Imladris Farm
Just 14 miles from downtown Asheville near the community of Fairview is a small farm that is open for guided tours (with advance reservations). Imladris Farm (pronounced em-la-dris) isn't fancy - but it's the perfect spot to learn about authentic North Carolina mountain sustainable agriculture. Owners Walt and Wendy will show you around their a small, family owned farm focusing on the environment and early, simple natural methods. For seven generations the Marlowe family has been present on the farm.
Walk through fields of raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries (harvested in July-September), see the rabbits, chickens and goats, and learn how all works together to nurture each other. They believe that plants and animals, if supported and nurtured, will yield high quality materials unavailable through conventional, commercial means.
Take home their gourmet jams (Blueberry, Raspberry, Blackberry, Berry Best, and Apple Butter), naturally raised rabbit meat, and free range eggs. The farm tours are available year-round for $6/person (unless you buy something from the store in the old spring house!). Call Imladris Farm for tour times 828-628-9377 or email them at
imladrisfarm@bellsouth.net. Tours at Imladris Farm are available year-round, except on Saturdays (they are selling at the farmer's market). Just 7 miles away is Hickory Nut Gap Farm (see below). About 17 miles away is Chimney Rock Park. For more, go to their Web site.
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At Hickory Nut Gap Farm you will find animals raised in their natural outdoor environment. It's also about 14 miles from downtown Asheville, and 7 miles from Imladris Farm (See above).
It's home to pigs in the woods, cows in pastures eating grass and clover, and multiple species grazing together, drinking clean spring water and living the good life with more than 200 acres. Stop by their Farm Store (open year round Wed-Sat, 1-5 and daily 9-6 from Sept-Nov) to buy grassfed beef and lamb, along with pork, chicken, eggs and apples. The Farm Store also has an array of locally made products, including Haw Creek Honey in flavors such as sourwood, locust, and wildflower, and jams and jellies.
Walk around the farm during store hours. During September and October their activities include a corn maze, pumpkin patch, frisbee golf, a hay pile, tether ball, apples, gifts, and freshly pressed apple cider. During this time, pick up a variety of their apples including Macintosh, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Staymen Winesap, Rome Beauty, Gala, and many, many more. They also sell apples from other local Hendersonville producers, some of which are organically certified.
The farm is just 14 miles from downtown Asheville. Directions from Asheville: I-240 East, exit towards 74-A East, Bat Cave, Blue Ridge Parkway, Chimney Rock. Follow 74-A approximately 9 miles. Turn left on Sugar Hollow Rd. The farm store is the first building on the right. Admission of $5/person is charged in the Fall when they have the added activities. Continue 11 miles down Highway 74-A for Chimney Rock Park. For more, go to their Web site. |
Historic Johnson Farm, Hendersonville
Tour a 1870s brick farmhouse and 10 farm buildings now owned by Henderson Co. Public Schools as a museum of mountain heritage. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The farm is operated year-round as a education center and farm museum. Over 15 acres with nature trails, forests and streams. Farm is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from September through May, following the traditional school year calendar. The farm is open Monday through Thursday June through August, during the school system’s summer break. Tours for the public are at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm on operating days. Tour fees are $5 for adults. The grounds are free and open to the public for walking on operating days. Go to their Web site.
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