Catawba County, NC – Eat, Drink and Be Local is an annual week-long celebration of local food in Catawba County featuring farmers market cooking demos, farm tours, presentations and the Farm Feast at Raising Roots Farm. We are very excited about our events this year and offer all the classes and farm tours free of charge, although we encourage registration.  For more information, contact April Vigardt at 828-465-8243 or [email protected].

Please visit NC Cooperative Extension- Catawba online to register catawba.ces.ncsu.edu/eat-drink-and-be-local.

Check out the Catawba Local Food Guide online at catawbacountyfood.com.               

Schedule of Events

Monday June 24th   6-7:30pm     Farm Tour- Smith U-pick Blueberry and Flower Farm

7584 Greedy Highway, Hickory, NC

A U-pick Blueberry and Flower Farm located in Mountain View.

Tuesday June 25th 6-7:30pm   Farm Tour-  8:28 Farms

1828 Houston Mill Rd, Conover

Small farm in Conover focusing on regenerative practices for raising non GMO Heritage Pork, and soy free non GMO eggs, as well as using organic practices for seasonal produce and medicinal herbs. See them at The Conover Farmers Market every Saturday morning through September. Check out our online store for farm and market pick-up.

Wednesday June 26th

10am-12pm Cooking Demonstration Hickory Farmers Market– April Vigardt NC Cooperative Extension. No registration

Under the Sails, Downtown Hickory

5:30-7pm Canning 101 with Extension Agent Andrea Sherrill from Iredell County.

N.C. Cooperative Extension- Catawba Center, 1175 S. Brady Ave., Newton, NC

Learn the basics of pressure, hot water canning and food preservation. As gardening enjoys a resurgence, many are wanting to learn, or re-learn the art of canning. With this class, you’ll gain confidence that you can preserve your harvest safely.

Thursday June 27th

11am-1pm Cooking Demonstration at The Public Health Farmers Market– The Amazing Julie Lehmann.

3070 11th Ave. Dr. SE, Hickory, NC

5:30 pm Growing and Using Medicinal Herbs for Teas with Extension Agent Susan Hawkins from Davie County.

N.C. Cooperative Extension- Catawba Center 1175 S. Brady Ave. Newton, NC

Susan is one of the founders of the Piedmont Medicinal Herb Growers Group. This will be on the night of our monthly Lost Arts Group Meeting. This is a great chance to check out this Cooperative Extension club and meet people who are interested in gardening, cooking, raising animals, fermentation, and so much more. There is always a sharing table for any extras from your garden, seeds, plants, etc.

Saturday 29th FARM FEAST- 6-9 p.m.  Raising Roots Farm

Tickets are sold out, but catch us next year June 28, 2025. Tickets will go on sale in April, 2025.

A special thanks to our supporting farms Blue Goat Dairy, Catawba Mushroom Partners, De’Farm on Blueberry Hill, Farmer’s Daughter, Hedge Family Farm, Riverbend Creamery, Tumbling Shoals Farm, and Willis Farm, LLC.

A big Thank You to our sponsors, NC Cooperative Extension- Catawba County, NC Farm Bureau- Conover, Blooms Garden Center at 1604 NC-16 Conover, NC, The Catawba Extension Agricultural Foundation, and DoxiGuy BBQ sauces.