Farm Tours
Farmers learn best from other farmers, and aspiring farmers learn best from hearing how successful farmers in the region are running their farms. Farm Tours form the core of the WNC CRAFT training program. Tours:
- occur 1–2 times monthly from April through October;
- provide an overview of the farming operation, as well as a focused look at a topic of that farmer’s choosing; and
- are always followed by a group potluck!
WNC CRAFT is a membership program, and its fees cover a whole year of learning and networking opportunities. More details will be provided on each tour upon joining CRAFT.
CRAFT Farm Tour Schedule 2019
| DATE | FARM HOST | TOPIC |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, April 14th | Goldfinch Gardens, Burnsville, NC | Low Till Vegetables |
| Saturday, April 27th | New Roots Market Garden, Marshall, NC | Apprentice Orientation: Transition from Apprentice to Farmer |
| Thursday, May 9th | Green Toe Ground @ The Wedge Brewery, Asheville, NC | Twilight Talk: Social Justice & Agriculture |
| Sunday, May 19th | Thatchmore Farm, Leicester, NC | Intensive Vegetable Production & Renewable Energy |
| Sunday, June 2nd | Bluebird Farm, Morganton, NC | Irrigation |
| Thursday, June 6th | Imladris Farm @ The Wedge Brewery, Asheville, NC | Twilight Talk: Enterprise Development |
| Sunday, July 21st | Belflower Farm, Bostic, NC | Intensive Livestock Production |
| Sunday, August 18th | Franny's Farm, Leicester, NC | Hemp Production |
| Sunday, September 8th | Grassroots Farm & Dairy, Marshall, NC | Small-scale Dairy & Value Added Livestock Production |
| Saturday, October 19th | Flying Cloud Farm, Fairview, NC | Molasses Making |
If you have any questions about this program, please contact Cameron, Farmer Programs Director, at cameron@organicgrowersschool.org.
OGS Farmer Programs are made possible by our farmer network and our funding partners: USDA-NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, Grant #2016-70017-25341, USDA Rural Business Development Program, Community Foundation of WNC, Polk County Community Foundation, CLIF Bar Family Foundation Our Growth Partners (year-round program support) are: Carolina Farm Credit, Earth Tools, Biltmore Company, Buchi, Living Web Farms, and Chelsea Green Publishing. Our Media Sponsors are Hendersonville Community Co-op, and WNCW.