Calendar of Events

The free, definitive resource for finding local food and farms also features farm stories and recipes.

The 2023 Local Food Guide, ASAP’s annual free publication for finding local food and farms, hits newsstands this week. This definitive resource lists hundreds of Appalachian Grown certified farms, farmers markets, restaurants, groceries, travel destinations, and more throughout Western North Carolina and surrounding counties in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. A digital version of the print Guide may be viewed at asapconnections.org/guide.

In addition to the listing content, the 2023 edition features stories that highlight the variety of farming across the region. Jake Puckett, of Crow Fly Farms in Marion, NC, details his passion for holistic animal management. Malcolm Banks, of Yellow Mountain Gardens in Franklin, NC, describes his mission to teach his neighbors—and the world—to grow their own food. Gwen and Jay Englebach, of Black Trumpet Farm in Leicester, NC, talk about building a business and customer relationships. Rounding out the issue are seasonal recipes from chefs at Cultura, Little Chango, The Montford, and Red Fiddle Vittles.

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 Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact ASAP if you need help locating a copy in your area.

In addition to the print Guide, ASAP maintains the online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org. This database, with more than 1,400 listings, is updated throughout the year and is searchable by products, locations, activities, and more.

The 2023 Local Food Guide is made possible in part with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Agricultural Marketing Service and Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Fund, as well as the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and Asheville Regional Airport.

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is seeking
AmeriCorps members to work as Construction Crew Leaders for New Home
Construction and Home Repair. These year-long service opportunities are perfect for
people who possess a desire to serve others, have a passion for volunteerism and
group facilitation, and have strong team building skills. Members receive a living
allowance, a housing stipend of $700-800/month, and other benefits.

At Asheville Habitat, AmeriCorps members provide leadership on project sites, engage
volunteers to become champions for the mission, and create new tools and systems to
build capacity. They gain insight into a non-profit organization and receive hands-on
experience in leadership, team building, public speaking, and community development.
For some, AmeriCorps is an experiential gap year before college, grad school, or a
career; for others it is a stepping stone towards a job in the non-profit sector.

Asheville tops a lot of lists, and for good reason. The City is also newsworthy for
something else: an affordable housing crisis. The people who make Asheville what it is
are being priced out. Housing costs far outweigh local wages and affordable housing

options are scarce. Residents are forced to move elsewhere or make impossible
choices like paying more than 50% of their income towards rent, or living in
overcrowded, substandard, or unsafe situations. Young people who want to help more
families thrive instead of just survive, learn and hone skills, and grow their confidence
and leadership abilities, are encouraged to visit ashevillehabitat.org/careers to learn
more about AmeriCorps with Asheville Habitat and apply.
About Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1983, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity (AAHH) was the first Habitat affiliate in North
Carolina. Now serving Buncombe and Madison Counties, AAHH provides affordable homeownership and
home repair programs to qualified low-income residents seeking to build a better future on the foundation
of stable housing. A decent place to call home and an affordable mortgage enables Habitat homeowners
to save more, invest in education, pursue opportunities, and have greater financial stability. The home
repair program preserves the character, affordability, and diversity of local neighborhoods and enables
long-time residents to stay in their homes. Learn more about Asheville Area Habitat and how you can get
involved at ashevillehabitat.org.

Since 2018, the Arts Build Community grant supports innovative, arts-based projects that inspire diverse groups of participants to be more active, involved, and civically-engaged by creating together. Grants range from $1,000-2,500.

Arts and culture are a fundamental part of our community. They help us connect with one another and better understand history, people, and new ideas. When people become involved in the design, creation, and upkeep of places, they develop a vested interest in using and maintaining these spaces. When neighbors have a true sense of “ownership” or connection to the places they frequent, the community becomes a better place to live, work, and visit.

Description & Eligibility

The City is seeking public input on the College Patton Bike Lane Project design through an online survey. Your responses will remain anonymous and will help City staff make updates to the plan that best accommodate all needs on the corridors. Staff will collect survey responses through Tuesday, June 5, 2023, and will share input received from this survey in an update to the City Council Planning and Economic Development Committee and on the City’s project page.

This project proposes to add buffered bike lanes in the core of Downtown on College Street between Spruce Street and Pritchard Park and on Patton Avenue between Pritchard Park and Biltmore Avenue.

Goals for this project include: creating protected east-west bicycle connections downtown that would connect to the larger bicycle network and creating a safer, more inviting multimodal environment downtown for everyone including bicyclists, pedestrians, and motor vehicles (including delivery trucks).

In addition to the proposed bike lanes, this project also includes restriping high-visibility crosswalks and reconfiguring loading zones throughout the project area.

This project is supported by City Councils 2036 Vision of Transportation and Accessibility. This Vision ensures whether you drive a car, take the bus, ride a bike or walk, that getting around Asheville is easy. Public transportation should be widespread, frequent, and reliable. Sidewalks, greenways, and bike facilities can get us where we want to go safely and keep us active and healthy. This Vision ensures it is easy to live in Asheville without a car and still enjoy economic, academic, and social success.

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is seeking
AmeriCorps members to work as Construction Crew Leaders for New Home
Construction and Home Repair. These year-long service opportunities are perfect for
people who possess a desire to serve others, have a passion for volunteerism and
group facilitation, and have strong team building skills. Members receive a living
allowance, a housing stipend of $700-800/month, and other benefits.

At Asheville Habitat, AmeriCorps members provide leadership on project sites, engage
volunteers to become champions for the mission, and create new tools and systems to
build capacity. They gain insight into a non-profit organization and receive hands-on
experience in leadership, team building, public speaking, and community development.
For some, AmeriCorps is an experiential gap year before college, grad school, or a
career; for others it is a stepping stone towards a job in the non-profit sector.

Asheville tops a lot of lists, and for good reason. The City is also newsworthy for
something else: an affordable housing crisis. The people who make Asheville what it is
are being priced out. Housing costs far outweigh local wages and affordable housing

options are scarce. Residents are forced to move elsewhere or make impossible
choices like paying more than 50% of their income towards rent, or living in
overcrowded, substandard, or unsafe situations. Young people who want to help more
families thrive instead of just survive, learn and hone skills, and grow their confidence
and leadership abilities, are encouraged to visit ashevillehabitat.org/careers to learn
more about AmeriCorps with Asheville Habitat and apply.
About Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1983, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity (AAHH) was the first Habitat affiliate in North
Carolina. Now serving Buncombe and Madison Counties, AAHH provides affordable homeownership and
home repair programs to qualified low-income residents seeking to build a better future on the foundation
of stable housing. A decent place to call home and an affordable mortgage enables Habitat homeowners
to save more, invest in education, pursue opportunities, and have greater financial stability. The home
repair program preserves the character, affordability, and diversity of local neighborhoods and enables
long-time residents to stay in their homes. Learn more about Asheville Area Habitat and how you can get
involved at ashevillehabitat.org.

Since 2018, the Arts Build Community grant supports innovative, arts-based projects that inspire diverse groups of participants to be more active, involved, and civically-engaged by creating together. Grants range from $1,000-2,500.

Arts and culture are a fundamental part of our community. They help us connect with one another and better understand history, people, and new ideas. When people become involved in the design, creation, and upkeep of places, they develop a vested interest in using and maintaining these spaces. When neighbors have a true sense of “ownership” or connection to the places they frequent, the community becomes a better place to live, work, and visit.

Description & Eligibility

The City is seeking public input on the College Patton Bike Lane Project design through an online survey. Your responses will remain anonymous and will help City staff make updates to the plan that best accommodate all needs on the corridors. Staff will collect survey responses through Tuesday, June 5, 2023, and will share input received from this survey in an update to the City Council Planning and Economic Development Committee and on the City’s project page.

This project proposes to add buffered bike lanes in the core of Downtown on College Street between Spruce Street and Pritchard Park and on Patton Avenue between Pritchard Park and Biltmore Avenue.

Goals for this project include: creating protected east-west bicycle connections downtown that would connect to the larger bicycle network and creating a safer, more inviting multimodal environment downtown for everyone including bicyclists, pedestrians, and motor vehicles (including delivery trucks).

In addition to the proposed bike lanes, this project also includes restriping high-visibility crosswalks and reconfiguring loading zones throughout the project area.

This project is supported by City Councils 2036 Vision of Transportation and Accessibility. This Vision ensures whether you drive a car, take the bus, ride a bike or walk, that getting around Asheville is easy. Public transportation should be widespread, frequent, and reliable. Sidewalks, greenways, and bike facilities can get us where we want to go safely and keep us active and healthy. This Vision ensures it is easy to live in Asheville without a car and still enjoy economic, academic, and social success.

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.

Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) recently renovated fitness centers at Linwood Crump Shiloh and Stephens-Lee community centers – and community members can enjoy use of cardio equipment, exercise machines, free weights, open gym time, and more through June 30, 2023. During this time, APR will waive membership and daily pass fees so more people can access the necessities for a regular fitness routine. Locals can sign up online or at either community center to receive a fitness center key fob that can be scanned at either location.

“Our team is committed to creating spaces in which everyone feels welcome,” according to D. Tyrell McGirt, APR Director. “We are in the community building business. The gyms and fitness rooms at these two locations are filled with everything you’d expect from other top-notch fitness facilities and dedicated to body positivity and accessible wellness. By waiving the cost to use them for the first six months of the year, we hope more friends and neighbors will be able to connect with each other and maintain healthy lifestyles.”

Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) recently renovated fitness centers at Linwood Crump Shiloh and Stephens-Lee community centers – and community members can enjoy use of cardio equipment, exercise machines, free weights, open gym time, and more through June 30, 2023. During this time, APR will waive membership and daily pass fees so more people can access the necessities for a regular fitness routine. Locals can sign up online or at either community center to receive a fitness center key fob that can be scanned at either location.

“Our team is committed to creating spaces in which everyone feels welcome,” according to D. Tyrell McGirt, APR Director. “We are in the community building business. The gyms and fitness rooms at these two locations are filled with everything you’d expect from other top-notch fitness facilities and dedicated to body positivity and accessible wellness. By waiving the cost to use them for the first six months of the year, we hope more friends and neighbors will be able to connect with each other and maintain healthy lifestyles.”

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is seeking
AmeriCorps members to work as Construction Crew Leaders for New Home
Construction and Home Repair. These year-long service opportunities are perfect for
people who possess a desire to serve others, have a passion for volunteerism and
group facilitation, and have strong team building skills. Members receive a living
allowance, a housing stipend of $700-800/month, and other benefits.

At Asheville Habitat, AmeriCorps members provide leadership on project sites, engage
volunteers to become champions for the mission, and create new tools and systems to
build capacity. They gain insight into a non-profit organization and receive hands-on
experience in leadership, team building, public speaking, and community development.
For some, AmeriCorps is an experiential gap year before college, grad school, or a
career; for others it is a stepping stone towards a job in the non-profit sector.

Asheville tops a lot of lists, and for good reason. The City is also newsworthy for
something else: an affordable housing crisis. The people who make Asheville what it is
are being priced out. Housing costs far outweigh local wages and affordable housing

options are scarce. Residents are forced to move elsewhere or make impossible
choices like paying more than 50% of their income towards rent, or living in
overcrowded, substandard, or unsafe situations. Young people who want to help more
families thrive instead of just survive, learn and hone skills, and grow their confidence
and leadership abilities, are encouraged to visit ashevillehabitat.org/careers to learn
more about AmeriCorps with Asheville Habitat and apply.
About Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1983, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity (AAHH) was the first Habitat affiliate in North
Carolina. Now serving Buncombe and Madison Counties, AAHH provides affordable homeownership and
home repair programs to qualified low-income residents seeking to build a better future on the foundation
of stable housing. A decent place to call home and an affordable mortgage enables Habitat homeowners
to save more, invest in education, pursue opportunities, and have greater financial stability. The home
repair program preserves the character, affordability, and diversity of local neighborhoods and enables
long-time residents to stay in their homes. Learn more about Asheville Area Habitat and how you can get
involved at ashevillehabitat.org.

Since 2018, the Arts Build Community grant supports innovative, arts-based projects that inspire diverse groups of participants to be more active, involved, and civically-engaged by creating together. Grants range from $1,000-2,500.

Arts and culture are a fundamental part of our community. They help us connect with one another and better understand history, people, and new ideas. When people become involved in the design, creation, and upkeep of places, they develop a vested interest in using and maintaining these spaces. When neighbors have a true sense of “ownership” or connection to the places they frequent, the community becomes a better place to live, work, and visit.

Description & Eligibility

The City is seeking public input on the College Patton Bike Lane Project design through an online survey. Your responses will remain anonymous and will help City staff make updates to the plan that best accommodate all needs on the corridors. Staff will collect survey responses through Tuesday, June 5, 2023, and will share input received from this survey in an update to the City Council Planning and Economic Development Committee and on the City’s project page.

This project proposes to add buffered bike lanes in the core of Downtown on College Street between Spruce Street and Pritchard Park and on Patton Avenue between Pritchard Park and Biltmore Avenue.

Goals for this project include: creating protected east-west bicycle connections downtown that would connect to the larger bicycle network and creating a safer, more inviting multimodal environment downtown for everyone including bicyclists, pedestrians, and motor vehicles (including delivery trucks).

In addition to the proposed bike lanes, this project also includes restriping high-visibility crosswalks and reconfiguring loading zones throughout the project area.

This project is supported by City Councils 2036 Vision of Transportation and Accessibility. This Vision ensures whether you drive a car, take the bus, ride a bike or walk, that getting around Asheville is easy. Public transportation should be widespread, frequent, and reliable. Sidewalks, greenways, and bike facilities can get us where we want to go safely and keep us active and healthy. This Vision ensures it is easy to live in Asheville without a car and still enjoy economic, academic, and social success.

Extension Master Gardener^SM volunteers will be staffing the Helpline as indicated in the schedule below. You may send an email or leave a voicemail at any time and an Extension Master Gardener volunteer will respond during Garden Helpline hours. When emailing, please include a photo if it helps describe your garden question. Soil test kits can be picked up at the Extension office, 24/7. The kits are located in a box outside the front door.

Three ways to contact the Garden Helpline

Call 828-255-5522
Email questions and photos to [email protected]
Visit the Extension Office at 49 Mt. Carmel Road during Helpline hours, listed below.

Garden Helpline Hours

March – (starts March 6)
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

April through September:
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Wednesday 12:00 Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

October – (ends October 26th) 
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

We are here to help and support you! Please contact us. We look forward to answering your gardening questions.

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.

Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) recently renovated fitness centers at Linwood Crump Shiloh and Stephens-Lee community centers – and community members can enjoy use of cardio equipment, exercise machines, free weights, open gym time, and more through June 30, 2023. During this time, APR will waive membership and daily pass fees so more people can access the necessities for a regular fitness routine. Locals can sign up online or at either community center to receive a fitness center key fob that can be scanned at either location.

“Our team is committed to creating spaces in which everyone feels welcome,” according to D. Tyrell McGirt, APR Director. “We are in the community building business. The gyms and fitness rooms at these two locations are filled with everything you’d expect from other top-notch fitness facilities and dedicated to body positivity and accessible wellness. By waiving the cost to use them for the first six months of the year, we hope more friends and neighbors will be able to connect with each other and maintain healthy lifestyles.”

Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) recently renovated fitness centers at Linwood Crump Shiloh and Stephens-Lee community centers – and community members can enjoy use of cardio equipment, exercise machines, free weights, open gym time, and more through June 30, 2023. During this time, APR will waive membership and daily pass fees so more people can access the necessities for a regular fitness routine. Locals can sign up online or at either community center to receive a fitness center key fob that can be scanned at either location.

“Our team is committed to creating spaces in which everyone feels welcome,” according to D. Tyrell McGirt, APR Director. “We are in the community building business. The gyms and fitness rooms at these two locations are filled with everything you’d expect from other top-notch fitness facilities and dedicated to body positivity and accessible wellness. By waiving the cost to use them for the first six months of the year, we hope more friends and neighbors will be able to connect with each other and maintain healthy lifestyles.”