Tommy Barbee of Barbee Farms in Concord talks to visitors at the 2010 Charlotte Area Farm Tour. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

As awareness and interest in local food has broadened in recent years, farm tours have become a popular way to educate consumers about the sources of their food. On Sept. 17-18, Davidson-based Know Your Farms LLCwill host its third annual Charlotte Area Farm Tour, a two-day self-guided tour at 32 farms across the region.

“What we’re trying to do is strengthen connections between the farms and consumers. It’s just a fun way to do it, and it’s family friendly,” said Wes Shi, co-founder of Know Your Farms. Read the full story

Black Velvet Patisserie is Mooresville's newest bakery

A new French pastry bakery called Black Velvet Patisserie has opened on North Main Street in Mooresville, offering cakes to order as well as coffee, pastries and wi-fi in the shop. Meanwhile, Know Your Farms is seeking volunteers for its third annual farm tour this September. Also this week,  Alton’s Kitchen hosts a fund-raiser for Pawbrokers Thursday, andCampania Cafe and Davidson Chocolate Co. are helping out local nonprofits this week by donating a portion of sales on designated days. Read the full story

Owners Tommy and Anna Barbee with Brent Barbee, right, the farm manager. (Barbee Farms photo)

By CHRISTY SHI

The other night I received a photo from Tommy Barbee, showcasing his supper. “Look at what a farm boy can create,” he said. The picture displayed a bright green salad, replete with cucumbers, tomatoes, and more; all of which he had grown there at Barbee Farms, in Concord.

As a locavore (someone who eats a local diet), this notion of sharing stories about where one’s food came from is the norm.

But this exchange was special. You see, this time last year we weren’t sure Barbee Farms would exist today.

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Natalie Veres of Grateful Growers Farm in Denver talks to visitors at last year's farm tour about her hogs. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

SOURCE: Know Your Farms LLC
Davidson’s Know Your Farms LLC is planning its 2nd annual Charlotte Area Farm Tour the weekend of Sept. 18-19. The tour is a great opportunity for families to connect with the area’s thriving agricultural community. Children learn to appreciate where their food comes from and are delighted to interact with local cows, pigs, chickens, goats, and sheep. Adults have an opportunity to learn about natural and sustainable production methods that can be used in their own backyard gardens, as well as gain useful cooking and nutritional tips for healthy meal preparation. Read the full story

Families visited China Grove's Wild Turkey Farms during a farm tour last fall. (Alex Gregor/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Supporters of the emerging local food movement are eager to support farmers and local food by shopping at farmer’s markets and shops that sell local foods. But some advocates say that won’t be enough. What’s needed are new public policies to encourage and improve the networks that bring local food to market.

“Our food system was local before we went global. All the infrastructure was in place,” said Christy Shi, co-owner of Know Your Farms LLC of Davidson. “But what we’ve seen over past 20 years is this astonishing consolidation.”

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Cassie Pressley (left) and sister Deanna Pressley help tend the garden last week at Know Your Farms summer camp.

By JAMES WUDEL

Last week at the Know Your Farms kids’ camp, we spent a lot of time cooking and gardening (and playing in sprinklers) with a crew of 9 to 12 year olds from Charlotte, Davidson, and Cornelius. At a camp dedicated to food, our campers had a chance to eat things they may not otherwise have been interested in.

To start with, being involved in the garden appealed to most of the kids, and piqued their interest in the food they were eating. When the kids saw what cucumber plants look like, picked them, scraped the spines off, and cut them, they took new interest in cucumbers. Read the full story

Lamb's quarter was the secret ingredient in our pesto. (David Boraks/ DavidsonNews.net)

By EMMA BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

My sister and I are going to Know Your Farms summer camp in Davidson. We’re learning about eating locally.

Monday, we made pesto. Pesto usually includes garlic, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, olive oil and salt and pepper. Our recipe also called for spinach.

We used Lamb’s Quarters from the Davidson garden of Know Your Farms co-founder Christy Shi. Read the full story

Davidson-based Know Your Farms LLC is offering a series of “Food, Land & People” camps this summer that aim to give kids 8-12 a better understanding of local food and where food comes from. Did someone say food camp? We’re there!

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Know Your Farms, a Davidson company working with local farmers to rebuild a sustainable local food system, is seeking applications for one or two summer internships to run May 19 to Aug. 20. Applications are due March 31.
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