In recent years, agriculture in Western North Carolina has diversified, and on June 27 and 28, residents will get the chance to tour farms in the region.

Called the Family Farm Tour, the event is hosted by the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project. The tour features 38 farms in Henderson, Transylvania, Haywood, Buncombe, Madison and Yancey counties.

“It’s a great way to see all kinds of agriculture going on in our area, from urban gardens to traditional family farms,” said Rose McLarney, ASAP marketing and communications coordinator.

Locally, the tour will highlight McConnell Farms in Dana, Colonial Acres Nursery near Brevard, and Holly Hill Farm and Queens’ Produce and Berry Farm in Pisgah Forest.

Each farm will have something for the public to do, including farm tours, wool spinning and maple syrup demonstrations.

“I think a lot of people have not been on a working farm, especially children,” McLarney said. “I think a lot of farms with animals are attractive to children, but there are also things for adults.”

The tour was started 13 years ago by Carolina Farm Stewardship Association and has grown each year. The Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project took over the tour this year and is heavily marketing the event with promotional material throughout the mountains.

Over the last few years, Americans have become more interested in agriculture production, as demonstrated by the local food movement. Many restaurants have prominent displays showing the local farms they purchase products from. The tour is a chance to get a first-hand experience about how food is grown and the challenges facing agriculture in Western North Carolina.

The cost of the tour is $20 per car and gets people into all 38 farms. McLarney suggested people get a copy of the map and start planning a route, because visitors can spend several hours on each farm.

More information is available at www.asapconnections.org/thefamilyfarmtour.html or by calling (828) 236-1282.

Shea can be reached at 694-7860 or james.shea@blueridgenow.com.

SEE ORIGINAL STORY & PHOTO HERE: http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20090616/NEWS/906159920/1170/stormpost&tc=email_newsletter