ASAP Connections

Business of Farming Conference

February 22, AB Tech Conference Center
ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference brings together professional farmers from across the Southeast region to network and share resources to grow their farm businesses. Farmers  will learn about marketing, business planning, branding, and management from regional experts and innovative peers. The conference is designed for beginning and established farmers as well as those seriously considering farming as a profession. Get early-bird registration rates through Feb. 1!

Saving Seeds and Sustaining Cherokee Traditions at Long Family Farm

It’s the end of the growing season and Harold Long is standing in front of a row of pole beans. The vines are withered and the pods are bone dry, but this seed’s journey is actually just beginning.

Harold and his wife, Nancy Long, grow heirloom beans, corn, pumpkins, and heritage chickens at Long Family Farms in Murphy, North Carolina.  READ MORE

Growing Local airs on WNCW on Mondays during Morning Edition at 8:45 am, featuring the local food and farm stories we discover through our Local Food Research Center. Past broadcasts are archived on our website and can be heard on SoundCloud or iTunes.

What’s Fresh Dec. 13-19, 2019

This week offers several prime opportunities to shop local farmers tailgate markets for holiday gifts, party preparations—or just your weekly grocery needs. East Asheville Tailgate Market’s holiday market and fundraiser is today, from 3 to 6 pm, plus there are still several Saturday morning (Asheville City Market and The Holiday Bazaar) and midweek (West Asheville Tailgate Holiday Market, River Arts District Winter Market, Weaverville Tailgate Winter Market) markets open for convenient shopping.  READ MORE

2017 UDSA Census of Agriculture: Initial Impressions

The USDA Census of Agriculture, released every five years, is the most comprehensive and consistent source of data available regarding farm businesses, farmland, and farmers, down to the county level, and is a valuable tool for our Local Food Research Center. The 2017 Census was released April 11, and our research team has been hard at work drawing initial impressions from the more than six million data points.

2018 Appalachian Grown Producer Report

This report contains the findings from our annual survey of Appalachian Grown farmers used to assess the impact of the Appalachian Grown program and ASAP’s support