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Flying Cloud Farm is located approximately twelve miles outside of Asheville on route 74A in the last valley before the road climbs the mountain to Henderson County. It belongs to Annie's parents, Will and Susie Hamilton, who enthusiastically support the farming endeavors and consume produce galore.
We have been farming the land for about seven years, with an active CSA for six. The land is rich bottom land, which was used for hayfields for a long time before the produce operation began taking over fields for vegetables.
Our farming practices rely on cover cropping, amending the soil with Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) minerals and fertilizers, annual soil testing, crop rotation, beneficial insect habitat and careful planning for insect and weed issues.
At this point the land is not certified organic, although we follow the OMRI rules at all times. We have been certified organic in the past, however, when the certification switched from a North Carolina agency to the USDA, the cost increased substantially. We realized that we are primarily direct marketing, giving us immediate contact with the people who are purchasing and consuming our produce. This gives folks a chance to ask us any pressing questions, and visit the farm if necessary. At this point we are doing virtually no wholesale distribution of our produce, which would require us to be certified.
On Saturday mornings, we can be found from 7am to 12pm at the North Asheville Farmer's Market and from 8am to 12pm at the French Broad Food Co-op. At this same location, the Wednesday Evening Downtown Market operates from 3pm to 6pm. This is also the pickup for our Asheville CSA members.
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