An app for apples? Find those local NC farms

Published 4:27 pm Thursday, September 29, 2022

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Fall is officially upon us and so is the time for pumpkins, muscadines, mums and sunflower mazes.

Local farm stores have fresh Brushy Mountain apples available to purchase locally.

And yes, Davie has a sunflower maze and flower field to visit that’s perfect for fall photos and bouquets. There’s so much to discover right here at home, and there’s a new smartphone app to help at the touch of a finger.

The Visit NC Farms App helps connect consumers with local farms and farm experiences. Using cell phone technology, residents and visitors can find farms closest to them with products and activities that interest them. Visitors can use the app to explore farms, farmers markets and agritourism operations off the beaten path and unique to each community.  The app is available for free download on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Learn more at visitncfarmstoday.com.

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services launched the Visit NC Farms App in 2018 as a pilot program. With the help of the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, the initiative is expanding statewide to connect millions of residents and visitors with local farms and fisheries, local food and drink, farmers markets and u-pick, value-added products available through local shops, farm stays and lodging, tours and trails and special agricultural events across the state.

“N.C. Cooperative Extension is pleased to be leading and coordinating this agricultural economic development project for Davie County, and we thank the Davie County Chamber of Commerce for their support,” said Colleen Church, Davie Extension director. “ Davie has a strong start on the App, and there is still room for additional assets to join. Davie is home to a variety of diversified small family farms, vineyards, apiaries, agritourism operations, greenhouses, nurseries and related agribusinesses. Many day-trippers are looking to connect with farms and local food; they just need to know about the places they can visit and how to get there.”

Farms and related businesses that are interested in joining the App should contact Church or Susan Hawkins with N.C. Cooperative Extension, Davie County Center, at 336-753-6100.