Growing Local Radio Series

Having access to fresh, nutritious food is even more essential during a pandemic. However, high unemployment rates have put a strain on many people’s food budgets, prompting more people to seek support from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also […]Read More ▶▶

ASAP’s Appalachian Farms Feeding Families program has been connecting farmers with people in need of nutritious food since May. The initiative has two goals: to provide fresh, healthy food to people and communities that are experiencing hardships during COVID-19, and […]Read More ▶▶

Sometimes a thoughtful gift can cause a chain reaction. A curiosity becomes a hobby that turns into a family business and eventually becomes a cornerstone of a community. When Aron and Jessica Wehr first moved from Pennsylvania to Robbinsville, North […]Read More ▶▶

Food sovereignty has been central to indigenous communities for thousands of years. Families worked together to grow gardens, prepare meals, and share or trade the bounty with each other. Growing traditional crops like corn, beans, and pumpkins was not only […]Read More ▶▶

Every year, farmers rely on a network of resource providers to help them navigate the challenges of farming. NC State Cooperative Extension is one of these critical resources, answering questions and helping farmers troubleshoot everything from pest management to food […]Read More ▶▶

KP Whaley of Tiny Bridge Farm in Henderson County, North Carolina grew up in the industrial city of Rockford, Illinois where his father and three older brothers were machinists. “We all grew up working with our hands in oil and […]Read More ▶▶

For the past 20 years, The Community Table has provided nutritious food to residents of Jackson County, North Carolina, including seniors, people with disabilities, children, and working families. Paige Christie, executive director of The Community Table, says they’ve seen a […]Read More ▶▶

For the past several years, agritourism has been on the rise for Appalachian farms. Farmers have built cabins and converted barns into rentals where vacationers can stay at the farm, eat fresh local food, and enjoy farm activities. The number […]Read More ▶▶

It takes farms of all sizes to create a thriving food system. Here in Western North Carolina, some farms sell directly to customers through farmers markets and community supported agriculture. There are also larger-scale local farms that use food distributors […]Read More ▶▶

When even established farms are struggling during COVID-19, what’s it like to start a new farm? When we spoke with Stephanie Vinat of The AppaLatin Farmstead in February, she was full of enthusiasm for the year ahead. “We’re in Marshall, […]Read More ▶▶