Are you looking for the perfect Christmas tree? Fraser firs are an ideal choice, and that’s not just local bias talking. The southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee are the only places the trees grow naturally. The cool temperatures and ample rainfall are the perfect environment for the Fraser fir. In North Carolina, over 40,000 acres are used for Christmas tree production, most of those acres are within our Western North Carolina region.
Agriculture has always played a significant role in our local identity. As a state, North Carolina is ranked third as having the most diverse agricultural economy. Here in Henderson County our traditions, geography, economy, and sense of community have been influenced by our local farming industry. But as our population continues to grow and urbanization expands, our available farmland is decreasing and being converted into development. A report from American Farmland Trust identified North Carolina as being the second-most threatened state in the nation due to loss of farmland.
Our Western North Carolina apple farmers have been producing high quality apples for centuries. From the earliest settlers to present day, they have been perfecting their craft and adapting to new technologies in order to keep up with the changing market. But what happens after the harvest? What steps do these farmers take to prepare for the next season?
HENDERSON COUNTY - Having been in the wine-producing business for just the past 12 years, Henderson County's wine region is now being honored with the likes of the top wine-producing regions in the country, like California and Colorado.
On November 21, 2019 at Blue Ridge Community College, AgHC held an agricultural workshop focusing on labor and the current challenges and options in the Ag community.
After breakfast, Executive Director Mark Williams gave an introduction of the day's events.
First up was Sheriff Lowell Griffin who spoke about Existing Workers & Law Enforcement, pointing out the position of liason Stephanie Barbosa who officially joined the department last month to help build trust within the Latinx and immigrant community.
Agribusiness Henderson County successfully landed BrightFarms, a new high-tech greenhouse project that will bring investment of $21 million and 54 new jobs to Henderson County.
BrightFarms produces hydroponically grown leafy greens like kale, basil, spinach, green and red lettuce. This will be their sixth farm in a mission to bring food to people that tastes better, is healthier and better for the environment.
HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — A new study showed North Carolina wine and grapes keep getting more popular.
According to the state's Wine and Grape Growers Council, that industry had a $2 billion economic impact in 2016 — about a 15 percent increase from the last study in 2014.
"We really see that North Carolina is growing some great wines and some great fruit,” Alan Ward, owner of Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards, said.
Agribusiness Henderson County Executive Director Mark Williams has been named to the state Food Processing Innovation Center Advisory Committee, focusing on employment, investment and value in food processing.
The appointment, he says, may be a great opportunity to assist Henderson County’s growing food production market.
I am pleased and honored to have received an appointment by the Speaker of the House of Representatives to serve on the state’s new Food Processing Innovation Center Advisory Committee, representing food manufacturers . This initiative came out of the NC Food Manufacturing Taskforce, which was formed to come up with strategies for economic development efforts for the industry of food and agricultural products. The new committee will be comprised of 14 members including the NC Commissioner of Agriculture, Secretary of Commerce, Dean of NC State’s College of Agriculture and Life Science, President of the Golden L.E.A.F. Foundation, President of Economic Development Partnership of NC, President of the Community College System Office, an Agricultural Economist and other appointees by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
November 17, 2016- Hendersonville Lightning
Hendersonville is getting a second apple celebration — a one-day event in the spring to promote the growing hard cider business.
Agribusiness Henderson County is sponsoring the Apple Country Cider Jam, Henderson County’s first hard cider festival, on Saturday, April 22, on Main Street.The festival, from 1 to 6 p.m., will be a ticketed event with hard cider tasting, a nationally known bluegrass band and food trucks, said Mark Williams, executive director of AgHC, the nonprofit that promotes farming in Henderson County. The jam will close the same two blocks that are used for Rhythm & Brews, in front of the Visitors Center and Wells Fargo bank.