Agritourism
The mountains of the Coffee Ridge and Flag Pond areas of Unicoi County exhibit an ideal climate and growing conditions for many varieties of produce, including apples, an important local crop. Several orchards, farms and ranches cover the slopes of the area and many have been operating continuously for more than a century. Family owned orchards include Briggs Orchard, Harley and Merley Willis Orchard, Harris Orchard, The Heavenly Holler Farm, Price Family Orchard, Rice Orchard and Willis orchard. Varieties of apples grown at these farms include Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Cortland, Rome, Crow Egg, Virginia Beauty, Fuji, and Winesap.
Scott's Strawberry and Tomato Farms, Inc. offers strawberries and tomatoes already gathered, or visitors may drive through the field and pick their own. Jones and Church Farm sells tomatoes already harvested or allows visitors to drive through and pick their own, as well.
Farmhouse Gallery and Gardens, a 75-acre farm open to the public year-round, offers walks surrounded by beautiful gardens and ponds enhanced with relics of Appalachian heritage and a variety of wildlife, including birds, butterflies, peacocks and other wildlife. The establishment also hosts an annual Fiddlers and Fiddleheads Festival, featuring bluegrass, country and gospel music as well as classic cars, blacksmithing, saltmaking, storytelling and hit-and-miss engines.
Grandview Ranch and RV Park offers a variety of horse-riding experiences, including training, boarding, lessons, trail rides and hay rides. Visitors may rent a horse or bring their own. The 47-acre ranch offers many varieties of apples and blueberries already gathered, or pick your own. Two large fishing ponds, one stocked with catfish, allow fishing for a small fee. The ranch offers getaways, camping and RV facilities, ranging from overnight up to a week with no minimum stay required, as well as rental facilities for weddings, reunions, dinners, special occasions, camp-outs, youth retreats, horse and car shows, with reservations required. Grandview Ranch also hosts a two-day Bluegrass Festival in June that draws more than 30 bands, and offers concessions, camping and RV facilities.
