NC Agritourism Farms Offer Family Fun This Fall

From pumpkin patches and apple picking to wine tastings and farm stays, there is something every member of the family can enjoy this fall in North Carolina. More than 1,000 farms in the state offer agritourism activities, and many will be opening their gates for visitors this fall.

Following is a selection of agritourism events happening this fall sorted by region:

Western North Carolina

• Addison Farms Vineyard in Leicester will host a five-course progressive wine tasting tour with Chef Corey Marino. The Taste and Sip of Appalachia event will be held September 23, 2018 at 3pm. Reservations can be made on the vineyard’s website.
• B&B Farm in Lincolnton will open its pumpkin patch weekends from September 29-October 28, 2018. During the week, the farm will be open for scheduled school groups to learn about farming and fire safety.
• Harvest Farm Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch in Valle Crucis will open for the season on September 13, 2018. The farm offers a true pick-your-own experience where visitors can cut the pumpkin off the vine. Other activities include hayrides, a corn maze and special screenings of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”
• Justus Orchard in Hendersonville is open for apple season through early November. The fourth-generation apple growers offer 18 varieties of apples, apple cider donuts, apple pies and more.
• New River Corn Maze in Boone will be open Fridays-Sundays from September 14-October 28, 2018. Located on the banks of the New River, the farm features a real pumpkin patch, corn maze and tractor rides.
• Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard in Hendersonville is open for apple season through October. The third-generation farm has more than 20 varieties of apples, as well as pumpkins, wage rides, corn mazes and the apple cannon.
• Triple BBB Vineyard in Shelby will offer visitors the chance to pick their own muscadine grapes this fall. The vineyard is open from 10am to 6pm, Thursdays-Sundays, through November.

Central North Carolina

• Patterson Farm Market in Mount Ulla will open for its Fall Fun on the Farm events Saturdays and Sundays from September 22-November 3, 2018. Attractions include barnyard visits, cow milking, pumpkin tether ball, tomato cannons, pumpkin picking, treasure mining and more.
• Alpha and Omega Corn Maze in Hamptonville will open for the fall season on Saturday, September 8, 2018. Weekend activities include corn maze, pipe slides, corn box, and horse-drawn wagon rides. Educational field trips can be schedule Tuesday-Friday through November 9, 2018.
• CharMar Alpaca Farm in Liberty will have its annual Alpaca Farm Days weekend September 29-30, 2018. Visitors will have the chance to feed alpacas and learn about their care. There also will be vendors and food available.
• Cypress Bend Vineyards in Wagram is hosting its 14th annual Fall Harvest Festival and Grape Stomp on September 8, 2018, from 11am to 6pm. King and Queen of the Stomp will be named during the event, which features wine tastings, winery tours, music and more.
• Gallberry Corn Maze in Hope Mills opens for the season Fridays through Sundays from September 15-November 4, 2018. The farm offers a variety of activities including a six-acre corn maze, jumping pillows, hayrides, firepits, farm animals and more.
• Grove Winery in Gibsonville is home to award-winning European-style wines. The winery will host food truck rodeos this fall on October 14 and November 11, 2018, from noon to 4pm.
• Jackson Farm in Godwin offers farm-stay vacations on its property. Activities include fishing, birdwatching and wildlife trails.
• Ken’s Korny Corn Maze in Garner is marking its 20th year with corn mazes, hayrides, a corn barn, haunted corn maze and other activities. The season opens September 21, 2018 and goes through November 9, 2018.
• Lazy O Farm in Smithfield will host a family friendly Trick-or-Treating Corn Maze on October 27, 2018 from 1 to 5pm. Visitors are encouraged to wear their costumes and children 12 and under can go trick-or-treating through the maze.
• M&M Alpaca Farm of NC in Pittsboro is open on the weekends throughout the fall for farm tours, picnics, birthday parties and more. National Alpaca Farm Days are September 29-30, 2018.
• McKee Cornfield Maze in Rougemont will be open Fridays through Sundays from September 29 through November 4, 2018. The 12-acre adventurous maze also includes hayrides, pumpkin patches and other activities.
• Mitchell’s Nursery & Greenhouse in King will have a Fall Open House on September 29, 2018 to celebrate 39 years of business. The event will run from 7:30am to 4pm. Free hot dogs will be available from 11am to 1pm.
• Raynay Alpaca Farm in Ruffin will celebrate National Alpaca Farm Days on September 30, 2018, from 10am to 4pm. Visitors can meet the alpacas, visit the farm store and purchase wonderful wearables made from alpaca fiber. In addition, there will be hayrides, music and food.
• Starrlight Mead in Pittsboro will celebrate its move into a new expanded facility with two event this fall. On September 22, 2018, the meadery will host a Mead Day Fall Festival from noon to 5pm. In addition, a grand opening celebration will be held October 20-21, 2018.
• The Farm in Dobson is open for the fall season from September 1-November 4, 2018 on Saturdays and Sundays. The farm has a corn maze, you-pick pumpkins, a pizza farm, T-shirt garden, popcorn garden and more.
• Thomas Family Farm in Ritchfield will have a pumpkin patch and corn maze from September 30-October 31, 2018. In addition, the family farm will offer hayrides, animal visits, and on-farm games.
• Toad Song Farm in Clayton will host its Wise Women Retreat September 21-23, 2018. The retreat celebrates womanhood in the ancient traditions. Participants will have the chance to make jeweled crowns, as well as take part in wood walks and the Wise Women Council.
• Toms Creek Nursery & Landscaping in Farmer will host its annual B4 Autumn Sale September 10-15, 2018, featuring hundreds of plants, trees and shrubs on sale for fall planting. Starting November 23, 2018, the nursery will hold its ever-popular wreath making workshops.
• Vollmer Farm in Bunn will be open every weekend in October with fall activities for the whole family including hayrides, pumpkin patches, school field trips, corn mazes, farm stays and more.

Eastern North Carolina

• Briar Creek Nursery in Rocky Mount has recently opened its Kidz Zone, offering children and school groups the chance to interact with farm animals and learn about different careers through interactive exhibits.
• Homeplace Strawberries & More in Farmville will open its pumpkin patch and corn maze Fridays-Sundays from September 15-November 18, 2018.
• Hubb’s Farm in Clinton is home to one of the largest fall festivals in Eastern North Carolina, which spans Fridays-Sundays from September 15-November 10, 2018. Each weekend features a different family friendly theme. The farm is also open for educational tours by appointment during on weekdays.
• Lu Mil Vineyard in Elizabethtown will open its doors for grape picking through September. In addition, the vineyard will host its annual N.C. Grape Festival on October 13, 2018. The free event features wine and juice tastings, grape stomps, food trucks, music and vendors.
• Silver Coast Winery in Ocean Isle Beach will host its Purple Feet Festival on September 8, 2018, from 11am to 4pm. The event includes wine tastings, a grape stomp, Lucy Look-A-Like contest, craft vendors and food.
• Sonlight Farms in Kenly is open for the fall season from September 22 to November 3, 2018. Several special events are planned including Good Ole Daze on September 29, 2018; Farm Daze on October 6, 2018; and Blackout Challenge on October 27, 2018.

Farms offering Agritourism activities are found in nearly every county of the state. Consumers are encouraged to learn more about the farms located in their communities. Visit www.ncagr.gov/markets/agritourism for more information and a map featuring farms in North Carolina offering agritourism activities.

Source: Annie Baggett, NCDA&CS