North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler will lead a public forum featuring farmers, restaurateurs and others involved in the local food economy, beginning at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, in UNC Asheville’s Sherrill Center, Mountain View Room. This event is free and open to the public.

The forum, part of the statewide Agriculture Commissioner’s Speakers Series, will focus on sustainable agricultural practices and the local food economy. Featured speakers will be:

* Charles “Chase” Hubbard, farm manager, Warren Wilson College

* Laurey Masterton, proprietor of Laurey’s Restaurant and Catering

* William “Billy” Johnston, dairy farmer and member, North Carolina Board of Agriculture

* William Shelton, farmer

* L.T. Ward, vice president, WNC Communities

This event is hosted by WNC Communities, the Buncombe County Farm Bureau, the NC Friends of Agriculture Foundation and UNC Asheville’s N.C. Center for Health & Wellness. A light reception will follow at 5:30 p.m. For more information, contact Kristen Baughman at the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 919/707-3011.