Know Your Farms announces its second annual Charlotte Area Farm Tour the weekend of September 18-19, 2010 from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. both days and highlights 27 local farms.

The Charlotte Area Farm Tour is self-guided, and farms are located in clusters all around the Charlotte region for easy touring. To take the tour, get a map and purchase a vehicle pass online. Load up your vehicle with friends and family, pack a cooler in the trunk for all the farm-fresh goodies you’ll want to take home, then use the map to plot your course!

How it Works Vehicle Passes Tour Map Participating Farms Tour Tips Tour Brochure Volunteer and Tour for Free!

Children learn to appreciate where their food comes from and are delighted to interact with local cows, pigs, chickens, goats, and sheep. Adults have an opportunity to learn about natural and sustainable production methods that can be used in their own backyard gardens, as well as gain useful cooking and nutritional tips for healthy meal preparation.

How it Works

Vehicle Passes

Vehicle passes and maps are also available at these area locations: The Milky Way and both locations of The Common Market (Charlotte) as well as The Bradford Store in Huntersville. The tour cost is $25 in advance per vehicle or cycle group. Vehicle passes may also be purchased on tour days at every tour farm for $30.

Tour Maps

View 2010 Know Your Farms Annual Farm Tour online map. For greater accuracy, use the maps and directions in the print brochure.

Participating Farms

1: Tega Hills Farm -- Tega Hills Farm uses hydroponic growing and controlled environment agriculture techniques to grow lettuces, microgreens, and herbs year-round. They also raise tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, squash and other vegetables seasonally. Several varieties of lettuce, microgreens, and limited produce available for purchase.

2: Proffitt Family Farms -- Proffitt Family Farms raises 100% grass-fed beef. The farm is Animal Welfare Approved and is an American Grass Fed Association producer. The farm store will be fully stocked with all beef cuts. Come see where your meat is grazed, walk through certified organic pastures, and pet the horses.  It's worth the trip to Kings Mountain...a host of other local food vendors are joining in the party so you can produce, eggs, salsa, even seafood!  As Brian puts it, "We will have bass fishing, cow watching, horse petting, dogs running, chicken egg gathering, duck chasing, horse shoe pit tossing, sittin' in the breezeway drinking', country music playing' garden tour walking' foot stomping' basketball playing' lemonade sipping' farm tour laughing' hay ride cruising' fun times."

>>> The Rapid Gourmet will be on hand at Proffitt Family Farm selling locally-produced lunch food, including Mooresville-based Uncle Scott's Root Beer.

3: Lewis Farm / Carolina Cattle Co -- Enjoy a hay ride, feed barnyard animals, and visit a pumpkin patch! This working farm also specializes in birthday parties and events and hosts an annual Fall Festival. Products for sale include beef, pork, eggs, and pumpkins.

4: Rivendell Farms -- Rivendell Farms specializes in demonstrating how to know your food by getting your hands dirty. Chris and Jeffie sell grass-fed beef, free-range eggs, turkeys, and grass-fed chickens. Whole grain wheat bread and grass-fed beef will be on sale.  In addition to watching soil processing demonstrations, come hear from a local family physician about the importance and healing nature of local, sustainable food.

5: Gilcrest Natural Farm -- Here, farmers work with nature to provide a peaceful environment free of pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, and hormones. Gil and Amy gently manage their land with solar power for the cattle watering system and electric fence and maintain a biodiverse pasture. Products for sale include beef, chicken and deli products.

6: Grateful Growers Farm -- The cornerstone of production at Grateful Growers Farm is the pig, and there will be amazing pork on sale! In addition, the farm is home to ducks, turkeys and chickens. Harvest Moon Grille will be on site selling sandwiches and snacks made with all locally-produced ingredients. Come hungry and curious!

7: Birdbrain Ostrich Ranch -- Pat and Mike operate their Ostrich Ranch for meat production and agri-tourism although ostriches aren’t the typical NC farm animal. Ostrich meat is considered a healthier red meat with 40% less fat than beef. Stop by the gift shop for all manner of items derived from these dinosaur-like birds.

>>> Don't forget that BirdBrain is offering Saturday night camping...make a reservation to stay overnight in the countryside! 

8: KC Farm -- This scenic farms covers almost 100 acres. Hay rides will depart every 1/2 hour to give visitors the chance to see the six different gardens, the pond, the horse barn and corral, and the Black Angus beef cattle raised on the property. Limited amounts of produce will be available for purchase.  Also, Dr. Jonathan Ritz of Carolinas Natural Health Center will be at KC Farm discussing the relationship between food and wellness.

9: Mary L Farm -- Mary L Farm is a certified organic dairy supplying the Organic Valley Dairy co-op. A hay ride allows visitors to view the grazing fields where there are cows to feed and pet. Chickens and peacocks freely roam the premises. Limited quantities of organic grass-fed beef and organic jellies and jams available for sale.

10: Kerr Mill Holsteins -- A USDA certified organic farm since 2007 and a supplier to the Organic Valley Dairy co-op, Kerr Mill Holsteins raises about 300 head of cattle for milk and meat. The cows are fed from the farm’s 550 acres of certified-organic fields. In addition to their beef, Kerr Mill will also offer organic barley and wheat for sale.  Jennifer Lapidus from the NC Organic Bread Flour Project will be at the farm on Saturday demonstrating grinding soft wheat into flour.

11: Hartsell Farms -- This century farm raises endangered breeds of livestock - the Belted Galloway Cattle, Gulf Coast Sheep, and Tennessee Fainting Goats - and hopes to help the public become aware of the plight of these endangered breeds. Chef Matt Trexler of Creative Gourmet Catering in Salisbury will demonstrate cooking with Hartsell meats. Beef and lamb products available; quantities are limited.

12: Bame Farms -- This small, diversified farm uses sustainable production methods. Andy and Megan sell "pig-pen" pork and grass-fed beef by the cut or in bulk packages, but are best known for their colorful eggs. Kids always enjoy cranking the antique corn sheller and grinder, while adults can take in the passive solar greenhouse.

13: Patterson Farm -- Patterson Farm’s third generation raises produce, including tomatoes, strawberries, pumpkins, peppers and poinsettias. In addition to growing food, the Pattersons offer many educational opportunities about growing and preserving food. Ice cream, a playground, and planned activities will be available for children.

14: T&D Farms -- T & D Farms raises chicken, pasture raised pork, and 100% grass-fed, grass-finished cattle. Come on out and see how nature
intended for animals to be raised. All products will be available for purchase, including some free range eggs. Little ones can enjoy the petting area and horseback riding.

15: Circle D Farm -- Oscho Deal and his son Eric are the 5th and 6th generations to call this farm home. Circle D cattle are bred, born and live their entire life on their farm until they are sent to a USDA inspected facility to be processed. Pasture-raised beef available for  purchase; visit circledbeef.com for more product information.

16: Wild Turkey Farms -- Fill your cooler during the tour with pastured pork, beef, lamb, and chicken. The farm, in southern Rowan County, has been in the Menius Family for more than a century. Enjoy a 45-minute hayride tour of the farm; departs at 2:00, 3:30, and 5:00.  Seating on the hayrides is limited; arrive early to get a spot!

17: Landis Gourmet Mushrooms -- In the lower floor of what was once a cotton mill, John Herron grows three varieties of oyster mushrooms and shitake mushrooms. As John’s mushrooms come into full flush in cooler weather, other farmers will be on site offering herbs and plants for sale.

18: Goforth's Garden -- Tour a peach orchard, vegetable production areas, edible landscape plants, high tunnel, and solar greenhouse in a rural setting. While the peaches are out of season during the tour, this stop should appeal to anybody interested in home production of fruit, home vegetable gardening or sustainable agricultural practices.

19: Laughing Owl Farm -- Laughing Owl Farm is a small, diversified farm with organically grown vegetables, pastured chickens and turkeys, and a small herd of hogs. The main crop this year is an acre of potatoes, with the majority being a Dutch variety called Bintje, a yellow-flesh, waxy potato that is the most popular potato in Europe. Bintjes will be on sale.

20: Elma C Lomax Incubator Farm -- Since the median age of farmers in Cabarrus County is 58, this 30-acre tract is being used by Cooperative Extension to “grow” beginning farmers. There are 9 beginning farmers, 3 resource gardeners, and 1 mentor farmer.  Participating incubator farmers include: All Seasons Farm, Coldwater Creek Farms, Flemings’ Farside Farm, Forget Me Not Farm, The Inspired Garden, and Phoenix Farms. Also, Dr. Michael Smith of Carolinas Natural Health Center will be at the Incubator Farm discussing the relationship between food and wellness.

>>> Marvin's Farm Fresh Restaurant will be on hand at the Elma C Lomax Incubator Farm selling prepared lunches, including Mooresville-based Uncle Scott's Root Beer.

21: Lucky Leaf Gardens -- Lucky Leaf Gardens grows organic microgreens year round! Microgreens are vegetables and herbs at their first stage of growth, after they sprout from seeds, and before they grow their first set of “true leaves.” Vegetables grown in this manner contain concentrated levels of nutrients and flavor and serve medicinal purposes.  Don't forget to check out the lemonade stand!

22: Dover Vineyards -- This 4-acre organically farmed vineyard focuses on Chambourcin and Vidal blanc grapes, with some others planted around for blending purposes. The first vintage will be released in 2012. Also on site are a small vegetable farm and a pumpkin patch. 

23: Barbee Farms -- Barbee Farms is a sixth generation family farm in Cabarrus County and was awarded the 2010 Conservation Farm Family of the Year. The Barbees grow a large variety of products from Apples to Zucchini, and most everything between.  Deburing this fall is the corn maze--be sure to ask about it!

24: Peaceful Meadows Farm -- Two generations of the Brooks family have been raising strictly grass-fed beef without hormones or antibiotics at Peaceful Meadows Farm for 12 years. Although the berries are not in season in September, Peaceful Meadows is also a chemical-free U-pick blueberry farm in the summer months. Come experience what clean and healthy food can look and taste like!

25: Windcrest Farm -- Windcrest Farm is a certified organic greenhouse and farm offering plants and produce, that grows vegetable, herb, and flower plants for home and market growers, as well as offering classes and supplies to help make your garden successful.

26: Happy Hills Alpaca -- Happy Hills Alpaca Farm is a small farm specializing in alpacas with fine fleece and great conformation. Alpaca fiber is very soft, not scratchy, and hypoallergenic. The alpacas are gentle, love children, and are fun and relaxing to watch. Many alpaca-fleece products and herbal soaps will be on sale.

27: Aw Shucks Farm -- Aw Shucks Farms continues to be a treasured destination each fall with something to offer for all ages. Step back in time in the Old Fashioned General Store, enjoy a Hayride, and visit the Pumpkin Patch. The 6-acre Corn Maze is always fun and will entertain even the youngest of outdoor adventurers! 

Tour Tips

• Please do not bring pets on the tour, as they can be a hazard to livestock and pose food safety threats to produce growers.
• Remember these are working farms, with potentially harmful equipment, electric fences, etc. While our farmers do their best to keep guests safe, please keep a close eye on your children.
• Wash up! Please take time to wash your hands after petting an animal. We will provide hand sanitizer at every farm if washing facilities are not available. You may also be asked to disinfect your shoes in a harmless vinegar solution in order to prevent farm-to-farm transmission of germs that might infect livestock.
• Please do not enter private homes unless given express permission by the owner.
• Please observe the hours of the tour, as farmers have chores and other work that they must do outside the tour.

Tour Brochure

• Tour Introduction (page 2)
• Logistical Information (page 3)
• Farms 1-7 West Map (page 4)
• Farms 1-8 Details (page 5)
• Farms 9-14 Details (page 6)
• Farms 8-17 North Map (page 7)
• Farms 18-23 East Map (page 8)
• Farms 15-20 Details (page 9)
• Farms 24-27 South Map (page 10)
• Farms 21-27 Details (page 11)

Play a Part!

Help Spread the Word!  We're looking for over 2000 people to come out and make the farm tour a success for the farmers.  Here's a poster you can print out and post...or feel free to tweet out a message like this:  "Looking for family fun? Load up the car for a self-guided tour of 27 Charlotte area farms. Sept 18-19 1:30-6:30 knowyourfarms.com/tour"

Want a free pass? Volunteer!  The tour needs over 120 volunteers to make it run smoothly...help out one day and tour for free another! Sign Up Now!

Want to party? Volunteers working multiple shifts during the event will be included at an invitation-only gathering Saturday night.  Come party with your fellow local farm lovers! Sign Up Now!

Sponsors

This farm tour would not have been possible without support from the following sponsors:

Know Your Farms, LLC is a Davidson-based, family-operated business that works to “rebuild our local food system in a sustainable way” through distribution of and education about local food. Working with two dozen farms in the Charlotte, NC area, Know Your Farms provides an alternative to traditional distribution models, seeking to make farm profitability the priority.