Family History
Hickory Nut Gap Farm
The six children of James and Elspeth Clarke, own the land at Hickory Nut Gap Farm. Approximately 90 acres of farmland, have historically produced apples, dairy cows, corn, tobacco, hens, raspberries, boxwoods, and horseback riding. The main house on the farm, locally called the "Big House", but formally known as Sherrill's Inn, was built in 1834. Sherrills Inn was a stopover for hog drovers taking their livestock to sell in the east. These hogs roamed the mountains of East Tennessee fattening on the chestnut mast and were taken to market in the late fall. Hickory Nut Gap Farm LLC, the farming operation, is owned by John and Annie Ager, and Jamie and Amy Ager.
Annie Ager's passion is horses. She has a herd of 24 horses, that are exercised nearly everyday while she teaches riding lessons and summer camp. In addition to horses her and John also raise 10 acres of apples and 600 laying hens. In the Fall there is a roadside apple stand which will be located at the Farm Store on Sugar Hollow Road. From September to October we sell a variety of apples, honey, jams and other local products.
Hickory Nut Gap Meats
Jamie Ager is the fourth generation to farm the land at Hickory Nut Gap. He is passionate about farming, always seeking to learn. A graduate of Warren Wilson College with a double major in Environmental Studies and History, Jamie spends most of his time managing the livestock and marketing to Asheville restaurants, health food stores and tailgate markets. Jamie is on the board of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, a N.C. Young Farmer and Rancher with Farm Bureau, and a past participant in NC States Agricultural Leadership Development Program.
Amy Frey Ager, also a graduate of Warren Wilson College, has a degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in business. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky she moved to Fairview in 2000. She develops all the marketing materials including the brochure and website and manages the administrative side of the business.
Jamie and Amy both work full time at Hickory Nut Gap Meats, and enjoy being at home on the farm while raising their sons Cyrus and Nolin. Hickory Nut Gap Meats is the livestock portion of the farm including the cows, sheep, pigs and broilers.
Flying Cloud Farm
Is an 11-acre glory of organically grown vegetables and fruits and a feast for the eyes. Annie Louise and Isaiah Perkinson operate their vegetable operation in the valley on their Hamilton family land. Susie Hamilton is Annie Louise's mother and sister of Annie Ager. Annie Louise Perkinson and Jamie Ager are cousins. Farming is part of this family's heritage. Flying Cloud Farm offers their vegetables for sale at the North Asheville Tailgate Market and through a CSA. More information can be found at www.flyingcloudfarm.net.
Other Family Members
This is a fifth generation farm and includes many more family members than mentioned above. Some are successful professionals in their fields, some just out of college honing in on the next step and some just beginning preschool and starting to eat solid foods. We are thankful for the opportunity to use this family land for farming and for the hard work the family puts in keeping it that way.