Some Polk County farms and vineyards may see a few more visitors thanks to a new agritourism guide produced by the state.

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has created a brochure with a map showing three places in Polk County. The state&squo;s agritourism web site also lists several other farms in Polk County.

The brochure and map, funded in part by the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission North Carolina, shows Giardini Gardens on Hwy. 108, Green Creek Winery on Gilbert Road and Green River Vineyard on John Watson Road.

The guide provides contact information and directions, along with information about what&squo;s offered for visitors.

Giardini offers hayrides/mazes, groups/tours/food, Choose &squo;n Cut/Pick-Your Own, slow dining/picnics and handicap accessibility. Green Creek Winery offers groups/tours/food and handicap accessibility. Green River Vineyard offers groups/tours/food, Choose &squo;n Cut/Pick-Your Own, lodging/camping, walking/riding trails and slow dining/picnics.

On the state&squo;s agritourism web site, www.visitncfarms.com, the state lists the following additional agritourism sites in Polk County: Apple Mill on Ozone Drive in Saluda, All Good Farm on Hwy 108, Sunrise Farm on Landrum Road, Slater Turf Farm on Hunting Country Road, Triple R Farm on Miracle Drive, the Old Mule Co. in Columbus and Mt. McLaney&squo;s Highland Harvest on Mt. McLaney Trail.

Apple Mill, Slater Turf Farm and The Old Mule Co. are part of Goodness Grows in North Carolina, a program with the Marketing Division of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Agritourism locations include farms, roadside stands, you-pick orchards, nurseries, greenhouses, vineyards and summer day camps.

N.C. Agriculture Commission Steve Troxler says agritourism helps local economics and rural ways of life remain strong.

&dquo;As a farmer, I know there&squo;s nothing quite like the experience of picking fruit right off the tree, winding through a pumpkin field or hearing the rumble of a tractor in the field,&dquo; said Troxler in the guide. &dquo;With the help of this guide, I hope you and your family will experience first-hand the excitement and educational opportunities offered at our state&squo;s working farms.&dquo;