It looks like you're using ad blocking technology. We are a local company, and our advertisers are local as well. Please consider allow listing our website in the future.
Visit The Learning Garden! The gardens are in full summer mode with ripening tomatoes, blooming roses, giant sunflowers, and many other perennials and plants of interest.
The Learning Garden is a dedicated, on-site teaching garden at the Buncombe Extension Center located at 49 Mt. Carmel Road, Asheville. It is managed and cared for by the Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers (EMGVs) of Buncombe County.
Everyone is welcome to visit the gardens Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9 to 12 when temperatures are cool and Master Gardeners are working in the gardens. Or come visit on your own Monday through Friday, 8 to 5.
The Learning Garden (TLG) surrounds the Extension building, includes 8 distinct gardens, and a composting demonstration site. Each garden offers plants that grow well in our region. You will gather new ideas and learn successful horticultural practices that lead to beautiful, healthy gardens.
Look for plant labels in the garden. Find more information and brochures at the kiosk near the building and in the garden mailboxes.
GARDENERS ARE IN THE GARDEN.
Unearthing Our Forgotten Past
Aug 27 @ 10:30 am – 4:00 pm
Smith-McDowell House Museum
The exhibit was developed as part of the celebration of the 450th anniversary of the Juan Pardo expeditions. Several years ago, archaeologists identified a site near Morganton as the location of Joara, one of the largest Native American towns in what is today Western North Carolina.
Joara was occupied from approximately 1400-1600 A.D. Two Spanish expeditions led respectively by Hernando de Soto and Juan Pardo visited the town in the 1500s. The Pardo expedition was part of a larger effort to establish a string of forts from the coast of present-day South Carolina all the way to Mexico. In 2013, archaeologists confirmed that Joara was also the site of Fort San Juan, established by Pardo in 1567, nearly 20 years before the English settlement at Roanoke on the coast of North Carolina and 40 years before the settlement at Jamestown.
Through various artifacts uncovered by the archaeology, the exhibit showcases the Spanish occupation of Fort San Juan and the lives of the native people who lived in the Joara area.
The exhibit is on loan from the Exploring Joara Foundation Inc. Exploring Joara engages the public in archaeology in the Carolinas, and emphasizes the discovery of the Native American town of Joara and Fort San Juan. The exhibit will be on display at the Western North Carolina Historical Association’s gallery inside the Smith-McDowell House through December 15.
The gallery is open for visitation Thursday, Friday, and Saturday between 10:30am and 4:00pm. Reservations are recommended.
Fun Friday for Families: Jewelry-Making
Aug 27 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Asheville Art Museum
Visit our galleries on a scavenger hunt for inspiration before joining us in the Wells Fargo Art PLAYce to create! Each Friday afternoon for the month of August, use a variety of materials to create your own unique piece of jewelry. Pick up a scavenger hunt anytime between 1:30 and 3pm at the welcome desk or in the Art PLAYce on level 2.
Please note:
In accordance with Buncombe County and city directives, a limited number of people can be in the Art PLAYce at one time. To ensure all participants have time to create, we may ask you to limit your time.
FUN FRIDAYS FOR FAMILIES
Drop into our Wells Fargo Art PLAYce to experiment freely and collaborate using different materials, tools, and techniques! Visit a chosen artwork in the galleries for inspiration, then head to Art PLAYce to create. All ages and abilities are welcome (children must be accompanied by an adult); no reservations are required.
COLLEGE STUDY HALL
Aug 27 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Grind Coffee House
Mon-Fri from 2-5pm. You have access to high speed internet, work space and HALF-OFF pastries when you present your college ID.
Recovering Hope Peer Support Group
Aug 27 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
HOPE COALITION
Peer Support
Group meetings: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Please contact us for individual services at 828.388.7979, Option #2
Through the “lived-experience” of our peer support specialists, we will assist, encourage, empower and advocate with others on their journey to finding their own path to recovery. Recovery is possible but is not meant to do alone. We do recover together.
About Hope Coalition
Hope Coalition is a grassroots effort initiated by the Henderson County Partnership for Health in 2013 as a community collaborative to educate, evaluate, and implement evidence-based models on substance misuse and underage drinking in Henderson County by building capacity and creating long-term and sustainable plans that are action-oriented and focus on community level change.
Online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association
The residents of the Smith-McDowell House and grounds were woven in to the fabric of Asheville.
This driving tour begins at the Smith-McDowell House Museum on the campus of A-B Tech and continues through historic sites related to early occupants of the house.
Let’s Talk – Back To School Immunizations – Watch it On YouTube
Aug 28 all-day
Online
As the new school year approaches, we know that many Buncombe parents share common questions and concerns about their student(s) safety during in-person instruction. To address your questions, Buncombe County Health and Human Services hosted Let’s Talk- Back to School Immunizations. During this virtual, parent-led event, local experts explain what it will take for our schools to stay open and our students to stay in their classrooms.
Many important questions were addressed, including:
What do we know about vaccination rates historically in Buncombe County and how did the COVID-19 pandemic impact them?
What can we do to improve vaccination rates in Buncombe County?
What steps have schools taken to stay open and keep students safe during in-person instruction?
Individualized to meet you where you are
in your farm business journey
Applications are due by September 18, 2021.
Starting a farm is a formidable challenge, but keeping a farm business going, growing and thriving is even harder! The Journeyperson Program is designed for farmers who have been independently farming for 3 or more years, and are serious about operating farm businesses in the Southern Appalachian region. This program will give you the space and time to work on your business while making connections that deepen your peer-to-peer support.
This 12-month program starts in November 2021 and ends in October 2022.
What is unique about this program?
Participants can use this program as a tangible step toward achieving their farm goals, and make significant contributions to the agricultural community and economy. This program is designed to give tailored guidance and support for your farm business to answer questions of: scale, market access, land access, risk management, understanding cash flow, and enterprise innovation. You will leave this program with a responsive, adaptable business plan to help your farm achieve long-term farm viability and resilience.
Organic Growers School Mentor Services
Aug 28 all-day
Organic Growers School
Mentor Services
Our Mentor Services help support beginning and intermediate farmers by pairing them with experienced, regional farmers who can provide them with one-on-one practical planning skills.
These skills include systems management, marketing and business development, farm design and production, and connecting to the regional farming community
RAIL: The Railroad and Incarcerated Laborer Memorial Project
Aug 28 all-day
Online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association (WNCHA)
The construction of the Mountain Division of the Western North Carolina Railroad is widely considered one of the greatest human accomplishments in regards to both engineering and construction ever undertaken at the time it occurred. The project took place over a period of several years in the late 1800s. Many people are aware that the railroad provided the first dependable access to and from much of Western North Carolina for the rest of the state as well as much of the nation. Many also know the names of some of those who were instrumental in seeing through the completion of this ambitious project. Names such as Colonel Alexander Boyd Andrews, of Andrews’ Geyser fame. However, what most people are unaware of is that at least 95% of the labor which built the railroad across the Blue Ridge Escarpment was completed by inmates from the North Carolina State Penitentiary… and approximately 98% of those inmates were African American men… the majority of whom were unjustly imprisoned…
This project was created to share the true story behind this human endeavor and to honor the memory of those who labored and those who died here.
Regional Resources: Historical Research
Aug 28 all-day
Online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association (WNCHA)
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.
The 2021 Summer Learning Program: Tails + Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales
Aug 28 all-day
Online
Get ready to go wild at the library for our annual Summer Learning Program. Join us for Tails & Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales. We’ll have an activity sheet with lots of fun adventures for all ages. You can pick up a sheet at any library starting June 1, or download it HERE. Check our calendar to find our most up to date list of programs all summer long.
The 2021 Summer Learning Program is open to young people, preschool through teen, with books and activities for every age. All library programs are free and open to children of all abilities. Come in and see what the library has for you!
Victoria: The Forgotten Town Walking Tour
Aug 28 all-day
Online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association
Contained by its larger growing neighbor (Asheville), the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, and the Southern Railway line, the Town of Victoria existed from 1887 until 1905, when it was absorbed into Asheville. The community—which included the Smith-McDowell House and Fernihurst mansion—originally incorporated into a town to prevent unwanted development (particularly from the Vanderbilts).
Want to farm? 12-Month, Farmer-Led Training Program
Aug 28 all-day
In person and hybrid
The Farm Beginnings® class is a 12-month training session that uses holistic management to help beginning farmers clarify their goals and strengths, establish a strong enterprise plan and start building their operation.
Farm Beginnings will help you build these skills through one year of farmer-led training, mentoring, and networking.
Farm Beginnings is designed for new and prospective farmers who want to plan a profitable farm business. Classes will be hybrid this year, starting in October 24th 2021.
Farm Beginnings will be hybrid for 2021/2022.
———-
Applications open now, due by September 18th
Farm Beginnings® Farmer Training is approved by the US Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) as an Education Vendor. As a Farm Beginnings® Graduate, your training counts as a year of farm management experience when you apply for a farmland loan through the Farm Service Agency.
———-
YW Wellness and Learning Lab: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Aug 28 all-day
YWCA Asheville
YW WELLNESS AND LEARNING LAB
YW Wellness and Learning Lab
At the YWCA of Asheville, we eliminate racism and empower women by providing programs and advocacy for over 3,000 community members annually in Western North Carolina with services that support families, promote holistic wellness, and advance racial justice.
We are seeking dedicated volunteers for our new YW Wellness and Learning Lab beginning on September 8th. Volunteers will assist school-age children with their homework, administer the Read to Succeed curriculum, and build meaningful relationships with students while their parents take time for their health and well-being.
Volunteer Responsibilities:
Time Commitment:
Shifts are 4:30–7:30 PM on Monday and Wednesday at the YWCA of Asheville
Must commit to one shift per week
Volunteer Requirements:
18 years or older
Able to work patiently with students of various ages
Previous teaching or tutoring experience a plus
Must pass a background check
Commitment to the YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all
Training
The YWCA will offer training in racial justice, Read to Succeed curriculum, and trauma-informed, equity-focused education. Volunteers must complete orientation and training before working with students.
Training will take place on Saturday, August 21st from 10 AM–1 PM at the YWCA
Health and Safety:
Masks must be worn at all times when interacting with students
Masks and hand sanitizer will be available
The Learning Garden Opens to the Public
Aug 28 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Buncombe Extension Center
Vegetable gardening at The Learning Garden
Visit The Learning Garden! The gardens are in full summer mode with ripening tomatoes, blooming roses, giant sunflowers, and many other perennials and plants of interest.
The Learning Garden is a dedicated, on-site teaching garden at the Buncombe Extension Center located at 49 Mt. Carmel Road, Asheville. It is managed and cared for by the Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers (EMGVs) of Buncombe County.
Everyone is welcome to visit the gardens Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9 to 12 when temperatures are cool and Master Gardeners are working in the gardens. Or come visit on your own Monday through Friday, 8 to 5.
The Learning Garden (TLG) surrounds the Extension building, includes 8 distinct gardens, and a composting demonstration site. Each garden offers plants that grow well in our region. You will gather new ideas and learn successful horticultural practices that lead to beautiful, healthy gardens.
Look for plant labels in the garden. Find more information and brochures at the kiosk near the building and in the garden mailboxes.
GARDENERS ARE IN THE GARDEN.
Online Seminar: Square Foot Gardening
Aug 28 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Online
Virtual attendance via Zoom video and audio internet connection
Are you a new or experienced gardener with limited space? If so, think about square foot gardening.
This type of gardening is an easy way to plant and grow a variety of vegetables and herbs with little effort. By following the square foot gardening principle developed by Mel Bartholomew and followed for over 40 years, you can have a garden that uses less water, space, fertilizer, and management than a traditional garden, but yields enough produce for a small family.
Join Barb as she discusses the principle and process of square foot gardening and shares her experience with the square foot vegetable garden located in The Learning Garden at the Buncombe County Extension office.
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.
Unearthing Our Forgotten Past
Aug 28 @ 10:30 am – 4:00 pm
Smith-McDowell House Museum
The exhibit was developed as part of the celebration of the 450th anniversary of the Juan Pardo expeditions. Several years ago, archaeologists identified a site near Morganton as the location of Joara, one of the largest Native American towns in what is today Western North Carolina.
Joara was occupied from approximately 1400-1600 A.D. Two Spanish expeditions led respectively by Hernando de Soto and Juan Pardo visited the town in the 1500s. The Pardo expedition was part of a larger effort to establish a string of forts from the coast of present-day South Carolina all the way to Mexico. In 2013, archaeologists confirmed that Joara was also the site of Fort San Juan, established by Pardo in 1567, nearly 20 years before the English settlement at Roanoke on the coast of North Carolina and 40 years before the settlement at Jamestown.
Through various artifacts uncovered by the archaeology, the exhibit showcases the Spanish occupation of Fort San Juan and the lives of the native people who lived in the Joara area.
The exhibit is on loan from the Exploring Joara Foundation Inc. Exploring Joara engages the public in archaeology in the Carolinas, and emphasizes the discovery of the Native American town of Joara and Fort San Juan. The exhibit will be on display at the Western North Carolina Historical Association’s gallery inside the Smith-McDowell House through December 15.
The gallery is open for visitation Thursday, Friday, and Saturday between 10:30am and 4:00pm. Reservations are recommended.
Guided Trail Walk
Aug 28 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
NC Arboretum
Hit the trails and learn more about the Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with the return of guided trail walks in 2021! In response to COVID-19, new safety measures have been put in place to protect our guests, members, volunteers and staff: Walks will be limited to 10 people, including the guide, and all participants will be required to wear face coverings for the duration of the walk.
This free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.
Guided trail walks depart from the Baker Exhibit Center Lobby every Tuesday and Saturday at 1 p.m. through the month of October. Walks last 1.5- 2.5 hours and are approximately one to two miles in length, and as such are recommended for guests 14 years or older. Walks are held rain or shine, so all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.
Register In Advance
Space is limited and advance registration is encouraged. Pre-registered participants must check in at the Baker Information Desk no later than 10 minutes before the scheduled program to keep their spot. Unclaimed spots will be offered to other guests.
Guests may sign up for trail walks in the following ways:
Online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association
The residents of the Smith-McDowell House and grounds were woven in to the fabric of Asheville.
This driving tour begins at the Smith-McDowell House Museum on the campus of A-B Tech and continues through historic sites related to early occupants of the house.
Let’s Talk – Back To School Immunizations – Watch it On YouTube
Aug 29 all-day
Online
As the new school year approaches, we know that many Buncombe parents share common questions and concerns about their student(s) safety during in-person instruction. To address your questions, Buncombe County Health and Human Services hosted Let’s Talk- Back to School Immunizations. During this virtual, parent-led event, local experts explain what it will take for our schools to stay open and our students to stay in their classrooms.
Many important questions were addressed, including:
What do we know about vaccination rates historically in Buncombe County and how did the COVID-19 pandemic impact them?
What can we do to improve vaccination rates in Buncombe County?
What steps have schools taken to stay open and keep students safe during in-person instruction?
Individualized to meet you where you are
in your farm business journey
Applications are due by September 18, 2021.
Starting a farm is a formidable challenge, but keeping a farm business going, growing and thriving is even harder! The Journeyperson Program is designed for farmers who have been independently farming for 3 or more years, and are serious about operating farm businesses in the Southern Appalachian region. This program will give you the space and time to work on your business while making connections that deepen your peer-to-peer support.
This 12-month program starts in November 2021 and ends in October 2022.
What is unique about this program?
Participants can use this program as a tangible step toward achieving their farm goals, and make significant contributions to the agricultural community and economy. This program is designed to give tailored guidance and support for your farm business to answer questions of: scale, market access, land access, risk management, understanding cash flow, and enterprise innovation. You will leave this program with a responsive, adaptable business plan to help your farm achieve long-term farm viability and resilience.
Organic Growers School Mentor Services
Aug 29 all-day
Organic Growers School
Mentor Services
Our Mentor Services help support beginning and intermediate farmers by pairing them with experienced, regional farmers who can provide them with one-on-one practical planning skills.
These skills include systems management, marketing and business development, farm design and production, and connecting to the regional farming community
RAIL: The Railroad and Incarcerated Laborer Memorial Project
Aug 29 all-day
Online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association (WNCHA)
The construction of the Mountain Division of the Western North Carolina Railroad is widely considered one of the greatest human accomplishments in regards to both engineering and construction ever undertaken at the time it occurred. The project took place over a period of several years in the late 1800s. Many people are aware that the railroad provided the first dependable access to and from much of Western North Carolina for the rest of the state as well as much of the nation. Many also know the names of some of those who were instrumental in seeing through the completion of this ambitious project. Names such as Colonel Alexander Boyd Andrews, of Andrews’ Geyser fame. However, what most people are unaware of is that at least 95% of the labor which built the railroad across the Blue Ridge Escarpment was completed by inmates from the North Carolina State Penitentiary… and approximately 98% of those inmates were African American men… the majority of whom were unjustly imprisoned…
This project was created to share the true story behind this human endeavor and to honor the memory of those who labored and those who died here.
Regional Resources: Historical Research
Aug 29 all-day
Online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association (WNCHA)
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.
The 2021 Summer Learning Program: Tails + Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales
Aug 29 all-day
Online
Get ready to go wild at the library for our annual Summer Learning Program. Join us for Tails & Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales. We’ll have an activity sheet with lots of fun adventures for all ages. You can pick up a sheet at any library starting June 1, or download it HERE. Check our calendar to find our most up to date list of programs all summer long.
The 2021 Summer Learning Program is open to young people, preschool through teen, with books and activities for every age. All library programs are free and open to children of all abilities. Come in and see what the library has for you!
Victoria: The Forgotten Town Walking Tour
Aug 29 all-day
Online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association
Contained by its larger growing neighbor (Asheville), the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, and the Southern Railway line, the Town of Victoria existed from 1887 until 1905, when it was absorbed into Asheville. The community—which included the Smith-McDowell House and Fernihurst mansion—originally incorporated into a town to prevent unwanted development (particularly from the Vanderbilts).
Want to farm? 12-Month, Farmer-Led Training Program
Aug 29 all-day
In person and hybrid
The Farm Beginnings® class is a 12-month training session that uses holistic management to help beginning farmers clarify their goals and strengths, establish a strong enterprise plan and start building their operation.
Farm Beginnings will help you build these skills through one year of farmer-led training, mentoring, and networking.
Farm Beginnings is designed for new and prospective farmers who want to plan a profitable farm business. Classes will be hybrid this year, starting in October 24th 2021.
Farm Beginnings will be hybrid for 2021/2022.
———-
Applications open now, due by September 18th
Farm Beginnings® Farmer Training is approved by the US Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) as an Education Vendor. As a Farm Beginnings® Graduate, your training counts as a year of farm management experience when you apply for a farmland loan through the Farm Service Agency.
———-
YW Wellness and Learning Lab: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Aug 29 all-day
YWCA Asheville
YW WELLNESS AND LEARNING LAB
YW Wellness and Learning Lab
At the YWCA of Asheville, we eliminate racism and empower women by providing programs and advocacy for over 3,000 community members annually in Western North Carolina with services that support families, promote holistic wellness, and advance racial justice.
We are seeking dedicated volunteers for our new YW Wellness and Learning Lab beginning on September 8th. Volunteers will assist school-age children with their homework, administer the Read to Succeed curriculum, and build meaningful relationships with students while their parents take time for their health and well-being.
Volunteer Responsibilities:
Time Commitment:
Shifts are 4:30–7:30 PM on Monday and Wednesday at the YWCA of Asheville
Must commit to one shift per week
Volunteer Requirements:
18 years or older
Able to work patiently with students of various ages
Previous teaching or tutoring experience a plus
Must pass a background check
Commitment to the YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all
Training
The YWCA will offer training in racial justice, Read to Succeed curriculum, and trauma-informed, equity-focused education. Volunteers must complete orientation and training before working with students.
Training will take place on Saturday, August 21st from 10 AM–1 PM at the YWCA
Health and Safety:
Masks must be worn at all times when interacting with students
Masks and hand sanitizer will be available
The Learning Garden Opens to the Public
Aug 29 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Buncombe Extension Center
Vegetable gardening at The Learning Garden
Visit The Learning Garden! The gardens are in full summer mode with ripening tomatoes, blooming roses, giant sunflowers, and many other perennials and plants of interest.
The Learning Garden is a dedicated, on-site teaching garden at the Buncombe Extension Center located at 49 Mt. Carmel Road, Asheville. It is managed and cared for by the Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers (EMGVs) of Buncombe County.
Everyone is welcome to visit the gardens Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9 to 12 when temperatures are cool and Master Gardeners are working in the gardens. Or come visit on your own Monday through Friday, 8 to 5.
The Learning Garden (TLG) surrounds the Extension building, includes 8 distinct gardens, and a composting demonstration site. Each garden offers plants that grow well in our region. You will gather new ideas and learn successful horticultural practices that lead to beautiful, healthy gardens.
Look for plant labels in the garden. Find more information and brochures at the kiosk near the building and in the garden mailboxes.
