With back to school right around the corner, it’s time to begin thinking about Fall activities and one of our family’s favorite activities that signifies the welcoming of Autumn is the Polk Fresh Farm Tour.
This year marks the fifth anniversary and will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2014 throughout Polk County and in conjunction with the ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agricultural Project) Farm Tour which is held on both Saturday and Sunday, 20 and 21 throughout Western North Carolina.
We are very pleased to welcome many first-time farms to the tour as well as the inclusion of the Growing Cycle Farm Tour. The participants, in alphabetical order are as follows with first time farms are designated in bold text:  Columbus Farmers Market, Mill Spring Ag Center/ Mill Spring Farm Store, New Beginning’s Farm, Old Mule Farm, Overmountain Vineyards & Winery, Parker-Binns, Polk County High School Farm, Russian Chapel Hill Winery, Sandy Plains Farm, Sunrise Farm, Sunny Creek Farm and Thunder Ridge Farm. Over the next few weeks we will be sharing with you information about all these places and what the experience to each of these farms will be like.
Farm Tours are a great way to spend the day visiting many places that aren’t normally open to the public. They offer a chance for visitors and locals alike to gain perspective as to how wonderfully diverse our county is. It’s an opportunity to show both young and old how our food is grown and gives visitors to each stop the chance to ask to ask the farmers and growers many questions to help save time and money with their own endeavors. On top of everything, it’s a whole lot of fun!
Tickets are sold by the carload (unlimited occupants). Special discounted passes will be available to families with children in Polk County schools thanks to a generous donation from Slow Food Asheville Foothills. A motorcycle pass will also be available. Growing Cycle Farm Tour passes will also be available this year. All vehicle passes sold will be accepted throughout the weekend at both the PolkFresh Farm Tour and the ASAP Farm Tour.
Proceeds raised will directly benefit the farmers of the area with all monies going to farms through the office of Agricultural & Economic Development which runs our local Farmer’s Markets, and works with Polk Fresh Foods, Inc. Last years proceeds purchased a honey extractor and supplies which are made available for shared use to anyone in Polk County.
Contact Dawn Jordan 704-692-4358 or d.jorddan@polknc.org or Mindy Wiener mindywiener@gmail.com for further information on the event or to get involved as a volunteer.

-article submitted
by Mindy Weiner