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!

Wehrloom Honey’s Sweet Rewards

Sometimes a thoughtful gift can cause a chain reaction. A curiosity becomes a hobby that turns into a family business and eventually becomes a cornerstone of a community. When Aron and Jessica Wehr first moved from Pennsylvania to Robbinsville, North Carolina, Aron got Jessica a holiday gift that would change their lives. “I bought my wife a few hives for Christmas in 2010 and I didn’t quite realize at the time that I bought myself a full time job,” Aron says.  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 Jan. 17-23, 2019

We’re finally in for some colder nights this coming week, so it’s a good time to stock up on stew ingredients to fortify you against the chill. Whether your preferred simmering method involves an Instant Pot, slow cooker, or good, old-fashioned Dutch oven, your first step is to gather everything you can at a winter farmers tailgate market. We’ve got a few ideas to get you started.  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