ASAP Connections

CEAg World Conference and Expo
2024-08-26 08:00 - 2024-08-28 08:00 (America/New_York) | 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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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
2024-08-10 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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Introduction to Rotational Grazing Workshop
2024-06-22 09:00 - 15:00 | 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

Fresh Milky Oats: Sacred Nervous System Medicine
2024-06-18 18:00 - 20:00 | The Dr. John Wilson Community Garden, 99 White Pine Dr., Black Mountain, NC, 28801, United States
When harvested at the peak of its season, fresh milky oat tops help alleviate nervous system exhaustion, adrenal fatigue, anxiety, despair, insomnia, and repetitive thought patterns, increase focus, boost mood, and more. Participants will learn harvesting and processing the oat tops and oat straw all the way through how to prepare a tincture. Bring a quart sized jar and prepare to buy your own alcohol for tincturing after the class. This class is a $20-35 investment, with payment taken at the event. Cash, card or check accepted.

RSVP and direct any questions to lucille.nelson@tobm.org.

**There is an alternate date for this workshop as harvest depends on maturity of the plants. That date is Tuesday, June 25th from 6-8pm.

ABOUT OUR TEACHER:
Cindi Quay, Traditional Herbalist, descendent of the Menominee Nation, and Founder of Cindi’s Sacred Garden, has been practicing her respected Native American Traditions with our plant nation for most her life. Cindi has learned “hands on” to identify many herbs during all growing seasons, and for more than 30 years, she has traveled around the USA to identify healing plants. As an instructor, Cindi teaches many groups about herbs, growing, connecting to and healing oneself through our plant nation.

Barn Dance with Old Charlotte Highwaymen
2024-06-15 18:00 - 21:00 | Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Road , Fairview , NC, 28730, United States
Out in the Big Barn, let’s dance!!! Local favorites in the rose-splattered pearl snaps, Old Charlotte Highwaymen will be joining us! Bluegrass, old time, sweet strings and pickings, we’ll have some music to sit and sway to, square dancing and big mountain circle dancing with a caller.
HNG will be running a bar with local beers and NA beverage and snack cart.
Barn Door Ciderworks will provide some sweet and snappy sips of their legendary cider brewed right here in Fairview.
Root Down Farm food truck will be serving up some seriously lovely food featuring NC Farm fresh veggies and Hickory Nut Gap meats.
By purchasing your ticket online you will be on our Will Call list, admission will be checked in at the Cabana!
Date: Saturday, June 15th, 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.

Paperpot Co Demonstration and Workshop
2024-06-13 16:00 - 19:00 | Full Moon Farm, 141 Rhymer Branch Rd, Deep Gap, NC, 28618, United States
Join Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture and Kara Dodson at Full Moon Farm for a Hands on Demonstration of the PaperPot Co Planter!
Looking to scale up your farm or garden, but worried about the time and labor needed to do so? Learn all the basics of using a PaperPot Co Planter to streamline your operation. Kara Dodson will demonstrate how to use a drop-seeder to save time seeding trays, review tips for the best germination, and transplant green onion starts in to the field using this tool. She will also share plenty of useful knowledge gained from 8 years as a diversified vegetable farm owner. This workshop is perfect for both beginning and experienced farmers looking to increase their yields and decrease their labor!

AgLaunch Cultivate Appalachia Bootcamp for Agri-Food and AgTech Startups
2024-06-11 08:00 - 2024-06-13 17:00 | Knoxville, TN
Unleash Your Ag Potential: AgLaunch Announces Call for Applications for Cultivate Appalachia Bootcamp
Do you have an innovative idea or technology that could reshape our agricultural landscape? AgLaunch, a nonprofit organization specializing in agricultural innovation, is calling for applications for its Cultivate Appalachia Bootcamp and the flagship AgLaunch365 Accelerator and Farm Trial program.
The Cultivate Appalachia Bootcamp, conducted in partnership with the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, will be held in
Knoxville, TN June 11-13, 2024. This in-person program is designed for early-stage agri-food and agtech startups in Southern Appalachia and beyond. These sessions cover various topics, including business structuring, pitching to investors, intellectual property protection, funding opportunities, and networking strategies for success. Cultivate Appalachia offers an introduction to the AgLaunch365 Accelerator and farm-centric innovation model.
Applications for Cultivate Appalachia are due by May 17, 2024. To apply, visit www.AgLaunch.com and click the “Apply Now” link. The all-in-one online application allows applicants to indicate their event preferences.
For more information about AgLaunch’s program offerings, visit www.AgLaunch.com. For inquiries and further information regarding Cultivate Appalachia, please contact:
Katie Ellis, AgLaunch
Southern Appalachian Agri-Food Regional Innovation Cluster Lead
Email: kellis@aglaunch.com
Phone: 859-583-6786

No Till Market Garden Intensive
2024-05-26 13:00 - 16:00 | Wild East Farm, 370 Wilkerson Way, Marion, NC, 28752, United States
This half day intensive geared is towards folks looking for technical knowledge and personal empowerment around gardening- for profit or at a home scale. You’ll head home with confidence and enthusiasm to start your garden or take your current garden to the next level.
Topics covered include:
Tour the Wild East market garden, tool shed, and wash pack area
Deep compost “no till” approach
Garden design considerations
Soil health
Direct seeding vs transplanting
“Lean” approach
Tools to get started
+ more!

The Utopian Seed Project - Trial to Table Series
2024-05-18 13:30 - 16:00 | Pleb Urban Winery, 289 Lyman St., Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
The Utopian Seed Project grows a wide range of crops and varieties with the aim of increasing agrobiodiversity into the food and farming system. We want more crops and varieties being grown and enjoyed (i.e. eaten!) in our regional. 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.

Mother's Day Spring Birding
2024-05-12 08:00 - 11:00 | Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Road , Fairview , NC, 28730, United States
Explore the Farm and surrounding forest with birder Clifton Avery of Venture Birding Tours(@bigbaldbirder on IG) to spot the various species of birds that can be found in WNC!
Edge habitat birding, learn how planned grazing benefits the local avian population.
We will be hiking in uneven and sometimes steep terrain, so please wear sturdy shoes and be dressed for the weather.
Learn about our Holistic Land Management from Farm Director Virginia, and how this practice works in tandem with the local flora and fauna.
Spotted on the farm by our farm crew, staff & neighbors: bluebirds, a rainbow of finches, downy & hairy woodpeckers, vultures, cardinals, wood doves, robins, red-shouldered hawks, northern goshawks, swifts, egrets, blue herons, hermit thrush, golden-winged warblers and this last year we’ve had a resident Bald Eagle!
Attendees will break for an included biscuit brunch* from butcher Brian’s kitchen, as birding is hungry work. When attending classes, you will receive a 5% discount in the Farm Store & Butchery!
A portion of the proceeds for this event support our activities as a Savory Hub, and further the reach of regenerative agriculture.
Date: Sunday, May 12th, 2024
Time: 8am-11am
Cost: $30/person, biscuit brunch is included.
*If you have dietary restrictions, please reach out to Megan.auten@hickorynutgap.com and we can accommodate.

Agroforestry Design Intensive
2024-05-05 13:00 - 16:00 | Wild East Farm, 370 Wilkerson Way, Marion, NC, 28752, United States
This half day intensive will provide a deep dive into the theory and practice of agroforestry and is geared towards anyone looking to implement agroforestry on their landscape- for profit or at a home scale.
Topics covered:
Comprehensive tour of Wild East Farm agroforestry plantings
Site prep considerations
Keyline design, keyline plow
Local forest ecology and patterns
Planting techniques to maximize success
Variety selection
Case studies of other agroforestry projects
and more!

Free Farm Tour with Jamie Ager
2024-05-04 10:00 - 11:30 | Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Road , Fairview , NC, 28730, United States
THIS EVENT IS FREE! We invite you to join us on our next Farm Tour! Hickory Nut Gap hosts four complimentary tours each year, featuring farmer, founder, and CEO Jamie Ager, aiming to share our story and the principles of Regenerative farming with our community.
Experience the regenerative journey firsthand from Jamie, who, alongside his wife Amy, launched the modern-day Hickory Nut Gap in 2000. Jamie is brimming with stories about our land’s history and four generations of farming wisdom. We’re thrilled to offer this tour to the public, providing an opportunity for all to learn about regenerative agriculture.

Cherokee Ndn Foods, Heritage Crops and Wild Delicacies
2024-05-01 19:00 - 21:00 | NC
The Traditions in Agriculture series seeks to engage the community in expanding our understanding of equitable farming, food, and medicinal practices. Learn how we can create healthier communities and ecosystems for food justice.
In this talk we will explore relationships and threads of resiliency in our current challenging ecological climate. These relatives will transmit about lived experience, shared strength and a vision for hope. They will illuminate their process and method for respecting and upholding the bounty we have been given by our ancestors, setting the proverbial table for all versus the few.
Tyson Sampson is a two-hearted and two-spirited individual who descended from the local
indigenous matriarchy called the ᎠᏂᎩᎶᎯ (A-ni-gi-lo-hi). Their home is referred to as The
Beautiful Painted Earth. This family is based here in their aboriginal territory most commonly
known as the Great Smoky Mountains.
Amy Walker is a member of the Deer Clan, is a great-grandmother, and is 78 years old. Her
parents, one Cherokee and one South Dakota Sioux, were both herbalists. She grew up eating
out of the Appalachian forests; a wildcrafter and a farmer, she focuses her farming on traditional
Cherokee food preferences, mostly growing traditional medicine, corn, beans, and squash. She
is a retired social worker, and an indigenous traditionalist. Amy is a pipe carrier and a
Sundancer in South Dakota.
This program is free. Registration is not required.

Farmer Social & Music at Rare Bird
2024-04-27 14:00 - 19:00 | Rare Bird Farm, 91 Duckett Top Tower Road, Hot Springs, NC, 28743, United States
This free family-friendly event is hosted by WNC Food Coalition and is a relaunching of the Collaborative Ag Network with 4 exciting programs to improve connectivity and quality of life for farmers. This is mainly a chance to meet some folks and relax while the season gets going. You’ll also learn a little about what’s going on land access, producer coops and collective resources in WNC and how to get involved. Enjoy some local food and music with A Grisman + Garcia Experience with Dirty Dawg.
2-4: Social
4-5: Food
5-7: Music
Contact jenn@wncfoodjustice.com for more info!

The Utopian Seed Project - Trial to Table Series
2024-04-27 12:30 - 15:00 | Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Road , Fairview , NC, 28730, United States

Bountiful Bowls with Bountiful Cities
2024-04-21 13:00 - 17:00 | UNC-Asheville, 1 University Heights, Asheville, NC, 28804, United States
April is Food Waste Reduction month, and on Sunday April 21st 1-5pm Bountiful Cities will celebrate that and Earth Day with a Bountiful Bowls event at UNCA. Take a cooking class to learn how to reduce food waste, and fill your ceramic bowl with “Stone Soup.”
This FREE event is open to all. Community members and students are invited to come and celebrate outside the Sherill Center at UNCA where they can enjoy some “stone soup.” Participants are encouraged to bring a vegetable or pantry item that can be part of the stone soup. We will celebrate Food Waste Reduction month using donated up-cycled produce to make the soup and a Panzanella Salad for attendees. Firefly Valley Pottery will lead participants in a hands-on experience with clay, and participants can take hand built pots with them. The Student Environmental Center will lead Earth Day activities and share information about sustainability.
Participants can purchase beautiful ceramic hand-made bowls (on a sliding scale) to support Bountiful Cities work, then fill it with soup or salad!
Tickets ($25 each) are also on sale for cooking classes with Plant-Based Nutrition Expert and Professor Amy Joy Lanou in the Teaching Kitchen at the Sherill Center at UNCA. Lanou will explore techniques to reduce food waste and cook delicious dishes with fresh and local produce. You can purchase a ticket to the cooking class and add on a ceramic bowl for $40.
Special thanks to our co-sponsor Firefly Valley Pottery. Thanks also to UNCA Ceramics department, AB Tech Ceramics department, Asheville High School Ceramics department, and many local ceramic artists for donating bowls for this event. And thanks to the Food Equity Initiative at UNCA for donating supplies.
Please RSVP, purchase bowls and tickets today! You may choose your bowl on a first come first served basis on the day of the event. If we don’t sell out, bowls will be available for purchase on the day of the event and pick up at one of our up coming events.
