ASAP likes to share the stories of people who help us fulfill our mission. Each month we interview someone working in agriculture, the food system, farm to school education, or community health. These stories are also shared in our monthly newsletter.
Karen Appert is the Program Manager for North Carolina Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (NCSFMNP) through NC Department of Health and Human Services Division of Aging. Karen has been growing the reach and redemption of this program, which helps seniors across the state access fresh food from participating farmers. She is a family caregiving advocate
Duane Gibson and Lindsey Giglio are co-owners of Two Stones Farm + Mill in Greenville, Tennessee. Just a few miles from the North Carolina border, they are growing grains like corn and wheat along with classic summer fruits like blueberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, and more. Two Stones is participating in Appalachian Farms Feeding Families, one of
William Dissen is the chef and owner of The Market Place in downtown Asheville, North Carolina, serving hyper-local and regionally sourced meals with a high attention to quality, flavor, story, and heart. Beginning his chef career at the age of 15, he took over The Market Place from Mark Rosenstein in 2009, and has helped
Morgan Davies, along with her husband Mark and mother, Cynthia Goff, took over ownership of The Ten Acre Garden in December of 2023. The Ten Acre Garden is located in Canton, NC and has a farm stand, u-pick produce and flowers, and on-farm activities too like classes, live music, and wood-fired pizza nights. What has
Anna Zurliene is the Executive Director of the East Asheville Tailgate Market (Fridays, 3-6 p.m.) and a big supporter of local food systems and community food security. Since her start as director in 2023, Anna has stewarded the gathering of vendors and customers alike to strengthen investment in local foods and more. Anna loves to
Althea Dunn is both the Director and Co-Founder of Pisgah Collective, a year-round, outdoor preschool program based in Brevard, NC. Throughout her time at Brevard College, she began working in various outdoor education and recreation programs in Transylvania County, leading her to open Pisgah Collective with her sister, Julia. Pisgah Collective is a member of
Shiloh Avery is co-owner of Tumbling Shoals Farm in Wilkes County, North Carolina for the past 18 years and will be co-presenting a workshop at ASAP’s 2025 Business of Farming Conference (Feb. 22, 8:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, NC). Along with Jason Roehrig, the workshop titled,”You Can’t
Like the rest of Asheville’s food community, we are heartbroken at the loss of Brian Canipelli, chef and owner of Cucina 24. From his restaurant’s inception in 2008, Brian has been a model in sourcing from local farms and building strong bonds with farmers. Below are excerpts from an interview ASAP did with Brian and
Farmer Danielle Hutchison will give a welcome address as part of the 2025 Business of Farming Conference on February 22 at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, NC. Danielle began farming in 2008 and is the co-owner and operator of TendWell Farm in McDowell County, North Carolina. Can you share a little about yourself
Ali and Brian are in the midst of moving their farm, Seven Seeds Farm, from Burnsville to Marshall. As beginning farmers, they have a few market outlets including a spring and main season CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) that support their farm year-round. Ali and Brian have big dreams for their new space including an expanded