ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) announced 26 farms participating in the 2024 Farm Tour, taking place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21–22, noon to 5 p.m. All farms are located within an hour of Asheville. Tourgoers will experience working farms through guided and self-guided tours, demonstrations, interacting with farm animals, u-pick fruit and flowers, local food and drink tastings, and more. Spanish-language tours will be offered at several farms. The Farm Tour is appropriate for attendees of all ages and abilities.

Farms on the tour showcase the diversity of agriculture in the region, from vegetables to livestock, orchards to homesteads. There are 26 farms on the tour. The Farm Tour features five geographic clusters to help visitors maximize their time at farms. Tourgoers should select two to four farms to visit each day, spending around an hour at each. Descriptions of farm offerings, plus a map, driving directions, and tour tips, are available at asapconnections.org/farmtour. A free printed guide will also be available in mid-August.

Participating farms in Henderson County include Stump Farms, Marked Tree Vineyard, Raspberry Fields, and Pilot Mountain Pears. Several other farms in neighboring counties are also included in the farm tour.

Advance passes are on sale now for $35 at asapconnections.org/farmtour. One pass admits a carload of visitors to all farms both days. Pending availability, passes purchased the weekend of the tour will be $45. ASAP is also seeking volunteers to help staff the tour. In exchange for working one day of the tour, volunteers may attend for free on the other day. Sign up at asapconnections.org/farmtour.