We blinked and it is spring! I haven’t heard anyone complain about that because I think folks are ready to get outside and enjoy warmer weather and all the blooming flowers and emerging plants that the spring season ushers in.
That makes me think about some of the things I look forward to at springtime, including the arrival of strawberries in mid-to-late April. Strawberry shortcake is a favorite dessert of mine, and I am fortunate to have Guilford County neighbors who consistently grow some of the best strawberries around.
Being able to get fresh, local strawberries is something I don’t take for granted and I feel blessed they are in our community and are a steady source of produce throughout the year.
Supporting local farmers is one way to help ensure you have access to the freshest foods available. You always know that fruits, vegetables, meats and other products grown and raised locally don’t travel far to get to your table and you can really taste the freshness because of that.
The good news is anyone can experience that connection to the land, our food and the farming lifestyle thanks to the wide range of agritourism farms operating around the state.
We have expanded our Visit NC Farms website to highlight North Carolina agritourism offerings and to help visitors locate fun and delicious ways to support agriculture and learn more about where our food comes from.
The interactive site helps you look for activities and experiences anywhere across the state and you can even enter regions of the state and the type of experiences you are looking for.
Categories are broken down into farm visits and guided tours, farmers markets and farm stands, trails and outdoor experiences, workshops and educational programs, farm fresh sips and bites, pick-your-own fields, farm stays and lodging and special events and venues.
The website is www.visitncfarms.com. A quick search of the event listings found an Easter Extravaganza and Egg Drop on the Farm April 4 at Tate Farm in Willard in Pender County. April 30 through May 3 Hendersonville will host its Cider, Wine and Dine Weekend and also on May 3, The Plant in Pittsboro will host a Strawberry Social celebrating all things strawberry. Those are just a few of the event listings posted, but I would encourage you to check back often as the calendar of events is frequently updated.
I love the farming way of life and all it offers and I am happy that my grandkids can come to our farm and see what farm life is all about. I hope this will be the year that you explore what North Carolina agriculture has to offer. There really is so much to choose from.
Many people think of pick-your-own farms when they think of agritourism, but the possibilities are limitless and have widespread appeal. A few ideas to consider are farm stays in countryside cabins, homes or tents, on-farm dinners and tastings, wellness retreats and workshops, and special crafting classes and activities.
I hope you will go to the VisitNCFarms website and find something different for you and your family to try. I don’t think you will be sorry with the memories you create.
Another great suggestion I saw on the page was to make it a goal to eat with the seasons. Stop by a farmers market or farm stand and look for the seasonal produce and pick one or two to try. In the spring, look for greens, lettuce and strawberries for starters.