In an effort to connect the farming and arts communities and provide an additional draw for visitors and residents in Moore County, the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) has announced that it is in the planning stages of the inaugural Ag + Art Tour to be staged later this fall. The CVB is partnering with the Arts Council of Moore County and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Moore County to produce the tour. All three organizations are calling on all Moore County farms and artists to contact them now to be considered, receive more details and potentially be added to the weekly schedule for the fall Ag+Art Tour.
“We were inspired by a similar program in South Carolina that started more than a dozen years ago and now spans 20 counties down there,” said Phil Werz, president and CEO of the CVB. “There are more than 800 farms in Moore (county) and with the arts community having such a presence here as well, we felt combining agritourism and the arts was an opportunity to showcase both in a unique and interactive way.”
The Moore County Ag + Art Tour will feature a variety of on-site farm and market experiences, each paired with a local artist at every location. Participants will be able to see first-hand where their food comes and learn more about farm life while watching artists perform or be able to purchase their works.
The Ag + Art Tour will be held all four weekends this October. Participating farms include CaroKen Farm, Fairway Farm, Flint Rock Farms, Flow Farm, James Creek Cider House, Kalawi Farms, Karefree Farm/Produce, Lazy Fox Lavender Farms, LB Farms, Meadowflower Farms, Misty Morning Ranch, Revolution Farms, Rubicon Farm, Shady Maple Farm, Slow Farm, Terrace Ridge Farm and The Sarcastic Sow Farm. The Arts Council of Moore County is reaching out to area artists to pair with each farm tour. If any artists are interested in being part of the tour, they are encouraged to contact the Arts Council directly.
Currently, Moore County has more than 100,000 permanent residents, mostly concentrated in the southern end of the county. However, there are now more than 800 farms in the county, according to the Moore County Cooperative Extension office. Among those hundreds of farms, there has been an influx of new niche and generational farms include those specializing in blueberries, cattle, Christmas trees, flowers, goats, kune kune pigs, lavender, ostrich, peaches, strawberries, tea, and a variety of vegetables.
“We think this a tremendous opportunity to showcase the diversity of agriculture in Moore County and the vast array of products produced from our farming community,” said Deborah McGiffin, director of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, Moore County. “Connecting the farms with local artists via the Ag+Art Tour will engage visitors and residents in fun and interactive experiences that emphasize how local foods are art enhances the quality of life in Moore County.”
So far, participating artists include potters, blacksmithing, glass blowing, various forms of mixed media, plein air painting and performers. More artists from other talents and disciplines are encouraged to get involved and potentially become part of the programming for the Ag+Art Tour. Some events during the four-weekend Ag+Art Tour will be held at arts-related locations.
“The Ag+Art Tour will showcase artists, crafters and farming life,” said Ray Owen from the Arts Council of Moore County. “These aspects of local culture make this such a wonderful place to live or visit. By sharing our talent and time, we strengthen community ties and help grow our cultural economy into the future.”
The CVB is planning an invitation-only kickoff event for the Ag + Art Tour at Rubicon Farm in late September. The event will gather participating farmers and artists, along with community leaders, to learn more about the inaugural Ag + Art Tour and to encourage community support.
For farms and artists wishing to be considered for the Ag + Art Tour and to learn more, contact Ashley Baker at the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB at [email protected]. For more information about the Ag + Art Tour in Moore County, visit: HomeofGolf.com/AgandArtTour/
Feature photo: Robbins Farmers Day.
Contributed.
