WILLOW SPRING, N.C.–Due to the frigidly cold air we have recently experience across our great state, our members and the participants of the the NC Agritourism Farm Tour & Conference have been busy tending to the immediate needs on their farms. We know how important it is to make sure your crops are protected, your livestock and animals are safe and have water that is not frozen solid…. We know you’ve been BUSY!!
For that reason we have EXTENDED the DISCOUNTED EARLY BIRDREGISTRATION until Friday January 19, 2018 for the 2018 NC Agritourism Farm Tour & Conference. We will once again be in lovely Downtown Winston-Salem on February 12-13, 2018. In order to qualify for this extended offer of Discounted Registration and save some $$$ you must register by Friday January 19th, 2018.
You can register online at www.nc-ana.org or by CLICKING HERE
This years Farm Tour will be held on Monday February 12, 2018
The farm tour will depart from the Winston-Salem Marriott Hotel that morning and tour 6 select farms with a stop for lunch in-between.
The Stops along the way are:
Kersey Valley Attractions – Archdale, NC
offering a corn maze, larges zipline course on the east coast, pumpkins, laser tag, paint ball and a haunted attraction.
Modlin Farm – High Point, NC
Old dance hall built by Adam Modlin’s grandfather and used as a wedding/event venue that also hosts birthday parties on the farm.
Spillman’s Christmas Tree Farm – Sophia, NC
Family farm offering Christmas Trees, wreaths, garland, stands hay rides. Best known for their massive 40 foot snowman.
Lunch included at Snyder Farms Restaurant – Sophia, NC
Homeland Creamery – Julian, NC
Dairy farm with an ice cream store where they bottle and sell milk all over the triad area. They also offer daily tours and host school tours.
Providence Farm – McLeansville, NC
Bicentennial Farm offering traditional skills classes and workshops for all ages, sustainably produced poultry products, fiber and vegetables, and unique tours and events.
The Homeplace of Browns Summit – Browns Summit, NC
The personal farm of Commissioner Troxler and his wife Sharon which holds a 3,000 square foot log barn that hosts events.
Question & Answer Session at The Homeplace of Browns Summit with all the farm operators from the farm tour.
Return to the hotel for our traditional networking session at Graze Restaurant who features North Carolina farmers and artisians throughout their menu.
Tuesday February 13th
Kick-off the Conference
Our Keynote Speaker is Patrick Woodie, President of the NC Rural Economic Development Center who will deliver an eye opening presentation about economic development in our state.
The conference and exhibit hall will feature three (3) simultaneous tracks this year. A beginner, intermediate and experienced agritourism operator track. Each track will hold breakout sessions on select topics. You can stay in one track throughout the day or bounce between tracks picking the breakout sessions that fit your needs the best.
Beginner Track:
–Marketing & Social Media with Jen Jones from Hello Literacy
–Health & Safety Audit for Agritorusim with Robin Tutor-Marcom director of the NC Agromedicine Institute.
–Activities & Event on the Farm – panel discussion lead by Michele Patterson fromPatterson Farm Market & Tours.
Intermediate Track:
–Customer Service, Hospitality & Management of Employees with Dr. Erick Byrdfrom the Bryan School of Business and Economics at The University of North Carolinaat Greensboro.
–Marketing & Social Media (stepped up a notch) with Jen Jones from Hello Literacy
–Maximizing Your Partnerships & Building Relationships with Your Community and Utilizing Resources To Bring You Business. Panel discussion facilitated by Alma Galloway from Maze Craze at Galloway Farm.
Experienced Track:
–Event Scheduling, Booking Software, Presale Tickets & Scheduling Employeesa panel discussion facilitated by Tammy Peterson from Hubb’s Farm, Home of Hubb’s Corn Maze.
–Round Table Hot Topics (4 topics, participants choose 2. Each topic table lasts 30 minutes)
            –Working with Vendors – facilitated by Karla Ward of Lu Mil Vineyard.
            –Legal & Insurance implications – co-facilitated by Tracy Cotton of Morrow Insurance Agency and Andrew Branan of The Branan Law Firm, PLLC.       Â
            –Use of Farm as Event Venue – facilitated by Gena Stephens of Carlee Farm.
            –Seasonal Activities & Special Events for the Public – facilitated by Alma Galloway of Maze Craze at Galloway Farm.
–“Don’t Just Tell Me, SHOW ME!!!” Marketing & Social Media panel facilitated by Jen Jones of Hello Literacy.
Lunch & snacks will be provided for conference attendees.
Tuesday afternoon Ms. Annie Baggett from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services will be delivering the 2018 State of Agritourism in NC.
Hotel Accommodations can be made with:
If you decided to call-in to book your room the group code is: “NCANA-Agritourism“
If booking ONLINE RESERVATIONS, our online code is: “ANAANAA“
We have a preferred rate of $154 per night* under the room block.
*Hotel accommodations must be made no later than January 19th to guarantee the discounted rate.
If you have any questions please feel free to give me a call or reply to this e-mail.
–NC Agritourism
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