- Shop the farm store & butchery
- Join us for an event in the big barn
- Learn more about our regenerative farming practices
Happy National Cow Appreciation Day! While the holiday may have started as a fast-food promotion, we think it’s a great chance to recognize just how important beef cattle—especially those raised regeneratively—are to our lives and landscapes. Regeneratively raised cattle provide nutrient-dense food that supports human health, offering high-quality protein, essential vitamins, and healthy fats like omega-3s and CLA.
Cows also play a powerful role in healing the environment. Through rotational grazing and thoughtful land management, well-managed cattle can build nutrient-dense soil, boost biodiversity, sequester carbon, and even help reverse desertification. When done right, raising cattle isn’t extractive—it’s restorative.
These animals also support strong local economies by helping sustain small farms, local butchers, and regional food systems. And of course, cattle have been part of the human story for thousands of years, shaping cultures and communities across time.
Today, we’re grateful for the animals, the land, and the people who work hard every day to care for both.
#cowappreciationday #happycows #regenerative #regenerativefarming
Jul 8
What do we do to keep pigs cool during a summer heat wave? We move them into the woods! The pigs really enjoy the cool shade, and also get to enjoy rooting for bugs and other treats in the soil.
#pasturedpigs #pasturedpork #farming #pastureraised #pigs
Jul 3
Join us at the farm this Saturday at 10am for a free farm tour with Jamie Ager, co-founder of Hickory Nut Gap. We offer these tours four times per year as a way to connect with our community, share our farming practices, and offer a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to raise animals on pasture using regenerative methods. Whether you`re a longtime supporter or visiting for the first time, you`re invited to walk the land, ask questions, and see firsthand how your food is grown.
Bonus: Stick around after the tour and enjoy a free 100% grassfed beef hot dog on us!
Please note that the Farm Store will be closed on Friday in observance of the 4th of July.
#farmtour #jamieager #hickorynutgap #fairviewnc #ashevillenc
Jul 2
Did somebody say free hot dogs?! That’s right—we just did! Every Saturday and Sunday in July, stop by the Farm Store between 11am and 6pm for a free 100% grassfed beef hot dog, served warm off the roller on a freshly steamed bun.
Available while supplies last. Limit one hot dog per customer.
Jun 30
Last weekend, Hickory Nut Gap and @mtntrue hosted a BioBlitz at the farm! Volunteers spent the day exploring the land, identifying and recording as many plant, animal, and fungi species as possible. Thanks to their efforts—and the help of the iNaturalist app—we documented nearly 300 species in a single day. Here are just a few highlights from the day!
Fostering biodiversity is a core goal of regenerative farming, which makes it especially exciting to see just how much life our farm supports.
Hickory Nut Gap has its own @inaturalistorg project page, and anyone with the app is welcome to participate. So far, visitors have made over 600 observations. Next time you`re at the farm, take a closer look—you never know what you might discover!
Jun 27
We were delighted to visit @ashevilleforager, a brand-new grocery store, deli and bakery in downtown Asheville on Wall Street! Packed with local products, fresh baked goods, and a cozy café, it’s the kind of place where you can grab a delicious sandwich on house-baked bread—made with ingredients like Hickory Nut Gap ham—and knock out your grocery run all in one stop.
We had the pleasure of meeting the owners, Paddy and Heather—truly some of the kindest folks around. Their space is full of quirky charm, everyday essentials, and thoughtfully sourced local goods (including HNG bacon, sausage, meat sticks, and salami). Don’t miss the bakery—it’s stocked with freshly baked bread and irresistible house-made sweets.
They just launched a brand-new menu today, so be sure to stop by! They`re open 7 days a week from 7am to 8pm. Whether you’re grabbing lunch or just picking up a half-gallon of milk, Asheville Forager is a fantastic new addition to downtown.
Jun 26
Summer is officially here, and we’ve got a plethora of fun events and activities lined up at the farm this June and July!
Storytime on the Farm with @fairview.library
June 25 | 2–3 PM
Bring the little ones for stories, songs, and fun in the fresh air.
Evening Sound Bath Meditation with @thenativepath
June 27 | 7–8:15 PM
A calming, immersive evening of sound and reflection on the land.
Big Barn Market & Kiddo Blitz with @appalachianmakerscollective and @mtntrue
June 29 | 11 AM–4 PM
Shop local, enjoy family activities, and learn more about caring for our environment.
Free Farm Tour with Jamie Ager
July 5 | 10–11:30 AM
Get a behind-the-scenes look at how we raise animals and steward the land.
Fancy Nancy Party with @fairview.library
July 17 | 2–3:30 PM
A delightfully fancy afternoon for kids—costumes encouraged!
Barn Dance with the Old Charlotte Highwaymen
July 19 | Food from @grushs.cajun.dino.grill 5–8:30 PM | Music 6–9 PM
Live music, square dancing, and good eats out in the Big Barn.
Locals Low Country Boil with @localsseafood
July 20 | 4–7 PM
Celebrate summer Southern-style with a laid-back boil featuring local ingredients and good company.
More info through the link in our bio!
#828isgreat #ashevilleevents #ashevillenc #ashevilleeats #ashevillenorthcarolina
Jun 23
At Hickory Nut Gap, we practice planned grazing practices, which involve careful planning and observation, and frequent movement of herds. This leads to an animal impact on the land that enriches the soil and feeds the microbial life underground. This kind of living soil has the potential to sequester carbon instead of releasing it into the atmosphere, a major win in the fight against global warming. Farming practices that improve soil health also improve soil capacity to hold water, reducing erosion. Lastly, regenerative farming maximizes the biodiversity on the farm, so that populations of soil micro organisms, plants, pollinators, birds and small mammals are healthy and contributing to a holistic, functioning ecosystem.
#plannedgrazing #regenerativefarming #regenerativeag #grassfed #grassfedbeef
Jun 19
