Category Archives: Topics

TerraVITA triples the fun (get your tix now)

Wow, in only its third year, TerraVITA has become a leading Southern food and wine event, with a focus on farm-sourcing, artisanal producers. This year’s event has expanded over several days, with activities running Nov. 1 to Nov. 3 in … Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Dining, Farmers' markets, Films, Food, Orange County, Wine | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Celebrate Farmer’s Market Week with more markets

It doesn’t surprise me a bit that the US Department of Agriculture announced a 9.6 percent increase in National Farmers Market Directory listings. Oh, and happy National Farmer’s Market Week! I’m also sure that plenty of markets are not even … Continue reading

Posted in Farmers' markets, Wake County | Leave a comment

It’s settled! Il Palio vs. Weathervane on July 23

I was already feeling lucky to be asked to judge one of the Fire in the Triangle chef competition sponsored by Got to Be NC. Then I learned I’d be judging the semifinals, on July 23, meaning I’ll get to … Continue reading

Posted in Cooking, Dining, Orange County, Wake County | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Cooling off in Canada, then back for Fire in Triangle

It’s so hot in North Carolina that I’m fleeing to Canada. Seriously. OK, so the trip was already planned. I hope to check out a few farms around Montreal and of course sample some farm-to-table fare. I haven’t done my … Continue reading

Posted in Cooking, Wake County | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Come toast NC beer and brewery guidebook

If you’re a fan of quality beer, belly up to tonight’s soiree at Fullsteam Brewery in Durham, where craft brewer Erik Lars Myers will discuss and sign copies of his just-released guidebook “North Carolina Craft Beer & Breweries” (John F. … Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Durham County, Orange County | Tagged , | 1 Comment

NC growers sponsor berry fun contest

Here’s a cool thing. The North Carolina Strawberry Association is sponsoring a YouTube video contest, complete with a prize of a $100 Visa card. Not bad, huh? Deadline for most categories is June 30, and you’ll find all the info here. … Continue reading

Posted in Fruit, Organics, U-pick farms | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

And what a year it’s been!

Wow! Today marks one year since my “Farm Fresh North Carolina” guidebook was published by UNC Press. Since then, I’ve appeared at more than a dozen farmers markets and addressed many groups, and the book has received amazing coverage in … Continue reading

Posted in Farm Fresh book events | Leave a comment

It’s maple-tree tapping time again — yes, in NC!

It’s time to get sappy! Yes, it’s maple syrup-tapping time again — even in North Carolina! Maple Creek Farm outside of Burnsville, in the mountains, will host its fourth annual Maple Tour on Saturday, Feb. 25, and Sunday, Feb. 26, from … Continue reading

Posted in Family travel, Farmers, Food, Yancey County | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Help fund farm on wheels — and youthful idealism

Not to be all middle-aged about it, but I do get a warm and fuzzy feeling when learning about cool projects that energetic young idealists are doing. One of those projects is the nonprofit Sol Food Mobile Farm, in which … Continue reading

Posted in Durham County, Environmental, Gardening | Leave a comment

I’m goating* you on

I don’t think I’ve met a soul who isn’t smitten with goats (myself included). If you live in the Triangle or Triad, here are some great goat-loving opportunities that will let you get up close and personal with the ridiculously … Continue reading

Posted in Chatham County, Durham County, Family travel, Goats, Randolph County | 2 Comments

The best collard greens you’ll ever eat

Happy New Year from Farm Fresh North Carolina! Looking back, kudos to everyone who supported farmers and dedicated themselves to fresh food in 2011. And to those who bought my book, a special thanks! What a fantastic year I had promoting it … Continue reading

Posted in Cooking, Guilford County, Recipes, Wake County | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Culinary/ag education in Charlotte and beyond

Thought I’d share this recent email and my answer, as it contains some good farm-fresh culinary/agricultural education resources in Charlotte and beyond. Dear Diane, My brother is an aspiring chef living in Charlotte. He is very passionate about sustainable farming and farm … Continue reading

Posted in Chatham County, Cooking, Food, Mecklenburg County | Leave a comment

Home Grown Hand Made videos are online

Wow, a big shout-out to Axel Foley of the The Peoples Channel and Durham Community Media for making videos of all the vendors at the group’s fall fund-raiser, Home Grown Hand Made, at Fullsteam Brewery in Durham. The one for Farm Fresh North … Continue reading

Posted in Durham County, Farm Fresh book events, Food | Leave a comment

Davidson County offers intro to sustainable farming program

This is a great program for people seriously interested in farming and within driving range of Lexigton, NC.  The Davidson County  Cooperative Extension is inviting prospective, beginning, and transitioning farmers to attend the 2012 Piedmont Farm School. The seven-month program is for individuals … Continue reading

Posted in Charlotte area, Farmers, Food policy, Gardening, Livestock, Organics | 3 Comments

It’s a Farm Fresh weekend! (holiday gifts, anyone?)

I don’t usually post my own events here (which are always listed under Author Appearances, above), but it’s such a big FFNC weekend that I thought I would. On Saturday, Dec. 3, I’ll start the day bright and early at … Continue reading

Posted in Durham County, Farm Fresh book events, Farmers' markets, Orange County | Leave a comment

Meet the folks of ‘American Meat’

Suzanne at Cozi Farms in Saxapahaw wrote today to spread the word about a special event at the awesome Haw River Ballroom on Thursday, Dec. 8. They’re screening the new documentary film “American Meat,” along with a local foods feast … Continue reading

Posted in Alamance County, Films | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Say cheese! And then learn how to make it

I used to hear about a cheese-making class once or twice a year. Now they’re popping up like mold spores on your favorite Stilton. Here are a couple in NC in November. Sleepy Goat Farm in Pelham (Caswell County) has just … Continue reading

Posted in Caswell County, Chatham County, Cooking, Dining, Goats | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Farm Fresh NC on UNC-TV’s ‘Bookwatch’

D.G. Martin interviewed me in the summer for his author-focused show, “Bookwatch,” on UNC-TV. We had a wide-ranging talk about agritourism, farm-to-table restaurants, farmers markets, etc. It was a fun show, and I’m grateful for the opportunity! It first aired Sept. … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Charlotte area, Coastal Region-Sandhills, Dining, Farmers' markets, Food, Mountains, Triad, Triangle, Wine | Leave a comment

Fall harvest brings more fall events

Wow, the list of fall events keeps growing. Check these out! SEPTEMBER: Sept. 23 and 25: Diane Daniel discusses sustainable farming, agritourism and more on “Bookwatch” with D.G. Martin on UNC-TV. Airs Friday and repeats Sunday. Sept. 24: Terra Vita returns! … Continue reading

Posted in Chatham County, Dining, Durham County, Farm Fresh book events, Media, Orange County | Leave a comment

Farm films: pass the (local) popcorn

Two farm-focused films are in the news. First, the long-awaited documentary about young farmers, “The Greenhorns,” premiered in Brooklyn this summer and will being shown in at least one  community screenings in North Carolina, on Sept. 18 in Chatham County. All details … Continue reading

Posted in Buncombe County, Chatham County, Films | Leave a comment