Introduction to Rotational Grazing Workshop
2024-06-22 09:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Sheraton Park Farm, 8378 Sparta Rd, McGrady, NC, 28649, United States
Join Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, Working Landscapes, and NC Cooperative Extension at Sheraton Park Farm for an Introduction to Rotational Grazing Workshop!
Dive into the fundamentals of grazing management, pasture design, and essential considerations for managing grazing animals effectively. Led by Kendra Phipps, Watauga County’s Livestock Extension Agent, this workshop will blend informative classroom style sessions with on-farm practical demonstrations that will equip you to begin your grazing operation. Learn all about the systems of rotational grazing and gain insights into its application on your farm or homestead. You will also learn pasture design and learn key strategies for optimizing grazing efficiency. Through interactive sessions and practical demonstrations, participants will visualize the direct impact of grazing management on pasture health and animal welfare.
This workshop will cover the following topics:
Considerations for getting started grazing
Pasture Design
Key ideas when managing grazing animals
On Farm demonstration moving animals

Food Manufacturing for Farmers
2024-06-25 13:00 - 14:30 | WNC FoodWorks, 570 Brevard Rd., Unit 9, Asheville, NC, 28806, United States
About this workshop: A farmer-to-farmer workshop and roundtable on creating value-added products from your produce, and making the most of the equipment and resources available to grow your business and extend your season. Featuring a presentation from Joel Mowrey (Smoking J’s Fiery Foods), and a facility tour of WNC FoodWorks, a nonprofit food business incubator and production facility located at the WNC Farmers Market.

What you’ll learn: How to get started making (or scale up an existing home production of) value added foods such as jams, jellies, pickles, hot sauces, syrups, pies, etc. that diversify your market offerings & revenue streams, make high-value products out of less-than-perfect produce, and prevent food waste.

You’ll hear from and get to talk shop with an experienced farmer who’s built a business from raw startup, to producing in a shared kitchen, to buying & outfitting his own production space just down the road from the farm.

You’ll also get a chance to talk with professional food production facility managers who can help you understand what kinds of equipment might be a good fit for products you’re considering making (or scaling up), and how to ensure that you’re following food safety best practices and minimizing risk, while maximizing the return on your time and hard-earned money.

Who should attend: Farmers who are either looking to start selling value-added products, or wanting to scale up an existing home production.

Cost: Nothing! This is a free workshop, made possible through a collaboration between ASAP, Mountain BizWorks, and the Center for Agricultural & Food Entrepreneurship, and funded via a grant from the Southern Risk Management Education Center. Appalachian Grown certified farms who register and attend this workshop will receive a workshop stipend of $27.75 to help cover some of their off farm time.

Native Plants for Vegetable Gardening
2024-07-03 17:30 - 19:00 | The Dr. John Wilson Community Garden, 99 White Pine Dr., Black Mountain, NC, 28801, United States
Join us to learn about the benefits of native plants for us, our gardens, and the ecosystems we call home.
Adam Bigelow, avid organic gardener, will lead us as we immerse ourselves in the diversity of native plants. We will discuss how natives work to attract beneficial insects, beautify vegetable and flower gardens, and provide nutrition to the dinner plate. Learn more about Adam’s offerings at https://bigelowbotanicalexcursions.com/

Tickets: $15 (cash, check, or card at event)
RSVP to lucille.nelson@tobm.org

Indigo Dye Workshop with Organic Growers School and R Farm
2024-07-06 14:30 - 17:00 | R Farm, 1530 New Stock Rd, Weaverville, NC, 28787, United States
Indigo, a deep blue dye derived from the indigo plant (Indigofera), has a rich and complex history in North America. This workshop will incorporate the history of the indigo plant, how artists use it today, and how to grow and use indigo on a small scale. We will visit the field where a local farmer’s indigo plants are growing, harvest our own stalks, use them in a fresh leaf extraction method for dyeing a variety of materials, as well as see a demo of the multi-day traditional dyeing process.
For more information visit the Organic Growers School webpage.

Urban Garden Tour and Tasting with Bountiful Cities
2024-07-14 13:00 - 20:00 | NC
Visit food producing gardens and urban farms located throughout the city of Asheville. Food and/or beverages will be provided for tasting ticket holders in each of the gardens, as well as tours, activities, and entertainment.

Small Ruminant Record Keeping
2024-07-17 18:30 | Polk County Cooperative Extension, 60 Gibson St, Columbus, NC, 28722, United States
Free Seminar through the NC Cooperative Extension with Dr. Andrew Weaver, Extension Small Ruminant Specialist. Dr. Weaver will go over the importance of record keeping, methods of record keeping, traits, and how to utilize records to improve management decision making.
RSVP to Cassie LeMaster Cassie_lemaster@ncsu.edu or 828-894-8218

WNC CRAFT Tour - Veterans Healing Farm
2024-07-18 18:00 - 20:30 | Veterans Healing Farm, 38 Yale Rd, Hendersonville, NC, 28739, United States
WNC CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) exists to bring aspiring, new, and established growers together for training in the art and science of sustainable agriculture. CRAFT is farmer-led and well known for its high-quality farmer-to-farmer training and community-building.
Our July 18th CRAFT Tour will be with Rebecca Vann, Director of Plant Medicine at Veterans Healing Farm in Hendersonville. The tour will consist of an overview of the farm as well as a focus on Growing & Making Plant Medicine with Veterans.
To join the CRAFT Tours, become a member! In order to join the CRAFT network, sign up at: https://www.organicgrowersschool.org/craft

Barn Dance with Zydeco Ya Ya
2024-07-20 18:00 - 21:00 | Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Road , Fairview , NC, 28730, United States
Mon Cher let’s get to it! Most requested faves Zydeco Ya Ya are back in the Big Barn for zydeco, swamp pop, second line, and Cajun swing. These guys always provide a fabulous groove and engaging show that makes you want to hop out onto the floor- or bob and weave from your chair, cold one in hand.
HNG will be running a bar with local beers, NA beverage and snack cart.
Barn Door Ciderworks will provide some sweet and snappy sips of their legendary cider brewed right here in Fairview.
VooDoo Roux food truck will bring the perfect flavors for the evening with some scratch made Cajun/Creole New Orleans-style street food. Don’t forget the beignets!
By purchasing your ticket online you will be on our Will Call list, admission will be checked in at the Cabana!
Date: Saturday, July 20th, 2024
Time: 6pm-9pm
Cost: $10/person
5 and under free!
*We love four-legged friends, but only two-legged creatures may attend this event.

Native Plants Workshop
2024-07-28 10:00 - 12:30 | Daniel Boone Native Gardens, 651 Horn in the West Drive, Boone, NC, 28607, United States
Join Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture and Brian Antczak, owner of Bug Lovers Native Plants to learn how to landscape with native plants at Daniel Boone Native Gardens.
At this Workshop, participants can expect to learn about how to sustainably use and incorporate native plants that are crucial for providing food and habitat for wildlife for Appalachian and Piedmont gardens and landscapes to your home farm or garden. This workshop will also include suggestions for attracting pollinators and beneficial insects for biological control.

WNC CRAFT Tour at Gaia Herb Farm
2024-07-28 15:00 - 19:00 | Gaia Herb Farm, 101 Gaia Herbs Rd, Brevard, NC, 28712, United States
WNC CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) exists to bring aspiring, new, and established growers together for training in the art and science of sustainable agriculture. CRAFT is farmer-led and well known for its high-quality farmer-to-farmer training and community-building.
Our July 28th CRAFT Tour will be with Gaia Herbs Farm in Brevard. The tour will consist of an overview of the farm as well as a focus on growing and processing echinacea and other medicinal herbs. Following the Tour, join us for a potluck with the Gaia crew!
To join the CRAFT Tours, become a member! In order to join the CRAFT network, sign up at: https://www.organicgrowersschool.org/craft

U-Pick at KT's Orchard
2024-08-10 10:00 - 14:00 | KT’s Orchard and Apiary, 158 Pigeon Ford Rd., Canton, NC, 28716, United States
Come pick your own apples, peaches if available, and raspberries and experience the magic of picking your own fresh fruit right from the vine or branch! Current apple varieties include honey crisp and ginger gold.

Industrial Hemp Morning
2024-08-16 08:00 - 13:30 | Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station, 455 Research Drive, Mills River, NC, 28759
Join us for the Industrial Hemp Morning (8:00am-1:30 pm) on August 16, 2024 in Mills River, NC, hosted by NC State University’s Colleges of Natural Resources, and Agriculture and Life Sciences.
We invite growers, industry professionals, academics, government agencies, NGOs, and all interested participants to an event focused on “Broadening Research, Industrial Development and Global Education” (BRIDGE) in Hemp Engineered Materials Production (HEMP). Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to the future of hemp innovation and sustainability. We look forward to your participation!
Free registration here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-industrial-hemp-morning-with-the-bridge-hemp-project-tickets-945726442247?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

U-Pick at KT's Orchard
2024-08-17 10:00 - 14:00 | KT’s Orchard and Apiary, 158 Pigeon Ford Rd., Canton, NC, 28716, United States
Come pick your own apples, china girl peaches, and raspberries and experience the magic of picking your own fresh fruit right from the vine or branch! Current apple varieties include honeycrisp, blondee, gala, and ginger gold.

Utopian Seed Project - Trial to Table Summer Celebration
2024-08-17 16:30 - 19:00 | Old North Farm, 3458 Crowder Ridge Rd, Shelby, NC, 28150, United States
Our Summer Celebration will take place at Old North Farm, Cleveland County, NC. Joining us will be chefs Sera Cuni, Greg Collier, John Fleer, Baker Keia Mastrianni, Homesteader Ashley English, and Jessica Weisman from Found Ice Cream. Each chef will be creating 2 small plates using Utopian Seed Project ingredients, Ashley will be offering a small bite and an Alternative Summer Greens cooking demonstration, and we’ll have an Okra tasting table! *Each chef will offer at least one vegetarian option.
Your ticket price includes two small plates from each chef (8 plates total) and a scoop of ice cream from Found! All drinks are inclusive (beer, wine, cider and soda options available), and an okra seed collaborative beer from Cellarest Brewing will be available!
Hope to see you on August 17th!

Stocking Your Winter Home Apothecary with Lori Jenkins
2024-08-24 15:00 - 18:00 | Honey and the Hive, 23 Merrimon Ave, Weaverville, NC, 28787
In this gathering, participants will explore the different types of kitchen medicines they can easily make in their own kitchens for the Fall and Winter Months. Honeys, vinegars, simple tinctures, tea blends, and syrup preparations will be discussed as well as recipes provided by Lori Jenkins of Sister of Mother Earth.
Participants will be able to make their own…
**A fire cider blend for Winter illnesses in a quart jar
**An elderberry syrup to take home in an 8oz bottle (group demonstration-we will make a big batch together)
**An herb-infused honey in a nice flip-top jar for the Winter chills
**An herbal tincture in a nice flip-top jar to infuse to hit the crud hard when it comes, and then a dropper bottle to decant it in
**An herbal tea blend in a nice flip-top jar to help ease symptoms associated with the temps changing
Come for an afternoon of sharing, tasting, creating, and gathering together while enjoying a lovely fresh herbal tea made from seasonal herbs. Plus, you will also go home with several recipes to help stock your medicine cabinet even more!
Teacher bio:
Lori Jenkins is a Traditional Herbalist, Wildcrafter, and practicing Kitchen Witch of over 20 years currently living just outside of Asheville, NC. She is the owner and creatress behind Sister of Mother Earth, LLC, a small-batch herbal business focusing on herbal tonics, wildcrafted potions and elixirs, products made for the kitchen witch at heart, herbal classes, and plant walks. Lori’s goals are to create community within her own local food structures and support those who grow and make our food, as well as those that create magick in the kitchen to share with those around them! Lori believes in the local food movement so much so that she is currently serving on the Board of Directors as President for the Weaverville Tailgate Market and serves on the Board of Directors for the Asheville Herb Fest, which is the longest-running and largest herb festival in the United States.
Lori’s teaching career in Western North Carolina spans over 7 years, with credits including several local businesses and major festivals such as the WNC Wild Herb Weekend, faculty member for HERBalachia in Tennessee, Asheville Raven and Crone, the Asheville Herb Festival and many others. Her classes often include practical applications of kitchen witchcraft and medicine, informed by many great teachers and herbalists in turn. She has graduated from courses of study at the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine and in Rosemary Gladstar’s course The Science and Art of Herbalism as well as completed coursework and classes under fellow herbalists and wild women Anni Daulter, Asia Suler, Abby Artemisia, Rebecca Beyer and so many others.

3rd Annual HarvestFest, ASAP Benefit Event
2024-08-25 15:00 - 18:00 | Olivette Riverside Park, 1069 Olivette Rd., Asheville, NC, 28804, United States
Join us at Olivette’s Riverside Park on Sunday, August 25th for a very special benefit event to 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. The Jackson Grimm Band will kick off at 4pm.
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. In order to maximize our fundraising for ASAP, we are seeking donations for the silent auction and the VIF goodie bags.
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.
Purchase Tickets Here.

CEAg World Conference and Expo
2024-08-26 08:00 - 2024-08-28 08:00 | Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
The inaugural CEAg World Conference and Expo is the premier event for the rapidly advancing sector of food grown in protected environments. At this event, growers, produce companies, food retailers, business leaders, academia, government, research, associations and all stakeholders involved with food grown in CEA will learn all the strategies, challenges and how to overcome them, opportunities, support/resources to start, maintain, upgrade, and expand a controlled environment operation for food produce helping you achieve year-round success. In addition to the conference sessions, there will be an expo hall with products and services to support these operations, Roundtable Discussion Groups, Tours, and more!
*** FREE REGISTRATION FOR GROWERS! *** Use promo code CEAGFR for your FREE REGISTRATION

U-Pick at KT's Orchard
2024-08-28 10:00 - 14:00, 2024-08-30 10:00 - 14:00, 2024-08-31 10:00 - 14:00, 2024-09-01 13:00 - 17:00 | KT’s Orchard and Apiary, 158 Pigeon Ford Rd., Canton, NC, 28716, United States
Come pick your own apples, blackberries and raspberries and experience the magic of picking your own fresh fruit right from the vine or branch! Current apple varieties included Ambrosia, Blondee, Gala, Ruby Mac, Swiss Gourmet. We also have honey, jam, dried apples and lots more!

Natural Dye Workshop
2024-08-31 11:00 - 15:00 | Mystic Roots Farm, 105 Flat Creek Road, Fairview, NC, 28730, United States
Natural Dye Workshop
with local fiber artist Cricket Kaufman
Come learn about the magic of turning flowers/plants into lasting colors on your textiles in immersion dye pots. We will also be harvesting flowers from Mystic Roots farm to hammer prints on to your personalized tote bag.
Leave with :
🌿 The confidence to start your own natural dye practice
🌿 The knowledge of what plants to grow in your garden and forage locally for lasting colors
🌿 A naturally dyed silk bandana
🌿 Dyed wool, linen, and cotton fabric samples
🌿 A flower hammered tote bag
Saturday, August 31
11am-3pm
Sliding scale $60-$100
To register: https://square.link/u/29bv5ZlT

Agroforestry Design and Management at Wild East Farm
2024-09-01 15:00 - 19:00 | Wild East Farm, 370 Wilkerson Way, Marion, NC, 28752, United States
Forest Farming Tour: Wild East Farm
Join Noah and Lyric for a tour of Wild East Farm, where they have established ~12 acres of crop tree plantings designed for pasturing livestock throughout. Learn about the fundamentals of agroforestry and experience firsthand how to plan for long-term tree regeneration.

2025 WNC AgOptions Information Session
2024-09-03 16:00 - 18:30 | Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station, 455 Research Drive, Mills River, NC, 28759
You are invited to attend an informational meeting about the 2025 WNC AgOptions grant program for growers and producers. AgOptions staff will be present to discuss the program, go over the 2025 application timeline, and answer questions. Grants of $5,000 and $10,000 are available to farmers located within a 22-county area of Western North Carolina* in 2025.

U-Pick at KT’s Orchard
2024-09-04 10:00 - 14:00, 2024-09-06 10:00 - 14:00, 2024-09-07 10:00 - 14:00 | KT’s Orchard and Apiary, 158 Pigeon Ford Rd., Canton, NC, 28716, United States

2025 WNC AgOptions Information Session
2024-09-04 18:00 - 19:30 | Macon County Cooperative Extension Center, 193 Thomas Heights Rd., Franklin, NC, 28734, United States

20 Years of Community Gardening Historical Tour
2024-09-07 10:00 - 11:30 | The Dr. John Wilson Community Garden, 99 White Pine Dr., Black Mountain, NC, 28801, United States
Join us to learn about our community’s beautiful history, as we celebrate 20 years of community building, growing, and teaching at the Dr. John Wilson Community Garden. Diana McCall, Garden Manager from 2007-2022, will share stories and wisdom while we walk through the space, appreciating the history and current success of the garden. Learn about the garden’s creation, the plants and people that give it life, and the long history of community engagement that makes this space possible. After the tour, light refreshments will be served. Gather with us on a Saturday morning in September from 10:00am – 11:30am on September 7th, 14th, or 21st.Your ticket reserves one spot for one tour. Please RSVP for one of the three dates.
Tickets are $20 per person. Ticket proceeds support the Dr. John Wilson Community Garden’s 20th Anniversary Fundraiser Event with the goal of raising $20,000 to fund our educational programming and start accumulating seed money to replace our old barn with a new facility. More information about the fundraiser can be found at https://bmtcommunitygardens.org/20th-anniversary-celebration/

Fungi Fest at the Marion Tailgate Market
2024-09-07 10:00 - 14:00 | Marion Tailgate Market, 67 West Henderson Street, Marion, NC, 28752, United States
Join us for a day of fun and learning at Fungi Fest, where you’ll find regular weekly market vendors and special Fungi Fest vendors! Shop for mushrooms, produce, meat, honey, eggs, flowers, and so much more. This family-friendly event is your chance to dive deep into the fungi kingdom, whether you’re a mushroom enthusiast or a curious newbie. Explore educational experiences like mushroom cultivation, foraging, and identification, and enjoy cooking demos, vendor offerings, and special vendors. Admission is free!

What to Expect:

Educational Experiences:
– Mushroom Cultivation: Learn hands-on techniques like plugging logs and using mushroom grow bags.
– Foraging & Identification: Explore the art of mushroom foraging and how to identify various species in their natural habitat.
– Free Informational Tables: Get insights from experts on mushroom cultivation and more.

Culinary Delights:
– Cooking Demos: Watch live demonstrations of creative and delicious mushroom recipes.
– Vendor Offerings: Browse a variety of fresh mushrooms, mushroom-based products, and unique mushroom crafts.

Special Vendors:
– Savvy Shrooms: Mushroom products and crafts
– McDowell Trails Association: Outdoor recreation and trails info
– Rebel Terrestrial: T-Shirts & Totes
– Catawba Mushroom Partners: Fresh mushroom products
– Local Mushroom Kits: Shiitake logs, grow bags, plugs, and more
– Earth Heart: Local health food store
– Mushroom Mongers: Locally foraged mushrooms
– Archipelago Kitchen: “Pulled Pork” Sandwiches made with mushrooms

Event on Facebook: Fungi Fest | Facebook
