Calendar of Events

Did you know MANNA FoodBank provides more than 58,000 meals a day in Western North Carolina? MANNA works in partnership with the Buncombe County Community Connectors to provide much-needed food to 12 locations in under-resourced areas throughout our community. Donations will be collected for two weeks at area libraries and select public-facing County buildings beginning September 25 and ending on October 7.

MANNA served over 155,000 people in June 2023, which was another alarming high in a months-long trend of tens of thousands of people across the mountains needing food support each week. March 2023 marked the end of the pandemic-era SNAP benefit expansion, resulting in a new peak that has since continued to climb.

Buncombe County is asking the community to pitch in to help meet this need by dropping food items by one of our 12 Buncombe County Public Libraries or public-facing buildings.

You can drop off donations at the following locations around Buncombe County (look for the collection bins and signs):

• Public libraries
  • Black Mountain
  • East Asheville
  • Enka Candler
  • Fairview
  • Leicester
  • North Asheville
  • Oakley/South Asheville
  • Pack Memorial
  • Skyland/South Buncombe
  • Swannanoa
  • Weaverville
  • West Asheville
• Register of Deeds at 205 College St.
• Tax at 94 Cox Ave.
• HHS building at 40 Coxe Ave.
• Elections at 59 Woodfin
• Family Justice Center at 35 Woodfin
• Permits and Inspections at 30 Valley St.
• County administration building at 200 College St.

MANNA’s most-needed items include: 

• Canned meats (beef, chicken, tuna)
• Peanut butter (plastic jars only)
• Dried/canned beans (pork and beans, pinto, kidney, black)
• Hearty soups (pop-top cans preferred)
• Meals in a box or can (beef stew, chili, mac & cheese)
• Canned fruit (fruit cocktail, raisins, apple sauce)
• Canned vegetables (green beans, carrots, greens)
• Cereals and grains (rice, pasta, cereal in a box or bag)
• Fruit and vegetable juices
• Dry milk (instant non-fat)

Thank you to everyone for helping us with this initiative to support children and families throughout our community.

Did you know MANNA FoodBank provides more than 58,000 meals a day in Western North Carolina? MANNA works in partnership with the Buncombe County Community Connectors to provide much-needed food to 12 locations in under-resourced areas throughout our community. Donations will be collected for two weeks at area libraries and select public-facing County buildings beginning September 25 and ending on October 7.

MANNA served over 155,000 people in June 2023, which was another alarming high in a months-long trend of tens of thousands of people across the mountains needing food support each week. March 2023 marked the end of the pandemic-era SNAP benefit expansion, resulting in a new peak that has since continued to climb.

Buncombe County is asking the community to pitch in to help meet this need by dropping food items by one of our 12 Buncombe County Public Libraries or public-facing buildings.

You can drop off donations at the following locations around Buncombe County (look for the collection bins and signs):

• Public libraries
  • Black Mountain
  • East Asheville
  • Enka Candler
  • Fairview
  • Leicester
  • North Asheville
  • Oakley/South Asheville
  • Pack Memorial
  • Skyland/South Buncombe
  • Swannanoa
  • Weaverville
  • West Asheville
• Register of Deeds at 205 College St.
• Tax at 94 Cox Ave.
• HHS building at 40 Coxe Ave.
• Elections at 59 Woodfin
• Family Justice Center at 35 Woodfin
• Permits and Inspections at 30 Valley St.
• County administration building at 200 College St.

MANNA’s most-needed items include: 

• Canned meats (beef, chicken, tuna)
• Peanut butter (plastic jars only)
• Dried/canned beans (pork and beans, pinto, kidney, black)
• Hearty soups (pop-top cans preferred)
• Meals in a box or can (beef stew, chili, mac & cheese)
• Canned fruit (fruit cocktail, raisins, apple sauce)
• Canned vegetables (green beans, carrots, greens)
• Cereals and grains (rice, pasta, cereal in a box or bag)
• Fruit and vegetable juices
• Dry milk (instant non-fat)

Thank you to everyone for helping us with this initiative to support children and families throughout our community.

Did you know MANNA FoodBank provides more than 58,000 meals a day in Western North Carolina? MANNA works in partnership with the Buncombe County Community Connectors to provide much-needed food to 12 locations in under-resourced areas throughout our community. Donations will be collected for two weeks at area libraries and select public-facing County buildings beginning September 25 and ending on October 7.

MANNA served over 155,000 people in June 2023, which was another alarming high in a months-long trend of tens of thousands of people across the mountains needing food support each week. March 2023 marked the end of the pandemic-era SNAP benefit expansion, resulting in a new peak that has since continued to climb.

Buncombe County is asking the community to pitch in to help meet this need by dropping food items by one of our 12 Buncombe County Public Libraries or public-facing buildings.

You can drop off donations at the following locations around Buncombe County (look for the collection bins and signs):

• Public libraries
  • Black Mountain
  • East Asheville
  • Enka Candler
  • Fairview
  • Leicester
  • North Asheville
  • Oakley/South Asheville
  • Pack Memorial
  • Skyland/South Buncombe
  • Swannanoa
  • Weaverville
  • West Asheville
• Register of Deeds at 205 College St.
• Tax at 94 Cox Ave.
• HHS building at 40 Coxe Ave.
• Elections at 59 Woodfin
• Family Justice Center at 35 Woodfin
• Permits and Inspections at 30 Valley St.
• County administration building at 200 College St.

MANNA’s most-needed items include: 

• Canned meats (beef, chicken, tuna)
• Peanut butter (plastic jars only)
• Dried/canned beans (pork and beans, pinto, kidney, black)
• Hearty soups (pop-top cans preferred)
• Meals in a box or can (beef stew, chili, mac & cheese)
• Canned fruit (fruit cocktail, raisins, apple sauce)
• Canned vegetables (green beans, carrots, greens)
• Cereals and grains (rice, pasta, cereal in a box or bag)
• Fruit and vegetable juices
• Dry milk (instant non-fat)

Thank you to everyone for helping us with this initiative to support children and families throughout our community.

Did you know MANNA FoodBank provides more than 58,000 meals a day in Western North Carolina? MANNA works in partnership with the Buncombe County Community Connectors to provide much-needed food to 12 locations in under-resourced areas throughout our community. Donations will be collected for two weeks at area libraries and select public-facing County buildings beginning September 25 and ending on October 7.

MANNA served over 155,000 people in June 2023, which was another alarming high in a months-long trend of tens of thousands of people across the mountains needing food support each week. March 2023 marked the end of the pandemic-era SNAP benefit expansion, resulting in a new peak that has since continued to climb.

Buncombe County is asking the community to pitch in to help meet this need by dropping food items by one of our 12 Buncombe County Public Libraries or public-facing buildings.

You can drop off donations at the following locations around Buncombe County (look for the collection bins and signs):

• Public libraries
  • Black Mountain
  • East Asheville
  • Enka Candler
  • Fairview
  • Leicester
  • North Asheville
  • Oakley/South Asheville
  • Pack Memorial
  • Skyland/South Buncombe
  • Swannanoa
  • Weaverville
  • West Asheville
• Register of Deeds at 205 College St.
• Tax at 94 Cox Ave.
• HHS building at 40 Coxe Ave.
• Elections at 59 Woodfin
• Family Justice Center at 35 Woodfin
• Permits and Inspections at 30 Valley St.
• County administration building at 200 College St.

MANNA’s most-needed items include: 

• Canned meats (beef, chicken, tuna)
• Peanut butter (plastic jars only)
• Dried/canned beans (pork and beans, pinto, kidney, black)
• Hearty soups (pop-top cans preferred)
• Meals in a box or can (beef stew, chili, mac & cheese)
• Canned fruit (fruit cocktail, raisins, apple sauce)
• Canned vegetables (green beans, carrots, greens)
• Cereals and grains (rice, pasta, cereal in a box or bag)
• Fruit and vegetable juices
• Dry milk (instant non-fat)

Thank you to everyone for helping us with this initiative to support children and families throughout our community.

Presenter: Dr. Ryan Blaedow, formerly with Forest Health Protection, USDA Forest Service

Oaks, the beloved trees of our forests and landscapes!  How vital they are in their support to the many life forms in our gardens and yet they struggle with the ever changing conditions and urbanization of the environments in which they live.

Join us to learn from plant pathologist and oak expert Ryan Blaedow about the health and status of oaks in western North Carolina.

Video access:
To access this video on the Buncombe County Master Gardener website, click on the link below:

                                                                         Update on Oaks – Trees in Transition

Presenter: Dr. Ryan Blaedow, formerly with Forest Health Protection, USDA Forest Service

Oaks, the beloved trees of our forests and landscapes!  How vital they are in their support to the many life forms in our gardens and yet they struggle with the ever changing conditions and urbanization of the environments in which they live.

Join us to learn from plant pathologist and oak expert Ryan Blaedow about the health and status of oaks in western North Carolina.

Video access:
To access this video on the Buncombe County Master Gardener website, click on the link below:

                                                                         Update on Oaks – Trees in Transition

Presenter: Dr. Ryan Blaedow, formerly with Forest Health Protection, USDA Forest Service

Oaks, the beloved trees of our forests and landscapes!  How vital they are in their support to the many life forms in our gardens and yet they struggle with the ever changing conditions and urbanization of the environments in which they live.

Join us to learn from plant pathologist and oak expert Ryan Blaedow about the health and status of oaks in western North Carolina.

Video access:
To access this video on the Buncombe County Master Gardener website, click on the link below:

                                                                         Update on Oaks – Trees in Transition

Seeds of Joy
The Evolution of Your Home Garden
We have five speakers who will present wonderful ideas we can use in Western North
Carolina! Bookending the day, Linda Vater, popular YouTuber, will start us off with
gardening for your favorite season, and our very own Craig Mauney from the Mountain
Horticulture Crops Research and Extension Center will close us out with tips and tricks
for WNC wildlife and landscaping challenges. In between, our speakers will be Brannen
Basham of Spriggly’s Beescaping, podcaster Leslie Harris of Into the Garden with Leslie,
and Heather Andrews of Garden Thoughtfully. What an inspiring lineup!
The event will be held at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock. With easy access
just off I-26, the facility offers a roomy conference center with excellent graphic displays
and sound, plus a central area where the vendors will be situated so you can easily see
everything they have to offer.
The symposium fee is $65, or $60 if you register before the early bird deadline.
We have a fabulous caterer who will provide a morning snack,
lunch, and an afternoon coffee break.
As always, there will be wonderful door prizes, great vendors, and plenty of free parking.
Attendance for the full day is valid for 5 hours of continuing education.
Details and information for online registration will be released in August.
Visit buncombemastergardener.org for more information.

Presenter: Dr. Ryan Blaedow, formerly with Forest Health Protection, USDA Forest Service

Oaks, the beloved trees of our forests and landscapes!  How vital they are in their support to the many life forms in our gardens and yet they struggle with the ever changing conditions and urbanization of the environments in which they live.

Join us to learn from plant pathologist and oak expert Ryan Blaedow about the health and status of oaks in western North Carolina.

Video access:
To access this video on the Buncombe County Master Gardener website, click on the link below:

                                                                         Update on Oaks – Trees in Transition

Presenter: Dr. Ryan Blaedow, formerly with Forest Health Protection, USDA Forest Service

Oaks, the beloved trees of our forests and landscapes!  How vital they are in their support to the many life forms in our gardens and yet they struggle with the ever changing conditions and urbanization of the environments in which they live.

Join us to learn from plant pathologist and oak expert Ryan Blaedow about the health and status of oaks in western North Carolina.

Video access:
To access this video on the Buncombe County Master Gardener website, click on the link below:

                                                                         Update on Oaks – Trees in Transition

Presenter: Dr. Ryan Blaedow, formerly with Forest Health Protection, USDA Forest Service

Oaks, the beloved trees of our forests and landscapes!  How vital they are in their support to the many life forms in our gardens and yet they struggle with the ever changing conditions and urbanization of the environments in which they live.

Join us to learn from plant pathologist and oak expert Ryan Blaedow about the health and status of oaks in western North Carolina.

Video access:
To access this video on the Buncombe County Master Gardener website, click on the link below:

                                                                         Update on Oaks – Trees in Transition

Presenter: Dr. Ryan Blaedow, formerly with Forest Health Protection, USDA Forest Service

Oaks, the beloved trees of our forests and landscapes!  How vital they are in their support to the many life forms in our gardens and yet they struggle with the ever changing conditions and urbanization of the environments in which they live.

Join us to learn from plant pathologist and oak expert Ryan Blaedow about the health and status of oaks in western North Carolina.

Video access:
To access this video on the Buncombe County Master Gardener website, click on the link below:

                                                                         Update on Oaks – Trees in Transition

Presenter: Dr. Ryan Blaedow, formerly with Forest Health Protection, USDA Forest Service

Oaks, the beloved trees of our forests and landscapes!  How vital they are in their support to the many life forms in our gardens and yet they struggle with the ever changing conditions and urbanization of the environments in which they live.

Join us to learn from plant pathologist and oak expert Ryan Blaedow about the health and status of oaks in western North Carolina.

Video access:
To access this video on the Buncombe County Master Gardener website, click on the link below:

                                                                         Update on Oaks – Trees in Transition

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 three 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’s scale, viability, and long-term direction while making connections that deepen peer-to-peer support.

Limited spots are available for the full program, and those who want to be eligible for our Savings Incentive Program and the professional development funds must commit to participating in all aspects of the program.

What makes the Journeyperson program unique?

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

• Enterprise innovation

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 three 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’s scale, viability, and long-term direction while making connections that deepen peer-to-peer support.

Limited spots are available for the full program, and those who want to be eligible for our Savings Incentive Program and the professional development funds must commit to participating in all aspects of the program.

What makes the Journeyperson program unique?

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

• Enterprise innovation

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 three 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’s scale, viability, and long-term direction while making connections that deepen peer-to-peer support.

Limited spots are available for the full program, and those who want to be eligible for our Savings Incentive Program and the professional development funds must commit to participating in all aspects of the program.

What makes the Journeyperson program unique?

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

• Enterprise innovation

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 three 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’s scale, viability, and long-term direction while making connections that deepen peer-to-peer support.

Limited spots are available for the full program, and those who want to be eligible for our Savings Incentive Program and the professional development funds must commit to participating in all aspects of the program.

What makes the Journeyperson program unique?

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

• Enterprise innovation

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 three 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’s scale, viability, and long-term direction while making connections that deepen peer-to-peer support.

Limited spots are available for the full program, and those who want to be eligible for our Savings Incentive Program and the professional development funds must commit to participating in all aspects of the program.

What makes the Journeyperson program unique?

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

• Enterprise innovation

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 three 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’s scale, viability, and long-term direction while making connections that deepen peer-to-peer support.

Limited spots are available for the full program, and those who want to be eligible for our Savings Incentive Program and the professional development funds must commit to participating in all aspects of the program.

What makes the Journeyperson program unique?

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

• Enterprise innovation

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 three 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’s scale, viability, and long-term direction while making connections that deepen peer-to-peer support.

Limited spots are available for the full program, and those who want to be eligible for our Savings Incentive Program and the professional development funds must commit to participating in all aspects of the program.

What makes the Journeyperson program unique?

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

• Enterprise innovation

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 three 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’s scale, viability, and long-term direction while making connections that deepen peer-to-peer support.

Limited spots are available for the full program, and those who want to be eligible for our Savings Incentive Program and the professional development funds must commit to participating in all aspects of the program.

What makes the Journeyperson program unique?

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

• Enterprise innovation

Join us in making a difference! Western Carolina University’s Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning is hosting a canned food drive benefiting Homebase and Biltmore Park Food Pantry. We invite our community to participate by donating non-perishable food items. Look for the collection boxes near Suite 102 at WCU’s Biltmore Park Town Square campus from Monday, October 23rd to Friday, October 27th. Western Carolina University

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 three 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’s scale, viability, and long-term direction while making connections that deepen peer-to-peer support.

Limited spots are available for the full program, and those who want to be eligible for our Savings Incentive Program and the professional development funds must commit to participating in all aspects of the program.

What makes the Journeyperson program unique?

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

• Enterprise innovation

Join us in making a difference! Western Carolina University’s Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning is hosting a canned food drive benefiting Homebase and Biltmore Park Food Pantry. We invite our community to participate by donating non-perishable food items. Look for the collection boxes near Suite 102 at WCU’s Biltmore Park Town Square campus from Monday, October 23rd to Friday, October 27th. Western Carolina University