MONDAY, NOV. 21, 2016
By Annie Baggett, NCDA&CS
Farms across the state are opening up to visitors for the holidays, offering choose-and-cut Christmas trees, winter hayrides, visits with Santa and other fun activities.
“Agritourism is a big part of North Carolina’s $84 billion agriculture economy,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “While many people may think about visiting farms during the spring or summer, the holidays can be a wonderful time to visit local farms with family and friends.”
North Carolina is home to more than 700 agritourism farms. To find the farm listing, go to www.visitncfarms.com.
NCDA&CS is headquartered at 2 West Edenton Street, in Raleigh NC. For more information, call 919.707.3001.
Christmas Trees and Poinsettias
North Carolina is the second-largest producer of Christmas trees in the nation. Some choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms have already opened for the season.
Almond Christmas Tree Farm (www.facebook.com/Almond-Christmas-Tree-Farm-887660978036003) in Albemarle NC opened on November 25, 2016. The farm offers choose-and-cut trees, fresh-cut Fraser firs, wreaths, greenery and hayrides.
Hickory Creek Farm (hickorycreekfarmnc.com/index.html) in Greensboro NC also opened for the season on November 25, 2016. On December 3, the farm will have a “Farm Antique Tag Sale” with vintage items handpicked from NC farms available to buy.
Pardue Tree Farm (www.parduetreefarm.blogspots.com) in Sparta NC is open daily through December 24, 2016. The third-generation family farm offers Fraser firs, handmade wreaths and garland.
On December 4, 2016, Mitchell’s Nursery & Greenhouse (www.mitchellsnursery.com) in King NC will have its Poinsettia Open House 12:30-4:30pm. The nursery grows 81 varieties of poinsettias, and will have more than 9,000 plants to choose from.
Holiday Events
Many farms offer special holiday programming for families to enjoy. Cukabury Farms (www.cukaburyfarmsllc.com) in Fairmont NC will hosts its annual Christmas Light Show with hayrides through the farm, Christmas music and more. The light show takes place December 2-17, 2016, on Fridays and Saturdays, and daily December 19-23, 2016.
Raised in a Barn Farm (www.raisedinabarnfarm.com) in Chocowinity NC started offering Storytime with Santa, Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and holiday hayrides through downtown Washington on November 26, 2016, with ongoing events through December 23, 2016.
Trosly Farm (www.troslyfarm.com) in Elk Park NC will open a Holiday Farm Store and Market on Saturdays through December 17, 2016. The market features handmade chocolates, local honey and farm-raised meats among other items.
Winery Events
NC is home to more than 180 wineries, and several of them will host special events during the holidays. In Leicester NC, Addison Farms Vineyards (www.addisonfarms.net/handcrafted-christmas) will be hosting its annual Handcrafted Christmas event on December 3, 2016, 12-5pm. The event features local crafters and artisans. Complimentary wine tastings also will be offered in exchange for a $10 donation to the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.
Also on December 3, 2016, 11am-6pm, Cypress Bend Vineyards (www.cypressbendvineyards.com) in Wagram NC will host a Christmas Open House. Guests can enjoy live music, Christmas treats, and special merchandise.
Farm Animals
Through December 18, 2016, Apple Hill Farm (www.applehillfarmnc.com) in Banner Elk NC will offer guided walking tours of its working alpaca farm Fridays through Sundays. Tours will run every hour from 10am to 4pm. There is also a farm store with alpaca socks, yarns, hats, gloves, and other items.
Helpers of Our Farm (www.hoofnc.org), an educational farm animal sanctuary in Bolivia NC, is holding its Frosty Hooves fundraiser on December 10, 2016, 10am-3pm. Proceeds will help feed and care for the sanctuary animals through the winter.
Other Events
On December 10, 2016, Two Sisters Farmstead (www.twosistersfarmstead.org) in Candler NC will host its monthly Family Discovery Day. The event runs from 10am to noon, and allows families to experience farm life first-hand.
