Have you hugged a barn today?

Well, you don't have to get that close. But this is your chance to get up close and personal with your local farms. The Charlotte area leg of the Know Your Farms tour is 1-6 p.m. Sept. 14-15, with 30 farms in 9 counties on the list. A ticket is $25 per vehicle in advance, $30 at the farms. You get a map so you can plot your own route, and many of the farms schedule special activities, including cooking lessons and lessons in how to use sustainable growing techniques in your own garden.

The tour is sponsored by Know Your Farms, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, N.C. Cooperative Extension, Piedmont Grown and the 10% Campaign.

Get the list of farms, details, ticket information and maps at knowyourfarmstour.com.