HISTORY
In February 2016, the Watauga County Board of Commissioners approved 1,400 square feet of the Watauga County Agricultural Services Center to be transformed into freezers, refrigerators and dry food storage space. After securing a location, Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture found financial support from Heifer USA and the USDA’s Local Food Promotion Program to renovate the space and buy a commercial freezer and cooler.
The Food Hub became a bipartisan county and town supported project in September 2016 when the Town of Boone approved funding for an additional freezer. The demand for food storage space from farmers, gardeners, and area food banks prompted the request, and Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture is delighted to be able to offer even more resources for our farmers, gardeners, and area food banks in the near future.
“Having the Food Hub located in the Agricultural Services Center is extremely convenient and cost-effective for our area farmers,” said Jim Hamilton, Watauga County Extension Director. “The Ag Center is now providing more than just educational programming, we have shared-use equipment that farmers can rent for a nominal fee and cold storage space to allow producers easy access to our local markets.”
The Food Hub became a bipartisan county and town supported project in September 2016 when the Town of Boone approved funding for an additional freezer. The demand for food storage space from farmers, gardeners, and area food banks prompted the request, and Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture is delighted to be able to offer even more resources for our farmers, gardeners, and area food banks in the near future.
“Having the Food Hub located in the Agricultural Services Center is extremely convenient and cost-effective for our area farmers,” said Jim Hamilton, Watauga County Extension Director. “The Ag Center is now providing more than just educational programming, we have shared-use equipment that farmers can rent for a nominal fee and cold storage space to allow producers easy access to our local markets.”