Upcoming Events
Retail Foods: Restaurants, Food Trucks & More
Empowering Mountain Food Systems presents a seven part series - Navigating Your Food Business.
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
Expanding Your Food Business: Preparing for a 3rd Party Audit
Empowering Mountain Food Systems presents a seven part series - Navigating Your Food Business.
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.”
41st Sustainable Agriculture Conference
Cultivated for the Carolinas. Rooted in Community.
The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association's Sustainable Agriculture Conference is a unique, authentic professional development event bringing together small-scale farmers, backyard gardeners and homesteaders, locavores, food systems changemakers, educators, and community leaders from across the region to learn, network, and build momentum and community focused on local, sustainable, and organic agriculture.
The 2026 conference, scheduled for October 31 - November 1, in Winston-Salem, NC, will feature dozens of inspiring and practical workshops, networking meetups, an expansive trade show, a keynote panel, locally-sourced bites, pre-conference workshops and farm tours, and more. Whether you’re seeking new production ideas and tips for your farm, advocacy and food system coalition-building strategies for your community, or business development guidance for your food business, the Sustainable Agriculture Conference is designed for you. Don’t miss this once a year, one-stop-shop event for the food and farming community of the Carolinas!
Organic Seed Growers Conference
The biannual Organic Seed Growers Conference is moving out of the Pacific Northwest for the first time in its history and coming to Asheville, North Carolina. Save the Dates of March 26-27, 2027, for the main conference (with pre-conference intensives and farm tours still being planned).
The request for proposals is currently open, with a deadline of July 1st. Check it out here and submit an application. If you want to talk through an idea or suggest a topic that you're really interested in, feel free to reach out to chat about it. As conference co-chair, I'd love to have a strong representation of southeastern voices at the conference!
Conference Tracks:
Acknowledging that seed systems are multi-modal, the 2027 conference sessions will primarily be organized into the following 5 “tracks”.
SEED PRODUCTION: Seed production nuts & bolts for both beginning and experienced producers, including new and novel models for organic seed production, field practices, seed cleaning, treatments, processing, quality assurance, and packing. Economic topics might also include sales and contracting, enterprise development, and commercializing new varieties (e.g., alternative approaches to intellectual property).
Beginning (For those who have grown seed at farm scale for 0 – 3 years)
Advanced (For those who have grown seed at farm scale for 3 or more years)
PLANT BREEDING: Advancements in plant breeding and variety trials for resilience, biodiversity, organic systems, climate change adaptation, and/or grower-led and participatory breeding projects.
SEED STORIES: First-person seed storytelling and interactive sessions on emerging topics, culturally significant crops and varieties, and subjects tied to current events.
ADVOCACY & POLICY: Emerging policy and advocacy topics essential to expanding organic seed systems. Sessions focused on seed equity and justice are encouraged to apply.
Food Labeling: Do’s, Dont’s, & Details
Empowering Mountain Food Systems presents a seven part series - Navigating Your Food Business.
Considering Agritourism w/Empowering Mountain Food Systems
For more information call 828-359-6936
Business Preparation: Taxes, licenses and other considerations
Empowering Mountain Food Systems presents a seven part series - Navigating Your Food Business.
Grant Writing and Funding for Food Businesses
Empowering Mountain Food Systems presents a seven part series - Navigating Your Food Business.
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.
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
Rivercane Propagation Volunteer Day
We are grateful to partner with Rose Thunder Farm in this opportunity to restore indigenous ecosystems and strengthen our region’s climate resilience.
Rose Thunder Farm believes restoration should be rooted in ecological care, Indigenous cultural access, and right relationship with the plant. While the farm does not sell rivercane, their participation in this event is dedicated to supporting restoration, propagation, and broader access to this increasingly scarce species in our region.
What to Expect
Join Cooperate WNC for a hands-on day of learning and action! You’ll help:
Dig and collect rivercane rhizomes (underground stems)
Pack rhizomes with soil to send to local nurseries
Support spring restoration projects across the area
How to Participate
Drop in anytime between 9:30 AM and 4:30 PM.
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for outdoor work.
Feel free to bring your own gloves if you prefer.
No experience is necessary. all ages and abilities are welcome. Snacks and drinks will be provided, so come ready to learn, connect, and make a difference.
Reach out to justin@cooperatewnc.org for more information.
Marketing & Competitive Analysis –Standing Out in NC’s Food Scene
Empowering Mountain Food Systems presents a seven part series - Navigating Your Food Business.
Weeds and What they Tell Us
Weeds are great teachers, so let’s get down and listen! We will be looking how uninvited plants can help us understand our soil by showing us nutritional needs, compaction, and soil health. We will also discuss “invasive” plants and the challenges and opportunities they bring. We will also discuss possible solutions for weed control without chemicals. Taught by Jim Smith, local agricultural consultant.
Attendance is free and open to all ages.
Got 2 Be NC – NCDA’s MarketingServices
Empowering Mountain Food Systems presents a 7 part series - Navigating Your Food Business.
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.
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.
Annual Spring Fling!
Spring Fling! is our annual celebration of community, culture, and the growing season at Peace Gardens & Market.
For over a decade, neighbors and visitors from across Asheville have gathered here to welcome spring together—with plants, music, food, and creativity rooted in place. Each year, more than 1,500 people come through the gardens to connect, celebrate, and invest in something local and meaningful.
At the heart of Spring Fling is our plant sale, featuring healthy, locally grown vegetables, herbs, and flowers cultivated right here in our gardens using open-pollinated and heirloom varieties.
These aren’t just plants—they’re part of a larger ecosystem of care.
Every purchase directly supports:
* Youth stipends and workforce development
* Environmental education in the gardens
* Free produce and CSA deliveries for elders
* The ongoing care of our gardens and public art installations
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.
Cold Season Plant Sale
Peace Gardens & Market | Asheville, NC
We’re offering locally grown, hardy vegetable starts ready for early spring planting, including lettuce, brassicas, herbs, and other cool-weather crops. New varieties will be added as they mature and harden off, so check back often.
All plants are sliding scale:
$5–$8 per unit.
Units are 4″ pots, 2.5″ pots, 4-packs, and 6-packs.
We operate on an honor system. Pay what you can within the range using:
Venmo, PayPal, Credit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Cash, or Check. “How to Pay” signage on site will walk you through payment options.
When you purchase plants from Peace Gardens, you’re doing more than starting your garden.
Your dollars help:
• Provide youth stipends for young people working in the garden
• Deliver free produce boxes to neighborhood elders
• Maintain our community garden and outdoor art space
This is community-rooted growing — from seed to table.
Come early for the best selection, and keep checking back as new plants are added throughout the season. Plant catalog is below and will be updated as new varieties become 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.
Seed Swaparoo
Hosted by Caja Salidaria Farm
Drop in anytime between 5-7
Bring some seeds to swap! Light refreshments will be available.
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.