he 2021 Local Food Guide, ASAP’s annual free publication for finding local food and farms, hits newsstands this week. This definitive resource lists Appalachian GrownTM certified farms, farmers tailgate markets, restaurants, and travel destinations throughout Western North Carolina and surrounding counties in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. You can also view a digital version of the print Guide at asapconnections.org/guide.

The 2021 print edition of the Local Food Guide includes:

• 200+ Appalachian Grown farms, plus charts to easily locate farms offering u-pick, farm stands, lodging, visitor activities, and CSAs;

• 80+ farmers tailgate markets, plus information about holiday markets and a list of markets that operate in the winter;

• 80+ partner businesses, including restaurants, groceries, wholesalers, artisan producers, and travel destinations.

Articles and photography throughout the Guide highlight the unique farm stories and beauty of the region. This year’s Guide features The AppaLatin Farmstead, Colfax Creek Farm, Headwaters Market Garden, Kituwah Farm, New Roots Market Garden, and TK Family Farm. A primer on eating seasonally includes simple, vegetable-focused recipes.

As part of ASAP’s Appalachian Grown program, staff connects with markets, farms, and businesses to update listings each year. The Local Food Guide offers the most accurate, up-to-date information for consumers. ASAP also maintains the online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org throughout the year. This database, including 1,350 listings, is searchable by products, locations, activities, and more.

Find Local Food Guide copies at farmers markets, visitors centers, libraries, community centers, groceries, restaurants, and other partner businesses throughout the region. They are also available to pick up in the lobby of ASAP’s office in Asheville at 306 W. Haywood St., Monday to Thursday, noon to 4 p.m. Contact ASAP if you need help locating a copy in your area.

The 2021 Local Food Guide is made possible with support from the USDA, Buncombe County Strategic Partnership fund, The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, Pisgah Health Foundation, and Asheville Regional Airport.

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.

Outdoor Pools Open

Cane Creek Pool
590 Lower Brush Creek Road
Fletcher, NC 28732

Erwin
58 Lees Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28806

Hominy Valley
25 Twin Lakes Road
Candler, NC 28715

North Buncombe
734 Clarks Chapel Road
Weaverville, NC 28787

Owen
117 Stone Drive
Swannanoa, NC 28778

Employment Opportunities at Blue Ridge Community College

The College has jobs that fall within four categories: full-time professional, full-time faculty, part-time faculty or adjunct instructors, part-time support staff, and temporary positions.

To be considered for employment at Blue Ridge Community College, complete an official employment application indicating the position title and position number.

FABRICated presents an intergenerational look at new boundaries in art and craft through works that merge fiber-based processes with other media, like painting, sculpture, and blacksmithing. Each of the seven artists explores ideas of the body, identity, and their unique, personal stories by using a medium with a rich history of craft. Stitching, in and of itself, is slow and methodical and invites the audience to slow down and look carefully at the physicality of the thread, the textures of the fabric, and the paint and the found objects that are introduced into the mix. The result is an exhibition that questions the nature of what constitutes women’s work, the relationship of fine art and craft, and how these elements can come together to form a new kind of community conversation. FABRICated presents the work of two established artists, Virginia Derryberry (Asheville, NC) and Marcia Goldenstein (Knoxville, TN), along with five emerging artists who are exploring new boundaries in art and craft and, by so doing, open up an exploration between an older and a younger generation.

Each year, thousands of residents and visitors take part in evaluating what’s best and brightest about a very wonderful place — Western North Carolina. With spring in full bloom and months of lockdown behind us, voting for what you love most about your community is a restorative affirmation.

Buncombe County Recreation Services dedication to low- and no-cost recreational programming and equitable access to quality outdoor spaces is reflected in its mission statement: Connect Communities. Preserve Culture. Change Lives. Among the ballot categories, we offer some suggestions for your consideration.

VOTE NOW >>

Kids

• Place for Outdoor Fun – Buncombe County Parks
• Playground – Lake Julian Park
• Place for Birthday Parties – Buncombe County Parks

Outdoors

• Picnic Spot – Lake Julian Park
• Fishing Spot – Lake Julian Park

Farm, Yard, & Garden

• Orchard – Sand Hill Native Tree Orchard
• Community Garden – Sand Hill Community Garden

Pets

• Outdoor Place to Take Your Pet – Buncombe County Parks

Uniquely Asheville

• Place to Connect With Nature Within Asheville City Limits – Buncombe County Sports Park
• Holiday Event (Winter/Spring) – Festival of Lights at Lake Julian Park
• Bumper Sticker – I ♥ Parks (Buncombe County Recreation Services)

Regional

• Local Place to Enjoy the Outdoors (Swannanoa/Black Mountain) – Charles D. Owen Park
• Local Place to Enjoy the Outdoors (Weaverville/Woodfin) – Ledges Whitewater River Park

To receive the I Heart Parks monthly newsletter, sign up online. Follow Buncombe County Recreation on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

Presenter: Phil Roudebush, Extension Master Gardener^SM Volunteer

Learn about unwanted garden inhabitants—voles and moles—in this 30-minute video.  Phil describes the differences between these two garden pests, including their physical characteristics, habitats, and “dining” preferences.  He shares a variety of methods gardeners can use to minimize plant damage and make the landscape less hospitable to this nuisance wildlife.

Are your special needs or changing physical abilities keeping you out of the garden? Are your garden chores becoming more challenging? Do you know how to select tools and equipment that will keep you healthy and safe in the garden? In this presentation Mary Hugenschmidt and Suzanne Wodek, Master Gardener Volunteers and longtime teachers of therapeutic horticulture, will tell us about ergonomic tools, garden structures and design, and proper body mechanics to get us back in the garden and keep us gardening for life.

Buncombe County Public Libraries has partnered with ImaginDan to bring you a virtual art program on BiblioBoard called Inspiration ABC! There’s no better place to live, work, and play than ABC (which stands for Asheville Buncombe County), and families are invited to watch a special ImaginDan episode to get their creative juices flowing.

At the end of the episode, ImaginDan challenges viewers to pretend they have been tasked with creating a mural that reflects what inspires them. Artists can upload a scan of their finished designs directly to BiblioBoard for a virtual gallery by clicking on the purple “Submit to Project” button on the main page. If you have any questions please ask your friendly neighborhood librarian, and we look forward to seeing your art creations.

he Visit NC Farms Phone App, developed by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, connects millions of North Carolina residents and visitors to farmers and local food – one community at a time.

The Visit NC Farms App connects the dots in communities across North Carolina. Using cell phone technology, residents and visitors can find farms closest to them with products and activities that interest them.

Visitors can use the app to explore farms, farmers markets and local restaurants that are off the beaten path and unique to each community. Beginning June 1, 2021 Buncombe County Soil & Water District will be accepting applications for listings on the VisitNCFarms app. The app will launch in September 2021.

Interested in joining the app? Contact Buncombe County Soil & Water District at (828) 250-4785 today!

FAQ:

Why should I list my farm on the Visit NC Farms App?

• Showcasing your farm on the app allows you to reach a broader audience of potential customers and repeat patrons.
• You’ll be listed among an expansive and ever-growing collection of agriculture-based offerings.
• With both a map and a list view, users will be able to easily find the farm closest to them or filter based on offerings.
• Your farm listing will feature a brief summary, engaging imagery, and push button shortcuts to call, visit your website, or get directions.
• User and member feedback ensures that the app stays relevant and up to date.
• Your farm listing gives you access to real-time marketing opportunities through push notifications to app users.

Why should my community invest in the Visit NC Farms App?

• There are significant social, economic and environmental benefits to promoting Agritourism in your community. It’s the perfect way to educate people about your community.
• Agritourism experiences show off the social dimension of agriculture. When consumers connect with the families and farmers growing their food, they leave more likely to advocate for and spend more on local foods.
• As a benefit to participation, communities involved in the app received branded premium items to promote user interest in the app and North Carolina agritourism.
• The Visit NC Farms app is affordable, scalable and replicable.
• 77% of all Americans now own a smart phone of some kind. (92% of 18-29 year olds)
• In a Covid-19 economy, consumers are turning to local farms for food. Local farms are pivoting to meet the surge in demand. The Visit NC Farms App is ensuring they get connected.
• 59% of travelers say they will avoid crowds on their next leisure trip, and almost 30% of North Carolinians are more interested in traveling closer to home. This makes nearby rural and outdoor attractions the most likely destinations in the near future. Consider the app as a marketing tool to drive NC residents to the agriculture economy in their own backyards!

How is the app growing in North Carolina?

• The pilot project was launched by Orange County in the fall of 2017. After their investment and initial success, the app expanded to other counties.
• The project is now live or in development with 37 North Carolina counties. Recent additions now in the development phase include Durham, Guilford, and Alamance counties.
• User engagement increased 52% and user downloads increased 41% in March as consumers concerned about health and safety turned to local farms for fresh fruits, vegetables, and proteins.
• The Visit NC Farms App is now reaching nearly 10,000 active users (and counting).
• Data from active app users provides crucial information to better meet app user needs and stakeholder goals.
• “The key is for rural communities to recognize that they have valuable assets, one of which is the very nature of rural life. In an increasingly congested and impersonal world, there is great appeal to a close-knit community. The qualities associated with rural life are particularly conducive to the creation of entrepreneurial ecosystems and the free flow of information, skills and resources…”
• Don Macke has nearly 40 years of community economic development and policy experience, is the co-founder of the Lincoln, Nebraska-based Center for Rural Entrepreneurship and director of the center’s entrepreneurial communities solution area.

How is the app promoted?

• Each community has access to marketing materials including posters, banner stands, buttons, stickers and window clings. Website badges are created for participating sites.
• The app is promoted by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Marketing Division. Welcome and Visitor Centers across the state, the State farmers markets and other statewide venues will share the app messaging.
• Being a part of the app is cooperative advertising. Each farm or community partner also promotes the app to their lists and followers so your audience grows exponentially.
• North Carolina Farm Bureau is supporting this effort across the state.
• As the app grows, the marketing efforts will expand as well. Think billboards!

How much does it cost?

• Thanks to the generous donations from Farm Bureau Insurance and Farm Bureau we are able to offer this service to any farms, local stores, farmers markets, and local restaurants for FREE!

Summer is around the corner and lifeguards are in high demand. Sign up to take our spring, Red Cross certified, lifeguard course today. Class is available to ages 15 and up.

Contact Kitty Schmidt, Director of Fitness and Aquatics to register.

A guided whitewater rafting trip is one of the best ways to experience the Nantahala Gorge. The crystal-clear Nantahala River is the perfect family-friendly river where experienced river guides will help you navigate through splashy Class II-III rapids and bouncy waves, with occasional calmer waters where you can enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery. The fully guided rafting trip the most popular adventure at NOC, with thousands of families returning year after year.

Rehabilitation – Smith McDowell House, Roof Replacement    Years of planning went into the roof replacement project recently completed at the Smith-McDowell House.  The copper used was manipulated by hand, giving the finished roof a more historically authentic look.  Over the next few years, the copper will take on a beautiful patina for all to enjoy.   Western North Carolina Historical Association, Owner Huber and Associates, Contactor Emily Kite, Architect Click here to watch! Adaptive Reuse – Leo’s House of Thirst   This modest beauty has been everything from a residence to a dentist’s office and is now Leo’s House of Thirst.  We love a rehabilitation that shows that even simple buildings can be saved and turned into something special! Drew Wallace, Owner Drew Wallace and Leila Amiri, Concept and Design Brent Campbell, Architect Joel Osgood, Landscape architect Drom, Construction Click here to watch! Restoration – Biltmore Stable, Glass Replacement   This project brought its own set of challenges including having glass replacement panels with unique texture made to match the originals and undertaking the project while guests were present at the Estate.  The result was well worth the effort! The Biltmore Company Huber and Associates Meltdown Glass Associated Scaffolding Click here to watch!

Ride in style on the historic Great Smoky Mountains Railroad aboard your very own restored Caboose. These are great for family reunions, birthday parties, private meetings, corporate field trips or just any time!

Our cabooses accommodate up to 15 people with seating on the main level and in the cupola. (And, remember, babies are people, too!) The cabooses feature heat, private bathrooms, windows that can be opened, and open air vestibules at each end for unobstructed views. Advanced reservations are required and availability of caboose rentals are limited.

A platter of cheese and crackers, and an assortment of 15 bottled Coca-Cola products are included. Plus, the caboose is the only place where you can bring your own food and drink (please, no alcohol) in picnic baskets or coolers.

You can charter the caboose on:

• Nantahala Gorge
• Tuckasegee River

Best value for small groups and private parties up to 15 passengers. Available by phone only. Book now by calling 800-872-4681.

Rafting

Enjoy this trip combining the Great Smoky Mountains Railroads trip with the Waterfall Jeep® tour. You’ll begin your trip in Bryson City, NC, with a 2 hour (approximate) railroad excursion over Fontana Lake and into the Nantahala Gorge. As you travel on the train, watch paddlers challenge the rapids. At the top of the line, disembark from the train and climb aboard Wildwater’s customized Jeep® for a 2-hour (approximate) personal exploration up the mountain, past waterfalls and lakes, up to the Appalachian Trail and back. A delicious deli lunch is included.

Available by phone only. Book now by calling 800-872-4681.

* Children 40 – 80 lbs. are required to sit in the front passenger seat with the airbag disengaged using a child booster seat. Children 80 lbs. or greater will sit in the back using a lap seat belt. If there is more than one child in the 40 – 80 lb. range, the second child will sit in the back using a lap belt.

Western North Carolina has a rich assortment of county historical societies, archives, and museums. The Western North Carolina Historical Association seeks to help researchers, historians, genealogists, and the general public take full advantage of these resources.

As registration for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund opens, the SBA has issued guidance on what to expect next. What to expect next: As outlined by Congress, the SBA will focus their reviews on the priority applications that have been submitted. Applicants who have submitted a non-priority application will find their applications remain in a Review status while the priority applications are processed during the first 21 days. Applicants in this status should not anticipate any outreach from the SBA during this period. Following a successful application submission, all applications will first enter a stage called “IRS verification”. This process may take up to seven days and allows the SBA to validate your application submission. If you have questions about the award calculation, see the program guide, pages 7–9. The 4506T form is signed with your application during the e-sign process. You do not need to submit an additional 4506T. If you are entering a state in the address section(s) use the abbreviation in capital letters (e.g., PA, TX, ME, WA, etc.). For application support, you may submit a message using the platform inbox. For quick answers, this may be your best route. As a reminder, per federal award program guidelines that require the same and equal information be provided to each applicant, SBA’s team members are limited on responses they can provide to applicants, including specific questions regarding RRF eligibility, potential award amount, and other detailed information.