applehillfarm

Rankin inducted into WNC Ag Hall of Fame

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We are excited to share that on August 9, 2024, Jane Lee Rankin was inducted into the Western North Carolina Agriculture Hall of Fame!
 
The WNC Ag Hall of Fame was started in 1991 by the Western North Carolina Community Development Association, which is now WNC Communities. The Ag Hall of Fame is located at the WNC Agricultural Center fairgrounds in Fletcher, NC, in the Davis Events Center.
 
The Ag Hall of Fame was founded to identify and honor significant contributions in agriculture, to recognize individuals who have been responsible for agricultural advancement, and to improve and promote agriculture as a result of the honorees’ work within the agricultural community in any phase of agriculture and related endeavors.
 
Lee joins 78 other members in being recognized for this incredible honor! She was inducted alongside fellow 2024 recipient, James Ferguson; a pioneer and lifetime advocate for Soil and Water Conservation. Lee was joined by her son, Will Rankin, brother, Tom Rankin, and team members Brianne Harris and Karen Maj to celebrate.
 
We are so thankful for the large group of supporters from the High Country who made the trip to Asheville to celebrate! We had representatives from the Mayor of the Town of Banner Elk (Brenda Lyerly), Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, BRWIA, Watauga County Farm Bureau, Watauga County Cooperative Extension, Shipley Farms Beef and more.
 
Lee’s plaque is also displayed here at the farm.
We can’t thank Jim Hamilton and Carol Coulter enough for their incredible words. Here are their full speeches honoring Jane Lee Rankin at her WNC Ag Hall of Fame induction, as well as her acceptance speech.
 
We hope you find them as moving as we did!

Farm Family Book Tour

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We’re going on tour! Apple Farm Hill owner and author of “Farm Family”, Jane Lee Rankin, will be making stops starting this month around the country!

 

If you’re in the area and attending any of these events be sure to stop by, say hello and get your copy of “Farm Family” signed by the author.

 

Farm Family is the story of a single mom’s pursuit of a dream to start an alpaca farm in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina.

At thirty-seven, Jane Lee Rankin receives news that upends her life: she’s pregnant. Lee is a cancer survivor eighteen months in remission. Her boyfriend won’t commit, and her father is unsupportive. When she decides to raise the baby by herself, Lee feels the scornful glances and judgmental whispers of her conservative hometown.

Armed only with a dream and a toddler, Lee marches into Banner Elk, North Carolina, a place where she knows no one, to start an alpaca farm. As a novice first-generation farmer, Lee faces nature’s most potent setbacks, from disastrous weather events to attacks from predators. And yet, she forges on. With vivid storytelling, Farm Family features a cast of memorable animal characters—including alpacas, Millie, Celeste, Frosty, and Wildcard—and immerses readers into the not-always-pretty world of farming. At Apple Hill Farm, Lee trades fear for freedom. She trades disdain for dignity. She learns that her connection to animals is more vital than she knew, and with bravery and persistence, she creates a home—a farm family.

 

Available everywhere books are sold! 

 

 

Purchase now!

Summer 2023 at Apple Hill Farm

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Apple Hill Farm is gearing up for a summer FULL of fun! 
 
In addition to their regular guided walking tours of their alpaca farm, they have several fan-favorite events returning, starting in June!
 
Alpaca Shearing Day: June 3, 2023 | 11 to 2
 
Make a reservation and join us any time between 11 and 2! You’ll get a front-row view of the whole process of shearing, fleece sorting, and more.
 
 
Agritourism Works! Workshop: May 6, June 10, November 4 | 9:30 am
 
If you are called to start an agritourism farm, this one day workshop is for you! Get a behind-the-scenes look at what makes Apple Hill Farm so successful, and learn how to make your own farming dreams come true. 
 
 
Baby Goat Yoga (with Avery Community Yoga): June 16 to Aug 5 | Fridays at 5
 
Join us Fridays from Mid-June through the first Friday of August for this fun and unique experience! 45 minutes of gentle yoga, followed by 15 minutes of goat cuddles! Or you can just enjoy the goats the whole time – no one will judge you. 
 
 
 
Knitting with the Alpacas: July 1, 8, 22 | 2 pm
 
Bring your knitting or crochet projects and join us for a relaxing morning outdoors in the orchard with our alpacas and llamas.
 
 
 
Barn Quilt Painting: June 24, July 29, Aug 26 | 10 am or 3 pm 
 
This class sold out SIX TIMES in 2022! In this class you will create a 24 x 24 inch barn quilt, choosing from 8 designs. The surface will be primed and pre-taped so that you can jump right into painting. All class materials are provided, including hardware to hang your new barn quilt.
 
Visit Apple Hill Farm’s website to learn more or book your tickets! All events require advanced reservations. 
 

Family Field Trips

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School may be back in session, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to end! We know that many of our fans are doing schooling either partially for fully online. We are still open 7 days a week for the month of September with tours throughout the day. Join us for a family field trip to take a break from all the zoom learning and working from home!
Our public tour groups are limited to no more than 10 people, and are a great educational experience. At Apple Hill Farm, we have 9 different species of animals, all working together in harmony. Each animal has a very important job on the farm, and many have a story a well. From fiber production, to guarding from predators, to weed control, each job is integral to keeping Apple Hill Farm running smoothly. All of our animals are friendly, and many love meeting new visitors!
The tour is a guided walking tour and is all outdoors, allowing you and your family a chance to unplug from technology and get back in touch with the things that really matter; yourself, your family, and a real farm experience. A family field trip may be just what the doctor ordered to help you de-stress.
Join us for a safe, socially distant tour and learn all about the alpacas, llamas, and other animals that call Apple Hill Farm home! Tour groups are limited to 10 people or less, and masks are required at all times for people ages 4 and up. We have sanitizer stations at each stop on the tour, and we are working hard to keep all of our visitors safe while they are on the farm.
Advanced tickets are required and can be purchased through our website.
Not local, or not planning a trip to the High Country? We are still offering alpaca video calls as well! Send us an email to book a private call, or to book a ‘llama-bomb’ where we join your meeting or class LIVE from the alpaca and llama field.

Apple Hill Farm is OPEN!

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We are open and welcoming visitors!

You DO need to join us for a tour to see the animals. We do not offer ‘self-guided’ tours and you cannot walk around the farm on your own. We offer guided educational tours of our farm all year round! They are a fun and educational experience for all ages. Advance tickets are required to join the tour.

Public Tour

 

You do not need reservations for the farm store. We are open 7 days a week from 10 am to 4 pm for the month of July!

Tours:

Tours of the farm are by Reservation ONLY. Call or click “Book a Tour” to make your reservation.

We are a real working fiber farm! Your tour will be an educational tour where you learn about the animals who live and play at Apple Hill Farm. Most of our animals are very friendly, but we are not a petting zoo and we let the animals choose if they will come over to interact with the tour or not.

  • Advanced tickets are required. We cannot accommodate drive-up tours at this time.
  • At this time, we are limiting tours to groups of 10 people or less, including infants.
  • Private Family Tours are private comprised of just you and your group. The tour is the exact same length as the public tour. Public Tours are mixed groups of people from various families.
  • Face masks are required for all people ages 4 and up.

Store:

10 to 4: 7 days a week for the month of July. Check the Visit Our Farm page for our current hours.

  • No appointment necessary during open hours.
  • Masks are required at all times.
  • We are limiting shoppers to no more than 4 at a time in the store. We thank you for your patience if your group has to wait to enter the store.

Please fill out the form below and Lee will be in touch.