Watauga County agriculture showcased on the 2026 High Country Farm Tour

Pack the car and head for the mountains Saturday, Sept. 12, as the 2026 High Country Farm Tour gives visitors a firsthand look at the farms, farmers and agricultural businesses that make Watauga County a special place to grow, raise and enjoy local food.

Six farms and one winery will welcome visitors of all ages for a day of exploring High Country agriculture. Guests can meet farm animals, explore vegetable and flower farms, visit a working vineyard and learn firsthand how local food is grown and produced.

“Agritourism is our way of sharing the beauty and joy of farming with our community,” said Amy Fielder, owner of Springhouse Farm. “Whether you're joining us for a farm tour, picking fresh flowers or participating in a hands-on workshop, we hope you'll experience the connection between the land and the people who care for it.”

That connection is at the heart of the High Country Farm Tour. In addition to providing a day to explore in the mountains, participating farmers hope the tour helps visitors better understand where their food comes from, the work that goes into producing it and the importance of preserving working farmland for future generations.

“Agritourism activities continue to grow across the state which visitors will be able to see and experience through this farm tour,” said Erica Calderon, N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agritourism Marketing Specialist. “The participating farms really showcase the diversity of opportunities available.”

Watauga County Cooperative Extension, Explore Boone and the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority are key partners in the tour and work to connect residents and visitors with the area's agricultural community.

“We've seen more and more of our locals and visitors to the High Country supporting our farmers — whether it's through buying direct from farmers markets, the Food Hub, eating at a restaurant that serves food grown locally or visiting a farm on a tour like this one,” said Jim Hamilton, Watauga County Cooperative Extension director. “People want that connection, and agritourism is one way to highlight and support our farmers and ag economy in an area of the state where farming is becoming more challenging each year.”

2026 High Country Farm Tour stops

Against the Grain: 619 Camp Joy Road, Zionville, NC 28698
Against the Grain grows certified organic and Real Organic Project vegetables on just under two acres. Visitors can see small-scale vegetable production, learn about honeybee hives and visit the farm's small herd of Highland cattle.

Apple Hill Farm: 400 Apple Hill Road, Banner Elk, NC 28604
Visitors can get up close with alpacas, donkeys, goats and other farm animals while learning about their roles on the farm. The farm store also features a variety of alpaca products, including yarn, socks, hats and gloves.

Full Moon Farm Collective: 141 Rhymer Branch Road, Deep Gap, NC 28618
This nonprofit farm grows and donates organically grown food to community members who lack access to fresh food. Visitors can learn about regenerative practices, including no-till cultivation and the use of beneficial insects, as well as the farm's educational and community programs.

Grandfather Vineyard & Winery: 225 Vineyard Lane, Banner Elk, NC 28604
Founded in 2000 by Steve and Sally Tatum, Grandfather Vineyard & Winery gives visitors a look at High Country grape growing and winemaking while showcasing a family agricultural business built around North Carolina wine.

Heritage Homestead Dairy: 188A Bernard Bledsoe Lane, Todd, NC 28684
Visitors can meet goats, cows and chickens while learning how the farm produces small batches of artisan goat cheese. The farm also produces chevre, feta, manchego-style goat cheese, caramelized goat milk and fudge.

Shipley Farms: 1699 Linville Creek Road, Vilas, NC 28692
The Shipley family has raised beef in the Southern Appalachian Mountains since 1872. Visitors can learn about the farm's history, regenerative agriculture and livestock before shopping for pasture-raised beef and pork and other North Carolina products.

Springhouse Farm: 433 Silverstone Road, Vilas, NC 28692
Located about 10 minutes from downtown Boone, Springhouse Farm grows vegetables, herbs and flowers using organic methods. Visitors can learn about the farm's production, explore its flowers and shop the honor-based produce stand.

How the tour works

Visitors purchase one ticket per vehicle, load up the car and explore the participating locations. Tickets are $45 each and are available online. Signage will help guide visitors along the route. Each participating farm will offer an opportunity to learn about local agriculture and purchase locally grown, raised or made products.

The celebration begins before Saturday's tour. Betty's Biscuits in downtown Boone will host a meet-the-farmer event Friday evening, Sept. 11, giving visitors another opportunity to connect with the people behind High Country agriculture. After purchasing a farm tour ticket, buyers will receive access to a separate link to purchase tickets for the Friday social.

“Farm tours offer an opportunity to reconnect with the land, to reflect on nature's bounty and to remember where our food comes from,” said Mike Hamberger of Heritage Homestead Dairy. “Experiencing agriculture firsthand deepens our sense of place and gifts us with echoes of a simpler life.”

Whether visitors come for the vegetables, flowers, animals, wine, artisan cheese or mountain views, the High Country Farm Tour offers something even more valuable: a chance to meet the people producing food in Watauga County and better understand why keeping local farms in production matters. Tickets and additional information are available through the High Country Farm Tour website.

-sar-3

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