Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cookout to Benefit Local Farmers in Response to Recent Freeze

ASHEVILLE, NC (April 24, 2007) – Earth Fare, Westgate, and the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) are teaming up to host a benefit cookout for area farmers effected by the harsh freeze that took place in early April.  The benefit will be on Friday, May 4th from 5-7 PM on the patio at Earth Fare in the Westgate shopping center.  There is a minimum $5 suggested donation.  All proceeds will go to a farmer relief fund, which will be used to educate local farmers on how to access disaster relief and alternative ways to boost their income this year. Additional donations can be made the night of the event.

The menu will consist of local Hickory Nut Gap Farm hamburgers with all the fixings, a fresh vegetarian option, pasta salad, and iced tea. In addition to the cookout, there will be musical entertainment at 6 PM featuring Sherri Lynn and Mountain Friends. Diane Ducharme with the NC Cooperative Extension Service will also be there to speak on the impact of the freeze to this year's crop and potential longer-term impacts on farms in our area. Diane has worked closely with impacted farms to help them assess the damage and plan for the future.

For more information about this event please visit www.earthfare.com.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE EASTER FREEZE

·         It is estimated that $111.7 million in crops were lost across North Carolina during the four-day cold snap. 

·         Nursery crops are estimated to be experiencing the worst loss at $58 million and vegetable and fruit farmers’ estimated loss is over $28 million.

·         Henderson County suffered the greatest damage of any county in the state. Henderson County farmers' loss from apples alone is estimated at more than $19.6 million. 

·         Other damaged crops in Western North Carolina include blueberries, strawberries, nursery plants, and some spring and summer vegetables.  

###

TOP

Home

Send comments or suggestions to webmaster@asapconnections.org

---

©Copyright 2005 Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
729 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806 -Join the ASAP E-mail List serve
Voice: 828-236-1282 or fax: 828-236-1280 email: info@asapconnections.org
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Search WWW Search asapconnections.org