Avery County farmers grow it on their own

Tucked away in Elk Park, N.C., Trosly Farm is using mountain heritage to usher in small-scale artisanal farming. 

Owners Kaci and Amos Nidiffer grew up with farming in their families. Kaci’s grandmother was raised on a small farm in southwest Virginia and kept a garden well into her 80s, while Amos’ great-grandfather had a garden and kept a dairy cow within what are now Elizabethton, Tenn.’s, city limits. Shortly after Kaci and Amos married in 2007, the couple purchased the relatively small parcel of land and old farmhouse that has become Trosly Farm. With no small amount of ingenuity, creativity, and old-fashion grunt work, the couple remodeled the farmhouse, built a greenhouse and chicken coop, dug garden plots and began raising chickens, ducks, pigs, and crops. Kaci added bread and chocolate making to the mix, and Amos discovered a love for charcuterie. 

To be at Trosly is to appreciate all of life’s simplicity and honesty—plus really good food. In addition to operating a CSA and farm store, open from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays through October, Trosly Farm also hosts farm dinners. Participants get a tour of the grounds and a five-course meal featuring items raised and prepared on the farm. Tickets are $45 per person, and reservations are required. Farm dinners will be held June 14 and 15, July 20, Aug. 10, and Sept. 21. 

Visit troslyfarm.com for more information and selected recipes or call 828.733.4938.