June Big Barn Market
2025-06-29 11:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Road , Fairview , NC, 28730, United States
Consider this your formal invitation to our June Big Barn Bash!! We have a lovely day at Hickory Nut Gap planned!
✨️ Shop with Local Makers from Appalachian Makers Collective
🍕 Eat With Little Oven Pizzeria
🍿 Snack With Appalachian Pop Co
🌿 Kiddo BioBlitz With Mountain True
🎵 Live Bluegrass Jam
💫 Raffle to benefit MountainTrue
+ more!!
See you there!! 🎉
About MountainTrue’s Kiddo BioBlitz:
Since 1982, MountainTrue has championed resilient forests, clean waters, and healthy communities in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains- they’ll be joining us at this month’s Big Barn Market to run a Kiddo BioBlitz activity!
Led at 12:30pm & 2:30pm by MountainTrue & HNG Staff around the farm grounds to spot and record all the species of flora and fauna found. This data will be added to the online app iNaturalist by the Mountain True team, or by participating parents.
Sign ups with liability waivers are required, recommended for ages 6-12 but others are welcome to participate.
Parent or guardians are required to accompany any kids participating in the BioBlitz.

Southeastern Permaculture Documentary Showing
2025-06-30 19:00 - 22:00 | White Horse Black Mountain, 105c Montreat Road, Black Mountain, 28711
Join us for an evening of gathering together in community to watch the film premiere about the history and tradition of the Southeastern permaculture gathering that has been held in the mountains of Western North Carolina for the past 34 years. We will gather at 7pm at the White Horse in Black Mountain, do a seed swap for anyone who wants to share or get seeds that they saved, sing a few songs, share stories and watch the film created by Lisa Almaraz. The trailer to the film can be seen in the website listed. Our annual permaculture gathering will be held August 1st-3rd! Please register! Early Bird discount goes till July 1st.

2026 WNC AgOptions Information Session
2025-07-09 17:30 - 19:30 | Tractor Food and Farms, 54 Ferguson Hill Rd, Burnsville, NC, 28714
AgOptions staff are holding informational meetings throughout August and September to discuss the 2026 WNC AgOptions grant program, application timeline, and answer questions. Dates and locations for all of the meetings are posted on the AgOptions website: https://wncagoptions.org
Although not required, attendance does provide helpful information and gives applicants the opportunity to ask questions and potentially prepare a stronger application.

FREE LUNCHTIME Change Your Palate Cooking Demo
2025-07-16 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-08-07 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-08-20 12:00 - 13:00 | AmeriHealth Caritas NC -Asheville Wellness Center, 216 Asheland Ave., Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Affordable, healthy eating tips and delicious recipes with Shaniqua Simuel. Who knew we could have so much fun in the kitchen?!
The ACNC Wellness & Opportunity Center provides programs and educational opportunities for our members and the community.
This free LUNCHTIME food demonstration is open to ALL but tailored towards those with type 2 diabetes or hypertension and/or their caretakers. Our featured host is Change Your Palate’s very own Shaniqua Simuel. Shaniqua is a public health professional with a passion for healthy cooking. Make sure to bring your appetite and come spend your lunchbreak with us!
Kids 7+ are welcome to join. Younger kids can play in our kids room equipped with toys, a chalk wall, coloring books, books and Disney plus.
Our ACNC members can receive free transportation to and from any wellness center event by calling ModivCare for a reservation: 1-833-498-2262
Let’s do better together!

Locals Lowcountry Boil at Hickory Nut Gap
2025-07-20 16:00 - 19:00 | Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Road , Fairview , NC, 28730, United States
Out in the Big Barn, a sense of community, celebration and a laid-back atmosphere makes you feel at home no matter what the occasion. We wanted to provide an experience that celebrates the sea, the sow and the soil – a vaunted southern tradition, the Lowcountry Boil.

A variety of Small bites showcasing NC-ingredients
Kick it off with Raw Oyster Bar featuring oysters from the Outer Banks and mignonettes, a variety of small bites celebrating the mountains to the sea
Locals Seafood will put on a lowcountry boil featuring NC Shrimp & our housemade Pasture Raised Pork Sausage
Mount Patisserie has the sweet covered, by local baker Austin Whitty
A little live music by locals the Jones Boy Trio
An array of local beverages available for purchase at the bar(NA options available)
Kid’s Hot Dog Plate will feature our 100% Grassfed Beef Hot Dogs, Carolina Kettle Chips, Condiments & dessert

Date: Sunday July 20th
Time: 4pm-7pm
Full Boil Experience: $68
Kid’s Hot Dog Plate: $15
Purchase tickets here.

*While we will be sitting and supping together, we won’t be digging into the typical spread on newspaper – each attendee will be guaranteed their own hearty serving of the pot.
*Attendees with seafood allergies should not attend.
*We love four-legged friends, but only two-legged creatures may attend this event.

Oak Hill Community Farm Incubator Program Open House
2025-07-24 09:00 - 13:00 | Oak Hill Community Park and Forest, 820 NC-126, Morganton, NC, 28655, United States
Looking to grow your farm business? Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina (FCNC) is hosting an open house for its Oak Hill Community Farm Incubator Program at Oak Hill Community Park and Forest in Morganton, NC. The open house will be a chance for farmers interested in the program to tour the farm, meet our mentor farmers (Lee’s One Fortune Farm) and FCNC staff, and see all that the program has to offer. If you’re a farmer with a new or growing farm business who would benefit from access to land, equipment, and mentorship, please stop by the open house, and visit our website for more information!

U-Pick at KT's Orchard
2025-07-26 10:00 - 15:00 | KT’s Orchard and Apiary, 158 Pigeon Ford Rd., Canton, NC, 28716, United States
Come u-pick peaches, apples, and raspberries at KT’s Orchard and Apiary in Canton, NC.

Local Lab Kickoff (Greater Asheville)
2025-07-31 12:00 - 13:00 | Online/Virtual
Urban Manufacturing Alliance (UMA) is thrilled to announce we are launching a Local Lab in greater Asheville, NC focused on supporting food and beverage manufacturers in the region!
July through December 2025, UMA will organize and lead a community engagement process to generate recommendations for strategies and actions to help start, scale, and sustain food and beverage manufacturers in the region. Take a peek at the attached project overview for more details.
You are invited to the kickoff event on Thursday, July 31st from 12:00-1:00pm ET, via Zoom. For more info and to RSVP, see the Eventbrite listing: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/asheville-local-lab-kickoff-tickets-1492387283539?aff=oddtdtcreator
This event is open to anyone in the greater Asheville, NC area that owns, operates, or works in a food or beverage making and manufacturing business. We also welcome anyone that supports and champions these local enterprises and entrepreneurs. Please feel free to share the invitation with others who may be interested.
We hope to see you at 12:00pm ET on July 31st for the kickoff!

2025 Southeastern Permaculture Gathering
2025-08-01 09:00 - 2025-08-03 17:00 | Patterson School Foundation, 4646 Patterson School Rd, Lenoir, NC, 28645, United States
The 2025 Southeastern Permaculture Gathering is right around the corner. Please sign up before July 1st to get the Early Bird discount! It is at
The Patterson School Foundation in Lenoir, NC.
This is the first time we’ve had 16 amazing teachers teachers & workshops scheduled AHEAD of time. Usually it’s all organically created once we come together, but we want y’all to know some of what to expect. We will also continue our tradition of having affinity circles where any of us can call a discussion circle on a topic we are excited about. This is an opportunity for our community to grow our knowledge base and learn so much from each other! 🌿
We are capping this special event at 125 so it is still intimate and keeps the reunion vibe, though we always invite new folks to join us and continue passing on the tradition and practices we learn from each other. Join us even if you haven’t practiced permaculture before, we will have an introduction to permaculture class, so there will be people of all levels of wisdom to share 💖☀️🌿
There are a few work exchange options as well and limited sponsorship options for those in need or BIPOC. Please check out our website and also have a look at our teachers and workshop schedule so far!

Food Sovereignty in the Swannanoa Valley Panel and Community Discussion
2025-08-02 13:00 - 15:00 | Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, 117 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain, NC, 28711, United States
What is food sovereignty? What is food insecurity? During the past year, we have experienced many challenges and local organizations have risen to help fill the gaps and make nutritious food available for all, but there is still so much work to do…Come join the conversation and learn more Saturday, August 2, 1-3pm at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church’s Fellowship Room. Working together to feed everyone is an act of community resilience. Register by emailing leonora.stefanile@tobm.org. This is a free event.
Facilitated by Diana McCall.
Panel featuring staff from Dr. John Wilson Community Garden, Bounty and Soul, and Red Scout Farm.

2026 WNC AgOptions Information Session
2025-08-05 17:30 - 19:30 | Cleveland County Extension Center, 130 S. Post Rd, Suite 1, Shelby, NC, 28152, United States

Utopian Seed Project - Trial to Table
2025-08-16 13:00 - 16:00 | The Mule at Devil’s Foot Brewing, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd, Asheville, NC, 28803, United States
The Utopian Seed Project cultivates a diverse range of crops and varieties with the goal of enhancing agrobiodiversity in the food and farming system. We want more crops and varieties being grown and enjoyed (i.e., eaten!) in our region.
Our Trial to Table event series brings together talented local chefs to showcase the work we’re doing on the farm. Enjoy great food, learn about new crops and varieties, and get inspired for a better food system.

Farm Beginnings Info Session
2025-08-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Online/Virtual
Join us on Tuesday, August 19, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm with Delia Jovel Dubon from Tierra Fertil Cooperativa, a Farm Beginnings® graduate and current Journeyperson student, who will share her farm journey.

Journeyperson Info Session with OGS
2025-08-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Online/Virtual
Join us for a free, online info session and farmer panel on Wednesday, August 21st from 7–8pm (ET) to learn more about the Journeyperson Program from the Organic Growers School! This session is your chance to hear directly from program graduates as they share how Journeyperson supported their growth, shaped their farming journey, and helped them build successful, sustainable farm businesses. Whether you’re considering applying or simply curious, come with your questions and get an inside look at the impact of this transformative program.

Swain County Agricultural Fair
2025-08-22 15:00 - 21:00, 2025-08-23 11:00 - 18:00 | Great Smoky Mountains Event Park, 1130 Hyatt Creek Rd., Bryson City, NC, 28713, United States
What can you expect to see at the Swain County Agricultural Fair? A County Fair-style festival, complete with judging of vegetables, eggs, and flowers, agricultural demos, craft vendors, food vendors, live music, Appalachian-style clogging, youth livestock shows and activities for kids. Also, prize winning entries in agricultural produce, home canned and baked goods, 4-H arts and crafts, and more.
Entrance fee to the Swain County Agricultural Fair is $10 per car load. Includes live entertainment, along with all the festivities, food and entertainment you can stand.
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The Swain County Agricultural Fair is registered as a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization. For more information call (828) 488-3848 and be sure to LIKE us on Facebook.

4th Annual HarvestFest Supporting ASAP
2025-08-23 15:00 - 18:00 | Olivette Riverside Park, 1069 Olivette Rd., Asheville, NC, 28804, United States
Join us at Olivette’s Riverside Park on Saturday August 23rd for a very special benefit show in support of ASAP’s Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables program. HarvestFest is a celebration of local farmers, community and music. Doors open at 3pm with family games and activities and live music.
In honor of our local farmers and all they do to sustain our community, all farmers and their families will have free entry to the event. There will also be a VIF section (Very Important Farmers) that will pamper our farmers during the busy harvest season.
All ticket proceeds will go towards the ASAP Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables program.
ASAP’s Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables program offers a match on dollars spent by SNAP customers at participating farmers markets with tokens that can be used for produce. Many EBT shoppers explained that the program eases concerns over having enough food each month. One shopper explained, “It has significantly reduced the stress of managing the little amount of money given per month for EBT. I can make choices that allow me to eat more vegetables and eggs than I otherwise could afford.” Farmers market managers and vendors also noted the benefits of the program. Many note that this leads to ongoing relationships with shoppers and allows them to grow their business with loyal customers. One vendor shared, “It has not only increased my sales, it has allowed me to interact and build relationships with customers who would normally be outside my business’ demographic.” Another farmer shared, “This investment quite literally nourishes the community for both the producer and consumer of farmer’s market produce!”
We are honored to have the opportunity to celebrate and support this great program with a fun filled day of music, activities, and nature. HarvestFest is produced by Olivette Riverside Community and Farm and Chatt Hills Music.
Tickets are $25 a ticket (Kids, Farmers & Farmer Families are free!). Purchase tickets here.

2026 WNC AgOptions Information Session
2025-08-25 16:00 - 18:00 | Konehete Park Meeting Room, 699 Connaheeta Street, Murphy, NC, 28906, United States

2026 WNC AgOptions Information Session
2025-08-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Macon County Cooperative Extension Center, 193 Thomas Heights Rd., Franklin, NC, 28734, United States

2026 WNC AgOptions Information Session
2025-08-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Swain County Cooperative Extension Center, 60 Almond School Rd, Bryson City, NC, 28713, United States

2026 WNC AgOptions Information Session
2025-09-02 16:00 - 18:00 | Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station, 455 Research Drive, Mills River, NC, 28759

2026 WNC AgOptions Information Session
2025-09-03 17:30 - 19:30 | Haywood County Co-operative Extension, 589 Raccoon Rd, Waynesville, NC, 28786, United States

2026 WNC AgOptions Information Session
2025-09-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Burke County Agricultural Center, 130 Ammons Drive, Morganton, NC, 28655, United States

Barn Yoga 2025
2025-09-07 10:00 - 2025-11-16 11:00 | Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Road , Fairview , NC, 28730, United States
A Hickory Nut Gap tradition. Bring your mat and mindfulness to the Big Barn to get centered with Fairview-based yogi Mary Beth!
Mary Beth believes yoga should be potent, but playful. She strives to deliver fluid, well balanced vignettes that offer physical expansion and mental restoration. She teaches gentle and vinyasa flow, all levels welcome! Variations encouraged, feel free to bring blocks, blankets or straps.
Make a day of it! Come shop the Farm Store after class lets out for local meats and grocery goodies, grab a beer or beverage and wander the farm grounds to see the animals. Yogis get 5% off meat and eggs on class day- show the associate your receipt for a single class OR your season pass.
Time: 10am-11am
Per Class: $18
BUNDLE & SAVE:
Get a pass for the full Spring Arc, 10 classes: $90
Get a pass for the full Fall Arc, 9 classes: $81
Get a Full season pass, 19 classes: $152
CLASS SCHEDULE:
Spring Arc: April 6th – April 13th – April 27th – May 4th – May 11th – May 18th – June 1st – June 8th – June 15th – June 22nd
Fall Arc: September 7th – September 14th – September 21st – October 5th – October 12th – October 19th – November 2nd – November 9th – November 16th

Flowers Everywhere! A Garden Party Fundraiser
2025-09-07 16:00 - 19:00 | The Dr. John Wilson Community Garden, 99 White Pine Dr., Black Mountain, NC, 28801, United States
We are gathering in the garden on Sunday, September 7th from 4-7pm to celebrate renewal and relationships in the Dr. John Wilson Community Garden.
Our Garden Party will be held in our very own Dr. John Wilson Community Garden at 99 White Pine Dr, Black Mountain. The event will feature live music from Becki and the Farm to Jazz Trio, a locally sourced dinner, bouquet picking and making with Cindi Quay, medicinal tea tasting with Garden Intern Marisa Figueroa, and tours of the native pollinator garden with Emily Sampson!
Tickets
$40 in advance
$50 at the door
$25 student and needs-based tickets available
Tickets and more information at bmtcommunitygardens.org/flowers-everywhere-2025-garden-party-fundraiser/
Your ticket purchase goes directly to supporting integral garden systems like our internship program, community education programs, and garden infrastructure needs, so that we can continue to grow food to donate to our partner Bounty & Soul for free distribution to the community.
This year’s theme – Flowers Everywhere – is inspired by our response to Hurricane Helene. When half of the garden’s donation beds flooded, we moved forward with a renewed vision, transforming the washed out space into a blooming field of flowers.
Whether you have been a gardener here since its start, or you have never been and want to learn more, everyone is welcome!
Learn why the Dr. John Wilson Community Garden fills a vital, unique role in the Swannanoa Valley and how you can help sustain our mission of getting locally grown, nutritious food to our community through our partnership with Bounty & Soul. We are excited to share the bounty of the garden, celebrate successes, and take a look into the future. We look forward to seeing you there!

Hands-On Holistic Management (HOHM) Course
2025-09-08 09:00 - 2025-09-16 17:00 | Warren Wilson College, 701 Warren Wilson Road, Swannanoa, NC, 28778, United States
Hands On Holistic Management (HOHM) exists to deliver the Savory Institute’s Holistic Management curriculum through real-world instruction on diversified working lands. Designed for active farmers and land managers, but applicable to everyone, this course will prepare you to regenerate land, businesses and networks by applying system level insight to your unique circumstances. We believe in learning by doing, and reinforce all classroom work with hands-on practice, building the confidence students need to take the next steps in their businesses and lives. Participants will leave with a working knowledge of Holistic Management, and an open door to the global Savory Network for ongoing support. This course satisfies the coursework requirements for Professional Accreditation through the Savory Institute.
HOHM will be hosted at Warren Wilson College and the Warren Wilson College Farm in Swannanoa, NC– Expect half of the course to be held inside a Warren Wilson College classroom and the other half to be in-field at the Warren Wilson College Farm. Upon competition of the Hands-on Holistic Management course, participants will qualify to have an exit interview with the Savory Institute, and upon successful completion of the exit interview, become an accredited professional through the Savory Institute.
Course Dates: September 8-16, 2025
Lodging: On-campus Lodging in WWC’s historic St. Clair Guesthouse available.
Food/Meals: Light breakfast provided by the Hickory Nut Gap Hub & on-campus lunch provided by the Warren Wilson College campus cafeteria.
Transportation: Shuttles to and from local Asheville (AVL) airport to campus lodging.
Additional: Complimentary guided farm tour of Warren Wilson College Farm in Swannanoa, NC & Hickory Nut Gap Farm in Fairview, NC.
Course Costs & Amenities:
Standard Course
$1200 Course Total
Includes:
Breakfast either in field or in classroom
Lunch in one of 2 WWC cafeterias
Holistic Management Textbooks (Provided by Savory Institute)
Swag bag provided by HNGF
Field trip to HNGF + Meal
Immersed Course
$2400 Course Total ($1200 + $150/day)
Includes:
All amenities from standard course
Lodging in WWC’s historic St. Clair Guesthouse
*Discount if booking a double room with another student*
3 Meals/day at one of WWC’s cafeterias – Breakfast, lunch, & dinner
About the educators:
Donna Kilpatrick specializes in pasture-based livestock production, ecosystem restoration and land stewardship. She leads the regenerative agriculture programs and enterprises at Heifer Ranch in Perryville, Arkansas where she serves as the Director of Regeneration and as the Heifer Ranch Savory Hub leader. The 1,200-acre ranch is a thriving, living ecosystem with stacked enterprises that include beef cattle, pigs, sheep and poultry, raised in an integrated, holistically managed system. Heifer Ranch contributes premium grass-finished and non-GMO meat to the Grass Roots Farmers’ Cooperative, which Heifer USA helped start in 2014 as a way to connect new farmers to reliable markets. Donna lives at Heifer Ranch with her wife Liz, and corgi Austin- who is phenomenal at catching frisbees despite his short legs.
Dylan Kennedy is a farmer, designer, educator and part-time artist based in Jabez Kentucky. Dylan’s career in farm management was born of a deep passion for agroecology and the role of humans within their ecosystems. His favorite projects are those that blur the lines between conservation and agriculture while engaging local communities in the stewardship of natural resources. Dylan has 15 years of experience in building and retooling regenerative farm systems across the USA in a variety of ecoregions. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer and an Accredited Professional through the Savory Institute. website – Ketelwood.com
Ken Smith is a native Texan, former naval officer, mechanical and nuclear engineer, business owner, and entrepreneur whose journey from corporate supplier to fossil fuel companies to sustainability to regeneration advocate to holistic management spans over 40 years. He is a Senior Certified Sustainability Professional, a Savory Institute Accredited Professional Educator, and hopefully a good steward of the earth. Ken resides in Plano, Texas, with his wife, Susan, and their new pit lab mix, Shiloh.
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.

2026 WNC AgOptions Information Session
2025-09-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Watauga County Agricultural Conference Center, 252 Poplar Grove Road, Boone, NC, 28607, United States

Asheville Local Lab: Broad Stakeholder Conversation
2025-09-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Online/Virtual
Part of the Asheville Local Labs series, the Urban Manufacturing Alliance (soon to be Mechanism), is hosting a Broad Stakeholder Group meeting in September!
This event will be part discussion and part working session: Through a series of prompts, participants will help map the capital landscape as it relates to Food and Bev manufacturing businesses in the greater Asheville area. Participants will define capital broadly to include things beyond business financing such as shared infrastructure, land use, access to suppliers and customers.
This active discussion is an opportunity for capital providers and future recipients share and connect about what is needed, what is or isn’t available in Western North Carolina. We welcome capital providers (lenders, philanthropy, private investors) as well as food and beverage producers, policy makers, supply chain partners (including but not limited to distributors, growers, and retailers) to be part of the session.
Please share this invitation with others who may be interested and we hope to see you soon!
Find the Eventbrite registration link here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/broad-stakeholder-discussion-asheville-local-lab-tickets-1536980262339?aff=oddtdtcreator
See other events in the Asheville Local Lab Series: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/asheville-local-lab-series-4469493
