Organic After Hours

With a little bluegrass music in the background, Cooperative Extension, New River Organic Growers, and Vidalia restaurant teamed up to host the September Boone Area Chamber "After Hours" event to increase awareness of local foods. High Country Local First, Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, and High Country CSA were also at the event to raise the business community's awareness of local agriculture. Chef Sam from Vidalia prepared a variety of appetizers from local foods including BLTs made from pork belly, micro-greens, goat cheese, and tomato "caviar", and pumpkin cupcakes. He also provided a cooking demonstration in the Ag Center kitchen that wowed attendees. Boone Area Chamber Director Dan Meyer spoke about the the importance of supporting the local food economy and attendees had an opportunity to meet some of the folks working with local food production and promotion in the High Country. Local farms represented included Zydeco Moon Farm, Watauga River Farm, Heritage Homestead, and Sunshine Cove Farm.