The popular window into the world of farming in Western North Carolina, the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s Farm Tour has been cancelled for 2015. ASAP is an Asheville based organization, the stated mission of which is to “help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food.” They organize local tailgate markets, certify local food and natural products Appalachian grown and run various food education programs.
The Farm Tour, an educational program ASAP has organized since at least 2010 when it was known as the Family Farm Tour, has historically been well attended. However this year, the state wide growing fear of introducing Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, often called bird flu, has caused ASAP to cancel the tour usually held in September. So, for the safety of the poultry in the area, ASAP Executive Director Charlie Jackson has announced the cancelation. More details see the press release announcing the cancellation.
From ASAP’s website:
In response to the threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), ASAP has canceled our 2015 Farm Tour. The tour was planned for September 19-20 and was to feature more than 30 farms across Western North Carolina. We sincerely regret having to cancel this tour.
Please read a message from our Executive Director Charlie Jackson about our decision to cancel the tour. The press release announcing the cancellation offers additional information.
ASAP will offer a full refund for all advanced Farm Tour passes sold, or they can be converted to donations to support local farms. Contact Scott Bunn, ASAP’s Development Director, at scott@asapconnections.org or 828-236-1282 for more information.
Now, more than ever, we need to support our farms. Please continue to visit farms, orchards, shop at farmers tailgate markets, and seek out restaurants and grocers that purchase from local farms. There are numerous local food and farm activities that we can all do to continue to show our support for local food and farms. Visit our Local Food Guide to find the places you can support farms and enjoy the freshest best tasting food available.
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