ASAP Connections

Kudzu Culture Fair
2022-12-01 15:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station, 455 Research Drive, Mills River, NC, 28759
Curious about kudzu? Join Kudzu Culture and Cooperate WNC on December 1, from 3 – 7pm, at The Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River, North Carolina, for the inaugural Kudzu Culture Fair. Participants are invited to attend a Root Harvest Training from 3:30 – 5pm in the auditorium, followed by a Kudzu Craft and Products Fair from 5 – 7pm, featuring regional art, craft, and culinary and herbal products made from kudzu.
Horiko-San (堀り子さん) is what kudzu root diggers are called in Japan. Often these diggers are farmers who wild-harvest kudzu roots during the cold season as a supplement to their farming. Here in Western North Carolina we have a legacy of herbal root digging and we have an opportunity to aggregate high-quality kudzu roots for cooperate processing. We hope to see you on December 1 to learn and share all things kudzu, including how to be a Horiko-San! Together we will discuss the need for cooperative kudzu harvesting, aggregation and processing in order to strengthen a regional kudzu supply chain.
If you are interested in volunteering or vending please email kudzuculture@gmail.com or call Kudzu Culture at 828-280-7874. Volunteer roles for December 1 include helping with setup, vendor load-in, and cleanup.

Flat Rock Farmers Market Holiday Market
2022-12-01 14:00 - 17:00 | Flat Rock Farmers Market, 2720 Greenville Hwy., Flat Rock, NC
Local craft items will be for sale during the holiday market, plus, james and jellies, prepared foods, baked goods, natural body-care products, and late fall crops.

Improving Farm Communications (Part 2)
2022-11-20 10:00 - 16:00 | Creekside Farms Education Center, 339 Avery Creek Rd, Arden, NC, 28704
Effective communication is essential and can be transformative for your farm operation. In this two-day long interactive workshop, Improving Farm Communication, participants will address real-life situations to learn about communication styles, ways to have better conversations, and have a chance to practice new skills. In this workshop, we will cover the basics of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), aka Compassionate Communication, and how it can be applied to your personal, farm life, and business. On-farm communication is critical for farm viability and is one of the most common sources of conflict and frustration for farmers, family members, business partners, employees, and customers.
Come if you:
Are part of a farm family or farm team
See the benefit of improved communication skills
Would like to have conversations that aren’t so awkward
Are ready to tackle difficult conversations
Find the stress of farm life difficult to express to others
Cost: $20 for a two-day workshop, including lunch on both days.

Mills River Farm Market Holiday Market
2022-11-19 09:00 - 13:00 | Mills River Farmers Market, Highway 280, Mills River, 28759
Holiday Market featuring community craft vendors, late fall produce and local products.

Hendersonville Farmers Market Holiday Market
2022-11-19 09:00 - 13:00 | Hendersonville Farmers Market, 650 Maple Street, Hendersonville, NC, 28792, United States
Holiday Market featuring favorite community craft vendors, baked goods, local products and late fall produce.

WNC Medicinal Herb Growers: Grower/Buyer Social
2022-11-15 14:00 - 18:00 | Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station, 455 Research Drive, Mills River, NC, 28759
The annual Grower/Buyer Social event on November 15th from 2-6 p.m. is a celebration of our diverse community of makers and producers. After a break during the pandemic, we welcome you back to an in-person gathering in Mills River, NC. Join us for an afternoon of networking with fellow growers, wholesale buyers and other professionals working with medicinal herbs. Cost: $12
There’s still time to register! Register on Eventbrite

Multi-Farm Collaboration Meeting
2022-11-14 18:00 - 20:00 | McDowell County Senior Center, 100 Spaulding Rd, Marion, NC, 28752, United States
Looking to reach new markets? Would you like to receive a premium price for your products? Would you like to share in the costs of production? Would you like to see more of your fresh, local produce or meats being enjoyed in the region where it is grown?
The NC Farmers of the Foothills, initiated in 2020, is an alliance of farmers looking to pool resources and market their goods to the community. There are opportunities to sell with an online marketplace, multi-farm Community Supported Agriculture, and other local food purchasing programs. The alliance also looks to share in costs of production and other expenses.
Join us to learn and have input on this alliance for 2023. Dinner will be served. Please register. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/444138007737

Etowah Lions Club Farmers Market Holiday Market
2022-11-12 09:00 - 16:00 | NC
Join us for our indoor holiday market on Saturday, Nov. 12.

An Appalachian Grown Harvest
2022-11-11 17:00 - 20:30 | Yesterdays Spaces, 305 Sluder Branch Road, Leicester, NC, 28748, United States
WHEN: Nov. 11, 5 to 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Yesterday’s Spaces, 305 Sluder Branch Road, Leicester, NC
Join us for a one-of-a-kind meal prepared by some of the area’s best chefs, all sourced from local farms! ASAP has been creating connections between our region’s farmers, restaurants, and community for more than 20 years. We are celebrating the milestone anniversary of the organization and the end of the harvest season by coming together at the table to share An Appalachian Grown Harvest. Reserve your tickets here.
Featuring chefs Melinda Aponte (YWCA), Kelsianne Bebout (BeeBowBakes), Matt Caudle (Cúrate) William Dissen (The Market Place), Luis Martinez (Tequio Foods), Eric Morris (Cultura), and Jen Pearson (Guadalupe Cafe).

Preserving Meat Workshop
2022-11-06 12:00 - 16:00 | Madison County Cooperative Extension, 258 Carolina Lane, Marshall , NC, 28753, United States
Join author and butcher Meredith Leigh for a workshop on meat preservation, as part of the WNC Fermenting Festival! Explore safe and delicious ways for fermenting meat, from the time of ancient peoples to modern-day applications of microbes. We will cover all the fermentation pathways in meat preservation, from lacto-fermentation in salamis to autolysis in garums, as well as yeast and mold fermentation including koji charcuterie. We will also discuss the importance of keeping these traditions alive and accessible to everyone.

Improving Farm Communications (Part 1)
2022-11-06 10:00 - 16:00 | Creekside Farms Education Center, 339 Avery Creek Rd, Arden, NC, 28704

RAD Farmers Market - Winter Season Begins
2022-11-02 15:00 - 17:30 | Smoky Park Supper Club, 350 Riverside Drive, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
The RAD Farmers Market provides year-round access to fresh local foods, including produce! The winter season runs November through April with 25-30 vendors each week set up indoors and outdoors. Note winter hours change: 3-5:30pm, Wednesdays.

Preparing to Harvest: Skills for Food Systems, Board Development, and Grant Writing
2022-10-25 10:00 - 15:00 | Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, 91 North Lakeshore Drive, Lake Junaluska, NC, 28745, United States
The free workshop is designed for NC non-profits, community organizations, faith-based groups, and local governments. It will include a food-focused plenary that will feature partner projects from across the state, as well as hands-on skills building and strategies to strengthen participants’ current food projects. Participants can choose board development or grant writing that afternoon. Lunch, snacks, and mileage reimbursements will be provided.

October Farm Tour at Hickory Nut Gap Farm
2022-10-22 10:00 - 11:30 | Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Road , Fairview , NC, 28730, United States
This tour goes exploring through our 80 acres of working farmland. Head to the top of UFO hill for a spectacular view, walk alongside the creek through forest, see the grazing animals on pasture, and learn about regenerative agriculture. You will get an overview of our farm history and a more in-depth look at our regenerative farming practices. We will be traversing through tall grasses, so suitable footwear is suggested.
10 am start time
Adults: $50
Youth (Age 10-17): $30
Children (Under 10): Free

Farm Fresh for Health Regional Symposium at Winding Stair Farm
2022-10-20 15:00 - 19:00 | Winding Stair Farm, 57 Saunders Rd., Franklin, NC, 28734, United States
Throughout summer 2022 ASAP will present a series of regional symposiums for healthcare professionals in Western North Carolina to highlight the principles of Farm Fresh for Health. Each symposium will introduce key strategies and feature examples from ASAP and the community, including projects from ASAP’s Community in Action initiative. Attendees will take part in farm tours, hands-on activities, and facilitated discussion about how they can use Farm Fresh for Health tools in their own practices to improve health outcomes. Locally sourced meals will be provided. Find out more about the full series of events and register.

2022 NC Crunch
2022-10-19 12:00 | NC
This October, join schools, child care centers, and organizations across North Carolina in celebrating National Farm to School Month by crunching into a locally grown apple. The 2022 NC Crunch will take place on Wednesday, October 19th! Register today and get your Crunch planning underway! Participants of all ages are invited to crunch with us
NC Crunch promotes healthy eating and supports farm to school and other local food purchasing initiatives throughout the state. It’s also a fun way to connect food and agriculture to all kinds of classroom curricula – from science to art.
Click here to register for the 2022 Crunch!
You will receive an email with a link to download the 2022 Crunch Guide upon submission of the form.
PLEASE NOTE: The registration form is a Google Doc. If you cannot access it, please contact the Growing Minds team at (828) 236-1282 to sign up.
We can’t wait to Crunch with all of you this year!

Cultivo Latino
2022-10-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Hendersonville Community Co-op, 60 South Charleston Lane, Hendersonville, 28792
El programa Cultivo Latino es un programa virtual de seis semanas diseñado para empresarios y agricultores. En este programa, aprenderás cómo construir un plan estratégico para crecer su granja y negocio agricultural.
El programa esta dividido en dos partes:
Sesión 1:
11 de octubre de 2022, 6:00PM-8:00PM (realizada virtualmente)
• Acceso a capital para crecer su negocio. Conozca programas de préstamos en NC y cómo encontrar el mejor prestamista para
su negocio
• Aprenda a pensar como sus clientes y cómo mantenerlos comprometidos
• Aprenda las mejores prácticas de marketing para hacer crecer tu negocio
Sesión 2:
18 de octubre de 2022, 6:00PM-8:00PM (realizado en persona-ubicación, 60 S Charleston Ln, Hendersonville, NC)
• Sitio de análisis. Aprenderá las muchas maneras en la que su negocio podría ser rentable y cómo obtener ganancias
• Cómo encuestar lo que tiene y generar múltiples flujos de ingresos de su negocio
Para mas information, contacte a Roxanne Reed a Roxanne@granittraining.com o visite farmschoolonwheels.com/training.
—
The Cultivo Latino program is designed for Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs and farmers. In this program, you will learn how to build a strategic plan to grow your farm and agricultural business.
The program is comprised of two sessions:
Session 1:
October 11, 2022, 6:00PM-8:00PM (held virtually)
• Access to capital to grow your business. Learn about the many lending programs in NC and how to find the best lender for your business
• Learn how to think like your customers and how to keep your customers engaged
• Best marketing practices to grow your business
Session 2:
October 18, 2022, 6:00PM-8:00PM (Held virtually and in-person at 60 S Charleston Ln, Hendersonville, NC)
• Site Analysis. You will be taking a deep dive into the many ways your business can be profitable and how you can use what
you have to make a profit.
• How to survey what you have and make multiple income streams from your business.
For more information, email Roxanne Bailey-Reed, Roxanne@granittraining.com, or visit farmschoolonwheels.com/training.

Appalachian Food and Farms Festival
2022-10-15 15:00 - 18:30 | Shipley Farm, 1699 Linville Creek Road, Vilas, NC, 28692, United States
Appalachian Food and Farms Festival Celebrating 150 Years of Shipley Farms
October 15, 2022 @ the historic Shipley Farm, Vilas, NC
Samplings of a variety of meats and dishes and all the flavors
of the High Country prepared by award winning NC chefs and restaurants
Steven Goff (Tastee Diner, Asheville), 2019 NC Chef of the Year
Adam Cole (Watauga County), Shipley Farms’ own Meatsmith
“Chefophus” Cleo Hethington (Ebi Chop Bar, Asheville/Atlanta), 2022 James Beard award finalist
2022 North Carolina Chef Showdown Finalists:
Daniel Wheeler (Culinary Instructor, CCCTI, Charlotte/Hudson/Boone)
Andres Prussing, CEC (Golden Owl Tavern, Charlotte)
Kyle Teears (Saint Jacques French Cuisine, Raleigh)
Jamie Davis (The Hackney, Washington NC)

Introduction to Holistic Land Management
2022-10-15 09:00 - 16:00 | Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Road , Fairview , NC, 28730, United States
Join us for a one-day introduction to the practical principals of regenerative agriculture and Holistic Management. Developed by the Savory Institute, the original regenerative farming leader, Holistic Management is a framework that helps land managers navigate complex decisions within a context that they define. This one-day course is designed to give attendees a foundational understanding of the primary components to Holistic Management and farm health monitoring using the Ecological Outcome Verified methodology (EOV) so that they can more easily go on to study and learn more. We’ll feed you lunch on the farm and you’ll leave with a greater appreciation of leading-edge regenerative agriculture practices.
Cost: $175 (includes lunch and a free hat)

2023 WNC AgOptions Information Session
2022-10-11 18:30 - 20:00 | Swain County Cooperative Extension Center, 60 Almond School Rd, Bryson City, NC, 28713, United States
You are invited to attend an informational meeting about the 2023 WNC AgOptions grant program for growers and producers.
AgOptions staff will be present to discuss the program, go over the 2023 application timeline, and answer questions. Grants of $4,000 and $8,000 are available to farmers located within a 22-county area of Western North Carolina* in 2023.

Cultivo Latino
2022-10-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Online/Virtual

2023 WNC AgOptions Information Session
2022-10-10 17:30 - 19:00 | Cleveland County Extension Center, 130 S. Post Rd, Suite 1, Shelby, NC, 28152, United States

OG-REGEN Growers Pizza Night
2022-10-09 15:00 - 19:00 | Living Web Farms, 176 Kimzey Rd, Mills River, NC, 28759, United States
Are you an organic or regenerative grower south of Asheville? Do you aspire to grow plants in this way? Come gather with us at Living Web Farms for a fun afternoon of connection and inspiration with a community of like-minded folk. New moon- Sunday October 9th 3pm-7pm. RSVP to to laura.collins@gaiaherbs.com . Spaces will be limited to 40 folks.

2023 WNC AgOptions Information Session
2022-10-06 18:00 - 19:30 | Avery Community Center at Heritage Park, 661 Vale Rd., Newland, NC, 28657, United States

2023 WNC AgOptions Information Session
2022-09-26 18:00 | Burke County Agricultural Center, 130 Ammons Drive, Morganton, NC, 28655, United States

Berry Jam 2022
2022-09-24 16:00 - 22:00 | Raspberry Fields, 370 Lindsey Loop Rd, Fletcher, NC, United States
Join Raspberry Fields for an evening of food, music and fun! $25 admission gets you dinner, beverages, and dessert. Vegetarian options also available. Proceeds go to the Double SNAP food program for the Hendersonville Farmers Market.
Double SNAP is a nutrition incentive program that makes it more affordable for community members who participate in SNAP to buy fresh, local food from Hendersonville Farmers Market. The idea behind doubling SNAP dollars at the market is that the incentives will attract more low-income shoppers and allow their grocery dollars to stretch further while simultaneously boosting local food producers’ income. In 2021, the Double SNAP program created $26,870 in
SNAP transactions at Hendersonville Farmers Market, translating to $26,870 in the pockets of our local food
producers and the same amount in fresh, local food going into the pantries of our low-income residents.
Food producers at the market reported that 15 percent of their revenue came directly from SNAP in 2021.
Ultimately this program helps keep taxpayer dollars in the community, promoting a resilient local economy and food system.

September Farm Tour at Hickory Nut Gap Farm
2022-09-24 10:00 - 11:30 | Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Road , Fairview , NC, 28730, United States
This tour goes exploring through our 80 acres of working farmland. Head to the top of UFO hill for a spectacular view, walk alongside the creek through forest, see the grazing animals on pasture, and learn about regenerative agriculture. You will get an overview of our farm history and a more in-depth look at our regenerative farming practices. We will be traversing through tall grasses, so suitable footwear is suggested.
Adults: $50
Youth (Age 10-17): $30
Children (Under 10): Free

Equinox Botanical Walk with Abby Artemisia
2022-09-23 14:45 - 18:00 | Red Moon Herbs, 26 Davis Chapel Rd, Candler, NC, 28715, United States
Join Abby Artemisia for a late summer botanical walk. We will meet at Red Moon Herbs to carpool to a nearby location for an adventure into identification and medicinal uses of local plants. Some scholarships available for the BIPOC community, please contact info@redmoonherbs.com. $30.00
Founder of the WANDER (Wild Artemisia Nature Discovery, Empowerment, and Reconnection) School, Botanist, Herbalist, Forager, Educator, & Author, Abby Artemisia, lives in Appalachian North Carolina on the edge of the national forest. She learned about plants playing in the Midwestern woods of Ohio, working on organic farms, an herbal apprenticeship, a bachelor’s degree in Botany from Miami University, running her own tea business, and relationships with various Native Tribes, especially the Cherokee. She teaches about plant identification, ethical foraging, and working with plants for food and medicine throughout the country and at Wildcrafted Herb School. Her mission is offering nature and herbal education to create healing through connection with the natural world and each other. She is the author of The Wild Foraged Life Cookbook, and The Herbal Handbook for Homesteaders. She is the host of the podcast Wander, Forage, and Wildcraft, and founder of The WANDER School, which recently became a nonprofit to Decolonize Herbalism and provide herbs, herbal medicine, and botanical education to underserved communities.
Find out more at www.thewanderschool.com Tickets at https://redmoonherbs.com/products/herbal-education-classes?_pos=2&_sid=3f84cd70d&_ss=r

2023 WNCAgOptions Information Session
2022-09-22 18:00 - 19:30 | Konehete Park Meeting Room, 699 Connaheeta Street, Murphy, NC, 28906, United States

2023 WNC AgOptions Information Session
2022-09-22 16:30 - 18:00 | Watauga County Agricultural Conference Center, 252 Poplar Grove Road, Boone, NC, 28607, United States
