Travelers and locals looking for unique farm experiences will have plenty of options this spring, as farms across the state open their gates to welcome visitors. Agritourism options include Easter egg hunts, strawberry picking, Mother’s Day events, farmers markets, and educational events.
Following is a selection of activities being offered at North Carolina agritourism farms through Memorial Day. Visitors are encouraged to verify event dates and hours of operations before they go.
Eastern North Carolina
- Deans Farm Market in Wilson will host its Easter on the Farm event April 6, 2019, 10am-noon. The event features indoor Easter crafts, a visit with the Easter Bunny, an Easter egg hunt, and playground fun.
- Garden Treasures in Wendell will hold an Open House alongside its Grand Opening on April 20, 2019, 9am-5pm. The event will feature horticulture lectures, an art-filled Craft Fair, homemade-tea tasting, and plants will be for sale.
- Garner Farm in Newport will be open for strawberry season in April and May. The farm offers you-pick strawberries, field trips, and farm-to-table dinners.
- Greenlands Farm in Bolivia is open year-round for farm tours and classroom field trips. The third-generation homestead farm is home to Helpers of Our Farm, a non-profit educational farm animal sanctuary.
- Hubb’s Farm in Clinton will host its Topper’s EGG-ceptional Egg Hunt weekend April 13-14, 2019. During the event, thousands of eggs will be dropped from an airplane. In addition, they will offer field trips by appointment, April 9-11, 2019.
- Lu Mil Vineyard in Elizabethtown will host the Lewis & Clark circus April 25, 2019, with two shows: at 5pm and at 7:30pm.
- The Farmer’s Barn in Chadbourn will have its third-annual Easter Eggsplosion April 20, 2019, 11am-4pm. In addition to its regular farm activities, visitors can enjoy egg hunts, egg races, decorating contests, and more.
- Twiddle Dee Farm in Clinton offers farm stays for women on its working farm with cattle, sheep, donkeys, and horses.
- Zebulon Farm Fresh Market in Zebulon will kick off the 2019 season with an Opening Day Celebration on April 27, 2019, 9am-1pm. More than 30 local vendors will be selling their farm and handmade products at the market.
Central North Carolina
- Alpha and Omega Corn Maze in Hamptonville will host a helicopter egg drop on April 20, 2019, 8am-5pm. The event features an egg hunt and breakfast with the Easter Bunny. The corn maze also will offer educational field trips April 2-5 and April 16-19, 2019.
- Cedar Grove Blueberry Farm in Cedar Grove will host the Funk Down on the Farm Food & Beverage Festival April 13, 2019, 1-5pm. The event features over 27 wineries, breweries, and cideries.
- Daveste’ Vineyards in Troutman offers winery tours Thursdays through Mondays in the spring. Tours are offered at 2:30pm and 4:30pm.
- Dewberry Farm in Kernersville will open its tulip farm for a you-pick tulip event around the end of March. The exact date will depend on weather. Visitors are encouraged to check the farm’s website for updates.
- Fine Family Farm in Denton will offer goat yoga sessions April 20 and May 4, 2019. Reservations are required.
- Flint Rock Farm in Cameron will offer day camps on the farm March 29, April 17, and April 18, 2019. Each camp runs 8am-4pm and includes hands-on farm activities. Reservations are required. In addition, the farm will offer educational field trips in April and May by appointment.
- Lloyd’s Dairy in Efland will host the Tarheel Antiques Festival March 29-31, 2019.
- Middle Ground Farm in Monroe will have a brunch for Mother’s Day May 12, 2019, 11am-2pm. The event includes brunch and tours of the farm’s hydroponic lettuce barn, livestock, orchard, and high-tunnel operations.
- Mitchell’s Nursery & Greenhouse in King will host its annual Spring Open House on April 13, 2019, 7:30am-4pm. The nursery will showcase its geraniums and other spring flowers during the event.
- Morgan Ridge Vineyards & Brewhouse in Gold Hill will host its annual Adult Easter Egg Hunt April 20, 2019, 3-7pm. The event includes music, entertainment, and a hunt through the vineyard’s rolling hills.
- Plum Granny Farm in King will hold a workshop about growing ginger and turmeric March 30, 2019, and a workshop about growing brambles on April 28, 2019. In addition, the farm will have plant sales April 14, 19, and 28, 2019.
- Smith’s Nursery in Benson will have an Easter Egg Hunt April 20, 2019, 11am-noon. The farm also will hold a Mothers’ Day farm-to-fork luncheon May 11, 2019. Strawberry fields will be open for both events.
- The Community Farm at Chestnut Ridge in Efland will have a Mother’s Day picnic May 11, 2019, 11am-2pm. Visitors can enjoy a picnic lunch, hayrides, lawn games, and pick their own fresh bouquet of flowers.
- Vino Oasi in Stem will host The Hawg in the Holler Music Festival April 27, 2019, 4-11pm. The charity event will benefit the Humane Society of Granville County.
- WDW Strawberry Farm & Roadside Stand in Princeton will open for strawberry picking April 13, 2019. Visitors can pick their own strawberries or buy pre-picked berries at the farm stand.
Western North Carolina
- Appalachian Barn Alliance in Mars Hill will hold its annual barn tour of Madison County May 18, 2019, 1:30-7:30pm. The day includes a bus tour of several historic barns, dinner, and music.
- Blue Ridge View Farm in Morganton is offering an Airbnb experience starting in April. The farm will use the vacation-rental site to offer a two-hour farmstead goat-milking and cheese-making experience.
- Catawba Farms in Newton is the home of Catawba County’s first winery. The vineyard and winery are open Fridays-Sundays noon-5pm, and offers a tasting room, picnic area, farm animals, and more.
- Cherry Mountain Farm in Rutherfordton will open for the season March 9, 2019. The Angora-goat farm offers visitors a chance to see the goats and learn about how goat fiber is prepared. On April 20, 2019, the farm will host shearing day from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Goodness Farms in Forest City will offer daily Shitake mushroom growing classes the weeks of March 18 and March 25, 2019. Visitors can register with the Rutherford County Cooperative Extension by calling 828-287-6015.
- High Mountain Meadows Farm & Creamery in Hayesville will begin offering weekend farm stays on its dairy goat farm starting April 1, 2019. Guests can participate in hands-on activities with dairy goats and learn the basics of cheese making.
- Jackson County Farmers Market in Sylva will be open Wednesdays and Saturdays starting in April. The market, which has operated for 18 years, offers a variety of locally grown products, food trucks, music, and other special events.
- Jewel of the Blue Ridge Vineyard and Farm in Marshall is open for farm tours from April to October. The farm will offer a wood-stove cooking class March 30, 2019 and a rope making class on April 17, 2019.
- Kiss of the Sun Garden in Forest City offers hanging plants, fresh-cut flowers, perennials, daylilies, hibiscus, and more. The greenhouse is open by appointment.
- North River Farms in Mills River will host Mills River Day May 18, 2019, 11am-5pm. The event includes environmental education, farm tours, pony rides, music, vendors, and food.
- Pangaea Plants in Lake Lure offers tours, field days, and workshops. The botanical sanctuary is the only certified biodynamic medicinal herb farm in the Southeast.
- Piccione Vineyards in Ronda will hold a bud-break celebration on April 13, 2019, 11am-6pm. The special event includes a wine tasting, music from James Vincent Carroll, and food from Gold Leaf Catering.
- The Farmer’s Daughter in Taylorsville will offer pre-picked and you-pick strawberries starting around May 7, 2019. Visitors are encouraged to check the farm’s website for updates on the growing season.
- Wildcat Ridge Farm in Clyde will be open every day of May for its peony blooming season. The farm offers one of the largest collections of peonies in the state. Guests can also stay at the farm in one of its luxury yurts.
- WoodMill Winery in Vale will hold its Spring Wine Festival March 16, 2019, 10am-5pm. The event includes the release of the winery’s apple wine and Concord grape wine, as well as wine tastings, artisan crafters, and more.
Source: Annie Baggett, Agritourism Marketing Specialist, NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Ed. Note: Farms offering agritourism opportunities are encouraged to provide details to the NCDA&CS Agritourism folks (here’s an article on how to do that), for potential inclusion in future lists.
