Roadside produce stand on honor system

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While produce stands are a roadside fixture in the High Country, Springhouse Farm in Vilas has a built-in advantage. Springhouse Farm has a new self-service, around the clock produce stand funded by WNC AgOptions. - Watauga Democrat, June 14, 2010

Green and fuzzy: Moss gardening offers year-round rewards

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Leucobryum, Hypnum, Thuidium unless you work in an herbarium, these names may not be familiar to you. So, to clue you in (and perhaps help you out if you're ever on Jeopardy!), these are all types of bryophytes. Still confused? We're talking mosses here. - Mountain Xpress, June 2, 2010

Small Miracles

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Sometimes you have to look beyond the obvious to enjoy nature's gifts. They hide in unexpected places, waiting for the patient observer to discover them. Take Leslie Henry's backyard, for example.Welcome to the moss garden. - Carolina Home + Garden, Spring 2010

Carolina grower 'hopping' into new crop

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When Van Burnette wanted a drought-resistant crop to try on his 6-acre farm near Black Mountain, N.C., he decided on hops. The problem is, no one really know much about how the essential beer ingredient will grow in North Carolina, much less whether burgeoning interest in local brews and home brewing will translate into a sustainable market. - Southeast Farm Press, April 7, 2010

WNC AgOptions Awards 2010 Farm Diversification Projects:
3 Watauga County Farms Receive Grants

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The WNC Agricultural Options Program awarded 42 farmers seed grants totaling $225,000 last month to assist them in completing farm diversification projects. - High Country Press, March 25, 2010

To bee or not to bee? For Marion man, it's no question:
AgOptions grant will help with Russian honeybee project

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There's been a lot of buzz about the decline of the honeybee population in the past few years. Bees face a lot of pressures in North America, including parasites, drought and invasions by Africanized honeybees. - The McDowell News, March 23, 2010

Three area farmers receive grants from Agricultural Options Program for WNC

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Three local farmers were among the latest grant recipients in the WNC Agricultural Options Program. "The program itself is designed to keep farmers in active production and viable in a more sustainable future," said N.C. Cooperative Extension Service Agent Meghan Baker. - Watauga Democrat, March 15, 2010

Dig It! Extension grants help local farmers grow

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The WNC Agricultural Options Program recently awarded 42 farmers the seed money they need to complete a variety of diversification projects. This year's recipients, who are sharing a total pot of $225,000, are selling locally raised meats at the WNC Farmers Market in Asheville. - Mountain Xpress, March 10, 2010

Farmers receive $225,000 in grants

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Tambra and Will Buford started a goat farm in Edneyville six years ago, planning to sell goat meat, then switching to goat's milk. The Bufords sell soaps, lotions and cheeses made from the milk. Their Vineyard's Edge farm was recently awarded a $6,000 grant to help build a cheese factory. - BlueRidgeNow.com Times News Online, March 9, 2010