Shoppers looking for locally made and locally sourced gifts or fun, on-farm experiences can find plenty of ideas at North Carolina farms and agritourism venues.

• With the holidays fast approaching, shopping is likely on a lot of people’s minds.

• Many North Carolina farms and agritourism venues offer great locally made or sourced gifts, food and beverage products or on-farm experiences if you are stumped for ideas.

•  You can find items in person at these farms, but some will ship or they offer gift certificates that can be used later.

• I think the idea of local Christmas gifts is great, because it is also a way to support farmers and agribusinesses at the same time.

• Shopping local also means you can give unique gifts.  

• Among gift ideas are handmade hats and scarves from local natural fibers, soaps, lotions, yarn, honey, candles, toys,

• North Carolina wines, cheeses, meats, nuts, candy and snacks also make great gift ideas.          

• With on-farm experiences it seems there is no limit to the creativity when it comes to fun activities.

• Ideas include gift certificates for special workshops, farm-to-table dinners, farm tours, wine tastings and winery tours.

• One farm even offers a day of activities themed around the popular television show Yellowstone that includes horseback riding, archery, fly fishing and an overnight stay in an onsite cottage.

• Over the past year, our social media team has highlighted 48 farms offering a variety of agritourism experiences. I’d encourage you to look back at those features for ideas.

• On our In the Field blog, we have put together a partial list of local shopping opportunities and experiences. I hope you will check out the blog and articles.  

• On our Marketing Division webpage, you can find links for specialty foods, agritourism venues, Got to Be NC products, wineries and other North Carolina farms.

• You can also head out to one of four state-operated farmers markets in Asheville, Charlotte, Colfax and Raleigh for plenty of local shopping options, too. There’s a link to the farmers markets and ag centers on the Marketing Division page as well.

• Our agribusinesses and farms have great products Grown, Raised, Caught and Made in North Carolina. Check some of them out this holiday season.