Walker Sides

Assistant Farm Manager. Born and raised in Fairview, Walker has been working at Hickory Nut Gap first over the summers as a teenager and now as our full time assistant farm manager.

Cory Lininger

Farm Store and Sales Manager. A recent graduate of Warren Wilson College and native of Portland, Oregon Cory comes to Hickory Nut Gap with experience in the food industry.

Aaron Schorsch

Advanced Intern position. He is a graduate of Davidson College with agricultural and food knowledge from his experience and studies in France.

Ambrose Clarke

Fourth generation on this farm and summer intern. Ambrose begins at AB Tech College this fall.

Penny Bakken

Part time farm store clerk on Saturdays and our saving grace during the fall.

Clarence McAbee

Has been working at Hickory Nut Gap for over 20 years. An expert at most everything around here.

Randy Harwood

The one you can rely on to show up everyday on time, even if there is six inches of snow! A sure hand at building and mechanics.

The land of Hickory Nut Gap Farm is jointly owned by the six children of James and Elspeth Clarke. In 2008 the land was put into a conservation easement with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. Protected for eternity the land will remain managed by the family and their agricultural pursuits. Some of the six children, now grown with children and grandchildren of their own remain here at the farm and close by in the area while, as to be expected, some have moved away and pursued a different course in life. This large farm family gathers often as the draw of the family home and their agricultural heritage is still strong. Many of the 21 grandchildren and 14 great-grand children are involved in various aspects of agriculture.

The Agers

John & Annie Ager are part owners of Hickory Nut Gap Farm and hosts of Hickory Nut Gap Farm Camp. Nearly every day you can catch Annie upon a horses back with a single file line of riding students following behind her. John Ager is involved in farmland preservation efforts in the region and a partner in Drovers Road Preserve.

Amy & Jamie Ager are part owners of Hickory Nut Gap Farm and currently operate Hickory Nut Gap Meats. 2010 celebrates the 10 Year Anniversary of their grassfed and pastured meats business. Both are graduates of Warren Wilson College. They have three eager boys who enjoy moving cows and feeding baby chicks.

Eric & Rachel Ager currently live in Guam with their four children and will return to Washington DC in June of 2010.

Kevin Ager is on his second tour of duty with the US Army, currently serving in Afghanistan.

Doug Ager is pursuing his carpentry career and is building and managing the new horse barn being consturcted on the farm. He lives in Swannanoa, NC.

The Hamiltons

Dr. Will and Susie Hamilton host a part of Hickory Nut Gap Farm Camp at their house and farm. Dr. Will has retired from his family practice and is spending time enjoying his family and friends. Susie runs an after-school art program and is the hub of children'a activities in Fairview.

Isaiah and Annie Perkinson, along with their two daughters, own and operate Flying Cloud Farm an 14-acre glory of organically grown vegetables and fruits and a feast for the eyes. Flying Cloud Farm offers their vegetables for sale at their roadside stand, local farmers market and through a CSA.

William & Molly Hamilton, their two girls and newest little boy live adjacent to the farm in their newly constructed passive solar house. William works with the SAHC and owns and operates his own portable sawmill business. Molly is an Extension Assistant for the state of NC and coordinates the NC Organic Grain Project.

With help from their two boys, Elizabeth and Fred Bahnson are cultivating a biointensive garden and permaculture orchard in Brevard. Elizabeth, former fiddle player for the Steep Canyon Rangers, is still a musician whose most recent album with Charles Pettee and FolkPsalm is entitled The Way of Manna. She is currently teaching fiddle lessons while Fred is launching his writing career as a Kellogg Food & Society fellow with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.

David Hamilton lives and gardens in Chapel Hill, NC and is a member of a bluegrass band called the Ragweed Boys.

Elspie Hamilton is currently living and working in Yosemite National Park teaching environmental education and exploring the high peaks as an avid rock climber.

The Clarkes

Jim & Francine Clarke currently live with their family and three grandchildren in Concord, NC. Jim Clarke is CFO and VP of Manual Woodworkers.

Billy & Cindy Clarke live in Fairview. Billy is an environmental lawyer at Roberts & Stevens Law Firm and Cindy works at UNCA with the Family Business Institute. They have five children Winslow Clarke Dean, Durban, Phelps, Ambrose, and William.

Dumont & Shirley Clarke live and work in Charlotte NC. Dumont is a laywer with Moore & Van Allen Law Firm and Shirley an accountant and consultant. They frequently spend their free time at the farm. They have two daughters. Elizabeth Clarke, a Navy officer stationed in Hawaii and Deborah Clarke, a high school teacher.

Doug & Betsy Clarke just finished building their home here on the farm. They have four children, Mark, Lily, Zoe, and Charlie. Doug manages the upkeep of the family home and grounds. Betsy is an oncology nurse at Mission Hospital.