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ONLINE Lecture Series – “Bonsai at The North Carolina Arboretum: More Than Meets the Eye”
Feb 25 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Online w/ NC Arboretum
Join us for “Bonsai at The North Carolina Arboretum: More Than Meets the Eye,” a six-part series of online lectures led by Bonsai Curator Arthur Joura and special guests who will be taking an inspiring in-depth look into the ancient art of Bonsai and the creative ways in which the practice has been adapted here at the Arboretum.
The series kicks off this Thursday, January 28, at 4 p.m., and Adult Education is thrilled to present this first session FREE to Arboretum members!
There is new inventory for the seedling sale. Apples, pears, and additional stock in blackberries and rhubarb have been added to the seedling sale. If you have already placed an order, no worries! Submit another order, and we will make sure your new order gets packaged with your previous order.
The Buncombe County Soil & Water annual seedling sale runs now through Sunday, Feb. 28. To order, use the link here. Please note, some seedlings might sell out before Feb. 28. Seedling pickup will be March 4-5, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
If you have additional questions, call (828) 250-4785.
Joining a CSA (or Community Supported Agriculture) program connects you directly with local farms in your community. ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) offers several events and resources to learn more about CSAs, in which members buy a “share” of a farm’s harvest upfront and receive a weekly box of fresh produce or other farm goods. ASAP will host a virtual CSA Fair on March 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. on Zoom. In addition, Full Share, a free guide listing 60 CSA farms in the Appalachian Grown region, is available now at farmers markets and community centers throughout the region as well as digitally at asapconnections.org/find-local-food/csa.
The virtual CSA Fair will feature farms providing CSAs in Buncombe County and the surrounding region. In addition to traditional produce farms, the fair will include farms with meat and flower CSA programs. The virtual fair will have a similar format as live fairs in the past—a relaxed setting where attendees can talk to farmers about their CSA programs, products, growing practices, and more. Attendees can sign up for CSAs during the fair or follow up with farmers later. The fair is free to attend, but participants do need to register for the event to get a Zoom link.
For farmers, the CSA Fair is a chance to build relationships, even if attendees decide not to purchase a share. “[The customers we meet at the CSA Fair] tend to really want to know the farmer and the food, meaning they are a bit more adventurous when it comes to trying new things,” says K.P. Whaley of Tiny Bridge Farm. “They are interested in knowing how and what we are growing, and really want us to be successful as a farm operation. We may get some customers from the fair and that’s great. But we also start building relationships with future customers.”
Participating farms at press time include Bearwallow Valley Farms, Blazing Star Flowers, Colfax Creek Farm, Creekside Farm, Hickory Nut Gap Farm, Olivette Farm, and Tiny Bridge Farm, with more farms to be added before the fair. Check asapconnections.org/events/csa-fair for updates and to register.
ABOUT ASAP (APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT)
ASAP’s mission is to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food. To learn more, visit asapconnections.org.
Hosted Weekend with Killer Bees Honey at Half-Mile Farm
Feb 26 – Feb 28 all-day
Half-Mile Farm
Hailing from Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, Killer Bees Honey owners Sean Collinsworth (a certified North Carolina Beekeeper) and wife Denise Altay (marketing and sales) will present another sweet weekend for guests of Half-Mile Farm in February. Like fine wine and chocolate, pure honey is a product of local terroir. Soil, air, water, climate and of course, plants and flowers contribute to the complexity of regional honey. Sean and Denise will present a sit-down sensory experience where guests will learn about life in the hive, how bees make honey, the differences between honey varietals, and what to look for when searching for honey purity all while savoring honey from the Killer Bees apiary.
New Home Delivery of Our Award-Winning CSA Meat Sampler Subscription
Feb 26 all-day
Online w/ Hickory Nut Gap Farm
What could be better than picking up a monthly box of mouthwatering grassfed beef and pasture raised pork from Hickory Nut Gap Farm? Having it delivered directly to your front door, of course. Contactless, COVID-safe home delivery will be coordinated in partnership with Leading Green Distribution.
Available ONLY as a three month prepaid subscription. Offered in Large (about 15lbs per month) and Small (about 10lbs per month) sizes to fit the needs of just about any household on a convenient monthly schedule.
A selection of 100% Grassfed Beef, Pasture-Raised Pork and Pasture-Raised Chicken
Delivered right to your front door within the city limits of Asheville.
3 Month pre-paid subscription – also includes 10% off other Farm Store meat purchases
Organic Growers School Apprentice Link database for Farming
Feb 26 all-day
Online w/ Organic Growers School
The Apprentice Link database connects people who are serious about learning the sustainable farming trade with farmers who are willing to teach them in an apprenticeship setting. Our programs’ emphasis is specifically in the Southern Appalachians, with a focus on farms that participate in local Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) programs.
To be included in this listing, Organic Growers School has vetted each farm to determine of the following criteria has been met:
Farms are actively engaged in the local community.
Farms are using organic and/or sustainable production methods. Organic Certification and other certifications are not required, but we do ask that farms and farmers are “in-the-know” and conscientiously practicing organic standards.
Farms are dedicated to training new farmers by providing education as a pinnacle element of their apprenticeship program.
We’re Hiring! 1-year Internship Hickory Nut Gap Farm
Feb 26 all-day
Online w/ Hickory Nut Gap Farm
We’re Hiring!
1-year Internship
START DATE: April 1, 2021
Are you someone who wants to work in agriculture? Interested in learning more about regenerative farming practices in a safe and inclusive environment?
Jump start your agriculture career with our 1-year immersive internship. We will put you in the driver’s seat of our operation so that you can learn while doing and expand your understanding of all aspects of the farming industry. If you’re hardworking, honest, committed, and passionate about what you do, then we want you!
Farm interns play a vital role in the day-to-day operation of farming practices on our 300+ acre farm in Fairview, NC. During the 1-year time commitment, interns will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of livestock farming, berry and apple cultivation, and a variety of farm maintenance skills including carpentry and plumbing.
Hickory Nut Gap Farm has been a family business since 1916 and is currently operated by 4th generation farmer, Jamie Ager. He and his family opened the farm to the public for tours, events, and activities while still maintaining year round meat production in 100% grassfed beef and pasture-raised pork and chicken. Since no other regional farm operates as both a production facility and agritourism model, this is a unique opportunity for interns to see how business and farming intertwine. Hickory Nut Gap is also one of the leading pioneers in sustainable farming, rotational grazing, and regenerative agriculture practices in the Southeast Region.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Feb 26 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Online w/ ASAP
Feeling a bit in the doldrums these days? Could you use good a pick-me-up? It might be time to indulge in some comfort food—particularly some super colorful superfood comfort from a winter farmers market. We’re talking about making sweet potato gnocchi.
Brunch B’yahad Virtual
Feb 26 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Online w/ Asheville Jewish Community Center
Brunch B’Yahad is now available through Zoom meeting here.
Join new and old friends for light brunch, socialization and lively discussion. Featured guest speakers, and relevant cultural and timely topics will fill our minds.
BEER Release: Black Is Beautiful! Donations to Know Your Rights Campaign
Feb 26 @ 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Catawba Brewing Company - South Slope
Black Is Beautiful is a collaborative effort in partnership with our friends at @weatheredsoulsbrewing whose shared mission is to bring awareness to the injustices that many People of Color face daily. Additional proceeds from select retailers will be donated to the Know Your Rights Campaign.
Live Stake Workshop
Feb 26 @ 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Online w/ RiverLink
Do you have a streambank on your property that is eroding from excessive rain or high water events? If so, this virtual live stake workshop is for you! For only $20 you will receive a mixed bundle of 20 Silky Dogwood and Silky Willow live stakes, and an easy-to-follow instructional video on how to install and care for your new plants.
Tickets are limited and registration closes on February 19, so hurry and sign up now!
Live stakes can be picked up from the RiverLink office at 170 Lyman Street in Asheville on Friday, February 26 from 2:30-5:30 PM. After registration you will receive an email from the RiverLink Watershed Resources Coordinator with your pick up time. We ask that all participants please wear a mask when picking up their live stakes.
Jay Sifford: My Garden, My Teacher Bullington Gardens
Feb 26 @ 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Online w/ Bullington Gardens
Join Jay on a photographic tour of his garden and the reasoning behind it. He also emphasizes both the design lessons and the life lessons that the garden has taught. This is a Zoom class.
Friday 2/26/21
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
$12
Carley Arrowood
Feb 26 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Isis Music Hall--The Main Stage
Award-winning fiddler, singer and songwriter Carley Arrowood has quickly become a recognized name among young bluegrass artists. With the release of her very first singles with Mountain Home Music Company, Carley has begun to make her mark as a musician. Her cutting-edge fiddling and vocals are forceful and bright, rooted in the traditions of the Western North Carolina mountains, while creating a twist of refreshing contemporary bluegrass, country and gospel sounds. Carley has teamed up with some of her closest friends (and family) to create such a performance that will leave listeners amply exhilarated and encouraged.
Come enjoy an evening of live music, food and drinks at the Isis Music Hall. Reservations are highly recommended.
28th Annual Organic Growers School Spring Conference Online REGISTRATION OPEN
Feb 27 all-day
Online w/ Organic Growers School
March 13-21, 2021 – Online
Kick-off Live Event
March 13, 2021
Three Live Keynote Talks
Teaser Videos for our 11 Themed Tracks
Lunchtime Entertainment
A Live Q&A With our Keynote speakers
A video social with other attendees
Access to our Exhibit Hall
Track Workshops
March 14-19, 2021
View 3 pre-recorded hour long workshops in each of 11 Themed Tracks:
Cherokee Foods
Cooking
Farming
Food Systems
Gardening
Herbs
Livestock
Mushrooms
Permaculture
Soils
Sustainable Living
Live Panel Discussion Sessions
March 20-21, 2021
Join a live Panel Discussion with each speaker from the Track workshops. Interact directly with panelists during the live Q & A portion!
Annual Seedling Sale: Order Now-Feb. 28
Feb 27 all-day
online w/ Buncombe County Government
There is new inventory for the seedling sale. Apples, pears, and additional stock in blackberries and rhubarb have been added to the seedling sale. If you have already placed an order, no worries! Submit another order, and we will make sure your new order gets packaged with your previous order.
The Buncombe County Soil & Water annual seedling sale runs now through Sunday, Feb. 28. To order, use the link here. Please note, some seedlings might sell out before Feb. 28. Seedling pickup will be March 4-5, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
If you have additional questions, call (828) 250-4785.
Joining a CSA (or Community Supported Agriculture) program connects you directly with local farms in your community. ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) offers several events and resources to learn more about CSAs, in which members buy a “share” of a farm’s harvest upfront and receive a weekly box of fresh produce or other farm goods. ASAP will host a virtual CSA Fair on March 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. on Zoom. In addition, Full Share, a free guide listing 60 CSA farms in the Appalachian Grown region, is available now at farmers markets and community centers throughout the region as well as digitally at asapconnections.org/find-local-food/csa.
The virtual CSA Fair will feature farms providing CSAs in Buncombe County and the surrounding region. In addition to traditional produce farms, the fair will include farms with meat and flower CSA programs. The virtual fair will have a similar format as live fairs in the past—a relaxed setting where attendees can talk to farmers about their CSA programs, products, growing practices, and more. Attendees can sign up for CSAs during the fair or follow up with farmers later. The fair is free to attend, but participants do need to register for the event to get a Zoom link.
For farmers, the CSA Fair is a chance to build relationships, even if attendees decide not to purchase a share. “[The customers we meet at the CSA Fair] tend to really want to know the farmer and the food, meaning they are a bit more adventurous when it comes to trying new things,” says K.P. Whaley of Tiny Bridge Farm. “They are interested in knowing how and what we are growing, and really want us to be successful as a farm operation. We may get some customers from the fair and that’s great. But we also start building relationships with future customers.”
Participating farms at press time include Bearwallow Valley Farms, Blazing Star Flowers, Colfax Creek Farm, Creekside Farm, Hickory Nut Gap Farm, Olivette Farm, and Tiny Bridge Farm, with more farms to be added before the fair. Check asapconnections.org/events/csa-fair for updates and to register.
ABOUT ASAP (APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT)
ASAP’s mission is to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food. To learn more, visit asapconnections.org.
New Home Delivery of Our Award-Winning CSA Meat Sampler Subscription
Feb 27 all-day
Online w/ Hickory Nut Gap Farm
What could be better than picking up a monthly box of mouthwatering grassfed beef and pasture raised pork from Hickory Nut Gap Farm? Having it delivered directly to your front door, of course. Contactless, COVID-safe home delivery will be coordinated in partnership with Leading Green Distribution.
Available ONLY as a three month prepaid subscription. Offered in Large (about 15lbs per month) and Small (about 10lbs per month) sizes to fit the needs of just about any household on a convenient monthly schedule.
A selection of 100% Grassfed Beef, Pasture-Raised Pork and Pasture-Raised Chicken
Delivered right to your front door within the city limits of Asheville.
3 Month pre-paid subscription – also includes 10% off other Farm Store meat purchases
Organic Growers School Apprentice Link database for Farming
Feb 27 all-day
Online w/ Organic Growers School
The Apprentice Link database connects people who are serious about learning the sustainable farming trade with farmers who are willing to teach them in an apprenticeship setting. Our programs’ emphasis is specifically in the Southern Appalachians, with a focus on farms that participate in local Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) programs.
To be included in this listing, Organic Growers School has vetted each farm to determine of the following criteria has been met:
Farms are actively engaged in the local community.
Farms are using organic and/or sustainable production methods. Organic Certification and other certifications are not required, but we do ask that farms and farmers are “in-the-know” and conscientiously practicing organic standards.
Farms are dedicated to training new farmers by providing education as a pinnacle element of their apprenticeship program.
We’re Hiring! 1-year Internship Hickory Nut Gap Farm
Feb 27 all-day
Online w/ Hickory Nut Gap Farm
We’re Hiring!
1-year Internship
START DATE: April 1, 2021
Are you someone who wants to work in agriculture? Interested in learning more about regenerative farming practices in a safe and inclusive environment?
Jump start your agriculture career with our 1-year immersive internship. We will put you in the driver’s seat of our operation so that you can learn while doing and expand your understanding of all aspects of the farming industry. If you’re hardworking, honest, committed, and passionate about what you do, then we want you!
Farm interns play a vital role in the day-to-day operation of farming practices on our 300+ acre farm in Fairview, NC. During the 1-year time commitment, interns will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of livestock farming, berry and apple cultivation, and a variety of farm maintenance skills including carpentry and plumbing.
Hickory Nut Gap Farm has been a family business since 1916 and is currently operated by 4th generation farmer, Jamie Ager. He and his family opened the farm to the public for tours, events, and activities while still maintaining year round meat production in 100% grassfed beef and pasture-raised pork and chicken. Since no other regional farm operates as both a production facility and agritourism model, this is a unique opportunity for interns to see how business and farming intertwine. Hickory Nut Gap is also one of the leading pioneers in sustainable farming, rotational grazing, and regenerative agriculture practices in the Southeast Region.
Bold Souls Morning Yoga
Feb 27 @ 9:45 am – 10:45 am
Bold Rock Hard Cider (Mills River, NC)
Bring your yoga mats to Bold Rock for a mindful way to begin your Saturday! Get your “ohm” on with a local trainer and yoga instructor as they lead a fun and playful yoga session. This class is open to all levels of yoga experience for a $5 suggested donation!
After yoga, feel free to have a cider or some delicious lunch from the food truck.
Fresh at Farmers Markets This Week
Feb 27 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Online w/ ASAP
Feeling a bit in the doldrums these days? Could you use good a pick-me-up? It might be time to indulge in some comfort food—particularly some super colorful superfood comfort from a winter farmers market. We’re talking about making sweet potato gnocchi.
Homestead Dreams Workshop
Feb 27 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Online w/ Organic Growers School
One-Day Workshop on Land-Based Living
Homestead Dreams is an entry-level workshop designed to help you incorporate small-scale sustainability and self-sufficiency into your life. Whether you own or rent a home, or live in a rural or urban setting, you can move towards self-reliance now.
Homestead Dreams: Design & Plan for Living on Your Land
Feb 27 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
ONLINE
Homestead Dreams is an entry level, exploratory workshop designed to help you incorporate small-scale, self-sufficiency and sustainability into all aspects of your life.
This workshop will be held ONLINE. Register on our website: https://organicgrowersschool.org/gardeners/homestead-dreams/
Regardless of whether you own or rent a home, or live in a rural or urban setting, you can move towards more self-reliance NOW!
Excellent for those in the exploratory stages of getting started with a land-based life. We cover common sense, relevant information to help maximize your independence, increase your connection to community, place, and self, and plan out your dreams for the next 1 to 5 years.
Appropriate for those who are incorporating agriculture, renewable energy, green building, land planning, hand-made products, and land-based living of all kinds. Includes a panel of local homesteaders and a regional expert on soil, climate, rainfall, typography, vegetation, wind, and how that affects and determines life, farming, and building in our region.
Taught by Lee Warren & Brandon Greenstein.
Lee Warren is the co-founder, designer, and builder, of an off-grid, sustainably-built CoHousing Neighborhood at Earthaven Ecovillage; founder and manager of Imani Farm, 5-acre pasture-based cooperative farm; and managing partner of SOIL, School of Integrated Living, which teaches organic food production, regenerative systems, and community living. Lee is also an herbalist, writer, teacher, and food activist, with an avid interest in rural wisdom, sustainable economics, and empowered self-reliance.
Brandon is the Home-Grower Program Director for OGS, developing new initiatives to provide services to home-growers. His background is in Renewable Systems, Earth Works, Energy, Water, Homesteading, Permaculture. He offers consulting, design, and technical services for the creation of low impact and energy conserving systems through his company, Integrated Ecological Solutions.
Online Seminar: Gardening in EarthBoxes®
Feb 27 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
online
Vegetable gardening with EarthBoxes
Virtual attendance via Zoom video and audio internet connection
Craving homegrown veggies, herbs, or flowers, but not much space, poor growing conditions, contaminated soils, or past failures with container gardening? Learn how to succeed with EarthBoxes®. Although Extension Master Gardener volunteers don’t endorse commercial products, these boxes are the result of research to develop a growing system that manages water and nutrients for optimal plant growth.
We will cover planning, planting, watering and other maintenance, harvesting, overwintering, and long-term strategies for using these types of growing systems.
Registration: The talk is free but registration is required. Please click on the link below to register. If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, call 828-255-5522.
Sand Hill Community Garden Workdays
Feb 27 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Buncombe County Sports Park
Looking to get involved, stay active, and meet some new friends? Sand Hill Community Garden workdays take place on Wednesdays (6-8 p.m.) and Saturdays (10 a.m.-noon) from Feb. 27-Oct. 30, 2021, at Buncombe County Sports Park. The garden is located on 16 Apac Dr. in West Asheville/Enka-Candler.
Join friends and neighbors as they come together on common ground to raise fresh, organic vegetables and fruits for the Enka community.
Expect to wear a mask and maintain social distance throughout. Tools and hand sanitizer are available, but any gloves, loppers, pruners, or gardening tools you can bring will decrease the amount of contact between volunteers. Please wear work clothes to get dirty and closed-toe shoes. Sunscreen, water, and a hat are also handy items to have on hand.
Sand Hill Community Garden has been growing fresh produce since 2011 and raised over 1,200 lbs. of organic produce last year.
NOTE: Community workdays are weather dependent. Please join the community garden email list (send your info to [email protected]) to stay up on workday tasks and other garden news.
To receive the I Heart Parks monthly newsletter, sign up online. Follow Buncombe County Recreation on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.
Coffee and Conversation
Feb 27 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Grind AVL
The purpose of Coffee and Conversation is to have productive talk and dialogue that build communities, foster ideas of growth, solidarity and networking. In essence, no matter what we do in our daily living, our mission with “Enjoy Your Life”, is to promote others through positive action and empowerment. Remember, the temperature is changing and nights are getting colder. If you have any old coats please bring them to this Saturday’s meeting. We would like to discuss a time, place and date where some members may want to volunteer and hand out coats or any articles of clothing to homeless people downtown.
What we’re about
This group is dedicated to people who want to enjoy their lives. This means accepting where you’re at and consciously choosing to make the most of it. This is a group where you can be yourself with other like minded people. We’ll do a wide range of activities from hiking to tubing to going out on the town to networking and giving back to our community and more. No matter what we do our goal is always to enjoy our lives and empower others.
BEER Release: Black Is Beautiful! Donations to Know Your Rights Campaign
Feb 27 @ 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Catawba Brewing Company - South Slope
Black Is Beautiful is a collaborative effort in partnership with our friends at @weatheredsoulsbrewing whose shared mission is to bring awareness to the injustices that many People of Color face daily. Additional proceeds from select retailers will be donated to the Know Your Rights Campaign.
Foraging Food Tour
Feb 27 @ 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
No Taste Like Home
Join us for three hours “off the eaten path” as we find and gather over a dozen wild edibles. We’ll whip up a little tasting right on the trail. Take home the rest of your finds and/or get ready for some find dining when one of our award-winning restaurant partners prepares your “catch of the day,” with lunch, brunch or dinner, for free. Wild mushroom pizza, daylily tamales, sassafras root beer, wisteria ice cream… it all depends on what we find!
Pricing
Adult (Ages 12+): $75
Child (Ages 5-11): $35
Child (Ages 4 & Under): Free
The Page Brothers Quartet
Feb 27 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Isis Music Hall--The Main Stage
The Page Brothers Quartet return to the Isis Music Hall stage for an evening of straight-ahead swinging jazz! While past performances have featured “theme concerts” of Blue Note classics and the music of historical jazz figures, this show presents something new. Expect fresh material composed by the band members, re-arrangements of standard tunes and unique interpretations of songs outside of the jazz idiom. The Pages are joined by pianist Taylor Pierson and drummer Gary Claude-don’t miss it!
Come enjoy an evening of live music, food and drinks at the Isis Music Hall. Reservations are highly recommended.
Brunch B’yahad Virtual
BEER Release: Black Is Beautiful! Donations to Know Your Rights Campaign
Homestead Dreams: Design & Plan for Living on Your Land
Online Seminar: Gardening in EarthBoxes®
