2026 Spring Conference
2026-03-06 09:00 - 2026-03-08 18:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Free Farm Tour with farmer Virginia at Hickory Nut Gap
2026-03-28 10:00 - 11:30 | Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Road , Fairview , NC, 28730, United States
Join us for a Free Farm Tour with our Head of Operations, Virginia Hamilton! Virginia will guide you through the different animal operations we have on our Fairview Campus, diving deeper into how our home of the brand and our Partner Farmer program operate in tandem to further Regenerative Agriculture in the Southeast.
You’ll meet the animals, get a closer ‘back-stage’ look at this season’s biggest challenges and triumphs & sample some delicious meats to boot. This free farm tour is truly Pasture to Plate.
✅ Free to attend
✅ Family-friendly
✅ Great for anyone curious about where their food comes from
Consult the weather before you choose your outer-wear and wear comfortable shoes—we’ll be outside and walking the pastures!

Raised Bed Vegetable Gardening
2026-03-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Winding Stair Farm, 57 Saunders Rd., Franklin, NC, 28734, United States
Growing your own food in the mountains is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It’s also one of the most humbling.
Katie of 3 Barn Farm gets that, and she’s here to make the learning process a whole lot easier. This hands-on class covers what actually works at our elevation and in our rocky, clay-heavy WNC soils. Using one of our Epic Garden Beds as a live example, Katie walks you through building a bed, mixing the right soil, picking the right plants, and keeping everything alive through a mountain summer.
What You’ll Cover:
Building Your Bed: Why raised beds outperform in-ground planting here, and how to get yours set up right from the start
Soil That Works: How to build a mix that drains well, holds moisture, and gives your plants something worth growing into
Plant Selection: Which vegetables do well at higher elevations, and how to plan around WNC’s last frost dates
Watering Basics: Managing the gap between our wet springs and dry summer stretches
Keeping It Going: Feeding, mulching, and staying ahead of pests without reaching for a bottle of chemicals
When Things Go Wrong: Blight, critters, mystery wilting… Katie has seen it all and knows what to do about it
Class is held on our grounds with plenty of time for questions and getting your hands in the soil. First-time growers are very welcome. So are people who’ve tried before and walked away with nothing but frustration.

Spring Gardening Series Class 1
2026-04-04 09:00 - 12:00 | Burton Street Community Peace Garden, 47 Bryant Street, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
**This is part of a 3-part Spring Gardening Series at the Peace Gardens**
Class 1: Garden Design, Planning, and Prep
This class will cover the fundamentals of garden planning, including setting priorities, making observations, designing garden layouts, budgeting, and implementing succession planting. Participants will gain insights into selecting what to grow, including perennials and atypical crops. Learn about the requirements for starting and caring for plants, whether by growing from seed indoors, purchasing transplants, or direct seeding. The course will discuss useful tools and their applications, along with hands-on experience.

Butterfly Felting Workshop
2026-04-04 10:00 - 12:00 | Winding Stair Farm, 57 Saunders Rd., Franklin, NC, 28734, United States
Transform wool into whimsical butterflies with your own hands!
Spring is the perfect time to explore the art of needle felting, and what better subject than butterflies? In this hands-on beginner workshop, you’ll learn the fundamentals of needle felting as you create up to five unique felt butterflies to create a whimsical and beautiful mobile. Working with colorful fibers and simple techniques, you’ll discover how therapeutic and rewarding this ancient craft can be—no experience necessary!
What You’ll Learn:
Needle Felting Basics: Master the foundational techniques of this accessible fiber art
Create Your Own Felt: Transform raw wool into workable felt through the magic of needle felting
Design & Color: Explore pattern and color choices to make each butterfly uniquely yours
Take Home Your Art: Leave with a lovely felt butterfly mobile that will add fun to any space
This beginner-friendly class, held in our comfortable Pavilion, provides all materials and tools. Whether you’re looking for a new creative outlet or simply want to spend a peaceful morning working with fiber, this workshop offers a gentle introduction to the meditative art of needle felting.

Growing Food on Slopes: April Session
2026-04-11 09:00 - 12:00 | Pearson Garden in Montford, 408 Pearson Dr, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
In partnership with Bountiful Cities, Organic Growers School is excited to offer a series of hands-on workshops at Pearson Garden Food Hub in the Montford neighborhood in Asheville. Over 3 sessions, we will explore planning, installing infrastructure, and planting food-producing plants in a sloped system; we will build a small hillside orchard to practice the concepts and skills.
We’ll cover: what and where to grow based on soil, sunlight, slope, and water access; how to measure and install swales and terraces; how to maintain soil quality and prevent erosion; cultivating food from unlikely spots; and how to keep your hillside garden thriving long-term.
If you’ve ever wanted to grow food in your backyard or community but found our WNC hillside landscapes challenging, this series is for you!
This project will support Bountiful Cities’ ongoing community-centered efforts to build long-term food security and permanent food access for all people by expanding food production at Pearson Garden. Help contribute to the cause!

Grow Your Own Food Forest
2026-04-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Winding Stair Farm, 57 Saunders Rd., Franklin, NC, 28734, United States
Growing your own food is one thing. Growing a self-sustaining ecosystem that feeds you, your family, and the wildlife around you — that’s something else entirely.
A food forest is one of the most rewarding things you can put on your property. It’s also one of the most misunderstood. Adam Bigelow is here to change that.
This class covers the fundamentals of food forest design from the ground up — how to think about your land, choose the right plants for our mountain climate, and layer everything together so nature does most of the work for you.
What You’ll Cover:
Site Selection: How to read your property (sun, slope, soil, and drainage) and identify where a food forest will actually thrive
Plant Selection: Which fruit trees, shrubs, and ground covers perform at our elevation and in our acidic Appalachian soils
Companion Planting: How to pair plants strategically so they support each other’s growth, deter pests, and build soil health over time
Layering Your Forest: Understanding the canopy, understory, shrub, and ground layers and how to stack them for maximum yield and minimum maintenance
Ecosystem Benefits: How a well-designed food forest supports native pollinators, improves water retention, and gives back to the landscape around it
Maintenance Without the Misery: What ongoing care actually looks like once your food forest is established
Class is held on our grounds with plenty of time for questions, conversation, and the kind of tangents that only happen when someone genuinely loves what they’re teaching.

Spring Gardening Series Class 2
2026-04-18 09:00 - 12:00 | Burton Street Community Peace Garden, 47 Bryant Street, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
**This is part of a 3-part Spring Gardening Series at Burton St. Peace Gardens**
Class 2: Soil & Water Management and Plant Care
In this class, participants will dive into soil management. They will explore the principles of healthy soil and learn how to naturally and affordably amend their soil. Discussions will encompass composting, vermicomposting, and various strategies for building a raised bed, clearing space for a new one, or reviving an old garden bed. Everyone should get ready to get their hands in the dirt!

Build Your Own Bee Hotel
2026-04-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Winding Stair Farm, 57 Saunders Rd., Franklin, NC, 28734, United States
You probably know there are bees. You may not know there are over 500 kinds of them right here in western NC. John Kotab does.
A bee hotel sounds like a charming yard decoration, and it is! It’s also one of the most practical things you can put in a garden if you care about what grows in it. John is here to show you how to build one from scratch, and to explain exactly why it matters.
This hands-on workshop covers two distinct construction methods so you leave with a finished bee hotel, not just notes. You will get into the lifecycle of native bees, how they interact with hollow and pithy-stemmed perennials, and which plants they depend on to survive and reproduce.
What You’ll Cover:
Native Bee Diversity: Who is actually living in your garden right now, and what kind of habitat they are searching for
Construction Methods: Two approaches to building a bee hotel, built together in class, so you go home with a completed structure and the blueprints to build more
Lifecycle and Behavior: How native bees reproduce, raise young, and rely on specific plant structures at each stage of life
Plant Relationships: The connection between native bees and the hollow or pithy-stemmed perennials that make up their nesting world
Ongoing Care: How to clean and maintain your hotel so it stays a place bees want to return to, season after season
You will leave with a finished bee hotel, a seed packet carrying thousands of seeds to grow a bee-friendly garden at home, a list of workshop-cited resources on native bee biology, and a clear picture of how one small structure can shift the health of your whole yard.
This one is a good fit for gardeners, conservationists, and anyone who has noticed fewer pollinators than there used to be and wants to do something about it.

Earth Day Event
2026-04-22 14:00 - 20:00 | Eagle Feather Organic Farm, 300 Indigo Bunting Lane, Marshall, NC, 28753, United States
Celebrate Earth Day with a tree planting event.
2-4 p.m. Invasive plant cleanup, path maintenance, and tree planting
Baynard Park
1995 Barnard Rd. Marshall, NC 28753
5 p.m. Plant Walk
6 p.m. Potluck
7 p.m. Drum Circle
Eagle Feather Organic Farm
300 Indigo Bunting Ln. Marshall, NC 28753
For more information contact 828-649-3536

Free Kiss the Ground Screening & Dinner!
2026-04-22 17:00 - 19:30 | McDowell Arts Council Association, 50 S Main St., Marion, NC, 28752, United States
Celebrate Earth Day with a Powerful, Hope-Filled Film and a Call to Support Local Food Systems
This Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, the community is invited to gather for an inspiring evening centered on connection, climate solutions, and the power of local food. A free screening of the acclaimed documentary Kiss the Ground will take place at McDowell Arts Council Association (MACA), located at 50 S Main St, Marion, NC 28752.
Hosted by McDowell Arts Council Association, McDowell Local Food Advisory Council, NC Cooperative Extension-McDowell Center, MATCH, and West Marion Inc., this special event is designed to bring people together around a message of hope: that healing our soil can help heal our planet.
Narrated by Woody Harrelson, Kiss the Ground offers a compelling and visually stunning look at how regenerative agriculture can draw down carbon, restore ecosystems, and strengthen our food systems. More than a film, it’s an invitation to see climate action through a new lens, one rooted in the ground beneath our feet and the farms in our own backyard.
Guests will enjoy a welcoming, community-centered evening with free dinner beginning at 5:00 PM and the film screening at 5:30 PM. Free childcare will also be provided. A brief discussion will follow the film.
Beyond the screen, the event aims to spark something deeper: a renewed connection between people, place, and the food that sustains us.
The event is free and open to all.

Spring Gardening Series Class 3
2026-04-25 09:00 - 12:00 | Burton Street Community Peace Garden, 47 Bryant Street, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
**This is part of a 3-part Spring Gardening Series at Burton St. Peace Gardens**
Class 3: Successful Gardening Through the Season
We will cover common garden pests, methods to deter them, and holistic garden planning as the days get longer and hotter. In this participant-led class, we will talk about troubleshooting: what issues have you had so far, and what are some ways to fix them? Other subjects include cover cropping, understanding NPK, addressing common garden problems, preserving the harvest, and strategies for maximizing garden space.

Twilight Farm Tour, Swannanoa: Stonewall Bakery - Boost Your Farm's Bottom Line: Diversify for New Revenue Streams!
2026-04-28 17:30 - 19:00 | Stonewall Bakery/Fields of Happiness, NC, United States
Topic: Agribusiness
Is your farm relying on a single source of income? In today’s dynamic agricultural landscape, diversification is key to resilience and growth. Join us and the folks at Stonewall Bakery/Fields of Happiness for an insightful seminar and tour designed to help you unlock your farm’s full potential. Attendees will share innovative ways to generate additional revenue streams. Participants will also learn more about Stonewall Bakery’s diversified operation which will help:
• Identify untapped opportunities on your farm, from agritourism and direct-to-consumer sales to value-added products and niche crops.
• Develop a personalized diversification plan that aligns with your resources, passions, and market demands.
• Navigate the challenges and maximize the benefits of expanding your farm’s offerings.
Don’t miss this opportunity to cultivate new income streams and secure a more prosperous future for your farm.
THIS EVENT INCLUDES A FARM TOUR AND IS FOR FARM BUSINESS OWNERS ONLY! THE ADDRESS WILL BE SHARED IN YOUR CONFIRMATION EMAIL!
Co-Sponsor(s): Empowering Mountain Food Systems & Stonewall Bakery/Fields of Happiness

Twilight Farm Tour, Swain County: Hidden Hollow Hemp Farm
2026-04-29 17:30 - 19:00 | Hidden Hollow Hemp & Herb Farm, NC, United States
Hidden Hollow Hemp & Herb Farm is a small mountain farming operation that is adapting and diversifying its income stream and growing techniques to include agritourism, herbalism and regenerative farming. The aim is to tap into not only season extension and efficiency, but shifting to growing on steep, heavily wooded slopes with minimal forest disruption and chemical input. Come join this tour to learn about this farm’s pivots to increase production and diversify its income stream.
This is a tour for farmers seeking to diversify farm income and consider market expansion for existing products. It is limited to owners of working farms.
Details: The farm tour of Hidden Hollow Hemp & Herb Farm takes place on Wednesday, April 29 from 5:30pm-7pm
Location: Swain County
There is no fee for this tour
Limited Space – register early!
Special note: the address will be shared with you once you register.
Speaker: Frank Ellington, Owner, Hidden Hollow Hemp & Herb Farm
Co-Sponsor(s): EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems, SWCC, & Swain County Extension

Road Ready: Food Truck Fundamentals
2026-04-30 08:30 - 16:30 | Online/Virtual
Topic: Start-up Assistance
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 in gear? Join us 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!
Speaker(s): Dani Black with Bigger Tables Culinary & Service Consulting; Kenny Jeffrey & James Lugenbell with AppHealthCare
Co-Sponsor(s): EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems and NC State Extension
Fee: No Cost

Twilight Farm Tour, Haywood County: Mighty Gnome Market Garden
2026-04-30 17:30 - 19:00 | Mighty Gnome Market Garden, NC, United States
Topic: Agribusiness
Twilight Farms Tours
Join EMFS, and the Small Business Center as we meet two Haywood farmers with Unique Market and Production Practices.
Please note that farm tours are open only to owners of currently operating farms. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required.
Register for each farm you would like to visit.
Mighty Gnome Market Garden
This farm plans its CSA from the ground up—literally. A detailed crop plan guides planting schedules and quantities to keep shares balanced and consistent. By coordinating with a local Food Hub, they find markets for surplus produce, reducing waste and strengthening their farm’s overall profitability. Attendees will be introduced to record keeping and crop planning practices, improving market planning and decision-making for increased profits.
DETAILS: The farm tour of Mighty Gnome Market Garden takes place 5:30 to 7:00 PM.
There is no charge for the farm visit.
Limited space; register early!
Special Note: The address will be shared with you once you register.
Speaker(s): Laura Lauffer, EMFS & Mark McDonagh and Danielle Keeter, Farm Owners
Co-Sponsor(s): EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems, Haywood Community College, Haywood Extension

EOV Monitor Training at Hickory Nut Gap
2026-05-01 08:00 - 2026-05-03 17:00 | Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Road , Fairview , NC, 28730, United States
Ecological Outcome Verification is an outcome-based monitoring protocol that evaluates and tracks ecosystem function year over year currently deployed on over 8 million acres globally. The EOV protocol was developed in collaboration with leading soil scientists, ecologists, agronomists, and an extensive network of regenerative land managers around the world. Used as an empirical data set to support regenerative agriculture all throughout the world.
EOV is a practical and scalable soil and landscape assessment methodology that tracks outcomes in biodiversity, water, soil health, and ecosystem function (i.e. water cycle, mineral cycle, energy flow, and community dynamics).
Date: 5/1/2026-5/3/2026
Location: Hickory Nut Gap Farm
Tuition: $1000
*One work-trade seat available for a student who will be able to trade 5-10 hours of time to lower the price of the training to $300. Contact Mikey.Hans-Barrientos@hickorynutgap.com to apply.
The Hickory Nut Gap Farm Savory Hub is a premier regional and regenerative agriculture hub that has monitored over 40 farms and 12,000 acres of farmland in the South-Eastern US. Providing a hybrid in-classroom and in-field approach at a premier Savory Hub, training will lay out the scientific value and rigor of EOV, regional ecology training, land health auditing, farm and land mapping, plant species identification, and farm planning.
Upon completion of training, you will be a certified EOV Monitor until the end of 2026. This certification allows monitors to potentially work with any of the 44 Savory Hubs on 6 continents monitoring independent farms and whole supply chains. Hickory Nut Gap will offer an additional Hands On Holistic Management Course this fall, taking this course at HNG (or elsewhere) will certify you as a monitor indefinitely. Students will receive a full training to manage Ecological Outcome Verification and leave with instructional materials, plant ID training and documents, an appreciable understanding of ecological processes & land management, as well as connections to the Hickory Nut Gap Farm Hub & the Savory Institute.
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS:
Mikey Hans-Barrientos is the Hickory Nut Gap Hub Manager in Fairview, North Carolina. Originally from Miami, Florida, he was introduced to agriculture while working on the Warren Wilson College Farm while getting his bachelor’s degree at Warren Wilson College. After graduating, Mikey went on to work in and around agriculture for several years before getting involved in the Hickory Nut Gap Hub. When he is not out monitoring farms all over the South-East, he is most likely at his home in West Asheville, just 30 minutes from the farm, with his partner, dog, and too many cats.
Ben Gladstone is a Hickory Nut Gap Hub EOV Monitor. As a monitor, he works with Mikey to collect and interpret ecological data with HNG’s partner farms. He discovered his passion for regenerative agriculture through an Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) training course facilitated by the Savory Institute, which reshaped his approach to land planning by connecting design with measurable ecosystem outcomes. Outside of work, Ben is developing his own pasture poultry operation, trying to stay competitive on the ultimate frisbee field, and planning his next adventure with his dog, Kaiya.

3 Barn Farm Plant Sale
2026-05-02 08:00 - 2026-05-03 18:00 | Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center, 51 Cowee School Drive, Franklin, NC, 28734, United States
Join 3 Barn Farm & Neighbors at our 2026 Plant Sale
Healthy, Affordable Certified Naturally Grown Plants. 3 Barn Farm grows great plants just outside of Franklin, NC:
Garden seedlings, Flowers, Natives & Herbs.

Record Keeping Methods for Farmers
2026-05-02 10:30 - 12:00 | Rutherford County Livestock Educational Facility, 318 Big Island Rd., Forest City, NC, 28043, United States
Record Keeping Methods Keep records is hard. The key is finding the right mix of methods, tools and automations that work for you. Don’t have time to research all that? Who does? A bookkeeper. This seminar, led by farm bookkeeper and tax expert Laurel Clabaugh will cover different ways to effectively keep records for tax prep and audit security with low-to-no cost tools and simple tips to help you find a system that you actually keep up with.
Speaker: Laurel Clabaugh
Co-Sponsors: EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems, Rutherford County Extension, Isothermal Community College
This event will be held in person at 318 Big Island Rd. Forest City, NC 28043

Twilight Farm Tour, Watauga County: Shipley Farms - From Farm to Experience: Building Agritourism Success
2026-05-07 17:00 - 19:00 | Shipley Farm, 1699 Linville Creek Road, Vilas, NC, 28692, United States
Topic: Managing a Business
Discover how agritourism can transform your farm into a thriving, diversified business. Shipley Farms, a 153-year-old family farm in the Western North Carolina mountains, has evolved from a legacy of Hereford cattle, sheep, and tobacco into a modern, value-added operation centered on their Signature Beef brand. Since 2014, the family has successfully integrated tours, events, hospitality, and lodging to support their brand and generate supplemental income.
In this unique workshop, participants will join one of Shipley Farms’ standard tours and experience agritourism in action. The tour will be followed by an open, candid discussion covering what’s worked, what hasn’t, and key lessons learned along the way. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand, this session offers practical insights and real-world inspiration to help you grow your own agritourism venture.
Speaker(s): Gray Shipley, Shipley Farms
Co-Sponsor(s): EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems and NC State Extension
This workshop will be held at Shipley Farms located at 1699 Linville Creek Road, Vilas, North Carolina – look for signs for parking and farm store.
Fee: No Cost
