Agri-tourism farm would feature bees, mushrooms, butterflies

ASHEBORO — Diane McRoberts loves mushrooms, butterflies and bees, and she wants to inspire others to share that love.

She’s launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund an agri-tourism farm that will combine mushroom cultivation, butterfly habitats and beekeeping into an educational and immersive farm experience.

McRoberts wants to purchase a 10-acre site with a house and outbuilding on US 220 Business between Randleman and Level Cross. 

She calls her project Flutter & Forage, which will be more than just a farm.

She said her aim is “to create a space where visitors can learn about regenerative agriculture, explore pollinator ecosystems, and reconnect with nature through hands-on experiences.”

The farm’s features will include sustainable mushroom growing operations, walk-through butterfly environments, educational beekeeping and pollinator programs, and workshops and community events centered on environmental stewardship.

“This project is about creating a place where people can slow down, learn something new, and reconnect with the natural world,” said McRoberts. “We want to build something that benefits both the community and the environment.”

At the site of the potential farm, McRoberts pointed out the house, which is laid out in such a way as to have what could be a lobby. She said she would remove the fence around the front yard to open things up. Behind the house is a building McRoberts said she would use to grow mushrooms. 

But her dream farm wouldn’t be limited to 10 acres. Adjoining it is another 284 acres currently being used. McRoberts would like to own or lease that acreage for expansion while still allowing the farmer to raise grain.

“I could lease it to expand for the community to sell products,” she said.

McRoberts has been raising butterflies for two decades, receiving inspiration from the late Loretta Luttman, the renowned Butterfly Lady. She’s finishing up her certification for raising mushrooms and has connections with a local beekeepers association.

“I want people to be inspired by a monopoly butterfly eating out of their hand,” McRoberts said. “I want families to be able to afford to come with things to keep their kids busy.

“We need to bring people together,” she said. “Put the phone down and inoculate a mushroom with your family. I want to teach people about the lineage of mushrooms. 

“I want to show butterflies from egg to adult butterfly,” she said. “I just love nature. I would like to have field days. Get people excited about coming back. I just want to make a difference. And I might inspire somebody to be a beekeeper or a mushroom grower.”

McRoberts explained her reason for the farm: “Agri-tourism continues to grow in popularity across North Carolina, offering farms new ways to engage the public while supporting local economies. This project aims to contribute to that movement by providing a unique, family-friendly destination rooted in sustainability and education.

The Kickstarter campaign is currently live until July 1 and seeking community support to help bring the vision to life:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1760938638/agro-tourism-farm-with-mushrooms-butterflies-and-bees.