Bare Roots & Live Stakes Class
2026-01-24 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Winding Stair Farm, 57 Saunders Rd., Franklin, NC, 28734, United States
Master low-cost, high-impact planting techniques before spring arrives!
Learn two powerful methods for establishing native plants while they’re dormant—perfect for stream bank restoration, erosion control, or populating larger areas without breaking the bank. Whether you’re tackling a problem slope or dreaming of a native restoration project, this workshop will give you the practical skills to make it happen.
What You’ll Learn:
Live Staking: A fast, low-labor technique for adding quick-rooting shrubs to wetlands and riparian buffers. Learn how to properly prepare, plant, and space live stakes to combat erosion on creek banks.
Bare Root Planting: How to work with dormant seedlings for cost-effective establishment of trees and shrubs in your landscape.
Real-world applications: See how we’ve used both methods successfully here at Winding Stair Farm to improve stream banks and restore native habitat.
Pre-order live stakes before the class (below) and your stakes will be waiting for you at class!
Both techniques are conservation-proven and widely used by restoration professionals to establish native plants at a fraction of the cost of potted stock. This class is perfect for landowners, stream stewards, native plant enthusiasts, and anyone looking to restore habitat on a budget.

Streambank Restoration at SAHC’s Jenkins Branch Farm
2026-01-29 09:30 - 12:00 | SAHC Jenkins Branch Farm, 469 Jenkins Valley Road, Alexander, NC, 28701, United States
Date: Thursday, January 29
Time: Starting at 9:30 AM
Where: SAHC’s Jenkins Branch Farm
Near the SAHC Community Farm in Alexander, NC
Join Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and our partners from Riverlink for a hands-on streambank restoration workshop and planting day. Get hands-on experience at this conserved 100-acre farm in the French Broad River watershed, just 15 minutes from downtown Asheville.
Have you ever wondered how to improve or repair eroded streambanks? This workshop will include an informative ‘class’ session in the morning, followed by hands-on live stake planting and an optional afternoon hike. You will learn how to improve and manage streambanks in the Southern Appalachian mountain region for habitat, water quality and erosion mitigation. Participants will gain practical experience, as we work to repair a section of the streambank on Jenkins Branch. Following the workshop, attendees will also have the option to take a guided hike on the conserved farm property, led by SAHC Community Farm Manager Chris Link. From the beautiful knoll atop the farm property, you can enjoy sweeping distant views of the Walnut and Black Mountains.
Schedule:
9:30 am: Welcome and introductions
9:45 am: Instructional time, near the barn
10:30 am: Planting time
12:00 pm: Lunch and hike (please bring your own lunch)
No prior experience needed. Please dress warmly in layers, with sturdy footwear. Tools and work gloves will be provided (but if you have gloves you prefer to use, please bring them).
About our presenting partner: RiverLink, an environmental non-profit and land trust, is dedicated to promoting the environmental and economic vitality of the French Broad River and its watershed for all.
This workshop event is FREE for all to attend. However, pre-registration is required. More information, including directions, will be sent via email to registered attendees.

Fermentation Class for Beginners (with Queeney Foods LLC)
2026-01-31 10:00 - 12:00 | WNC FoodWorks, 570 Brevard Rd., Unit 9, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Join Colleen Queeney of Queeney Foods LLC (Queeney Kimchi) for a 2-hour Beginner Class on Fermentation. You’ll learn all about how to ferment foods, taste different fermented foods and go home with your own personally flavored sauerkraut to ferment at home. Cost is $50 per person.

Love Your Fruit Trees, Learn to Prune
2026-01-31 10:00 - 13:00 | Winding Stair Farm, 57 Saunders Rd., Franklin, NC, 28734, United States
Master the art of fruit tree pruning at the perfect time of year!
Learn essential pruning and training techniques while trees are dormant—the ideal window for shaping fruit trees for health, productivity, and easier harvest. Whether you’re managing a backyard orchard or want to improve your fruit production, this hands-on workshop will give you the confidence to prune with purpose.
What You’ll Learn:
Proper Tool Selection: Which pruning tools to use for different cuts and tree sizes, plus how to maintain them for clean, healthy cuts.
Pruning Techniques: How to identify and remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches while opening up the canopy for better light and air circulation.
Training Young Trees: Shape developing trees to establish strong structure and encourage earlier fruiting.
Fruiting Shrub Techniques: Apply the same principles to blueberries and other fruiting shrubs for maximum berry production.
Hands-on Practice: Work on real trees during the workshop—bring your own tools and get direct feedback on your technique.
This approximately 3-hour class includes plenty of time for questions about your specific trees and personalized advice for your orchard challenges. Perfectly timed for late winter pruning, you’ll leave ready to tackle your own trees with confidence.

Farmer Event: The Labor Roundtable
2026-02-03 18:30 - 20:00 | Online/Virtual
Calling all farmers! Join us in a virtual open conversation navigating farm labor. Through guided discussion and small-group breakouts, we’ll talk honestly about what’s working, what’s been challenging, and how local farmers make labor decisions—from costs and seasonality to finding people, managing teams, and on-farm housing vs. hourly employees. We’ll discover shared experiences, common barriers, and practical ideas for improving farm labor systems, both on individual farms and across the local farming community.

Burke County Land Preservation Summit
2026-02-06 08:30 - 12:30 | Burke County Agricultural Center, 130 Ammons Drive, Morganton, NC, 28655, United States
Landowners, agriculture producers and conservationists are invited to attend a half-day summit to learn about tax planning, Present Use value, what is a bona fide farm, and the future of economic outlook.
Attorney & NC State Associate Extension Professor Andrew Branan will be joining us with a variety of local experts to answer your land use questions.
Register at 828-764-9480 or follow the link.

Marketing Opportunities for Food Producers & Manufacturers - Virtual
2026-02-09 17:30 - 18:30
Join Mike Brown from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture for this virtual session focused on marketing opportunities available to food producers and food manufacturers across the state. This training will highlight key programs, resources, and strategies designed to help food businesses connect with buyers, promote their products, and strengthen their market presence.

Farm Taxes: Let's Crush the Schedule F
2026-02-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Agricultural Conference Center, 971 W King St, Boone, NC, 28607, United States
No one likes taxes, but getting them done right is as important as any other part of the farm. Gain confidence with this guided walk through of the Schedule F (Profit and Loss from Farming) by Laurel Clabaugh, that will teach you what you need to report and how, help reduce your taxable income, and enjoy some light humor along the way.
Laurel Clabaugh started her farm bookkeeping journey with a mid-size poultry farm and in the years since has worked with a variety of farmers covering different industries from produce to agritourism. She is passionate about helping small farmers understand the money side of their business in a way that is as painless as possible. Eager to help small farms succeed, Laurel specializes in 1-on-1 conversations to provide tools and training created with real world experience to meet farmers where they’re at and bring them to where they want to be.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, N.C. Cooperative Extension will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Please direct accommodation requests to: Kendra Phipps, kpphipps@ncsu.edu, 828-264-3061. Requests can be served more effectively if notice is provided at least 10 days before the event.
N.C. Cooperative Extension and the NC Community College System prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, political affiliation, and veteran status.
Dinner will be available for $12/plate

Farm Taxes: Let's Crush the Schedule F
2026-02-12 17:30 - 20:00 | N.C. Cooperative Extension – Rutherford County Center, 193 Callahan Koon Rd., Spindale, NC, 28160, United States
Let’s Crush the Schedule F! No one likes taxes but getting them done right is as important as any other part of the farm. Gain confidence with this guided walk through of the Schedule F (Profit and Loss from Farming) that will teach you what you need to report and how, help reduce your taxable income, and enjoy some light humor along the way.
Speaker:
Laurel Clabaugh started her farm bookkeeping journey with a mid-size poultry farm and in the years since has worked with a variety of farmers covering different industries from produce to agritourism. She is passionate about helping small farmers understand the money side of their business in a way that is as painless as possible. Eager to help small farms succeed, Laurel specializes in 1-on-1 conversations to provide tools and training created with real world experience to meet farmers where they’re at and bring them to where they want to be.
This event will be held at the N.C. Cooperative Extension – Rutherford County Center (193 Callahan Koon Rd, Spindale, NC 28160) from 5:30PM-8:00PM on February 12, 2025. Dinner will be provided.

Share the Love with Root Cause Farm
2026-02-13 17:00 - 20:00 | Cultivated Cocktails Distillery and Tavern, 161 Charlotte Hwy, Asheville, NC, 28803, United States
Share the Love This Valentine’s Day Weekend with Root Cause Farm: A Night of Community, Music, and Impact
Fairview, NC — January 15, 2026 — This Valentine’s Day, Root Cause Farm invites you to Share the Love on Friday, February 13, from 5–8 p.m. at Cultivated Cocktails, for an evening of live music, handcrafted spirits, and meaningful community connection.
Root Cause Farm is more than a farm—it’s a community hub where everyone can find the nourishment they need. As a nonprofit in Fairview, NC, the farm brings neighbors together to grow, share, and celebrate healthy, local food. Through the coordination of dedicated volunteers, Root Cause Farm produces thousands of pounds of organic fruits and vegetables each season, distributing it at no cost to families in need.
This year’s Share the Love event highlights not only the farm’s dedication to nourishing families but also its commitment to educating the next generation of farmers, nutrition advocates, and community leaders. Guests will enjoy soulful live music from Asheville’s Nikki Talley & Jason Sharp and expertly crafted spirits from Cultivated Cocktails, a family-owned distillery with deep Western North Carolina roots.
By attending, guests are supporting more than a night out—they are helping train our future leaders, increasing fresh produce production capacity by at least 15%, and strengthening community connections. In 2025 alone, Root Cause Farm served 120 families weekly, educated more than 50 children, and engaged 80+ weekly volunteers, proving that when neighbors come together, nourishment and hope flourish side by side.
“Our work feeds more than bodies—it nourishes hope, knowledge, and the roots of a stronger, more resilient food system here at home,” said Executive Director Nicole Coston. “Share the Love is a celebration of what’s possible when our community comes together. In addition to Cultivated Cocktails’ generous commitment of 10% of the evening’s proceeds, guests will be able to support Root Cause in our ‘Fund a Foot’ initiative—an opportunity to sponsor garden beds and stand alongside families for an entire growing season, helping deliver months of fresh, organic produce to our neighbors in need.”
No tickets necessary. For more information, follow Root Cause Farm on Instagram and Facebook. Make this Valentine’s Day celebration one that grows love, hope, and impact right here at home.
About Root Cause Farm
Founded in 2009, Root Cause Farm is a Fairview-based nonprofit dedicated to growing and sharing no-cost, organic produce while fostering community education and engagement. The farm cultivates food security, resilience, and connection, ensuring that everyone in Western North Carolina has access to healthy, nourishing food.

Selling at Farmers Markets: Practical Strategies to Boost Sales & Stand Out
2026-02-16 09:00 - 10:30 | Pellissippi State – Magnolia Campus, 1610 E Magnolia Ave, Knoxville, TN, 37917, United States
Prepare for a successful market season with proven, on-the-ground strategies from an experienced farmer. This in-person workshop covers customer attraction, booth setup, and efficient checkout—designed for vendors at all experience levels.

Asheville Restaurant Week
2026-02-17 - 2026-02-23
For many, the delicious culinary creations of local restaurants are a big part of what makes Asheville special. Asheville Restaurant Week celebrates Asheville’s great food scene. Show your favorite restaurants some love or try someplace new! Many restaurants will have special menus and discounts. See a full list of participating restaurants at at ashevillechamber.org.

Farmer Roundtable: What Thrives Now? Climate Shifts on Small Farms
2026-02-19 18:30 - 20:00 | Online/Virtual
This will be a facilitated farmer-to-farmer conversation about how conditions have changed over time, and with it, farm production. We will have a panel of longtime farmers who will dig into what used to do well on their farms, what thrives now, and how climate and environmental shifts have influenced those choices. Expect honest reflection, shared lessons, and plenty of discussion about what’s working, what’s been hard, and the skills and knowledge farmers need to keep adapting. This is a space to learn from each other and think together about what comes next.

An Introduction to Southern Appalachian Wildflowers
2026-02-21 10:00 - 11:30 | Winding Stair Farm, 57 Saunders Rd., Franklin, NC, 28734, United States
Discover the hidden gems blooming in our mountains!
The wildflowers of Southern Appalachia are often nature’s earliest artists, painting the forest floor with color and life starting as early as February. From delicate Trout Lilies emerging through leaf litter to the enchanting Yellow Lady’s Slipper hiding in mountain coves, these blooms tell a quiet story of beauty and resilience unique to our mountains. Join Adam Bigelow—The Joyful Botanist—for a captivating journey through the region’s most beloved wildflowers.
What You’ll Learn:
Iconic Species: Meet the signature wildflowers of Southern Appalachia, from spring ephemerals to summer bloomers, and learn what makes each one special.
Seasonal Bloom Times: Understand when different species emerge and how to plan your own wildflower adventures throughout the year.
Habitat & Ecology: Discover where these plants thrive and their vital roles in mountain ecosystems.
Identification Tips: Learn key features to help you confidently identify wildflowers in the field.
Conservation & Appreciation: Understand the importance of protecting these native treasures and how to enjoy them responsibly.
This presentation-style class, held in our comfortable Pavilion, features a stunning slideshow of wildflowers in their natural habitats. Whether you’re a beginner naturalist, avid hiker, or simply someone who wants to know the names of those beautiful blooms you pass on the trail, this class will deepen your connection to the natural world around you.

Fermentation for Beginners (with Queeney Foods LLC)
2026-02-21 13:00 - 15:00 | WNC FoodWorks, 570 Brevard Rd., Unit 9, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
Join Colleen Queeney of Queeney Foods LLC for a 2 hour Beginner Class on Fermentation. You’ll learn all about how to ferment foods, enjoy tasting different fermented foods and go home with your own jar of personally flavored sauerkraut!
COST: $50 per person
TIME: 1:00pm to 3:00pm February 21st 2026
LOCATION: 570 Brevard Rd, Unit 9, Asheville NC 28806 – WNC Foodworks Training Room (Behind the WNC Farmer’s Market)

ASAP's Business of Farming Conference
2026-02-28 08:00 - 16:00 | AB Tech Community College, 340 Victoria Rd, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
ASAP’s 2026 Business of Farming Conference will take place on Feb. 28, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at A-B Tech Conference Hall in Asheville, NC.
The annual Business of Farming Conference brings together professional farmers from across the Southeast region to network and share resources to grow their farm businesses. Farmers learn about marketing, business planning, and financial management from experts and innovative peers. The conference is designed for beginning and established farmers as well as those seriously considering farming as a profession.
Find more information here and register here.

Bare Root & Live Stakes Class
2026-02-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Winding Stair Farm, 57 Saunders Rd., Franklin, NC, 28734, United States

Wild Remedies for Winter Coughs
2026-02-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Winding Stair Farm, 57 Saunders Rd., Franklin, NC, 28734, United States
Learn to make your own powerful cough syrup from the wild herbs of Appalachia! And, take home your own handmade cough remedy!
Winter brings coughs of all kinds—dry, wet, tickly, or deep—and the mountains around us offer potent natural remedies that have been used for generations. Did you ever wonder why cough syrup is cherry flavored and colored? Because it used to be made from wild cherry bark! Join herbalist Abby Artemisia to discover how to identify, understand, and craft effective herbal remedies for one of winter’s most common ailments.
Abby will also have copies of her book The Herbal Handbook for Homesteaders and locally harvested handmade herbal products for available for purchase.
What You’ll Learn:
Cough Energetics: Understand the difference between wet and dry coughs and why it matters when choosing the right herbs
Local Wild Medicine: Explore two of the most effective regional herbs for cough relief—mullein and wild cherry
Traditional Remedies: Discover the history behind cherry-flavored cough syrup and its wild origins
Hands-On Demo: Watch Abby prepare a special shelf-stable DIY cough syrup called an oxymel
Taste & Take Home: Sample the finished oxymel and leave with recipes you can make at home
This hands-on workshop combines herbal wisdom with practical skills. Whether you’re seeking natural alternatives to store-bought remedies or simply want to deepen your connection to plant medicine, this class will empower you to care for yourself and your loved ones using the healing gifts of our mountains.
We’ll gather in our covered outdoor pavilion for this class. Dress comfortably for being outside, though we’ll retreat indoors if Mother Nature gets too wild!

Burke County Land Summit
2026-03-04 08:30 - 16:30 | Burke County Agricultural Center, 130 Ammons Drive, Morganton, NC, 28655, United States
Join leaders in Land Conservation, including:
Stephen Bishop – NC FarmLink
Bob Holbrook, Western Carolina-Free Mediation Services for Family Farm Succession
Tom Fanslow, Conserving Carolina-Mitigation Projects
NCDA-Farmland Preservation and Conservation Easements
Lunch Provided! Call 828-764-9480 to register.

2026 Spring Conference
2026-03-06 09:00 - 2026-03-08 18:00 | Mars Hill University, 100 Athletic Street, Mars Hill, NC, 28754
Join us for the Southeast’s largest gathering of farmers, gardeners, land-stewards, and food-system changemakers! Our Spring Conference supports, inspires, and educates people to farm, garden, and live organically by providing affordable, practical, hands-on education. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or just starting out, you’ll leave with connections, knowledge, and inspiration to build a more vibrant, equitable, and abundant food and farming system.
What’s in store:
• Your choice of 60+ classes spanning across 12 track topics including gardening, soils, farming business and production, earth stewardship, sustainable living, and more
• Hands-on workshops from experts across the region and practical demonstrations you can apply right away
• Networking and community-building with growers, educators, and advocates from across the country

Introduction to Organic Gardening
2026-03-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Winding Stair Farm, 57 Saunders Rd., Franklin, NC, 28734, United States
Grow real food. Skip the chemicals. Start this spring.
You don’t need a lot of land, a lot of money, or a green thumb handed down from generations past. What you need is a solid starting point, and that’s exactly what this class delivers. Adam Bigelow breaks down organic gardening into clear, practical steps for anyone ready to get their hands in the soil. Tomatoes, greens, squash, herbs… this is where your garden story begins.
Western North Carolina soil is genuinely special. Rich, biodiverse, and full of life when treated right, it gives local gardeners a serious head start. This class shows you how to read that soil, feed it well, and set up a garden that produces real food without synthetic fertilizers or chemical sprays.
What You’ll Learn:
Where to Begin: How to pick your garden spot, prep your beds, and set yourself up for a productive first season
Organic Soil Care: What your soil actually needs and how compost, mulch, and natural amendments do the heavy lifting
Planting the Right Way: Spacing, timing, and crop selection for WNC’s unique growing season
Pest and Weed Management: Low-fuss, chemical-free methods that work with your garden instead of against it
Food You Can Trust: Why organic methods produce cleaner, more flavorful harvests and how that difference shows up on your plate
This beginner-friendly class is perfect for first-time gardeners, backyard dreamers, and anyone who has tried and struggled before. No prior experience needed. Just show up ready to learn and leave with a real plan for your spring garden.

Intro to Becoming A Ginseng Dealer
2026-03-10 18:00 - 19:30 | Online/Virtual
“Intro to Becoming Ginseng Dealer” is the first of a virtual two-part series for those interested in obtaining a ginseng dealer license. Part one is a standalone course but is also a prerequisite to “The Foundations of Becoming a Ginseng Dealer”.
Here is the course outline:
-History of American Ginseng
-Harvesting, washing & drying techniques
-Differences in agricultural production methods
-Current marketing trends
-Laws & regulations to selling
-Financial startup needs
Please reach out with any questions or concerns!
Meet your teacher: Robert Edius. Robert is an avid American ginseng grower and educator who owns and operates Eagle Feather Organic Farm. To cultivate the next generation of responsible forest farmers, he also hosts classes, workshops, been on radio shows, and is the founder and president of the North Carolina Ginseng Association. He specializes in “wild simulation ” cultivation-growing plants organically in their natural forest habitat and enjoys sharing that knowledge with others.

ASAP’s 2026 CSA Fair
2026-03-12 15:30 - 18:00 | YWCA of Asheville, 185 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Join ASAP’s 2026 CSA Fair and Celebrate CSA Month
CSA Fairs are a chance to meet local farmers face-to-face and learn more about CSA programs. You can ask questions about what products are included in the CSA box throughout the year, the farm’s growing practices, payment options, and pickup locations. Attendees can sign up for a CSA during the fair or follow up with farmers later. ASAP’s CSA Fair, hosted annually in March, is family-friendly, with activities for kids and community connections.
This event is free and open to the public. A list of participating farms will be released in mid-February.
Visit asapconnections.org/CSA to find CSA farms in WNC and surrounding states, see CSA products and pickup locations, and learn more about how CSAs work.

Introducing Spring Ephemerals
2026-03-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Winding Stair Farm, 57 Saunders Rd., Franklin, NC, 28734, United States
Saturday, March 14th, 2026 | 10am | Choose Your Price: $30 – $5
Discover spring ephemerals—enchanting wildflowers that herald the arrival of spring in the Appalachians. Led by local herbalist Patricia Kyritsi Howell, you’ll learn to identify these delicate beauties, understand their life cycles, and explore their traditional herbal uses.
This presentation-style class in our comfortable Pavilion covers identification, ecological importance, historical Appalachian uses, garden cultivation tips, and sustainable conservation practices.
Whether you’re a wildflower enthusiast, home gardener, or simply want to catch these fleeting blooms at their peak, this class will deepen your appreciation for the seasonal rhythms of our mountain forests.
About Patricia: Patricia Kyritsi Howell is a renowned herbalist, educator, and author of Medicinal Plants of the Southern Appalachians, inspiring students to use local herbs sustainably for over thirty years.

Farm Planning & Design: Climate Resilience
2026-03-19 13:00 - 16:00 | SAHC Community Farm, Alexander, NC, 28701, United States
Thursday March 19th 1pm-4pm
180 Mag Sluder Road Alexander, NC 28701
Are you looking for the perfect farm property but not sure how to create the best plan for your land? Join us for an introduction to planning and layout of land for small-scale farming with a focus on climate-resilient design.
Our case study for this process will be a property just around the corner from the SAHC Community Farm in Alexander. We will have a virtual “walk through” site analysis of the property’s conditions using a number of land planning tools, with a Permaculture approach. We will inventory conditions such as soils, water, wind, aspect and more to create a multi-layered map of the site as a base for decision making. Using this information, we will actively draw up together a concept for the site, which addresses some of the needs and challenges identified in the analysis phase. Through this design process we will cover how to avoid making a $10,000 “bad decision” when beginning with infrastructure improvements.
This workshop will be particularly appropriate for participants who already own or lease land, as well as those who plan to do so in the future. Our focus will be on growers and how best to make design decisions for resiliency.

Spring Equinox Yoga
2026-03-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Winding Stair Farm, 57 Saunders Rd., Franklin, NC, 28734, United States
Welcome the return of light, warmth, and new beginnings with a special Spring Equinox Yoga class set among the living beauty our garden nursery. Surrounded by budding plants and fresh spring energy, we’ll gather to honor the seasonal shift toward growth, balance, and renewal.
This gentle, all-levels class will focus on opening the body, awakening the breath, and cultivating a sense of ease and vitality as we move out of winter’s stillness. Expect slow, mindful movement, grounding yet uplifting poses, and moments of reflection to help you set intentions for the season ahead. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or returning to your mat after time away, this class is designed to feel nourishing, welcoming, and restorative.
Let the rhythms of spring—and the lush setting of the garden—invite you to reconnect with yourself, nature, and a supportive community of women. Beginners are warmly welcome.
Please bring a yoga mat and dress comfortably for the weather. Spring’s fresh energy (and maybe a soft breeze) will be part of the experience.

8th Anniversary Party
2026-03-21 11:00 - 15:00 | Winding Stair Farm, 57 Saunders Rd., Franklin, NC, 28734, United States
It’s Our 8th Anniversary Party! (Free!)
Eight years of growing, digging, and connecting with this incredible mountain community, and we’re throwing the biggest party yet to mark the occasion!
Join us on Saturday, March 21st from 11 AM to 3 PM for a day packed with live music, delicious food, farm tours, giveaways, and so much more.
Whether you’re a longtime friend of the nursery or discovering us for the first time, this is the event of the season- and we wouldn’t want to celebrate without you.
Come as you are, bring the whole family, and let’s make some memories together. We can’t wait to see you!
11am: Free Behind-the-scenes tour of the nursery, led by nursery manager, Greg Mason
12pm – 2pm: Live Music from Ridgetop Dave
Food Truck from The Wood Fired Grill
Free cookies to the first 100 attendees
20+ Prize Drawings
Free Mixed-Color Columbine Plants
10% off Winding Stair Gardens purchases

Seed Swap
2026-03-22 16:00 - 19:00 | Water Street Lounge, 116 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Let’s celebrate Spring Equinox together in the spirit of giving. We’re all getting excited about growing! Bring what you have to share whether it’s seeds, bare roots, houseplants, young starter plants, small trees or small tools you want to give. You are welcome to come even if you don’t have things to share! Please consider eating at Rosetta’s since you’ll be downtown since they are our sponsors for this event and they ALWAYS feed our community with the EVERYONE EATS program.
If you don’t have time to stop and eat at Rosetta’s, we will take tips for the EVERYONE EATS program and Rosetta’s Kitchen who graciously are letting us use the space at Water Street Lounge.
Please TAKE WHAT YOU NEED that you intend to PLANT THIS YEAR.
BRING A SNACK TO SHARE!
FREE HERBAL TEA PROVIDED
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO OUR SPONSORS, Rosetta’s Kitchen, Water Street Lounge and Red Moon Herbs.

Road Ready: Food Truck Fundamentals
2026-03-25 08:30 - 2026-03-26 17:00 | Watauga Agricultural Conference Center, 252 Poplar Grove Road, Boone, NC, 28607, United States
Get ready to roll into the world of food trucks and learn the secrets of success at Road Ready: Food Truck Fundamentals!
Ready to put your food truck dreams in gear? On March 25th and 26th you’ll have two full days with the experts who can help you get real and get on the road safely, legally and profitably. Don’t miss this chance for the tools, resources and connections you need to build a strong business foundation for food adventuring!
March 25th and 26th, 8:30am to 5pm, with breakfast and lunch provided.
Social event Wednesday evening (5pm-8pm):
We’ll venture out to King Street in Boone to enjoy a meal together (not covered in meeting fees) and share our experiences of the day and dreams for the future.
This program is sponsored by the Caldwell County Technical Community College Small Business Center. Thank you to Watauga County Cooperative Extension for hosting us!

Start Your Regenerative Mushroom Farm
2026-03-25 18:00 - 19:30 | Online/Virtual
Curious about mushroom farming — but unsure where to begin?
This live, 90-minute workshop is designed to help you understand what it actually takes to build a viable regenerative mushroom farm — without hype, overwhelm, or unrealistic promises.
In this session, we’ll cover:
• Why mushrooms are uniquely suited to regenerative agriculture
• What “one year to viability” really means
• How to begin part-time while protecting financial stability
• The phased path from first harvest to reliable weekly production
• Where most aspiring growers stall — and how to avoid it
Whether you’re exploring a new income stream, looking to diversify a farm, or considering a larger life transition, this workshop will give you clarity about what’s possible and what it requires.
This event is offered by donation (suggested $25), and 50% of proceeds support The Center for Native Health.
Join us live. Ask questions. Leave with a grounded understanding of how regenerative mushroom farming actually works.
Reserve your seat and begin where you are.
Who it’s for: Farmers, homesteaders, land stewards, and purpose-driven career-seekers ready to grow real food and a resilient livelihood.
Presenters: Christopher Parker (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) & Katherine Parker, PhD — co-founders of The Forest Farmacy.
