Page updated July 22, 2008

Contact Rose at rose @ asapconnections.org if you'd like to submit an event for the calendar. (Please use the format below--date, name, location, contact first, then any additional information .)

Scroll down to see upcoming or previous months' calendar events.

August (Top)

4-5 - High Country CFSA Farm Tour - NC High Country. Contact 336-219-2650, richard_boylan@ncsu.edu.

5- Starting a Commercial Bunchgrape Vineyard Workshop - Nebo, NC. 828-652-8104.

5 - Organic Container and Field-Grown Christmas Trees Workshop-Leicester, NC. 828-

255-5522.

7 - Small Farms Field Day, NC A&T State University Farm - Greensboro, NC. 9-12. 336-334-795.

9-10 - 31st Annual Sourwood Festival - Black Mountain, NC. Contact 828-669-2300, www.exploreblackmountain.com.

12 - Apple/Peach Field Day, Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station - Fletcher, NC. 828-684-3562 or jim_walgenbach@ncsu.edu.

12 - Hay Field Day: Pasture Renovation and Drought Recovery – Waynesville, NC. 828-255-5522, http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/agcomm/writing/Field_Days/Hay_08.pdf.

15 - North Carolina Tomato Tasting - WNC Farmers’ Market, Asheville, NC. www.localharvest.org Contact 828-253-1691.

26 - The Up and Coming Organic Landscape and Lawn Care Industry – Asheville, NC. 828-450-2026 or Meredith@organicgrowersschool.org.

29 - NC Apple Festival - Hendersonville, NC. Contact 828-697-4557, www.ncapplefestival.org.

30-31 - Benefit for Midwest Flood Victims, Blue Ridge Corn Maze – Brevard, NC. 828-884-4415, www.blueridgecornmaze.com.

31- Apple Pickin' Days - Cocke County, TN. www.treasuresofappalachia.com/. Contact 423-487-3111.

1 – 3 – Friday – Sunday – NC Winegrowers Association Annual Meeting – Greensboro, This year’s NC Winegrowers Association Annual Meeting will be an information-packed learning and networking event. If you currently grow winegrapes or are considering doing so, you will not want to miss the experts who will be presenting here. Topics to be covered will include business planning, disease and insect management, hybrid winegrape varieties (particularly relevant for High Country growers), and vineyard management after a late spring freeze (also, alas, very relevant for our region). For the full agenda, registration forms, and other information, contact Angie Owens at info@ncwinegrowers.com or 336-813-6688. More information about the event can also be found at www.ncwinegrowers.com.

5 – Tuesday - Vendor Information Meeting -  Buncombe County Cooperative Extension and Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project will be hosting an informational meeting for the new Asheville City Market on Tuesday, February 5th, from 7:00 to 9:00pm at the City's Public Works Facility, 161 S. Charlotte Street.  Farmers and other vendors are invited.  A timeline to opening, operational details, and vendor applications will be shared.  A similar meeting was held on December 6th.  If you attended, there’s no need to come to this one as well. For more information, contact Mike McCreary, Market Manager, at (828) 348-0340 or see the market website .

9 - Saturday - Organic Gardening Class - with Hal Oliver of Oliver's Organics, 2:00p.m. at the Hendersonville Community Co-op. Also: Hendersonville Comm Co-op will be carrying seeds, and bagged soil and fertilizers. This is the second in a series of classes on Organic Gardening with local organic grower, Hal Oliver. Each class will cover a different topic, and they will be given in a appropriate order of importance as the growing season approaches and gets started. All classes are on Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. at the Co-op in the warehouse. The cost is $10 for HCC Owners and $15 for non-owners. If folks want to sign up for the whole series, they can get a discount: $30 for Owners, and $45 for non-owners. Dates: January 26th- Soil Fertility, February 9th- Seeding, February 23rd- Sprays, March 1st- Irrigation, March 22nd- Greenhouse Construction. The class space is limited to 20 people, so please contact Damian or Gretchen at the co-op to sign up. 693-8557 There is also a sign up sheet at the front kiosk in the store.

12 - 14 -Tuesday - Thursday - Acidified Foods Processing and Packaging Better Process Control School For North Carolina Entrepreneurs Packaging in Glass and Plastic Containers - Haynes Conference Center ,A-B Tech Enka Campus, 1459 Sand Hill Road, Candler, NC. For more information see the workshop announcement and registration form:  http://www.ncsu.edu/foodscience/pdf/acidified_foods_feb%2008.pdf To inquire about scholarships contact Mary Lou Surgi at Blue Ridge Food Ventures, 665-9464.

19 – Tuesday - WNC Livestock Sales Market Study Meeting – 7pm-8pm at Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center, 455 Research Drive, Fletcher, NC 28732; phone: 828-684-3562. The North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission has provided a grant to fund a feasibility study on establishing a Livestock Marketing Facility in Western North Carolina. To help launch this study, we want to talk directly with area livestock producers to explain the purpose and schedule for the study and to find out what livestock producers want and need in terms of a livestock marketing facility. Get more information here(.pdf).

20 - 21 - Wednesday - Thursday - Winter Vegetable Conference - Crown Plaza Resort, Asheville, North Carolina
Sponsored by the North Carolina Tomato Growers Association, the NC Cooperative Extension Service, and the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, this is the conference to attend if you want to learn the latest about vegetable and specialty crop production in Western North Carolina.  Find more information here.

23 - Saturday - ASAP Marketing Opportunities for Farmers Conference - ASAP’s Marketing Opportunities for Farmers Conference is an annual tradition now in its fifth year.  The conference is a single day packed full of information about how farms can effectively promote themselves, crops and techniques to consider for farm diversification, and tips to reach local markets from direct to wholesale.  Attendees are working farmers and others seriously considering farming as a profession.  Speakers include agriculture experts, farmers experienced in reaching local markets, buyers, and ASAP staff.  The conference will be held on Saturday, February 23rd, at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa.  For more information and a list of workshops, give us a call or see www.asapconnections.org/marketingconference.htm. 

23 - Saturday - Organic Gardening Class - with Hal Oliver of Oliver's Organics, 2:00p.m. at the Hendersonville Community Co-op. Also: Hendersonville Comm Co-op will be carrying seeds, and bagged soil and fertilizers. This is the third in a series of classes on Organic Gardening with local organic grower, Hal Oliver. Each class will cover a different topic, and they will be given in a appropriate order of importance as the growing season approaches and gets started. All classes are on Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. at the Co-op in the warehouse. The cost is $10 for HCC Owners and $15 for non-owners. If folks want to sign up for the whole series, they can get a discount: $30 for Owners, and $45 for non-owners. Dates: January 26th- Soil Fertility, February 9th- Seeding, February 23rd- Sprays, March 1st- Irrigation, March 22nd- Greenhouse Construction. The class space is limited to 20 people, so please contact Damian or Gretchen at the co-op to sign up. 693-8557 There is also a sign up sheet at the front kiosk in the store.

29 – Friday – Northern Piedmont Specialty Crops School - The Northern Piedmont Specialty Crops School will be held on Friday, February 29, 2008 at the Person County Cooperative Extension Center, 304 South Morgan Street in Roxboro, NC. The cost of the one-day school is $25.00 per person for the first individual in the family or business and $15.00 for each additional person.  Both fees will include lunch, which will be provided.  Pre-registration is required in order to save you a seat.  For a copy of the program, pre-registration form, map, and a list of local motels in Roxboro, contact Carl Cantaluppi at 919-603-1350 or e-mail at carl_cantaluppi@ncsu.edu.

March (Top)

1 - Saturday - Organic Gardening Class - with Hal Oliver of Oliver's Organics, 2:00p.m. at the Hendersonville Community Co-op. Also: Hendersonville Comm Co-op will be carrying seeds, and bagged soil and fertilizers. This is the fourth in a series of classes on Organic Gardening with local organic grower, Hal Oliver. Each class will cover a different topic, and they will be given in a appropriate order of importance as the growing season approaches and gets started. All classes are on Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. at the Co-op in the warehouse. The cost is $10 for HCC Owners and $15 for non-owners. If folks want to sign up for the whole series, they can get a discount: $30 for Owners, and $45 for non-owners. Dates: January 26th- Soil Fertility, February 9th- Seeding, February 23rd- Sprays, March 1st- Irrigation, March 22nd- Greenhouse Construction. The class space is limited to 20 people, so please contact Damian or Gretchen at the co-op to sign up. 693-8557 There is also a sign up sheet at the front kiosk in the store.

8 - Saturday - Organic Growers School Spring Conference - Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock, North Carolina. The Organic Growers School Spring Conference is an annual event held every March, consisting of a diverse array of workshops and hands-on classes for all folks interested in organic and sustainable agriculture—from the beginning backyard gardener to the advanced commercial grower. Each year, we feature around 70 classes and 10 extended, hands-on workshops on a wide range of topics, including Soils, Pest Management, Livestock, Herbs, Cooking, Permaculture, Homesteading, Urban Growing, Forestry, and much more. Also offered are a Children’s Program (ages 7-12), a trade show, and a seed and plant exchange.  The Spring Conference is a great place to connect with people and network within the regional agriculture community, learn new things, and collect ideas for the coming growing season. The event has grown from about 100 people in 1993 to 1000 in 2007! Participants come from over 17 different states.  For more information about the Organic Growers School Spring Conference, or if you are interested in sponsoring this event, please contact event coordinator Meredith Leigh McKissick at meredith@organicgrowersschool.org. Find more at organicgrowersschool.org

22 - Saturday - Organic Gardening Class - with Hal Oliver of Oliver's Organics, 2:00p.m. at the Hendersonville Community Co-op. Also: Hendersonville Comm Co-op will be carrying seeds, and bagged soil and fertilizers. This is the final class in a series of classes on Organic Gardening with local organic grower, Hal Oliver. Each class will cover a different topic, and they will be given in a appropriate order of importance as the growing season approaches and gets started. All classes are on Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. at the Co-op in the warehouse. The cost is $10 for HCC Owners and $15 for non-owners. If folks want to sign up for the whole series, they can get a discount: $30 for Owners, and $45 for non-owners. Dates: January 26th- Soil Fertility, February 9th- Seeding, February 23rd- Sprays, March 1st- Irrigation, March 22nd- Greenhouse Construction. The class space is limited to 20 people, so please contact Damian or Gretchen at the co-op to sign up. 693-8557 There is also a sign up sheet at the front kiosk in the store.

24 - Monday - Ramps and Rainbow Festival - Cherokee, NC. Contact 800-438-1601. cherokee-nc.com

29 - Saturday - Asheville Artisan Bread Baker’s Festival - Greenlife Grocery, Asheville, NC. Learn more here.

29 - Saturday - WNC Independent Poultry and Rabbit Meat Producers Workshop - McDowell Technical Community College, Marion, NC. This event has reached its full capacity.  Click here to learn about the event sponsor, the Independent Small Animal Meat Processors Association of WNC .

31 - Monday - Planning for Success: Marketing, Branding, Business Planning, And Conservation Programs for Your Farm - Clegg Center Auditorium · North Georgia Technical College · Clarkesville, GA. Join ASAP and North Georgia Technical College for a half-day workshop that will present information and tools to farmers interested in expanding and diversifying into different markets.  Cost is $5 and includes lunch. Find out more and register here.

June(Top)

7 - Saturday - Beekeeping Field Day- Buncombe County Beekeepers are hosting their annual Field Day at the Swannanoa 4-H Camp from 10am -2pm. This is also a picnic, so bring a dish to share. For more info on the Field Day visit the Buncombe County Beekeeper's website, www.wncbees.org.

10 - Tuesday - Preserving Made Easy- Learn more about canning or just brush up on the latest information on food preservation from canning to freezing to drying by attending Canning and Preserving Made Easy. This workshop is an introduction to canning, pickling, jams and jellies, freezing, drying and storage. 5:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. See Buncombe County Cooperative Extension site for more information.

12 - Thursday - On-Farm Demonstration: Season Extension of Squash and Melons - Farmers are invited to an on-farm demonstration in the Sandy Mush Community on Thursday, June 12 from 4:00-5:30 pm. Alex Brown and Vanessa Campbell of Full Sun Farm will demonstrate the practice of season extension on their farm using plasticulture and low tunnels, enabling them to harvest squash and melons 2 to 4 weeks early. See Buncombe County Cooperative Extension site for more information.

16-17 - Monday-Tuesday - Rural Lands Update - Professional credit workshops for attorneys, accountants, consulting foresters, and others who advise clients with ownership interests in rural lands. The Rural Lands Update is a coordinated response to a growing need in rural communities: updates on financial, tax and legal issues related to rural land ownership. The RLU is a partnership effort of NCFTN, NC Cooperative Extension, NC Farm Bureau Federation, NCDA , and the Land Loss Prevention Project. The first installments of the series will be June 16 in Newland and June 17 in Sylva. Click for more info or to print a registration form.

22 - Sunday - Everyone's Favorite Food - But Local - Join Slow Food Asheville to celebrate pizza and cupcakes on Sunday June 22nd 5pm at the West End Bakery. Bring a topping for pizza – local ingredients only. The bakery will provide the pizza crusts and a simple salad. If you are a dessert person and would rather make a sweet contribution bring cupcakes made with at least one local ingredient. Kids are welcome to participate. Please contribute $2-5 per person to cover costs (any leftover funds will go to the slow food education fund). Come to the event for free if you would like to volunteer to help clean up. Bring a bottle of wine or beer for yourself or to share. At the event we'll have the opportunity to learn more about the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association "Eat Carolina Food Challenge." Please call Cathy 255-0296 before June 21 to let her know you are coming or for more information about the Pizza and Cupcakes event.

24 - Tuesday - Bread Wheat and Organic Production- Production and marketing workshop for potential producers of wheat.  Come learn about varieties that produce well in the Southeast.  Hear from an agronomist, a farmer, and conventional and organic wheat buyers who will answer marketing questions.  $10 registration fee includes dinner. To register see the CEFS website or call 919-513-0954.

28- Saturday - Asheville City Market Ribbon Cutting - At 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 28th, Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy will cut a ribbon to celebrate the grand opening of the Asheville area’s largest producer-only market. The ribbon cutting will also usher in the prime summer season of fresh produce and launch A Taste of the Market, a new series of special market days when vendors will offer abundant samples. City staff and others who helped identify the site and plan the market will be recognized. The Asheville City Market has been open since April 19th and now has more than 70 member vendors.

28-29 - Saturday-Sunday - Mountain Farm Tour - More and more people want to eat local, but how much do you really know about agriculture in your own community? Find out, first-hand, during the 2008 Mountain Farm and Garden Tour. Western North Carolina is home to an impressive number of family farms—over 12,000 of them—and the tour, on Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29 from 1:00 to 6:00p.m., is an invitation to visit and connect with some of the most outstanding. Visit mountainfarmtour.com to find out where to get a farm tour map, and to save money by purchasing your farm tour button in advance.

29 -Sunday - Orchestra Concert to Benefit ASAP - The Jubilee! Community Orchestra will present Garden Fantasia, Sunday, June 29, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. The concert features works Beethoven, Bernstein, and more, all inspired by farm and garden themes. The concert will be held at Jubilee! Community, 40 Wall St, Asheville, NC. Admission by Donation to benefit the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project . Visit jubileeorchestra.net for more information.

See the 2007 Calendar Here.