fbpx vie magazine subscribe button

A Farm-to-Table Lifestyle

The Rebirth of the Agrihood

By Allison Smith | Photography courtesy of Olivette Riverside Community and Farm

The pandemic has affected us all in many different ways, but one of the most interesting and positive impacts it has had is inspiring people to live closer to nature—away from the shoulder-to-shoulder realities of big-city life. Retirees, in particular, have begun seeking out communities where they can live close to the land alongside others of all ages with the same intention. Agrihoods are stepping up to meet this growing need.

Agrihoods are communities built around working farms that focus on healthy lifestyles. Olivette Riverside Community and Farm—an agrihood I cofounded in Western North Carolina—is one such example. It’s a 346-acre planned community along the French Broad River near Asheville, North Carolina. We transformed this historic farm site into a fully operational organic farm, the area’s first and only true farm-to-table community.

With the farm at its core, Olivette’s gardens, extensive trail system, dog park, island park, and riverfront access allow residents to enjoy activities such as hiking, cycling, fishing, birding, and wildlife viewing. Residents of all ages join in a wide variety of community activities such as performances, storytelling, arts events, and farm-to-table suppers.

Perhaps what is most appealing to retirement-age home buyers, though, is the multigenerational nature of such communities. Residents of all ages have the opportunity to get to know one another in a beautiful, naturally welcoming environment. Retirees are moving into a time of life where they really want to thrive and, as health-centric communities, agrihoods make that truly possible on all levels: healthy food, healthy movement opportunities, and healthy, happy hearts and minds thanks to the inclusive, multigenerational atmosphere.

Residents of all ages have the opportunity to get to know one another in a beautiful, naturally welcoming environment.

And did I mention the food? Living in an agrihood means access to farm-fresh foods grown by a farmer in your neighborhood. Our veteran and intern farmers grow, clean, and sell nutrient-dense produce that connects residents to the food they eat and the land where it grows.

It’s a four-season organic farm operation that involves planting cover crops, propagating seeds in greenhouses during the colder months, and then transplanting those seeds into the fields for warm-season growing. Residents buy into a weekly produce plan and receive fresh food throughout the year.

— V —


Olivette Riverside Community and Farm

Dinner, Agrihood Style

Want to sample some of the amazing food we enjoy in our agrihood? Here’s a delicious recipe for you to try. Baked sweet potatoes are a wonderfully simple, nourishing, and delicious farm-to-table meal. We paired ours with sautéed spinach and mushrooms, adobo sauce, and fresh chèvre.

Ingredients

Fresh sweet potatoes
1 teaspoon of butter
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 cup of fresh mushrooms
2–3 handfuls of fresh spinach
Salt and pepper to taste
Adobo sauce to taste
Fresh goat cheese (chèvre), for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

2. Poke the sweet potatoes with a fork.

3. Place them on a lined tray and bake on the middle rack for one hour.

4. In a medium skillet, melt a teaspoon of butter with a teaspoon of olive oil. Add one clove of minced garlic.

5. After the butter is melted, add some mushrooms of your choice. We used a mixture of oyster, button, and shiitake!

6. Sauté until the mushrooms release their juices, then add two to three handfuls of spinach.

7. Wilt the spinach and add salt and pepper.

Assembly

Open your sweet potato, add a pat of butter, add your mushrooms and spinach, sprinkle with adobo sauce and fresh chèvre, and bon appétit!

Agrihoods: A Model for Social and Economic Recovery

The planning that went into making Olivette a premier agrihood is now attracting people yearning for social and economic recovery and new models of community in the postpandemic world. Many residents are early adopters looking to invest in new technologies and ways of living, paving the way for making these models more affordable and accessible for everyone.

The pandemic has accelerated existing trends like reducing one’s carbon footprint, living in balance with nature, and telecommuting. And now, retirees have discovered that agrihoods offer the perfect balance of ultimate relaxation and community engagement.

Agrihoods hold the promise of a way of life that empowers healthy living and community connection—two things the whole world has been craving throughout this challenging time. If you’ve been curious about how to improve upon your health and well-being while feeling more connected to a community that’s as invested in you as you are in it, agrihood living could be the perfect fit.

As we heal from the pandemic, let’s also celebrate new opportunities for wellness. Together, we are transforming our lives, the lives of our neighbors, and the lives of the surrounding community. It’s a wonderful experience, and it’s no wonder so many now wish to incorporate it into their own lives. Now is the time to start thriving.


Farm-to-table living expert Allison Smith is a founding partner at Olivette Riverside Community and Farm near Asheville, North Carolina. The region’s first “agrihood,” Olivette is built around a four-season organic farm and designed to connect people with nature, community, and their food. Learn more at OlivetteNC.com.



Read Responsibly

VIE Magazine September 2023 Jay Mercado
VIE Magazine - The Art & Design Issue November 2021
VIE Magazine January 2021 Special Commemorative Edition
VIE Magazine September 2020 Wanderlust Issue, Fancy Camps, The Idea Boutique
VIE Magazine August 2020 Art & Culture Issue, Nathan Alan Yoakum Art
VIE Magazine - Architecture & Design Issue - July 2020
VIE Magazine - Decor and Home Issue - June 2020
VIE Magazine May 2020 Entertainment Issue, Leslie Odom Jr
VIE Magazine - April 2020 Culinary Issue
VIE Magazine March 2020 The Fashion Edit, VONDOM, Alys Beach Fl, Digital Graffiti, Tres Chic, isidro dunbar Modern Interiors, Digital Graffiti Festival
VIE Magazine February 2020 Health & Beauty Issue
VIE Magazine - Travel Issue - January 2020 - Tanzania Safari Cover
VIE Magazine - Women's Issue - December 2019 - Tina Brown Cover
VIE NOV19 Goodness Issue
VIE Magazine, September 2019 Art & Culture Issue, Paul Hanninen
VIE Magazine - August 2019 - The Architecture and Design Issue
VIE Magazine - July 2019 - The Artist Issue
VIE Magazine - June 2019 - Fashion Edit
VIE Magazine - May 2019 - Culinary Issue
VIE Magazine - April 2019 - The Health & Wellness Issue
VIE Magazine - Special Entertainment Edition - March 2019
VIE Magazine February 2019 Luxury Homes & Technology Issue with Robbie Antonio of Revolution Precrafted
VIE Magazine - January 2019 - Southern Sophisticate Issue Cover
VIE Magazine - Special Anniversary Travel Edition - December 2018
VIE Magazine - The Goodness Issue - November 2018
VIE Magazine - The Art & Culture Issue - October 2018
VIE Magazine - Home & Garden Issue - September 2018
VIE Magazine - August 2018 Animal Issue
VIE Magazine - July 2018 Architecture & Design Issue - Subscribe to the magazine!
VIE Magazine - June 2018 Travel & Tech Issue
VIE Magazine - May 2018 Couture Issue
VIE Magazine - The Culinary Issue - April 2018 Cover - Chef James Briscione and Brooke Parkhurst
VIE Magazine - The Entertainers Issue - March 2018
VIE Magazine - February 2018 Destination Travel Issue
VIE Magazine - January 2018 Health & Beauty Issue
VIE Magazine, The Sophisticate Issue, December 2017
VIE Magazine - November 2017 Art & Culture Issue
VIE Magazine - October 2017 Home & Garden Issue
VIE Magazine | September 2017 | The Stories and Storytellers Issue
VIE Magazine - The Adventure Issue - August 2017
VIE Magazine - July 2017 - Art & Artist Issue
VIE Magazine - The Voyager Issue - June 2017
VIE magazine 2017 March-April Cover South Walton Fashion Week
VIE Magazine - January/February 2017 - The Health & Beauty Issue
VIE Magazine - Nov/Dec 2016 The Sophisticate Issue
christian siriano vie magazine september october 2016 vie magazine
the modern minimalist issue
Summertime!
the culinary and couture issue march april 2016 vie magazine
the voyager issue alys beach vie magazine january february 2016
cultural issue vie magazine november december 2015
home and garden issue vie magazine september october 2015
the art and style issue vie magazine july august 2015
the wedding issue 2015 May June vie magazine
the food and fashion issue vie magazine march april 2015
the travel issue vie magazine january february 2015
the music issue vie magazine 2014 november december
The Animal Issue vie magazine september october 2014
the home and garden issue vie magazine july august 2014
the wedding issue vie magazine may june 2014
emeril lagasse food and fashion vie magazine
the men's issue january february 2014
the music issue november december 2013 vie magazine
the home and garden issue 2013 october september
the wedding issue vie magazine july august 2013
the artist issue may june 2013 vie magazine
the food and fashion issue march april 2013
the men's issue january february 2013 vie magazine
The Holiday Issue
the love issue july august 2012
the all american summer may june 2012
the entertainment issue march april 2012
the fashion issue vie magazine winter 2011
the home and garden issue vie magazine fall 2011
the anniversary edition vie magazine summer 2011
the wedding issue vie magazine spring 2011
vie magazine the holiday issue 2010 Dec
vintage swimsuits vie magazine 2010 Fall
judith march designer vie magazine summer 2010
wedding giveaway vie magazine spring 2010
holiday gift guide vie magazine winter 2009
emarketing explosion vie magazine fall 2009
tribute to mother's day vie magazine summer 2009
james and robert redford vie magazine spring 2009
zz top vie magazine fall winter 2008
project dreams vie magazine new york fashion week
Sign-up for VIEmail

Sign up for VIEmail


X

A LIFESTYLE