Upcoming Events
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.