During the depths of winter, it can feel invigorating to think about the abundance of fruits and vegetables to come. Spring lettuce is on its way soon, and tomato seeds are glimmers of hope that summer will arrive again. CSAs bring that bounty to from the farm the kitchen each week. A CSA, or Community … Read more
I’m hunting the ghost of tobacco farming with Taylor Barnhill from the Appalachian Barn Alliance. As we drive around the tight curves and steep hillsides of Madison County, we see dozens of old barns teetering on the edge of the road. The wooden boards are worn and faded, vines climb up the sides, and many … Read more
If you drive through the hills and along the river in Madison County, North Carolina, you’ll see a community in transition. Some fields are fallow, others are filled with hay, and around the bend, farmers are growing fruits and vegetables while chickens, pigs, and sheep graze on open pasture. Just a few decades ago, Ross … Read more
It’s a busy morning at Mountain Food Products. Employees are answering phones, rifling through paper invoices, and getting deliveries ready for the day. Boxes of tomatoes and peaches are packed up and wheeled out to trucks, which will deliver produce to hundreds of restaurants in Western North Carolina. Ron Ainspan is the founder of Mountain … Read more
When Aaron and Nicole Bradley of Colfax Creek Farm decided to start their own farming operation, they had decades of knowledge to draw from. Nicole’s great-grandfather raised hogs in upstate New York. Aaron’s family has been farming in Western North Carolina for generations, and he grew up on what was his great-great-grandfather’s farm. Aaron remembers … Read more
The farm to school movement is thriving. Across the country, teachers, parents, volunteers, and dietitians are teaching children where their food comes from and how to connect with agriculture and healthy eating. Here in Western North Carolina, ASAP’s Growing Minds @ University program offers training for future educators and dietitians who want to integrate local … Read more
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 … Read more
Living healthy requires effort. And some workplaces are taking the lead in encouraging people to live the healthiest lives they can. Workplace wellness programs have emerged as an option for employers to help workers adopt healthy habits. Larger workplaces often have incentives for employees to exercise regularly and choose nutritious foods. Some workplaces have embraced … Read more
Elementary students rush into the cafeteria at North Buncombe Elementary School in Asheville, North Carolina. Kirk Fiore, a chef from the Biltmore, is here with kale pesto for the kids to taste. The kale was grown at the estate and prepared with these students in mind. Today’s test test is part of the Biltmore’s efforts … Read more
Joe Deal and his family are gathered in front of a pile of straw bales at Deal Family Farm in Franklin, North Carolina. Joe’s wife, Devon, and their five kids jostle into a semi-circle for a group photo. Anyone with a big family will recognize the joy of getting everyone together for a family picture. … Read more