What makes a place idyllic?

Start with an emerald river that flows from ancient mountains. Add an abundance of living creatures that co-evolved over millennia. Bring in humans who honor their place in the interconnected web. And rebuild a vital stream that supports us all.

Your support and engagement helps ensure the health of this watershed for the ages! We can’t do it without you.

1. Bricks-And-Mortar

2. Public Education

3. Planning, Survey and Designation

2022)—After piloting the Farm Fresh Produce Prescription in 2021, ASAP has
expanded the program this season to partner with multiple healthcare access points and local food outlets
in Buncombe and Henderson counties. The program allows healthcare providers to “prescribe” patients
fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms to help treat or prevent diet-related illness. Patients can
redeem prescriptions, totaling $20 to $60 per week, depending on household size, at nine farmers markets
or through The AVL Box, a local food delivery service. The Farm Fresh Produce Prescription is part of
ASAP’s Farm Fresh for Health initiative, which addresses the real and perceived barriers that influence
what we eat and determine health outcomes.
ASAP is currently working with MAHEC (Mountain Area Health Education Center) and Sona Pharmacy to
offer produce prescriptions. In addition, the program is available as a service of the Healthy Opportunities
Pilot with select Medicaid insurance providers. Eligible patients are those who suffer from or are at risk of
developing a diet-related condition and are either eligible for a federal supplemental nutrition program such
as SNAP or enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP. Find out more about eligibility and the referral process at
asapconnections.org/prescription.

How It Works

Screening and Referral Process

Participating healthcare providers screen patients for program eligibility. Eligible patients are those who suffer from or are at risk of developing a diet-related condition AND meet one of the following criteria: 1) eligible for a federal supplemental nutrition program such as SNAP or free and reduced lunch, or 2) enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP. Healthcare providers submit a referral to ASAP via the NCCARE360 UniteUs app. ASAP will follow up directly with a unique Prescription Identification Number.

ASAP is currently partnering with MAHEC (Mountain Area Health Education Center) and Sona Pharmacy to offer produce prescriptions. If you are a patient at MAHEC, talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you are eligible. If you are a patient enrolled in Sona’s Medication Support Program, Sona Access, email [email protected] to find out if you are eligible.

ASAP’s Farm Fresh Produce Prescription is also available as a service of Healthy Opportunities Pilot with select Medicaid insurance providers, listed below. If you think you may be eligible for this program, call the Member Services line listed on your Medicaid card to begin the eligibility assessment and be referred to this program.

• WellCare of North Carolina – 866-799-5318
• AmeriHealth Caritas – 855-375-8811
• Blue Cross Blue Shield (Healthy Blue) – 844-594-5070
• UnitedHealthcare – 800-349-1855

Filling Your Prescription

Farm Fresh Produce Prescriptions can be redeemed weekly. The value of the prescription depends on household size.

• 1-2 members = $20/week
• 3-4 members = $40/week
• 5+ members = $60/week

Farmers Markets

Redeem your prescription at one of the participating farmers markets listed below. Present your Prescription Identification Number to the staff person at the market information booth in exchange for Farm Fresh Bucks. These are wooden tokens that you can use to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from any produce vendor at the market. Farm Fresh Bucks do not expire and may be used on other visits or at other markets.

• Asheville City Market, Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon
• East Asheville Tailgate Market, Fridays, 3-6 p.m.
• Enka-Candler Tailgate Market, Thursdays, 3-6 p.m.
• Hendersonville Farmers Market, Saturdays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Mills River Farmers Market, Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
• North Asheville Tailgate Market, Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
• River Arts District Farmers Market, Asheville: Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m.
• Weaverville Tailgate Market, Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m.
• West Asheville Tailgate Market, Tuesdays, 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Farm Fresh Bucks may also be used at the following markets, though you cannot currently redeem your prescription here.

• Southside Community Farmers Market, First Sundays monthly (July date is July 17), 12-3 p.m.

All participating markets can also accept Caja Solidaria’s Produce Prescription Program. In addition, all markets accept SNAP/EBT and offer Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables.

The Asheville Gallery of Art presents oil painter Cynthia Llanes during the month of June in a show entitled, “Nature’s Mirrors”. The opening reception is on First Friday, June 3, 2022, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Cynthia will feature the ever-changing phenomena of nature. She says, “Nature speaks to us so eloquently about love, beauty, design, harmony of colors, and so much more. Every day nature tells us a story and I feel compelled to share its story through my new collection of oil paintings. I like to sit in front of my easel and paint these feelings of wonder, hoping to capture what the natural world brings us to experience and enjoy.”
Cynthia uses pure, bright colors with palette knife and bold brush strokes. Painting en plein aire allows her to paint a moment in time capturing the vista before her and its beautiful stories. Her photos and outdoor sketches provide references when creating larger studio works. Painting on location gives her a lift and an emotional connection to the landscape. She says, “This is an exciting phase of my journey as an artist.”
After completing her Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Cynthia pursued a career in fashion as a textile designer in the Los Angeles fashion district for many years. Inspired by the endless possibilities in visual art, she then devoted more of her time to painting. Cynthia’s vision for her art was transformed after moving from California to Western North Carolina.
She has travelled extensively in Asia and parts of Europe. “The many sights and scenes from all cultures have helped me in my growth as an artist. My paintings are not reproductions of what I see but I try to capture the magic in a scene and share my personal experience to connect with the viewer. I believe that art’s purpose is to uplift, inspire, communicate, and sometimes, even provoke a conversation.”
Website: https://cynthiallanesartist.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coloryourheart Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynthiallanesartstudio

ince 2003, the Bearfootin’ Art Walk has helped raise funding for Downtown Hendersonville and a variety of local non-profits. In addition to raising funds, the bears offer a window into good work being done by community organizations in Henderson County.

The Bearfootin’ Bears arrive as blank slates before local artists transform each in a spectacular fashion, with creative themes ranging from Mona Lisa to Blue Ridge Mountain scenery. After the “Reveal” event in early May, the bears then take up residence in downtown Hendersonville for the duration of the summer and fall, up until auction. Participants bid during the auction to raise funds for local non-profits and Downtown Hendersonville. Winning bids up to $3,000 are split evenly between the downtown program and the nonprofit chosen by the sponsor, while bid amounts exceeding $3,000 are directed entirely to the non-profit. In 2021, the Bears raised more than $100,000, and in 2022 we hope to continue the tradition of giving.

The Caldwell Arts Council is currently accepting portfolios from local and regional artists for exhibitions in 2023 and 2024. Exhibitions run for six weeks to two months on either floor of the arts council facility.

Details for submitting your portfolio are available at www.caldwellarts.com. We have extended the deadline! Digital submissions will now be accepted through July 5, 2022 and may be emailed to [email protected].

About the Caldwell Arts Council

The Caldwell Arts Council is a regional arts center that presents a variety of programs that foster cultural arts in Caldwell County. Our gallery is housed in a historic 120+ year old home. Two floors offer four gallery spaces that have been renovated as professional exhibit spaces. Exhibits range from contemporary to traditional and include 2-D and 3-D exhibitions.

The Caldwell Arts Council’s programs are supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources and by individual and corporate donors.

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The exhibit features thought-provoking photos taken by students, faculty, and staff while traveling abroad.

Are you looking for a great way to get involved with your community and make a difference? Board, committee, and commission members aid the governing process by keeping Buncombe County in touch with the ideas and attitudes of our community. They help provide direction for the allocation of funds, the provision of human services, protection of residents, property, and our natural resources.

Public input is vitally important to the success of our County, and right now Buncombe County has vacancies on a number of boards and commissions. Learn more about vacancies, deadlines to apply, and the application process at buncombecounty.org/transparency.

Featured Board & Commission vacancies

Buncombe County is seeking applications to join the Early Childhood Committee

This is a great chance to be a part of shaping the future for children in Buncombe County. The Early Childhood Education and Development Fund is a major driver in assuring every child in Buncombe County has an equal opportunity to thrive during their first 2,000 days. The focus of this initiative is to increase access to quality, affordable early childhood education.

As such, Buncombe County’s Early Childhood Committee, featuring 15 total members including 3 County Commissioners, was established to guide how the fund is invested. The purpose of the committee is to engage with community partners, solicit public input, and make policy and funding recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. This committee typically meets monthly, on the first Tuesdays from 1-2:30 p.m. To learn more about the Early Childhood Fund, click here to visit our website.

There are two open positions designated as Community/At Large for a two-year term that begins July 1, 2022. To apply, click here to complete an online application. The deadline to apply is June 24.

Economic Development Coalition Board Vacancy June 2022:  At Large / 2 -year initial term

Are you a Buncombe County resident with interest in the strategies and goals of economic development? Have you carried executive leadership responsibility in the healthcare sector of Buncombe County?  Do you offer passion for the needs of Buncombe County businesses and the direct relationship between economic vitality and community health and wellness? The EDC is seeking a c-level healthcare executive with expertise and perspective of a locally headquartered healthcare system for board service.

The Board of the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County is a partnership of Buncombe County, City of Asheville, and the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce with a mission to improve economic opportunity in Buncombe County by growing wages, employment, tax base and a more diversified and balanced regional economy for all residents. Members of the Board will contribute to priority setting, financial planning, and program evaluation for staff of the EDC according to the AVL 5×5 Strategic Plan for 2025. Members may also be tasked with private sector fundraising for the AVL 5×5 Campaign, strategic plan development, service on ad-hoc advisory committees, or special projects that advance the goals of economic development in Buncombe County.

For more information, contact Lamar Joyner at 250-4105 or [email protected].

Audit Committee Seeking New Members

Looking for a great opportunity to further develop personally and professionally? The Audit Committee is seeking new members and will have three open positions for a four-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2023.

The Audit Committee was originally formed in 2000 to oversee the independent audit of the County’s financial statements and provide an annual evaluation of the budget documents. Since that time, the committee’s duties have expanded to include oversight of the County’s Internal Audit function including approving the annual internal audit plan and evaluating the effectiveness of the internal audit function.

The committee is made up of seven total members including two County Commissioners. We are looking for a member of another governing body, a member of the accounting profession, and a member of the banking community. Find more information on the Audit Committee here.

Time commitment:  Minimum of two meetings required per year but typically meets six to seven times a year, on Tuesdays from 9-11 a.m.

Apply online.

If you’re behind on your water bill or afraid your water might get cut off, a new resource might be able to help you. On Jan. 4, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved more than $450,000 in federal funding for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). The initiative is aimed at preventing water disconnections and helping reconnect drinking and wastewater services.

The LIHWAP will be administered by Buncombe County-based Eblen Charities. The nonprofit will make payments directly to utilities on behalf of qualifying households. The program is slated to run through Sept. 30, 2023 or until funds are exhausted.

Eligibility requirements

Households that currently receive Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Work First services, or those that received Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) services from Oct. 1, 2020-Sept. 30, 2021, are automatically eligible to receive this benefit if their water services have been cut off or are in danger of being cut off.

For additional eligibility information or to apply, please contact Eblen Charities at (828) 255-3066.

OUTPACE HUNGER

FEED PEOPLE AND YOUR PASSION!

What Is Outpace Hunger?

Looking for a way to make a real impact this spring and summer? Feed people while pursuing your passion through Outpace Hunger, an action-based fundraising campaign that turns a favorite activity into meals!

For decades, MANNA FoodBank has been working to outpace hunger and food insecurity all across 16 counties of Western North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary. The 2022 campaign runs May 1 through September 30, and we invite you join the growing community of folks who are Outpacing Hunger alongside of us!

How It Works

Participating in Outpace Hunger is easy!

You decide your level of commitment, so every participant can create their own path to helping provide food to our community. Participants also decide how, when, and where they complete their goal, any time now through the campaign end on September 30.

Outpace Hunger participants:

(1) Register to be a part of MANNA’s Outpace Hunger community. The $20 registration fee includes a t-shirt for you and provides 80 MEALS for neighbors facing food insecurity in WNC.

(2) Choose a favorite activity (run, walk, roll, stroll, hike, bike, paddle, climb, float, skate, golf, and everything in between!) to complete individually, or as a family/group/team.

(3) Set a goal to reach. This can be an activity-related goal, a fundraising goal, or both.

(4) Invite friends and family to support your fundraising efforts through your own, personalized Outpace Hunger webpage.

Whether running a 5K, walking your neighborhood, hiking the Mountains to Sea trail, or paddling the French Broad River, Outpace Hunger participants play a vital part in ensuring our WNC neighbors have access to healthy food. 

READY TO OUTPACE HUNGER WITH US?

REGISTER NOW!

ALREADY AN OUTPACE HUNGER PARTICIPANT?

VISIT YOUR PAGE

 NEED MORE INFORMATION?

OUTPACE HUNGER HOW-TO GUIDE

There’s a new poll to participate in as part of the Buncombe County Comprehensive Plan 2043 process! 
 
The Phase 3 Comprehensive Plan poll is meant for people who live, work, own property, or go to school in Buncombe County. The information collected will help Buncombe County prioritize the issues, develop land use and character frameworks, and draft The Plan recommendations.
 
Phase 3 of the planning process includes:

• Explore choices for how the County could change over time (future growth alternatives)
• Identify how land could be used: where we live, work and play, and what it looks like
• Develop policies, strategies, and actions to achieve our goals
• Continue public engagement process

PARI’s summer STEM and space camp programming is designed to inspire your young scientist’s curiosity, passion, and confidence to discover something extraordinary. We give campers experiences that encourage deeper thinking and problem solving skills while finding opportunities for comradery, adventure, and fun in the incredible Pisgah Forest region.

Our Mission Control camps provide simulated missions that cover the many topics and skills necessary for a successful exploration of world beyond our own. We’ll use the same kinds of processes that NASA, SpaceX and others use in developing and conducting journeys into space. These missions teach teamwork and STEM principles while giving campers fun and exciting experiences. The camp is an immersive journey amidst our historic campus which played a critical role in the first space race, and will help poise your camper for a role in the next.

Teams will research real technologies and techniques to build and launch a spacecraft, set science and research goals, and ensure everything needed is sent along. They will also need to choose a crew and care for their health and well-being, perform outreach and gain public support, and navigate funding and political challenges.

PARI’s research based camps are aimed at the camper who wants to experience what its like to be a researcher in astronomy, astrophysics, and astrobiology. Scientists and researchers with careers in space science lead this academically challenging curriculum that has been refined for nearly two decades.

Camps begin with an intense first few days of introductions to the instruments, science, and math needed to conduct research. They’ll be guided through choosing a research goal from the menu investigations we believe they can successfully conduct with radio and optical telescopes, and vast archives, provided by PARI and its partners.

The importance of both individual and team based work is emphasized while campers are guided through the research process. They’ll learn to share their progress and conclusions in the same ways expected in journals and at astronomical conferences.
Register for one of PARI’s summer STEM and Space Camp programs today!

Scholarships opportunities are available!