Events: Farmer-To-Farmer Mentoring Series | True Nature Country Fair | Organic Growers School Spring Conference
Farmer-to-Farmer Mentoring Series
Thursdays, May 24-August 30, 2007
Various Locations, WNC
About the Farms
Imladris Farm is a sixth generation farm in Fairview, NC that focuses on berries, shiitake mushrooms, and rabbit meat, and markets those products through various value-adding steps, including jams, mushroom dip, and hormone/antibiotic free production methods. Farmers Walter and Wendy Harrill market their products locally at various outdoor markets and festivals, through a series of local restaurants, and through three grocery chains. Their philosophy/production models emphasize nutrient cycling (i.e. – waste as a resource), sustainability, and value adding. For more information: www.imladrisfarm.com.
Directions to Imladris Farm: located southeast of Asheville in Fairview. To find this farm, leave Asheville on US 74 East, climb to the top of Minehole Gap, turn left onto Old Fort Road; Drive 5 miles and turn left onto Little Pond Road. Go the last place on Little Pond Road.
Jenifer Miller of Fisher Branch Farm focuses on growing specialty cut flowers and select vegetables, and maintains a small nursery of potted herbs, perennials and flowers for cutting. Flowers are available by the bucket, through flower shares or area tailgate markets. Miller enjoys being creative through weddings, custom arrangements and special orders. Once November rolls around Fisher Branch begins the holiday season with custom wreath and garland orders. For more information: www.fisherbranchfarm.org.
Directions to Fisher Branch Farm: : From Asheville: take 19/23 N (Future 26) towards Mars Hill. Take Exit 11 (Mars Hill), at the end of ramp turn Left. Go through town of Mars hill (approximately 3 miles), take right onto Petersburg road (sign for Center Community Center), at community center bear left. At the 2nd paved road, turn left onto Fisher Branch Road – go to the 5th driveway on right (old house across from driveway and barn, yellow house on hill on right) Park on the road.
Jamie & Amy Ager of Hickory Nut Gap Farm – Spring House Meats in Fairview, NC live on a farm that has been in a farming community for more than 90 years. Spring House Meats raises and directs market small and large quantities of beef, pork, lamb, and eggs with production on six acres. At Hickory Nut Gap Farm animals are raised in their natural outdoor environment. Spring House Meats' beef and lamb are grassfed and grass finished. Over the last six years the Agers have developed unique production techniques that are healthy for the animals and the people living on the farm. Practices followed on the farm include: free range, humanely raised, and pasture-raised. For more information: www.springhousemeats.com Directions to Spring House Meats: From Asheville: 240 East, exit towards 74-A East, Bat Cave, Blue Ridge Parkway. Follow 74-A approximately 8 miles. Turn left on Sugar Hollow Rd. The farm store is the first building on the right. From I-26: Take Fletcher, Mtn Home exit. Turn right towards Fletcher. Follow 25, approximately 4 miles. Turn right onto Cane Creek Rd at the light. Follow Cane Creek until it T's at the light and intersects with 74-A East. Turn right onto 74-A, follow 74-A approximately 3 miles. Turn left on Sugar Hollow Rd. The farm store is the first building on the right.
Blue Ridge Food Ventures Driving directions to Blue Ridge Food Ventures: From I-40 East: Take Exit 44. At the traffic light at the end of the exit ramp, turn right. Go to the third traffic light and turn left on Sand Hill Road. Turn immediately into the first entrance on the left and arrive onto the campus. BRFV is straight ahead in the red brick wing of the building facing you. A sign over the red double doors welcomes you to Blue Ridge food Ventures. Other Directions can be found on http://www.advantagewest.com/content.cfm/content_id/212/section/food
