Each September, as we prepare for the Farm Tour, I am reminded of how much our small community offers in terms of agriculture. This year is no exception. On Saturday, Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., 12 farms, barns and vineyards will open their doors to allow the community and visitors to get up close and personal with local growers of our food supply.

As with each year, we carefully select a wide variety of participants who best represent the diversity of crops and animals in Polk. We also highlight people who incorporate many various techniques in their fields or with their herds so as to engage all levels of enthusiast. Over the next couple of weeks, we will be highlighting why we think each of this year’s participants is so special and what each of them does for the community, directly and indirectly.

Early this morning, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting with Lynn Ronzello of Thunder Ridge Farm. How our paths had not crossed earlier, I have no idea but, for those of you who know this dynamic woman, I’m glad we finally met. Lynn is practically a neighbor of mine, which goes to show how many wonderful gems lie right under our noses.

As I entered the farm, I was greeted by Dancer, Lynn’s Tennessee Walker paint. With his piercing blue eyes carefully watching me and pacing around in search of his mama, I spotted Lynn picking peppers and weeding. She graciously led me on a tour of her barn & showed me her prized tractor “Big Blue” while explaining that up until back surgery a few years ago; most work was done by hand. We looked at her future canning room, which currently holds her tack.

After that, she led me to the back part of their “compound” and we eventually wound up at her large caged area for her hens and guinea’s in which she provides some of the community with farm-fresh eggs. Meandering through the property, Lynn greeted her dogs and then showed me her greenhouse. She told me about how she uses soil blocks and how the greenhouse has helped her to garden year round. Eventually, we wound up at the garden and walked through her compost pile talking about everything from soil to Jimmy Nardello peppers to her grandkids.

The conversation flowed freely as we both have a passion for fresh, local food. Lynn, who primarily grows for her family and friends, does share her surplus on Thursday’s at the Tryon Farmer’s Market. Guests to Thunder Ridge will no doubt experience the same warm reception as I did and, as a first-timer on our Farm Tour, Lynn is excited to share her knowledge about farming and her love of Polk County.

Continuing down the road a bit is Sunrise Farm. Second-timers on the tour, Sunrise Farm is a small dairy goat breeding operation in the Green Creek area. They breed and milk, Alpine, Nubian and Lamancha dairy goats as well as have a small herd of calves that are raised on goat milk.

One would never know it from passing their modest drive on Landrum Hwy that they have an international business and several award-winning goats. As an owner of dairy goats myself, I was amazed (again) that such an operation existed practically a stone’s throw from our home. Ziggy, as the community knows him, is passionate about his herd and very happy to share his ribbons and stories. “After winning the premier breed and premier exhibitor awards at the N.C. Mountain State Fair and the Premier Exhibitor award at the Virginia State Fair in 2013, this year, Sunrise Farm was awarded the Alpine Premier Sire award at the 2014 American Dairy Goat Association National show held in Louisville, Ky.”

With multiple permanent champion goats as well as a USDA top ten producer this is your chance to see, and learn what makes a top quality dairy goat, and get all your questions answered about keeping home dairy goats for milk, show or just as pets. As part of the farm tour you will not only get to see the three breeds of goats and get your questions answered but they will also be giving milking, hoof trimming and pack goat demos.

While visiting the farm be sure to ask about goats for sale now, reserving a kid for spring 2015, as well as how you can obtain grass fed beef raised on their excess goat milk, or the benefits of goat milk for pets, (raising or supplementing kittens, puppies or foals), or soap making. They will also be able to share information on what is becoming a nationally and internationally recognized dairy goat farm is like.

Tickets are sold by the carload (unlimited occupants). Special discounted passes will be available to families with children in Polk County schools thanks to a generous donation from Slow Food Asheville Foothills. A motorcycle pass and Growing Cycle Farm Tour passes will also be available this year. Tickets are available for purchase at the Mill Spring Farm Store inside the Ag Center, at Meanwhile Back In Saluda’s Shop, at Overmountain Vineyards and at La Bouteille in Tryon as well as online and all vehicle passes sold will be accepted throughout the weekend at both the PolkFresh Farm Tour and the ASAP Farm Tour.

Proceeds raised will directly benefit the farmers of the area with all monies going to farms through the office of Agricultural & Economic Development, which runs our local Farmer’s Markets, and works with Polk Fresh Foods, Inc. Last years proceeds purchased a honey extractor and supplies, which are made available for shared use to anyone in Polk County.

Contact Dawn Jordan 704-692-4358 or d.jorddan@polknc.org or Mindy Wiener mindywiener@gmail.com for further information on the event or to get involved as a volunteer.

 

– article submitted
by Mindy Wiener