

and are continuing to strive for

new levels of achievement with

their agricultural enterprise.”

Everything we eat has a

story, from vegetables in

the field to cheese in the

aging cave. ASAP’s radio

series and podcast “Growing

Local” documents those

stories through sound. Go

behind the scenes to hear

how farmers, chefs, business

owners, and community

members are contributing to

the local food movement and

how you can take action to

support it.

“Growing Local” is a

production of ASAP’s Local

Food Research Center. It

features stories from many

regions of the Southern

Appalachians.

Tune in to “Growing Local”

on WNCW during Morning

Edition at 8:45 a.m. on

Mondays. Episodes are

posted at asapconnections.

org/radio-broadcasts and

on SoundCloud, iTunes,

or anywhere you listen to

podcasts.


He adds that the Longs are

contributing to a resurgence

of agriculture in the Cherokee

community. Owle is excited to

see new gardening programs

at Cherokee schools, and he’s

noticed more families growing

vegetables at home in raised

beds.

This renewed interest in growing

food has become even more

essential during COVID-19. In an

article published by Cherokee

One Feather, the Tribe’s weekly

newspaper and multimedia news

source, Owle says growing food

at home offers members greater

self-reliance and sustainability

during the pandemic, and

increases food sovereignty within

the community.


The Longs and their seeds have been

integral to these efforts for many

years. They grow several varieties of

seeds that are given away through

the Tribe’s garden kit giveaway.

This year, hundreds of kits were

distributed to members in mid-April.

The kits contained seeds for several

traditional crops, including creasy

and mustard greens.

In addition to heirloom seeds, the

Longs have a multifaceted farm

business, which includes heritage

livestock and fresh produce. They

were named North Carolina Small

Farmer of the Year in 2019. Although

they’re in their mid-60s, they are

expanding the farm to include ramp

and mushroom production. They are

also exploring new crops like hemp

to offer “soil to oil” CBD products.

The Longs have persevered during

COVID-19 and continue to grow

and sell seeds, heirloom produce,

and eggs at the Murphy Farmers

Market. They received one of

ASAP’s Appalachian Grown Farmer

Immediate Needs Grant to improve

their irrigation this year, and are

in the process of opening a farm

store on the property. The Longs

have also added some new animals

to the farm, including bees to

improve pollination. They decided

to add Nubian goats to the mix

and are looking for a mate for their

mulefoot pig.

As they pursue these projects,

they work in harmony with the

fertile soil that borders tribal land.

In order to protect the land, the

Longs put it under a conservation

easement. However, in the not too

distant future, they’ll have to decide

who will steward it. Their son is a

photojournalist in Raleigh and has

shown some interest in keeping the

farm going.

“I think it’s in the back of his mind

and probably in his heart, but it’s

just the timing,” Nancy says. “So

we’re hanging onto this and we

have three grandchildren and so

we’re hanging on for them to pass it

on down the line.”

Look for a Long Family Farm

website coming later this fall.

In the meantime, call ahead

before stopping by the farm for

heirloom beans, tomatoes, squash,

cucumbeers, or seeds. Find more

farm stores open in the region on

pages 24-28.

Cherokee Fisheries and Wildlife Management makes sure our

troutgrowupbig,strong,andreadytofight.Fortournament

schedules, licenses, and more:

VisitCherokeeNC.com | 828.359.6110


Farms

Feeding

Families

Since March,

when COVID-19 shutdowns

began, food insecurity in

Western North Carolina has risen

sharply. MANNA, the region’s

largest foodbank, reported in

June that the number of people

needing food assistance had

jumped more than 60 percent.

At the same time, farms faced

uncertainty. Restaurants, schools,

and other institutions closed

or reduced service. Crop plans

were already in motion, but the

markets farmers had planned for

were suddenly in limbo.

Don Carringer of Carringer Farm

Photo: courtesy of Carringer Farm

In this time of uncertainty, ASAP launched Appalachian

Farms Feeding Families, which gets fresh food to people

who need it, while also compensating farmers. The

program leans into the community connections that have

strengthened the local food movement over the past two

decades. With a network of more than 800 Appalachian

Grown farms, ASAP matches food relief sites or child care

centers with nearby farms.

Photo: courtesy of Green Toe Ground Farm

“Our communities are facing unprecedented challenges

right now,” says ASAP Executive Director Charlie Jackson.

“This is a neighbor-helping-neighbor effort that can

benefit everyone. Because ASAP works with farms in every

county in the region, we are uniquely capable of reaching

even the smallest and most remote communities.”

Food pantry programs exist in every county in WNC. Most

are small. Supplies are often distributed through MANNA’s

warehouse, but it is challenging to get fresh produce to

rural sites. ASAP saw a need to connect farms directly


with food relief efforts in their

own communities. ASAP contracts

with farms to subsidize the cost of

packaging, delivery, or product. The

program can be tailored to fit the

individual needs of farms or feeding

sites.

By August, ASAP had paired 21 farms

with relief efforts in 14 counties.

Healthy, local food reaches an

average of 2,000 families each week.

“There were some older folks

talking about how they hadn’t

seen [food like] this since they were

able to pick something out of their

grandmother’s garden,” says Paige

Christie. Paige is the executive

director of The Community Table in

Jackson County. “It matters to people

on a core level. They know it’s fresh.

They know the difference.”

Don and Belinda Carringer of

Carringer Farm are supplying

produce for The Community Table

as well as Pam’s Child Development

Center. Pre-pandemic, they sold

mostly to restaurants. This spring

they found themselves with plenty

of produce and fewer places to

sell it. The Carringers revamped

their business model and started a

drive-by market for local customers.

Between those sales and the

Appalachian Farms Feeding Families

partnership, they no longer have a

surplus.

This is not a stopgap or temporary

partnership for The Community

Table. Paige sees it as part of a longterm

plan to support the entire local

food system. “Our mission at The

Community Table has always been

to deal with the immediate needs

of the people who are hungry in

front of us. But we are trying to look

at ways, through grants, through

partnerships, that we can take what

we do and make it more sustainable

for the farmers,” she says.

Bearwallow Valley Farms in

Henderson County lost significant

income from dropped CSA,

restaurant, and daycare accounts

due to COVID-19. “This program has

helped us move bulk product that

was planted for wholesale accounts

at a fair price,” says farmer Nicole

Coston.

Hendersonville Spanish Church,

which is receiving food from

Bearwallow, is now able to maximize

its resources. They can use other

grant funds to help community

members pay rent and utility bills,

while still accessing fresh produce,

Nicole Coston of Bearwallow Valley Farms

says Pastor Rubi Pimentel. “Fresh

produce helps bring some hope to

our communities.”

Farmers are excited to provide food

for their own communities. “Folks

have been obsessed with the round

zucchinis that are in the summer

squash mix,” says Ryan Clark of

Fiddler’s Green Farm. Fiddler’s Green,

in Madison County, is supplying

Beacon of Hope. “The fact that we

are able to pump mad food right

into our community here is super

awesome.”

The Appalachian Farms Feeding

Families program is supported by

members of the community. Find

out more about how you can help at



ADVERTISERS INDEX

Apple Brandy Beef . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

ASAP Farmers Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . inside front cover

Barkley’s Mill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Biltmore (Restaurants/Annual Pass) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Biltmore Estate Farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Biltmore Estate Wines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Blue Ridge Farm Direct Marketing Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . back cover

Carolina Farm Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Chop Shop Butchery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

East Fork Farm & Cottages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Energy CAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Ingles Markets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

John C. Campbell Folk School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Mars AgVersity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Sky Top Orchard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Warren Wilson College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Search by product,

activity, or location at



LOCAL WINES,

HANDCRAFTED SINCE 1985

Our winemakers begin with the finest grapes

available—including fruit from estate and

regional vineyards—blending experience

and artistry to craft award-winning wines.

Every bottle of Biltmore ® Wine offers a taste

of the estate’s century-old support for local

farms and growers—evidence of how deep

our roots are in Western North Carolina.

BILTMOREWINES.COM


MAKING THINGS GROW

regular

Farm Credit knows a thing or two about lending, and we’re

a friend you can depend on. We’ve been a consistent,

stable source of financing to farmers large and small for

over 100 years. Whether it’s financing for land, a lot or

a new home, we know your needs are as diverse as the

landscape across our state. Call one of our experts to see

how we can help keep you growing.

CAROLINA

Loans for land, homes and & living.

800.521.9952

carolinafarmcredit.com

NMLS

#410620

Fresh apples

from WNC orchards

this summer and fall

Mountain Fresh Orchards | 828-685-7606

Moss Farms | 828-606-3245

Lively Orchards | 828-691-9889

Odell Barnwell & Sons, LLC | 828-685-7300

Jimmy Nix & Sons Apple House | 828-685-1221

Freeman Orchards | 828-685-3311

Creasman Farms | 828-685-7728

Justus Orchards | 828-243-7235

Owenby’s Fruit Stand | 828-691-4397

Grandad’s Apples ‘N Such | 828-685-1685

Apple Mill | 828-749-9136

Coston Farm & Apple House | 828-685-8352

Henderson Farms | 828-698-7416

Piggy’s Ice Cream/Harry’s Grill | 828-692-1995

Skytop Orchard | 828-692-7930

Ottanola Farm | 828-685-3183

Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard | 828-685-9083

Continental Divide Produce | 828-674-9764

The Apple House/Owenby Orchards | 828-685-9917

St. Paul Mountain Vineyard | 828-685-4002

Appalachian Ridge | 828-685-4002

Nix Pumpkin Patch | 828-808-7346

Barber Orchard’s Fruit Stand | 828-456-3598

Jeter Mountain Farm | 828-226-9454

K Johnson Family Farm | 828-450-9859

McConnell Farms | 828-692-2819

Self-guided Apple

Blossom tour

NC Apple Festival

Labor Day weekend

Blue Ridge Farm Direct Market Association

With support from:

and Allan Eckard, Tri-Pak, LLC, 828-302-9187

ncapples.com

2020 Local Food Guide

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