2026 Farm Tour & Conference
You’re invited!
The 2026 Farm Tour and Conference has an exciting agenda planned for our attendees. Our annual meeting with educational breakout sessions, networking opportunities, industry trade show & expo will be held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort in Mill Spring, NC.
REGISTER BY: February 12, 2026
February 22 – 24, 2026
2026 Conference Pricing:
Exhibitors / Sponsors – Sign Up Now!
Please submit your Exhibitor Registration Form before February 6 or your information may not be printed in our conference booklet and sponsorship banner.
Calling all Extension Agents!
Are you interested in attending the NC Agritourism Conference & Farm Tour?
Location: Tryon International Equestrian Center, Mill Spring, NC
Dates:
Farm Tour: Monday, February 23
Conference: Tuesday, February 24
Scholarships may be available for eligible Extension Agents, with funding provided by the NC SARE Professional Development Program. If you’re interested, please complete the scholarship interest form using the link below to see if you qualify:
Sign up to Attend Now!
Membership is required to attend the 2026 Farm Tour and Conference.
If you are already a member, click on one of these “Sign In” links. If you have not received login information from us, click on “Need a password?” and enter the email address you likely used for your membership in the past.
If you have not already renewed your membership for 2026, you will be prompted to renew your membership before registering for the event.
Not a Member? Sign up here
Hotel Information
Overmountain Lodge at Tryon International Equestrian Center (Mill Spring, NC)
Group Rate: $149.00 + tax(continental breakfast included)
Reservations: Call Tryon directly at (828) 863-1015 to make your hotel reservation
The Group Rate is available 3 days pre/post event so you can arrive early or extend your stay.
Cutoff date: extended to February 11, 2026 (the last day to book a room at the NC-ANA discounted rate)
Overmountain Lodge at Tryon International Equestrian Center (Mill Spring, NC)
Agenda
Sunday, February 22, 2026
4:00 pm
Check In at the Hotel
Overmountain Lodge at Tryon International Equestrian Center
Monday, February 23, 2026
7:30 am – 7:50 am
Farm Tour: Registration Open
Pick up your name badge in the Overmountain Lodge hotel lobby before boarding the buses
8:00 am – 5:30 pm
Farm Tour
- Melvin Hill Meats
- J & M Farms
- Ellaberry Llama Farm
- Justus Orchard
- Marked Tree Vineyard
*Lunch will be provided during our stop at Ellaberry Llama Farm
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Welcome Reception – Meet Our Vendors!
Hors d’oeuvres & Refreshments
Tryon International Equestrian Center – International Building (3rd Floor – The Summit)
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
All Events will take place at Tryon International Equestrian Center in the International Building on the 3rd Floor – The Summit
7:00 am – 4:30 pm
Full-Day Conference : Educational Breakout Sessions and Exhibitors
8:05 am – 9:10 am
Keynote Speaker: Wit Tuttell
Director, Visit NC, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
10:15 am – 10:45 am
Morning Break, Exhibitors and Silent Auction
Grand Ballroom Pre-function area
9:15 am – 10:15 am
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Land Conservation & the important role small farms play in conservation in NC
Panel:
Evan Davis, Director, Farmland Preservation Division, NCDA&CS
Mary Burke, Director, Educational Services, Land Trust Alliance
Agritourism 101 – Using Resources
Panel:
Michelle Owens, Henderson County TDA Director
Karen Blaedow, NC Cooperative Exension Agent – Vegetable & Small Fruit
Bob Rogers, Small Business and Technology Development Center
10:45 am – 11:45 am
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Succession Planning
Stephen Bishop, Western Director, NC FarmLink, NC Cooperative Extension
21 Secrets Creating $10 per guest Food Sales at your Farm
Mike Holzman
Profitable Food Facilities Worldwide
11:50 am – 1:30 pm
Lunch, Live Auction, Annual Business Meeting & Guest Speaker: Carla Barbieri
1:35 pm – 2:35 pm
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Agritourism Growth Strategies: Marketing at Different Stages to Attract, Re-engage and Build Loyal Visitors
Erica Calderon, Agritourism Marketing Specialist, NCDA&CS
On Farm Health and Safety
Maggie Denning, BSPH, CAN, Agromedicine Outreach Specialist, FRSAN-NC Resource Specialist, NC Agromedicine Institute
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Afternoon Break
3:05 pm – 4:00 pm
What you need to know about AI
Robbie Parks, Statewide CE Trainer, Business Consultant, University of Georgia SMDC
4:00 pm – 4:20 pm
Farmer’s Spotlight
Tammy & John Peterson, Hubb’s Farm, Clinton, NC
4:20 pm – 4:30 pm