Business

Orchards, wineries talk agritourism

By Bill Moss, Published: March 24, 2013

Local apple growers and winery owners will be among the featured speakers at a conference on agritourism at Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards on Thursday, March 28.

The conference, sponsored by the N.C. Agritourism Networking Association, is called "Growth and Prosperity in the Next Season."
Scheduled speakers are Sonya Hollingsworth of Stepp Farm's Hillcrest Orchard; Guido van der Hoeven, N.C. State University; Alan Ward of Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards; Jim Clarke, of Burntshirt Vineyards; and Jane Lee Rankin, Apple Hill Farm.
The conference, from 8:45 a.m. until 4 p.m., is for farmers interested in learning more about the economic benefits of agritourism. Registration is $40 for NCANA members and potential members, or $20 for cooperative extension staff. The deadline for registration is March 25. For more information or to register, contact Martha Glass, NCDA&CS agritourism office manager, at 919-707-3120 or martha.glass@ncagr.gov.