Growing Local

Tou and Chue Lee planted their rice fields in early spring at Lee’s One Fortune Farm in Western North Carolina. Now it’s the end of the growing season and finally time to harvest. For the most part it’s a joyous season, but this time of year also brings back memories of their struggle to escape the jungles of Laos and seek safety in the United States.

Hear rice being harvested at Lee's One Fortune Farm and learn why this crop is important to the Hmong community in Western North Carolina.

Savannah and Will Salley from Headwaters Market Garden in Alexander, North Carolina jumped head first into farming in 2017 and have learned a lot of lessons along the way. Hear how they learned how to grow produce and a farm business in our new and beginning farmer series.

We continue our community story booth series with a conversation with George Ivey from Hendersonville, NC. He talks about his work with farmland preservation and how he’s helping his son gain an appreciation for local food.

Local employers are encouraging staff to eat healthier and support local farms through workplace CSAs. Hear how the Community Supported Agriculture model works at Appalachian Regional Healthcare System in Boone, NC.

Ernie Mowell grew up with a big garden in his backyard, but it wasn’t until he was stationed in Hawaii that he started to understand the food system. Hear how a lesson he learned at a pineapple factory guides his food choices today.

Apple orchards been part of the culture of Henderson County, North Carolina for hundreds of years. Yet something new is on the horizon. Hear how Alan Ward, owner of Appalachian Ridge Artisan Hard Cider, is combining tradition with innovation as he expands into apple-based spirits similar to calvados and pommeau.

Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard hit a major milestone this year - 50 years of agritourism. Hear about the farm’s humble beginnings and find out what the family has planned for future generations.

Meet Suzy Phillips, owner of Gypsy Queen Cuisine, and hear how she uses local lamb to share stories about growing up in Lebanon.

Farmers markets are full of abundance this time of year, but how do farmers decide what to grow and sell? Hear how New Roots Market Garden found its place in the local food system with a wild salad mix.

The Moreno family’s farming roots stretch back to Mexico where Salvador Moreno Senior herded goats through the desert. His son, Salvador Moreno Junior, shares the story of how they started SMM Farms and became an integral part of the Hayesville, North Carolina community.

How does food travel from farms to restaurants? One route is local wholesale distributor Mountain Food Products, which has connected chefs with farmers since 1984. We visited their headquarters in Asheville on a busy summer morning.

A new program aims to increase access by doubling SNAP benefits at farmers markets in Western North Carolina.

We wrap up our ASAP Farm Tour report with a visit to Addison Farms Vineyard and Farmhouse Beef.

ASAP’s 2019 Farm Tour was a big success and reporter Jen Nathan Orris was on the scene. Hear part one of our farm tour audio travelogues in this week's episode.

During the dot com boom of the 1990s, Julie Mansfield and Carl Evans were software engineers who dreamed of starting a farm. Hear how they founded Mountain Harvest Organics nearly 20 years ago and why they share their passion for farming through agritourism.

The goats at Round Mountain Creamery are ready for ASAP's Farm Tour! Hear the sounds of the farm in this audio adventure and then visit in person June 22-23, 2019.

Jessica Spiegel of Terra Lingua Growers says she loves farming because she never stops learning. She’ll share her knowledge with the public at ASAP’s 2019 Farm Tour, June 22-23.

Come along for an audio adventure as we look back on ASAP’s 2018 Farm Tour. Find ticket information and a list farms on the 2019 tour at https://asapconnections.org/events/asaps-farm-tour/

ASAP’s 2019 Farm Tour is coming up June 22-23. Learn what motivates local farmers like Rand Gifford and what visitors can experience at Greenshine Farms on the tour.