Latest news with #Appalachian
Style Blueprint
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Style Blueprint
You Can Brunch with Alpacas at Durrant Farms in NC!
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit About 20 minutes outside Asheville, in the rolling hills of Leicester, Durrant Farms offers one of the most delightful (and downright heartwarming) experiences in North Carolina … brunch with alpacas. Yes, it's a thing. And yes, it's as enchanting as it sounds. Owned by the warm and welcoming husband-and-wife duo Whitney and Tom Durrant, this charming farm is part working alpaca haven, part bed-and-breakfast, part 'did I just fall into a storybook?' wonder. Guests are invited to slow down and sip coffee and pastries beneath a covered picnic area in the pasture, surrounded by panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and an elite squad of four-legged fluff-balls, fondly referred to as 'The Boys.' Pin I was fortunate to experience this little slice of Appalachian heaven, and the memories are indelible. The adventure began as we wound down a gravel drive, crossing paths with Tom Durrant himself, who gave us a friendly wave from his ATV and pointed us toward the pavilion. That's where we met Whitney and Grace (the farm's trusted Hospitality Manager), who welcomed us warmly and led us into the pasture, where the real hosts were already waiting. Ralph the alpaca (my personal favorite and instant emotional support animal) and Heartbreaker the llama were first to greet us, casually strolling over like old friends. Pin Pin With a promise to keep the gate firmly latched behind us (because no one wants an unexpected escape attempt), we made our way to the open-air brunch table, thoughtfully dressed with linens and cheerful faux flowers (Whitney wisely discovered that real ones are simply too irresistible for curious alpacas). Pin Pin Before we go any further, let's meet the crew, shall we? There are four alpacas: Ralph (my personal favorite and a total heartthrob), Scully (the baby of the group who will do just about anything for a treat), Hotline (the wise elder who will peer directly into your soul), and Micah (a little shy at first, but a total sweetheart once he warms up). They're joined by two equally charismatic llamas: Brinkley (skittish but endearing) and Heartbreaker (who lived up to his name by shamelessly trying to con me out of my scone, but more on that in a moment). Together, they strut around like they own the place. And honestly, they kind of do. 'The llamas came separately, adopted from Divine Llama Vineyards in East Bend, NC,' Whitney shares. 'Heartbreaker now runs the show while Brinkley is always on alert, keeping watch for any potential threats to the herd.' Pin While you dig into breakfast, the alpacas and llamas get their own treats, making them extra sociable. They wander over for snacks, selfies, and the occasional nuzzle. 'They've all become the unofficial welcoming committee of the farm,' Whitney says. 'Every one of them has their own personality, and watching guests connect with them has been one of the most meaningful parts of building this place.' But that's not to say you don't have to keep an eye on your pastries. Heartbreaker, in particular, made a valiant attempt to charm me into sharing my scone, but I stuck to doling out approved alpaca treats. Pin Pin The brunch menu, by the way, is no afterthought. ButterPunk — an Asheville bakery in the River Arts District led by the 'Queen of Biscuits,' Beth Kellerhals — serves up impossibly delicious baked goods that almost steal the show. Almost. It's hard to compete with Ralph. P.S. Scroll down to see a picture of him as a baby. How can you resist that face? Pin 'The alpaca adventures actually all started because of Ralph,' Whitney says. 'We met a sweet woman at the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair who showed us a photo of a baby alpaca she'd just had. His face was shaped like a heart, and we immediately started calling him Loverboy. That baby was Ralph. A few months later, we brought him home along with his three 'brothers': Scully, Hotline, and Micah.' Pin Pin Even as a light rain rolled in, none of us seemed to mind. With the Blue Ridge Mountains serving as a dramatic, cloud-kissed backdrop, it was simply magical. Pin Whitney and Tom, who welcomed their first child in 2024, have poured their hearts into creating a place where nature meets hospitality. In addition to brunch, they offer happy hour gatherings, llama treks, and host picturesque weddings by the pond. There's even a short walking trail on the property that offers a lovely scenic view of the farm if you want to stretch your legs before or after your alpaca rendezvous. Visitors can stay overnight at their on-site bed and breakfast (available on Airbnb and not to be confused with their guest house about 15 minutes away). Pin And how did it all begin, you might ask? 'Durrant Farms really started as a dream Tom and I had for a life closer to the land,' says Whitney. 'We wanted to raise our family with animals and fresh air, homegrown food, and give people a space to slow down — somewhere they could celebrate with loved ones and connect with the land and the animals in a beautiful way.' Boy, did they ever. 'What began as a small farmstay with alpaca experiences gradually grew,' Whitney continues. 'People started asking if they could bring larger groups, host bachelorette parties, even plan full weddings. We couldn't quite do that at our first property, so in September 2024, we packed up our herd, our newborn baby, and our lives, and moved about 15 minutes closer to Asheville. That's when Durrant Farms Estate was born — a wedding venue and sanctuary space where people can celebrate, reconnect, and breathe a little easier. We still offer brunch with alpacas and peaceful farmstays, but now we also get to welcome larger groups for events of all kinds, from retreats to full weekend weddings.' Pin Pin Before leaving, guests can also browse the sweet little farm shop inside the pavilion, stocked with goodies either inspired by The Boys or made from their fleece, such as beanies, slippers, skeins of yarn, felted dryer balls, coasters, and more — souvenirs that will bring a little piece of Durrant Farms's charm home with you. We came. We saw. We mingled with alpacas. We got the t-shirt. (And some alpaca fleece socks, and some felted fleece coasters) Admittedly, we were reluctant to leave. As I made my way back down the gravel path, Ralph and I exchanged one last wistful glance. I think we both knew the magic of that rainy morning would be hard to top. Pin Come for the biscuits, stay for the alpacas, and don't be surprised if you leave with alpaca hair on your shirt, and a full heart. ********** Find more fantastic Southern destinations in our Travel archives! About the Author Jenna Bratcher Jenna Bratcher is StyleBlueprint Nashville's Associate Editor and Lead Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville 17 years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Giant salamander fossil unearthed at Gray Fossil Site
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Researchers at the Gray Fossil Site have discovered the remains of a giant salamander that once called prehistoric Appalachia home. According to a news release from East Tennessee State University (ETSU), the giant plethodontid salamander was strong-jawed and possessed a powerful bite. New guidance on hemp-derived cannabinoid products: What will change on Jan. 1, 2026 The species, Dynamognathus robertsoni, was about 16 inches long, making it one of the largest salamanders to ever exist in the area. In the present day, Northeast Tennessee and all of Southern Appalachia are teeming with a wide variety of salamanders. Among those, researchers say, are dusky salamanders, a stream-dwelling species that measures about seven inches long at their largest. Dusky salamanders are related to Red Hills salamanders, a large species that lives underground with a worm-like body and small limbs. 'Finding something that looks like a Red Hills salamander here in East Tennessee was a bit of a surprise,' Assistant Collections Manager Davis Gunnin stated in the release. 'Today, they're only found in a few counties in southern Alabama, and researchers thought of them as a highly specialized dead-end lineage not particularly relevant to the evolution of the dusky salamanders. Discovery of Dynamognathus robertsoni here in Southern Appalachia shows that these types of relatively large, burrowing salamanders were once more widespread in eastern North America and may have had a profound impact on the evolution of Appalachian salamander communities.' Guinn described Dynamognathus robertsoni as 'the largest plethodontid salamander and one of the largest terrestrial salamanders in the world.' Assistant Collections Manager Shay Maden said the name of the newly discovered salamander comes from its bite and also pays homage to the volunteer who found the first specimen at Gray Fossil Site. 'This group of salamanders has unusual cranial anatomy that gives them a strong bite force, so the genus name – Dynamognathus – Greek for 'powerful jaw,' is given to highlight the great size and power of the salamander compared to its living relatives,' Maden said. As for 'robertsoni,' that name comes from Gray Fossil Site volunteer Wayne Robertson. According to ETSU, Robertson discovered the first specimen of the salamander and has sifted through more than 50 tons of soil containing fossils since 2000. Guinn, Maden and other researchers from the Gray Fossil Site and ETSU published their findings in the journal Historical Biology. The other authors included: Director and Professor of Geosciences Dr. Blaine Schubert Head Curator and Associate Professor of Geosciences Dr. Joshua Samuels Museum Specialist Keila Bredehoeft Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time Out
4 days ago
- Time Out
The U.S. is the second-best country for outdoor travel in the world
It's official: The beach chair is out, and the backpack is in. A new global study has ranked the world's best countries for outdoor travel and while Australia clinched the top spot, the United States isn't far behind—coming in hot at number two. The Global Outdoor Destinations Index, which scored 183 countries across adventure options, ecological richness, environmental protections and all-around chill factor (things like weather and safety), confirms what many outdoor lovers already knew: The U.S. is kind of a big deal. Few places cram in this much natural variety: The U.S. hosts 10 distinct ecosystems, second only to Mexico, ranging from alpine peaks to subtropical swamps. It's also home to 12 UNESCO Natural World Heritage Sites and protects 12-percent of its land, making room for everything from solitary backcountry hikes to glamping in Zion. More than 2,000 federally managed recreation areas spread across the country mean even first-timers can easily find their way to a trailhead, a ranger station or a breathtaking overlook with an actual bathroom nearby (luxury!). Signage is clear, safety standards are high, and outdoor tourism is supported without feeling overly sanitized. As for accessibility? You could road trip across three time zones and never leave the country or your REI loyalty program. From snow-dusted Rockies to mossy Appalachian trails to the vast, surreal silence of Utah's canyonlands, each region has its own outdoor dialect. Australia may have eked ahead thanks to its massive conservation zones and year-round temperate weather, but for Americans craving nature without the jet lag, staying domestic is far from a compromise. Rounding out the global top five were New Zealand, Canada and—surprise—France, all offering different blends of beauty and biodiversity.
4 days ago
- Business
How Nest turned a $24,000 idea into a global movement
In 2005, Rebecca van Bergen was a graduate student in social work at Washington University when she won $24,000 in a school innovation contest. That seed money sparked the creation of Nest Inc., a nonprofit that empowers women artisans globally by providing training, funding, and market access. From its modest beginnings, Nest has grown into a force in the artisan economy. It now supports creators in 125 countries and 47 U.S. states, helping women transition from informal craft work to sustainable business ownership. Nest's network includes around 3,000 handcraft businesses and has reached more than 345,000 entrepreneurs — mainly women — with grants and coaching on skills like pricing and financial management. 'Most people still have an aunt or grandmother who knits or crochets or made them clothes,' van Bergen said. 'It's still pretty deeply embedded in our societies. It's income-generating, and it also preserves cultures.' Van Bergen's first break came in 2010 when Nest partnered with FEED Projects, fashion designer Lauren Bush's social enterprise. That relationship opened doors to collaborations with Amazon, Etsy, and West Elm. Over the years, Nest's mission has attracted support from funders like the Oak and Moody's foundations — as well retailers like Tory Burch and now totaling 25 companies, which purchase and sell the artists' goods. From an initial team of two, Nest has grown to 33 staff members, with net assets of $6 million and annual revenue of $7.2 million in 2025 — nearly double its 2019 revenue. It doesn't take a cut of artisan sales, relying instead on grants, program service revenue, fundraising events, and individual donations. The organization has received more than $10 million in grant funding since 2017, according to tax information from Cause IQ, which collects nonprofit data. In recent years, Nest has expanded domestically, providing funds and training artists in all but three U.S. states. Among the artisans is Stef Ratliff, who was born and raised in the coalfields of eastern Kentucky. She creates custom pottery and art through her KYARTRAT business. Though she had painted trophies for the Americana Music Awards for more than a decade — and created a custom guitar for Grace Bowers at this year's Grammys — Ratliff struggled to run a sustainable business until joining Nest and working as a community manager identifying Appalachian artists. 'I did a business consultation program with them (that) focused on marketing,' she said. 'It taught me I can make the greatest pot or painting of all time, but if I don't present them in the right light, no one is going to see them properly.' Working with Nest and connecting to Etsy through a joint program called Uplift Makers was fundamental to setting up an Etsy shop for KYARTRAT, Ratliff said. 'We're all reaching new customers through Etsy,' she said, referring to Nest's eastern Kentucky group of 100 artisans. 'That's huge for Appalachia,' Ratliff said. 'I would never have thought to sell my pottery through Etsy because I felt like a lot of people don't really care about southern stories and Appalachian stories. I didn't think they really cared about history.' Nest's mission is rooted in van Bergen's own experience watching her grandmother and great-grandmother sew and quilt. The organization focuses on traditional crafts like basket weaving, ceramics, and candle-making, which are both income-generating and culturally meaningful. Globally, the handcraft market is valued at $906.8 billion and a vital source of employment, especially for women, according to the data service Research and Markets. Nest helps artisans tap into this market by connecting them to brands like GAP, Ralph Lauren, Target, and Amazon. In 2021, Nest partnered with Etsy to launch the Uplift Makers Program to support six heritage craft communities, including Gullah basket weavers from South Carolina, quilt makers from the Gee's Bend area of Alabama's rural Black Belt region, Afghan refugee craft business owners throughout the United States, Indigenous artisans from the United States and Canada, artisans from Oaxaca, Mexico, and craft makers from Appalachia. Etsy supported the Gee's Bend quilters with a $50,000 grant and has since helped over 140 U.S. artisans generate more than $1 million in sales. Recently, Nest received a $300,000 grant from the Mastercard Impact Fund to bolster its work with Appalachian artisans. Nest has adapted to economic shifts and policy changes over the years. During the pandemic, it prioritized financial literacy and business development. Now, it's monitoring global trade policies — like tariffs — that could affect both artists and their retail partners. Nest intentionally chose not to pursue microlending, which was popular among development groups in the early 2000s but sometimes left borrowers in debt. Instead, the organization focuses on partnerships with groups like Indego Africa, which works with over 700 artisans in Ghana and Rwanda. That partnership has helped connect Ghanaian craftswomen to retailers like Tory Burch, which sells their hand-woven straw tote bags for close to $500. 'Those partnerships are super valuable, both to us and to our partners, because the size of those orders tends to be quite large. It could be anywhere from 300 items to 1,500 items,' said Sara Wohlers, Indego Africa's director of marketing and communications. 'That creates a lot of consistent work for our partners, and consistent income.' As Nest shifts to more U.S.-focused work, it is helping women who face similar economic barriers. Among them is Cynthia Main, a Kentucky-based woodworker who has participated in Nest's Makers Future Fund, a program that provides professional coaching with a $5,000 grant. Main owns Sunhouse Craft, where she sells handmade brooms, dustpans, and other goods. Despite Berea's status as Kentucky's folk arts capital, its economy has suffered from industrial closures and persistent poverty — nearly 1 in 5 residents lives below the poverty line. Main said Nest helped her overcome many financial and retail obstacles and build a broader client base for her products. She used her $5,000 grant to attend her first wholesale trade show in New York. That exposure helped double her company's annual profits, from $120,000 to more than $240,000. 'I just think the work that Nest is doing is so important,' Main said. 'I can't stress enough how being in a rural place, there's not a lot of help, or a lot of people who understand the uniqueness of a handmade business, and their advice has been so spot on.'
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
How Nest turned a $24,000 idea into a global movement supporting women artisans
In 2005, Rebecca van Bergen was a graduate student in social work at Washington University when she won $24,000 in a school innovation contest. That seed money sparked the creation of Nest Inc., a nonprofit that empowers women artisans globally by providing training, funding, and market access. From its modest beginnings, Nest has grown into a force in the artisan economy. It now supports creators in 125 countries and 47 U.S. states, helping women transition from informal craft work to sustainable business ownership. Nest's network includes around 3,000 handcraft businesses and has reached more than 345,000 entrepreneurs — mainly women — with grants and coaching on skills like pricing and financial management. 'Most people still have an aunt or grandmother who knits or crochets or made them clothes,' van Bergen said. 'It's still pretty deeply embedded in our societies. It's income-generating, and it also preserves cultures.' Van Bergen's first break came in 2010 when Nest partnered with FEED Projects, fashion designer Lauren Bush's social enterprise. That relationship opened doors to collaborations with Amazon, Etsy, and West Elm. Over the years, Nest's mission has attracted support from funders like the Oak and Moody's foundations — as well retailers like Tory Burch and now totaling 25 companies, which purchase and sell the artists' goods. From an initial team of two, Nest has grown to 33 staff members, with net assets of $6 million and annual revenue of $7.2 million in 2025 — nearly double its 2019 revenue. It doesn't take a cut of artisan sales, relying instead on grants, program service revenue, fundraising events, and individual donations. The organization has received more than $10 million in grant funding since 2017, according to tax information from Cause IQ, which collects nonprofit data. Domestic expansion In recent years, Nest has expanded domestically, providing funds and training artists in all but three U.S. states. Among the artisans is Stef Ratliff, who was born and raised in the coalfields of eastern Kentucky. She creates custom pottery and art through her KYARTRAT business. Though she had painted trophies for the Americana Music Awards for more than a decade — and created a custom guitar for Grace Bowers at this year's Grammys — Ratliff struggled to run a sustainable business until joining Nest and working as a community manager identifying Appalachian artists. 'I did a business consultation program with them (that) focused on marketing,' she said. 'It taught me I can make the greatest pot or painting of all time, but if I don't present them in the right light, no one is going to see them properly.' Working with Nest and connecting to Etsy through a joint program called Uplift Makers was fundamental to setting up an Etsy shop for KYARTRAT, Ratliff said. 'We're all reaching new customers through Etsy,' she said, referring to Nest's eastern Kentucky group of 100 artisans. 'That's huge for Appalachia,' Ratliff said. 'I would never have thought to sell my pottery through Etsy because I felt like a lot of people don't really care about southern stories and Appalachian stories. I didn't think they really cared about history.' Preserving craft, creating markets Nest's mission is rooted in van Bergen's own experience watching her grandmother and great-grandmother sew and quilt. The organization focuses on traditional crafts like basket weaving, ceramics, and candle-making, which are both income-generating and culturally meaningful. Globally, the handcraft market is valued at $906.8 billion and a vital source of employment, especially for women, according to the data service Research and Markets. Nest helps artisans tap into this market by connecting them to brands like GAP, Ralph Lauren, Target, and Amazon. In 2021, Nest partnered with Etsy to launch the Uplift Makers Program to support six heritage craft communities, including Gullah basket weavers from South Carolina, quilt makers from the Gee's Bend area of Alabama's rural Black Belt region, Afghan refugee craft business owners throughout the United States, Indigenous artisans from the United States and Canada, artisans from Oaxaca, Mexico, and craft makers from Appalachia. Etsy supported the Gee's Bend quilters with a $50,000 grant and has since helped over 140 U.S. artisans generate more than $1 million in sales. Recently, Nest received a $300,000 grant from the Mastercard Impact Fund to bolster its work with Appalachian artisans. Meeting the moment Nest has adapted to economic shifts and policy changes over the years. During the pandemic, it prioritized financial literacy and business development. Now, it's monitoring global trade policies — like tariffs — that could affect both artists and their retail partners. Nest intentionally chose not to pursue microlending, which was popular among development groups in the early 2000s but sometimes left borrowers in debt. Instead, the organization focuses on partnerships with groups like Indego Africa, which works with over 700 artisans in Ghana and Rwanda. That partnership has helped connect Ghanaian craftswomen to retailers like Tory Burch, which sells their hand-woven straw tote bags for close to $500. 'Those partnerships are super valuable, both to us and to our partners, because the size of those orders tends to be quite large. It could be anywhere from 300 items to 1,500 items,' said Sara Wohlers, Indego Africa's director of marketing and communications. 'That creates a lot of consistent work for our partners, and consistent income.' Empowering rural U.S. artisans As Nest shifts to more U.S.-focused work, it is helping women who face similar economic barriers. Among them is Cynthia Main, a Kentucky-based woodworker who has participated in Nest's Makers Future Fund, a program that provides professional coaching with a $5,000 grant. Main owns Sunhouse Craft, where she sells handmade brooms, dustpans, and other goods. Despite Berea's status as Kentucky's folk arts capital, its economy has suffered from industrial closures and persistent poverty — nearly 1 in 5 residents lives below the poverty line. Main said Nest helped her overcome many financial and retail obstacles and build a broader client base for her products. She used her $5,000 grant to attend her first wholesale trade show in New York. That exposure helped double her company's annual profits, from $120,000 to more than $240,000. 'I just think the work that Nest is doing is so important,' Main said. 'I can't stress enough how being in a rural place, there's not a lot of help, or a lot of people who understand the uniqueness of a handmade business, and their advice has been so spot on.' ______ Stephanie Beasley is a senior writer at the Chronicle of Philanthropy, where you can read the full article. This article was provided to The Associated Press by the Chronicle of Philanthropy as part of a partnership to cover philanthropy and nonprofits supported by the Lilly Endowment. The Chronicle is solely responsible for the content. For all of AP's philanthropy coverage, visit
