Agritourism map shows where the cows are

Not to be outdone by NCDOT and its new highway map, Martha Glass of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announces the 2009 Guide and Map to North Carolina Agritourism Farms.

Agritourism?

"An agritourism farm is a farm or a vineyard which invites visitors to see the production of the farm and to participate in edicational, informational and recreational activities which relate to the farm," says Glass, the ag department's agritourism manager. "They learn about agriculture while they’re having fun, we hope."

Call Glass at 919-733-7887, ext 276, or e-mail her to request a free copy of the map, which describes 213 farms that feature barnyard animals, tours and food, fancy dinners, pick-your-own produce, hayrides and mazes, lodging and camping, and walking and riding trails.

Or go to www.visitncfarms.com to search a database of 431 agritourism farms by topic or by county.

From the database listing for Waller Farms in Durham County:

Beginning in late April, we offer Pic-Your-Own strawberries. We also have pre-picked strawberries available. These should last into June.

We also offer seasonal vegetables starting with spring onions, cabbage, lettuce, etc. Then a full supply of fresh picked tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, eggplant, sweet corn, etc. during the summer. In the fall, Waller Family Farm continues to offer produce such as collards, cabbage, turnips, butternut squash, etc.

We also offer Educational Farm Tours to our local schools. Join Farmer Mark as he leads the class from the chickens, to cows, to goats and pigs, teaching why they are important and answering all questions. Throwing in a little humor, the trip is fun and educational. At the end of the tour, each student goes to the patch to get their very own pumpkin.