The Farm Family of the Day program is a new addition to the N.C. State Fair. The program recognizes 11 farm families – one for every day of the State Fair – who work hard every day to impact our state’s agriculture industry. Families either nominated themselves or were nominated by members of the community. Thanks to Tractor Supply Company for sponsoring the program, which will run from Oct. 14-24.
The Springhouse Farm, in Boone, North Carolina, was started by the single mom, Amy Fielder. Amy’s family farm is in Indiana, and before she decided to start anew in North Carolina, she was the fourth-generation farmer. Here in North Carolina, Springhouse Farm grows Shiitake mushrooms, vegetables, cut flowers, and they also raise farrowing pigs. This year is the 14th year of production for Springhouse Farm. Amy and her mom Jean Fielder currently manage the farm!
Even though Springhouse Farm is an untraditional farming family, Amy Fielder was able to put her children through college with the income produced from farming. Amy has served as the president of Watauga County Beekeeper’s Association, won Female Farmer of the year, and she has an active internship program. Springhouse Farm is actively involved with their local extension agency and has offered the farm to be used for tours, pest studies, and to introduce more people into farming. Amy also hosts you picks and farm to table dinners/workshops as a part of agritourism.
Springhouse Farm sells their product at the farmers market, area restaurants, workplace CSA’s and honor-based produce stands. They also supply veggies to the local food pantry and hospital employees. Springhouse Farm hosted two Celebrations of Life for families who have lost loved ones.
“Selling my flower bouquets (food for the soul) at market, being my boss, [and] marveling everyday in Nature” says Amy Fielder as she describes why she loves farming!
Springhouse Farm describes the N.C. State Fair as a chance to relax and have fun after the end of a long growing season. Amy loves viewing the vegetable and flower exhibits, riding the rides, and enjoying her “guilty pleasures (usually deep-fried).” For Springhouse Farm, the N.C. State Fair is one of the only times they get off the farm during the year, and they look forward to Fair every year!
If you are stopping by the vegetable and flower exhibits, enjoying the rides or the deep-fried food at the N.C. State Fair, be sure to keep an eye out for the Springhouse Farm family and thank them for their hard work throughout the years! We are honored to have the Springhouse Farm as the Farm Family of the Day for October 15th and we look forward to watching them flourish in the agricultural industry for many years to come.
