Local farms open for spring events

Residents and visitors looking for farms that offer outdoor experiences and local food will have plenty of options this spring as farms across the state open their gates to welcome guests.

There are a variety of activities to choose from including workshops, Easter egg hunts, strawberry and flower picking, Mother’s Day events, farm stands and farmers markets. Following is a selection of experiences offered at North Carolina farms through Memorial Day. 

Visitors can find farm experiences across the state by downloading the Visit NC Farms app with nearly 2,000 farms, fisheries and agriculture destinations nearby and across the state. The free app is available at www.visitncfarmstoday.com and by downloading from the app store on mobile devices. The app allows users to customize itineraries complete with driving directions. Or, online at www.gottobenc.com, by clicking on the agritourism listing under the Find Local link. 

Visitors should verify event dates, ticket requirements and operational hours before going.

Western North Carolina

• Sandy Mush Herb Nursery of Leicester is open for visitors Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays for garden walks, greenhouse walks, self-guided spring hikes. Online at https://sandymushherbs.com/
• Mark your calendars for Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend in Henderson County. April 22-24. This action-packed weekend features artisan hard cider, award-winning wines, food, educational programs, live music, facility tours and more. Learn more at https://visithendersonvillenc.org/cider-wine-dine-weekend.
• Mountain Brook Vineyards offers award-winning wines paired with memorable hospitality. The vineyard hosts several events in March, including wine tastings, daily tours, wine dinners, sip & shop craft market, movies and barrel tastings. Find online at https://www.mountainbrookvineyards.com/.
• Apple Hill Farm of Banner Elk will be hosting farm tours by reservation only this spring. They will have baby goat yoga mid-May, as well as an Agritourism Works! Workshop May 14. Check the website for details and bookings at http://www.applehillfarmnc.com/.
• Valley River Vineyards is now open for the spring. Check out its tasting room and vineyards, or enjoy a peaceful walk through the woods, tent camping and picnic sites. Experience grapevine pruning on April 23. Learn more about this event for adults at http://www.valleyrivervineyards.com/.
• Mount Gilead Farm of Leicester invites guests to interact with its socialized goat herd and adorable new baby goats that love to be held and snuggled. Make a reservation on the farm’s website for an educational tour focusing on regenerative agriculture and the integration of animals into farming practices, culminating in bottle-feeding baby goats. The farm store will be open selling goat cheese and other farm-produced items. Learn more at https://www.mtgileadfarm.com/.
• Wildcat Ridge Farm of Clyde will be having its 2022 Festival of Peonies in Bloom from May 2-31. The festival is free and open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Potted herbaceous and intersectional peonies as well as blooms available for sale. Seasonal rental of its Yin Yurt  is available as well. Full event details are online at https://www.wildcatridgefarm.com/.
• M. R. Gardens of Asheville is holding open houses showcasing its sustainable nursery, and offers native flowers, groundcovers, herbs and vegetable seedlings for purchase. M. R. Gardens focuses on pollinator plants and other species that benefit the ecosystem and aims to propagate plants in the most sustainable way possible. Check out its website for more information at http://www.nativeplantsasheville.com/.

Central North Carolina

• Our Local Farm of Smithfield offers farm tours by reservation only. Be sure to check out its Spring 2022 Farm School for Kids, available every Thursday April 7 through May 12, from 9 a.m. to noon. The farm will also be offering several educational workshops. Go to  http://ourlocalfarmonline.com/ for details.
• Robertson Family Farm of King will offer you-pick tulips at the end of March from Friday through Sunday. On May 7, the farm will have a Mother’s Day Festival from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a food truck, vendors, homemade ice cream, desserts and hanging baskets. Also check back for you-pick strawberries. Learn more at https://www.robertson-family-farm.com/.
• Wolfberry Hawthorn Farm of Durham is offering several workshops, including a grafting workshop March 20, a spring plant sale April 10, a pollinator gardening workshop April 24, and a workshop on growing microgreens May 15. Learn more at http://www.wolfberryhawthornfarm.com/.
• Sunshine Lavender Farm of Hurdle Mills is hosting its annual Lavender Planting Clinic & Sale March 25 and 26. Discover a variety of lavender plants especially suited for gardens in the humid south with field-side demonstrations led by experienced farmers. Guests may also register to make a custom glass Easter Egg alongside a local master glassblower. The farm's market, the Lavender Love Shop, will be open with farm fresh handcrafted items to calm and soothe. For tickets and to learn more, go to https://sunshinelavenderfarm.co.
• Patterson Farm Market & Tours, Inc of Mount Ulla will have its Egg-cellent Adventure Egg Hunt April 15, 16 and 18. On-site activities include spring barnyard babies, a playground and a homemade ice cream shop. Pick-your-own strawberries will be offered by appointment only from late April to early June. Tickets and an announcement on strawberry availability can be found at http://www.visitpattersonfarm.com/.
• SandyCreek Farm of Lexington will host a Shiitake Mushroom Log Inoculation Workshop, March 11 from 1 to 4 p.m. Advance registration required. See website for more details at http://www.sandycreekfarm150.com/.
• Franklin County is hosting its first Women in Ag "Local Foods" Tour May 15. This driving tour is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Enjoy stops at local food, crafts and fiber-producing farms. Pet the animals, purchase local foods, including fresh picked strawberries, asparagus, mushrooms, meats, vegetables, honey, jams, and more. Tour is free. Learn more at http://www.franklin.ces.ncsu.edu/.
• Mitchell's Nursery & Greenhouse of King will have perennials, vegetable plants, hanging baskets, ferns, annuals and geraniums beginning in March through usually mid-June. They will have Easter flowers April 8-16. See website for details at https://mitchellsnursery.com/.
• Cedar Grove Blueberry Farm & Botanist & Barrel of Cedar Grove are excited to host several master class educational workshops including, Shiitake Mushroom Class + Shitake Pizza Lunch, an apple tree grafting class, Yoga with Allie, and Sip and Paint with EV Visual Arts. They host weekly winery tours on Sundays at 12:15 p.m., plus have a number of live music and food events planned. Learn more at http://www.botanistandbarrel.com/.
• Schiele Museum of Natural History of Gastonia is hosting Spring on the Farm March 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. Visit with animals, explore newly planted gardens, and learn about the importance of pollinators and other beneficial creatures, all while enjoying a fun afternoon at the farm. Baby Animal Day will be April 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meet baby animals and enjoy an egg hunt afterwards. Check out other events on its website at https://schielemuseum.org/.
• Pick-your-own tulips at Dewberry Farm of Kernersville. Reservations are required. Blooms are expected in late March. For updates on blooms go to http://www.dewberrymanor.com/.
• Karefree Produce INC of Carthage has several events happening this spring. The ice cream stand will open March 17. There will be an Easter egg hunt April 2 and a Spring Open House May 14. Learn more at http://www.karefreeproduce.com/.
• The Cheers to Cheese Fest will be held May 22 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Grove Winery & Vineyards in Gibsonville. Sample and buy local N.C. cheese, see a baby water buffalo and goats, watch a goat milking demonstration, pick up educational dairy materials, and enjoy music and food at this free, fun, outdoor family event. Grove's Tasting Room will also be open. Find up-to-date info on the NC Cheese Trail Facebook page at http://www.nccheesetrail.com/events/.
• Canady Farm of Hope Mills will have strawberries in April. Pick your own on Saturdays or visit the farm stand for pre-picked berries throughout the week. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/canadyfarm/.
• Millstone Creek Orchards of Ramseur hosts its Spring Outdoor Market featuring 80 local vendors March 26 and April 16. Guests can visit with the Easter Bunny, enjoy apple cider donuts, hayrides, and more. The farm’s Apple Barn Country Store, picnic area and playground area will be open in the spring as well. Spring Blooms Mini Sessions in the orchard are available in March and April. Go to https://www.millstonecreekorchards.com/ for more events and details.
• Brookhaven Mill Farm of Greensboro will have an Easter egg hunt at the farm for kids under the age of seven April 16 from 11 a.m. to noon. The farm will also have pony rides every Saturday beginning March 5 and a Sheep Shearing Event in early April. Easter photography and birthday party slots are still available at http://www.brookhavenmillfarm.com/.
• The Schoolhouse Farm of Pleasant Garden has a number of upcoming events planned including:  Homestead Kids Crafternoons every third Wednesday of the month from 2 to 4 p.m., Homespun on The Homestead - Homemade health + wellness for every household is held every third Thursday at 7 p.m., a guided foraging forest walk April 10 at 1 p.m., and the Schoolhouse Community Market and Farm Day May 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn more at https://www.theschoolhouselife.com/calendar.
• Good Karma Ranch of Iron Station will be hosting tours of its alpaca farm and alpaca yoga classes this spring. Get your tickets for these outdoor events in advance on their website at http://www.goodkarmaranch.com/.
• Catawba Farms of Newton hosts the Catawba Valley Festival of the Arts April 22-24. The festival features visual art exhibits, choral and musical performances, and theatrical performances from Catawba Valley Community College and Lenoir-Rhyne University. Event details are online at https://catawbafarms.com/.
• The Farm at Piper Hill of Silk Hope is open for reservation-only farm visits and glamping sites. It will host a Gold Rush Egg Hunt April 9 and 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The farm also offers Kids Overnight Weekend Retreats. Check the website for more information at http://www.thefarmatpiperhill.com/.
• Greensboro Farmers Curb Market of Greensboro is open every Saturday for fresh, local produce. The market will open on Wednesdays for mid-week markets beginning April 20. Check out a plant sale on April 24, and find other upcoming events at https://www.gsofarmersmarket.org/.
• Firefly Farm of Hillsborough will have u-pick flower sessions starting in May, just in time for Mother's Day. Bring Mom along and make it a family outing. Explore all the different types of flowers in bloom, say hello to the farm animals and bring a picnic. Learn more at http://www.fireflyfarmnc.com/.
• Pace Family Farms of Clayton will host a Barn Quilt Painting Class April 2 at 9 a.m. Purchase tickets in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/barn-quilt-painting-tickets-256893103187.
• The Tobacco Farm Life Museum of Kenly will be hosting Capturing Our Past: Children’s Painting Class April 9 and Working the Land: Antique Tractor Club/Farmer Appreciation May 14. Learn more at https://www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org/stepping-into-the-past-saturday-s….
• Fuzzy Faces Refuge of Clayton hosts Spring Fling at the Farm April 30 from noon to 5 p.m. The event includes a pig pickin’ with all the fixin’s, plus you can meet farm animals, fish, and enjoy arts and crafts. Purchase tickets in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-fling-at-the-farm-tickets-254080550….
• Double R Cattle Services, Inc of Hillsborough will be open for pre-picked and u-pick strawberries during the month of May. Grass-fed beef and pastured pork will also be available at the sales shed during strawberry hours. Learn more at http://www.doublercattleservices.com/.
• Fine Family Farm of Denton will be open in April and May with baby goat yoga, baby goat cuddling, and barn quilts and other baby goats events. Farm stay rentals also open through Airbnb and shop the farm store with products online at https://fine-family-farm.square.site/.  

Eastern North Carolina

• Twiddle Dee Farm of Clinton is open to the public via a farm membership program. The farm is open to members for an intimate, safe and unique get-away experience including new trails. Guests can also enjoy the blooming flower gardens, fire pits, wide open spaces, streaming smooth jazz, plus a tiny retail shop offering unique gifts and edibles. Adults only. Go to https://www.twiddledeefarm.online/ to become a member.
• Raising Grayce Farm of Greenville will offer a u-pick tulip event by reservation only. Blooms are estimated March 19 through April 17. The farm will also have precut flowers available at the farm stand (no reservation required). Check for updates at http://www.raisinggraycefarm.com/.
• TC Smith Produce Farm, Inc of Seven Springs will be opening for u-pick strawberries in April. The farm is also adding many local artesian items to its market. Learn more at http://tcsmithproduce.com/.
• The Road Less Traveled Farm of Fairmont offers reservation-only farm tours and educational and fun workshops. It’s u-pick strawberries are expected to be ready in April. Watch for dates at https://www.theroadlesstraveledfarm.com/.
• Nooherooka Natural of Snow Hill is hosting a Springfest April 30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This event supports local artisans, woodworkers and other local small businesses. The farm’s beef and pork products will be available for purchase. Learn more at https://www.nooherooka.com/.
• Hubb's Farm of Clinton will host Easter weekend egg hunts and farm animal visits April 15-17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are sold online through the farm website and Facebook page. Also, Hubb's Bunny S'Hop Vendor and Artisan Crafter's Day is April 16. Educational field trips and group tours are also offered this spring. Learn more at http://www.hubbsfarmnc.com/.
• Rebel Goat Farm, Inc of Saint Pauls is open this spring with hydroponic and aquaponic set ups. The farm will have baby animals being born this spring to visit. Check out soap- and candle- making classes on its website at https://rebelgoatfarm.com/.
• Humphrey Farms Inc of Burgaw will host a Spring Fling Vendor Fair April 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with food trucks on site. A Craftsman Showcase/Vendor Fair will be held May 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A “Bringing Fancy to the Farm" dining experience will be offered May 14. Purchase tickets in advance for this adult dining experience online at https://humphreyfarmsnc.com/.

• Bear Ridge Farms of Maple Hill will have its u-pick strawberry fields open in April. The farm’s country store is open with fresh vegetables, meats, eggs, bread and ice cream. Farm tours offered by reservation only, available online at https://www.bearridgefarmsinc.com/.

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