Upcoming Events
Seed Swaparoo
Hosted by Caja Salidaria Farm
Drop in anytime between 5-7
Bring some seeds to swap! Light refreshments will be available.
Grant Writing for Beginners
Target Audience:
This event is intended for rural, small-budget community-based organizations such as non-profits, churches, and other community groups. For-profit organizations, government agencies, consultancy/intermediary organizations, and University representatives are kindly asked to refrain from registering.
Overview:
Do you need grant funding for a project but are unsure where to start? Are you struggling to understand what the funders want? In this hands-on workshop, we’ll use templates, tips, and real-world examples to guide you through the entire process—from finding funding and building relationships with funders to writing a strong proposal. We will also include tips for using (and NOT using) AI. You will be more confident in your ability to turn your passion into a successful proposal!
This workshop is tailored towards beginners and may be a fit for you if you are:
New to the grant writing process and overwhelmed by it all.
Full of innovative ideas and ready to get those dreams funded but need help connecting your vision with the grant application process.
Sure about your organization’s solution but are not sure which funders share your passion.
Participants will Learn :
Where to look for funding, and how to determine if your work fits funder priorities.
The basics of building relationships with funders.
How to effectively answer the key parts of a grant proposal while reflecting your work.
The fundamentals of building a project budget.
High Tunnel Production Methods (CRAFT)
Explore spring production on a sloped mountain farm; see the farm’s 4 caterpillar tunnels, high tunnel, and a greenhouse full of plant starts. We’ll talk about financing, siting, and putting up covered growing structures, crop timing and selection, and more.
2026 Food Waste Solutions Summit
The 2026 Food Waste Solutions Summit is a regional gathering aimed at disrupting food waste issues facing our communities, expanding our networks, and inspiring dynamic solutions. Our fourth summit builds on collaborative efforts activated by the 2017, 2019 and 2023 summits, bringing together local businesses, organizations, and university leaders to expand cross-sector conversations and deepen partnerships. The past three summits attracted hundreds of attendees from dozens of community organizations, businesses, and government agencies and resulted in the launch of Food Waste Solutions WNC, a collaborative network addressing food waste recovery issues including:
Support for edible food waste collection and redistribution
Increased landfill diversion tactics
Innovative enterprise development
Development of community and municipal level compost initiatives
Because of this work, the Asheville area now serves as a model for other communities across North Carolina striving to reduce food waste.
Grant Writing for Beginners
Target Audience:
This event is intended for rural, small-budget community-based organizations such as non-profits, churches, and other community groups. For-profit organizations, government agencies, consultancy/intermediary organizations, and University representatives are kindly asked to refrain from registering.
Overview:
Do you need grant funding for a project but are unsure where to start? Are you struggling to understand what the funders want? In this hands-on workshop, we’ll use templates, tips, and real-world examples to guide you through the entire process—from finding funding and building relationships with funders to writing a strong proposal. We will also include tips for using (and NOT using) AI. You will be more confident in your ability to turn your passion into a successful proposal!
This workshop is tailored towards beginners and may be a fit for you if you are:
New to the grant writing process and overwhelmed by it all.
Full of innovative ideas and ready to get those dreams funded but need help connecting your vision with the grant application process.
Sure about your organization’s solution but are not sure which funders share your passion.
Participants will Learn :
Where to look for funding, and how to determine if your work fits funder priorities.
The basics of building relationships with funders.
How to effectively answer the key parts of a grant proposal while reflecting your work.
The fundamentals of building a project budget.
Designing Effective Volunteer Labor Strategies for Vegetable Productions Systems
We'll tour the entire garden and focus on their Growing for Donation program, a no-till production vegetable operation. Learn how this program utilizes intern labor and volunteer groups to grow crops instead of mechanized equipment. The Growing for Donation program includes a partnership with Utopian Seed Project, and tends to a diversity of crops including vegetables, cut flowers, herbs and an orchard. Learn how this program drives grant funds which lead to useful infrastructure projects for the entire Community Garden.
Led by Leonora Stefanile
Solidarity Economies in the WNC Food System a Community Food Strategies Regional Gathering
A full day Gathering hosted by Community Food Strategies and The WNC Food Coalition to celebrate and integrate solidarity economies practices in the Western North Carolina food system.
Food leaders from councils, hubs, local government and funders are invited to attend. The day will feature and panel of elders and activists, workshops on trust-based finances in nonprofits, a world cafe of community leaders.
Catering by Equal Plates. Location to be announced.
Contact jenn@wncfoodcoalition.org for more information.
Growing Ginger and Turmeric
While ginger and turmeric are typically imported, WNC is becoming more well-known as a producer of both. We will delve into the considerations for growing these two unique crops in WNC, including infrastructure, seedling care, soil requirements, and disease management considerations.
Led by Michael Rayburn
Water Management on a Low-Till Farm
We will explore how New Roots' minimal till practices go hand-in-hand with water management to grow Certified Naturally Grown produce, and how their focus on small-scale, holistic agriculture has helped them succeed. Led by Krista and Stephen, two Farm Beginnings graduates!
Collective Farming
Caja Solidaria is a nonprofit working alongside neighbors, healthcare partners, and the land to provide healthy meals, meal kits, and markets to neighbors through prescriptions and collective purchasing. We'll discuss how operating as a collective through work circles inform and inspire their growing practices and create something uniquely helpful to their community.
Perennials as Primary Crop
Wild Blackberry Meadow Sanctuary is a new agrotourism holistic fruit orchard destination just 30 mins from Greenville, SC in the charming small town of Pelzer. We'll discuss considerations for u-pick perennial systems such as agroforestry tree crops and cane berries, including trellising, fertigation, irrigation, pest management.
Post-Harvest Handling
TendWell Farm is a family-run, first generation, certified USDA organic farm which started as .25 acres and is now the largest organic farm in WNC. We will tour their farm and their pack house with an extensive set up (lines and coolers) to see how they create a successful and efficient transfer from field to market.
Crop Trials & Regionally-Adapted Seed Production
A unique project is taking shape in WNC that focuses on regional and resilient foodways and focuses on seed saving, crop trials, and outreach and education. We’ll explore how Utopian Seed Project staff conduct research, grow out trial crops, and select seed in a no-till, low-input system for “seeds that know the South.”
Soil Test Practicum
Let’s learn soil basics and interpret our test results together with Mark Dempsey, the Organic Technical Service Provider at Carolina Farm Stewardship Association. Mark will cover the basics of soil management, nutrient testing, and share recommendations for organic amendments to balance the chemistry and biology of our living soils.
After the presentation, we will break into small groups to discuss individual soil test results, so please come prepared with your printed test results. (The tests may be from the NCDA or another lab. Ask for expanded version of test results.) Pat Battle will also join us to contribute to the conversation with his decades of organic growing experience.
Attendance is free. Please register at https://signup.com/go/ocUMKWR
Limit 15 people
*Soil Test Required
This is part of Dig In's Resilience in the Garden Series
Biochar for Soil and Planet Health
Instructor: Alex Gray
This workshop will cover:
What biochar is and why it matters
How biochar is made
How to properly charge and apply biochar
Soil regeneration strategies
Increasing crop yields using biochar
This is a great opportunity for garden leaders, volunteers, and growers looking to improve soil health across their gardens.
Bring a bucket — compost will be available to take home.
Pre-registration Required
This is a no-cost workshop (suggested donation only) and is presented in collaboration with The City of Asheville and Bountiful Cities.
CSA Fair
The CSA Fair is relaxed setting where attendees chat with farmers about their products, growing practices, payment structure, and more. Attendees can sign up for a CSA during the fair or follow up with farmers later. The fair will also feature local food tastings and activities for kids, as well as produce and food products available for purchase. Participating farms—all offering CSA pickups in Buncombe County—will be announced in mid February.
Organic Commodities and Livestock Conference
The Organic Commodities & Livestock Conference (OCLC) is a one-day conference hosted each March by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association and NC State, designed for commercial-scale growers of commodities, specialty crops, and pasture-based livestock, and other growers, educators, extension agents, and agronomists from the Carolinas and beyond to learn, network, and explore opportunities in organic agriculture. Each year’s conference features a full day of educational sessions, farm visits, research updates, panel discussions, and networking. In 2025, OCLC was held at NC A&T State University’s Farm Pavilion in Greensboro, North Carolina on March 3rd. In 2026, OCLC will be held at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center in Pittsboro, North Carolina in March 10th.
CFSA Organic Commodities & Lifestock Conference
The Organic Commodities & Livestock Conference is a free, one-day educational event focused on soil health and organic production practices, where farmers, technical service providers, and researchers come together to learn, grow community, and build skills and confidence in organic agriculture.
This year, the Organic Commodities & Livestock Conference will be held at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center in Pittsboro, NC on Tuesday, March 10th.
Attendees can look forward to engaging workshops, panel discussions, a curated vendor hall, networking opportunities, and a local farm tour. Featured workshop topics include specialty crop production, farm employment regulations, soil health research, farm funding support programs, and more! See the full list of confirmed workshop topics below. Free registration includes the full day of conference sessions, plus breakfast and a keynote lunch.
OGS Spring Conference 2026
The Spring Conference supports, inspires, and educates people to farm, garden, and live organically by providing affordable, practical, and hands-on education.
Child Hunger Summit
The NC Child Hunger Leaders Conference is an annual day of celebration and inspiration for everyone in our state interested in making sure kids have access to healthy food in schools and communities. Join us to talk about the future of solving child hunger through federal nutrition programs and beyond.
ASAP Business of Farming Conference
The annual Business of Farming Conference brings together professional farmers from across the Southeast region to network and share resources to grow their farm businesses. Farmers learn about marketing, business planning, and financial management from experts and innovative peers. The conference is designed for beginning and established farmers as well as those seriously considering farming as a profession.
OGS - What Thrives Now? Climate Shifts on Small Farms
This will be a facilitated farmer-to-farmer conversation about how conditions have changed over time, and with it, production trends. We will feature a discussion between a panel of longtime farmers who will dig into what used to do well on their farms, what thrives now, and how climate and environmental shifts have influenced those choices. Expect honest reflection, shared lessons, and plenty of discussion about what’s working, what’s been hard, and the skills and knowledge farmers need to keep adapting.
Small Farm Resource Roundup
The growing season is just around the corner. Join N.C. Cooperative Extension for the Spring Small Farm Resource Roundup, a free webinar highlighting key programs designed to support small farms. Learn about NC FarmLink, the Sustainable Vegetable Production Apprenticeship, NC Farm School, and Small Farm Bootcamp. The webinar takes place February 18 at 2 p.m. and is open to all. Registration is free and open now.
Market Opportunities for Appalachian Herb Growers
Project partners Rural Action and Appalachian Sustainable Development are seeking local herb growers to meet buyer requests in 2026.
The market for medicinal herbs is growing every year, and we have a network of local and national herb buyers who are interested in sustainably grown and harvested field and forest botanicals such as ginseng, goldenseal, peppermint, nettles, and much more.
We’ll cover which plants are currently in demand; discuss good handling practices and buyer specifications: quality, quantity, and price; explain how to make grower commitments; explore ways to connect local growers and local buyers; introduce the herb processing equipment available and answer your questions.
OGS - The Labor Roundtable
Join us in an open conversation navigating farm labor. Through guided discussion and small-group breakouts, we’ll talk honestly about what’s working, what’s been challenging, and how local farmers make labor decisions—from costs and seasonality to finding people, managing teams, and on-farm housing vs. hourly employees. We’ll discover shared experiences, common barriers, and practical ideas for improving farm labor systems, both on individual farms and across the local farming community.
Streambank Restoration
Join Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and our partners from Riverlink for a hands-on streambank restoration workshop and planting day. Get hands-on experience at this conserved 100-acre farm in the French Broad River watershed, just 15 minutes from downtown Asheville.
Have you ever wondered how to improve or repair eroded streambanks? This workshop will include an informative ‘class’ session in the morning, followed by hands-on live stake planting and an optional afternoon hike. You will learn how to improve and manage streambanks in the Southern Appalachian mountain region for habitat, water quality and erosion mitigation. Participants will gain practical experience, as we work to repair a section of the streambank on Jenkins Branch. Following the workshop, attendees will also have the option to take a guided hike on the conserved farm property, led by SAHC Community Farm Manager Chris Link. From the beautiful knoll atop the farm property, you can enjoy sweeping distant views of the Walnut and Black Mountains.
CCFA Local Growers Dinner
CCFA is thrilled to invite you to their first signature event of 2026: The annual Local Growers' Dinner!
They’re treating local growers to a “thank you” dinner and sharing information to help them keep growing.
Please RSVP by January 13.
Madison Co. Land Summit
ASAP is partnering with NC State Extension to offer two half-day Land Summits in Henderson and Madison counties. These workshops are intended to help both existing and potential landowners become more familiar with the legal, business, and regulatory concerns. Both workshops are open to anyone and are not limited to Henderson and Madison counties.
Rethinking Food Waste
Wasted and lost food is an urgent environmental, social, and economic concern. When food goes uneaten, the energy, water, and nutrients used to produce it are also wasted. And when food decomposes in landfills, it generates methane, a greenhouse gas that exacerbates climate change. In the U.S., food waste represents nearly $218 billion in lost revenue annually and contributes significantly to global climate emissions.
This two-day symposium will bring together scholars, policymakers, and practitioners from the public and private sectors to explore pathways for reducing food waste and redesigning our food systems for greater sustainability, equity, and resilience.
Topics will include:
The climate impact of food waste and loss across the supply chain
Policies and innovations driving sustainable food system transitions
Strategies for reducing food loss at the household and community level
Business and economic perspectives on waste reduction and circularity
Research gaps and collaboration opportunities across academia, industry, and government
Henderson Co. Land Summit
ASAP is partnering with NC State Extension to offer two half-day Land Summits in Henderson and Madison counties. These workshops are intended to help both existing and potential landowners become more familiar with the legal, business, and regulatory concerns. Both workshops are open to anyone and are not limited to Henderson and Madison counties. View topics and agenda for each workshop at the registration links.
CCFA Annual Seed Swap
Enjoy some time to talk plants and exchange seeds if you have too many. All are welcome, even if you just want to relax with friends. If it snows, January 18th will be the snow date. Finger foods will also be available.
CFSA Sustainable Agriculture Conference
Now in its 40th year, CFSA’s Sustainable Agriculture Conference is a weekend of learning and community focused on advancing local, sustainable, and organic agriculture in the Carolinas.
This year’s conference, to be held November 14th-16th in Columbia, South Carolina, will feature practical breakout sessions, networking and discussion groups, an expansive trade show, locally sourced meals, and on-farm intensive workshops at farms across the Midlands.
WNC Fermenting Festival
Fermenti presents the 9th Annual WNC Fermentation Festival on Sunday, November 2nd, from 11am–5pm at Olivette Farm in Alexander, NC. This free, family-friendly celebration brings together local and regional fermenters, farmers, artists, and food lovers to “ferment it all.” Guests can enjoy live demonstrations, taste probiotic-rich foods and drinks, explore farm tours, shop local vendors, and enjoy live music from Our Friends Band. Proceeds benefit the Beacon of Hope Food Bank, supporting food security across WNC.
Wild-Simulated Native Understory Herbs
Join Ben Kitchen to see a successful, sustainably-managed forest farm in a rich cove forest in Cherokee County. With decades of experience growing wild-simulated native herbs, Ben will share his techniques and wisdom as we wind through diverse multi-aged understory plantings. Seeds and planting stock may be available for purchase.