“Farm Fresh North Carolina” is a travel guidebook being written by Diane Daniel that will focus on all things farm-related in North Carolina. Entries will include farms, farmers’ markets, farm products, farm dining and lodging, restaurants specializing in farm-to-table dining, etc. (Detailed descriptions below.) Small-scale, sustainable farms will be emphasized, as will agritourism - farm-related activities that connect people directly with farms and farmers. The book will be published in early 2011 by University of North Carolina Press.
Diane invites anyone to suggest NC farm-related businesses for possible inclusion in the book. (Note: If the farm or related business is listed in guides published by Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, NC Agritourism Directory, the NC Wines Directory, “Homegrown Handmade,” or www.localharvest.org, chances are it’s already being considered.)
Diane will be traveling across the state through the summer of 2009, visiting farms, restaurants, lodging, etc. (Diane does most of her research anonymously, at least initially, to ensure that what is pledged to the public is delivered.)
If you have farm-related products you want considered (jams, soaps, mushrooms, etc.), you’ll probably have to mail samples to Diane (contact info below). If you're sending something perishable, please give her a heads up.
Diane will also publish 25 recipes, to be collected from farmers, restaurants, B&B owners, etc. If you have a recipe you'd like to submit, please contact her. These will be professionally tested and adapted if needed for the benefit of the home cook.
Here’s a more detailed explanation of planned categories:
1. Farms: Includes produce, livestock and poultry farms, with an emphasis on farms the public can have some kind of interaction with, whether through visiting the farm, meeting the farmer at a market, etc. Also included are agritourism farms, with such activities as cut-your-own Christmas trees, nursery/greenhouse sales, and a place to host events.
2. Farm Stands: Emphasis will be on stands that have regular operating hours and parking.
3. Farmers' Markets: Focus will be on producer-only markets, meaning sales are from within 100 miles.
4. Farm Products and Crafts: These are products that can be purchased at markets, stores, at the farm, or online. Includes edible items and crafts. Examples: soap made with farm-grown ingredients, honey from owner's bees, jams, gourds, furniture and accessories made from barns, etc.
5. Stores Carrying Local Farm Products: Retail outlets where you can regularly find local farm-fresh products, such as food cooperatives, specialty shops, etc.
6. Wineries: Focus will be on wineries on a farm or using NC grapes, and with regular tastings.
7. Farm Dining and Restaurants: Includes farms that host dinners at the farm using local food, as well as restaurants that have close connections to farms and farmers.
8. Lodging: Includes working farm stays as well as B&Bs and inns at working farms and at retired farms or farm houses. Also includes inns and B&Bs that emphasize local food.
9. Farm Festivals and Events: Includes farm tours, food festivals (watermelon, ramps, etc.), wine festivals, etc.
10. Recipes: These will be tested recipes that emphasize locally grown produce and/or locally raised meat and poultry. They will come from sources including farmers, CSAs, chefs, restaurants, bed and breakfasts, farmers' markets, agricultural organizations, and home cooks.
Contact info:
Diane Daniel,
1221 Clarendon St., Durham 27705
919-286-9293 and diane@bydianedaniel.com
