We invite you to embark on a journey that transcends the ordinary. Our webinar, “Unlocking the Power of Scent: Aromatherapy through the Lens of Ayurveda,” is a gateway to a world where the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda meets the therapeutic art of aromatherapy. In this enriching two-hour live session with Ayurvedic physician Vasant Lad, BAM&S, MASc we will explore the profound connection between scent, healing, and whole mind-body balance. Discover how the therapeutic effects of smell can elevate your life, and gain the skills to incorporate these ancient sciences into your modern-day existence.
Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
Saturday, April
20, 2024
Master Gardeners Plant Clinics
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Sunday, April
21, 2024
Painters Greenhouse Herb Fest 2024
Forest Farming: Grafting and Care of Tree Crops in the Farm and Forest
Join Painters Greenhouse for our 17th Annual Herb Fest!
On Saturday, April 20th come enjoy:
🌿A wide selection of specialty herbs
🌿Special savings on select plants
🌿Home-baked treats from Houston House and drinks & snacks from Leisa’s Kettle Corn on Saturday
🌿Artisan Craft Market with 12 local vendors selling a beautiful array of handmade goods (Including art, metal work, jewelry, leather goods, soaps, prints, and stickers!)
🌿And shopping from our wide selection of plants at the height of our season!
On Sunday, April 21st you will find:
🌿A wide selection of specialty herbs
🌿Special savings on select plants
🌿Enjoy chocolate from Brix Chocolate or take some home for your favorite wine pairing
🌿Argentinian comfort food on Sunday from El Bogedon
🌿And shopping from our wide selection of plants at the height of our season!
Vendors for the Saturday market will include:
- Earth Echoes: Hand crafted soaps and other natural body care products
- Houston House: Home baked goodies made with love!
- Kaysha Siemens: Beautiful botanical jewelry
- Cindi’s Sacred Garden: Organic Soaps, Salves, Teas, Skincare, outdoor natural goods and more
- Leisa’s Kettle Corn: Kettle Corn, Pork Skins, Boiled Peanuts, Soft Pretzels, Shaved Ice, Cinnamon Glazed Nuts, Freeze Dried Candy, Coffee & Sodas
- Beehive 95 Designs: Art prints, totes, stickers, and more featuring original nature illustrations
- Her Heartbeat Farm: Hand-crafted rawhide drums & leatherwork including custom designs. Purses, belts, growler & wine carriers, wallets, small bags for children, Buckskin Medicine Bags, and more.
- Pretty Petals: Beautiful alcohol ink tile creations with vibrant flowers. The ink is dispersed by a straw, air compressor, canned air, or hand blower to make a totally unique one-of-a-kind creation.
- Galaxita: Needle-felted landscapes inspired by sea and sky. These tiny landscapes were first watercolors and then recreated using upcycled wool garments as a canvas and loose wool roving as paint. And hardwood cutting boards & serving trays with salvaged walnut wood from Northern California.
- The Plaide Fox & Lightning Struck: Fractal Lichtenberg burning and copper jewelry and charms.
- Darcys Daydreams: One-of-a-kind metal wall art, lanterns, and jewelry
- Instar Innovations: Insect diarramas and greeting cards plus information on moths and butterflies as pollinators & a display case from an ecological collection
Our Spring 2024 Featured Herbs:
- Anise Hyssop
- Basil, African Blue
- Basil, Cinnamon
- Basil, Everleaf Genovese
- Basil, Holy
- Basil, Holy – Red and Green
- Basil, Lemon
- Basil, Pesto Perpetuo
- Basil, Purple Ruffles
- Basil, Red Ruben
- Basil, Sweet
- Basil, Sweet Large Leaf Italian
- Basil, Thai Siam Queen
- Basil, Lettuce Leaf Tuscany
- Borage
- Calendula
- Catnip
- Chamomile, German/Common
- Chives, Common
- Chives, Garlic
- Cilantro, Santo
- Curry Plant
- Cutting Celery
- Dill, Fernleaf
- Dill, Superdukat
- Echinacea angustifolia
- Eucalyptus, Baby Blue Bouquet
- Fennel, Bronze
- Feverfew
- French Tarragon
- Jewels of Opar
- Lavender, Phenomenal
- Lavender, Superblue
- Lavender, Vera (Lavandula angustifolia)
- Lemon Balm
- Lemon Grass, East Indian
- Lemon Verbena
- Lovage
- Marjoram, Sweet
- Mexican Mint Marigold
- Nasturtium, Dwf Jewel Mix
- Oregano, Mexican
- Parsley, Flat Leaf Italian
- Parsley, Moss Curled
- Patchouli
- Rosemary, Arp
- Rosemary, Hills Hardy
- Sage, Bergartten
- Sage, Garden Grey
- Sage, Pineapple
- Sage, Purple
- Sage, Tricolor
- Salad Burnet
- Salvia, Pineapple Sage
- Santolina, Grey Lavender Cotton
- Savory, Summer
- Savory, Winter
- Stevia
- Tarragon, French
- Thyme, English (Thymus vulgaris)
- Thyme, Hi-Ho Silver (Thymus argentea)
- Thyme, Magic Carpet (Thymus serpyllum)
- Thyme, Pink Chintz (Thymus serpyllum)
- Valerian, Common
Join us for the first OGS Forest Farming event of the year!
Explore various ways to integrate tree crops into farm and forest landscapes through a hands-on workshop and tour at A Way of Life Farm. We will demonstrate and practice basic grafting principles, and each participant will graft their own apple or pear tree to bring home.
We will tour the farm’s tree crops–including pawpaw, chestnut, persimmon, and pecan–and discuss how to establish new trees into a silvopasture or orchard, graft onto existing trees, and site considerations for planning.
Monday, April
22, 2024
Learn + Grow ADULT + CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS
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Tuesday, April
23, 2024
Sand Hill Nursery Workday
Creating Your Own Garden of Eden with Steven Frowine
Join us for weekly workdays in the Sand Hill native tree nursery. Tasks vary and often include repotting, weeding, mulching, and other special projects to improve infrastructure and function.
Need to know
Please come dressed in work clothes with close toed shoes. Bring water and sun protection. All other gear and supplies are provided.
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Author, Steven Frowine is back with part 2 of his plant and garden series. Whether you have a sunny spot or a shady nook, a few acres or only a back porch, Steve Frowine, a professional horticulturist, life-long passionate garden, and author of nine garden related books including, Gardening Basics for Dummies will guide you through the process of how to create your own garden that you will be proud of. This program will discuss most aspects of garden design and planting principles for edible and ornamental landscapes so you can be successful in designing a garden that is both beautiful and functional. This program will take place in our library community room and is free to the public. Author Bio: |
Wednesday, April
24, 2024
Learn + Grow ADULT + CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Volunteer: Grace Covenant Community Garden
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Spring has sprung, and at the YWCA that means that our talented Nutrition team is cooking up new ways to serve fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables to the children in our Early Learning and Empowerment Child Care programs. We are so grateful to be partnering with the wonderful volunteers who operate Grace Covenant’s Community Garden to receive produce grown specifically for our kitchen! The YWCA has been partnering with Grace Covenant for three years, and we have received over 1000 pounds of healthy, local produce from the garden.
YWCA Nutrition Specialist Melinda Aponte works hard to make the most of the bounty from Grace Covenant, and she also nurtures our own YWCA garden to teach kiddos in our childcare programs healthy habits and get them in the garden. Love the idea of helping to feed children fresh, healthy foods? Volunteer with the YWCA Nutrition team this spring and summer to help out in the YW garden space.
Thursday, April
25, 2024
ASAP: How Does Western North Carolina Shop for Food SURVEY
Learn + Grow ADULT + CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS
The Learning Garden presents:
Sun + Shade Garden Series: Container Gardening for Pollinators
“The Last Ecstatic Days” Film Screening and Discussion
ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) has released a survey to learn more about how people in Western North Carolina shop for food and why they choose the food they do. The survey, part of a three-year project by ASAP’s Local Food Research Center, is for any resident of Western North Carolina over the age of 18, no matter where or how they shop for food. It can be completed online at surveymonkey.com/r/WNCFoodASAP or over the phone by calling ASAP at 828-236-1282. It should take approximately 8 to 12 minutes to complete and will be open through Oct. 31, 2024. Respondents are encouraged to share the survey widely with families, friends, and co-workers.
“By completing this survey, you are helping local farmers understand and connect with consumers,” said Amy Marion, ASAP Associate Director and lead researcher. “The challenges of our food system are constantly evolving. Improving it requires active participation from all community members. With this research we can better understand consumer values and the barriers they face, and help farmers and food producers improve communications with their customers and their communities.”
The survey is part of a three-year research project, “Connections in Direct Markets: Assessing the feedback loop between consumer values and farmers’ marketing strategies,” which will examine and improve communication and alignment between farmers and consumers in Western North Carolina. The research phase will also employ consumer focus groups, farmer interviews and case studies, and more targeted surveying. The broad consumer survey provides an update to the last consumer survey conducted by the Local Food Research Center in 2014. Results from the current research project will be shared in 2025.
ASAP founded the Local Food Research Center in 2011 to study the economic, environmental, and social impacts of localizing food systems. From its inception, ASAP’s programs and services have been grounded in research and evaluation, adjusting based on a strong feedback loop and observation of current conditions in the food system.
This project is supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2022-38640-37488 through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number LS23-382. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.
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Pollinators are keystone species and plants and humans depend on them for survival. Gardeners can have a HUGE impact on supporting these amazing creatures even if you don’t have space for a full garden.
Pollinator container gardens are an excellent, quick and easy way to bring more bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your space whether in a small garden yard, condo or deck. Learn how to select the correct containers and pollinator friendly plant combinations to transform your space into a pollinator friendly habitat.
Wear appropriate attire (hat, sunglasses and sturdy shoes and bring some water) as most of this presentation will be held outside.
The talk is free, but seating is limited and registration using Eventbrite is required.
On Thursday, April 25, 2024, Stillpoint Wellness will host an in-person screening of “The Last Ecstatic Days.” Doors will open at 5:30 and the screening will begin at 6:00 pm.
After the screening will be a community discussion facilitated by Tiffany Sauls and Tandy Wells, which will wrap around 8:00 – 8:30 pm.
Come early to find parking!
Friday, April
26, 2024
ASAP: How Does Western North Carolina Shop for Food SURVEY
Learn + Grow ADULT + CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Master Gardeners Plant Clinics
Volunteer: Grace Covenant Community Garden
Dance your way to health with Zumba Gold
ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) has released a survey to learn more about how people in Western North Carolina shop for food and why they choose the food they do. The survey, part of a three-year project by ASAP’s Local Food Research Center, is for any resident of Western North Carolina over the age of 18, no matter where or how they shop for food. It can be completed online at surveymonkey.com/r/WNCFoodASAP or over the phone by calling ASAP at 828-236-1282. It should take approximately 8 to 12 minutes to complete and will be open through Oct. 31, 2024. Respondents are encouraged to share the survey widely with families, friends, and co-workers.
“By completing this survey, you are helping local farmers understand and connect with consumers,” said Amy Marion, ASAP Associate Director and lead researcher. “The challenges of our food system are constantly evolving. Improving it requires active participation from all community members. With this research we can better understand consumer values and the barriers they face, and help farmers and food producers improve communications with their customers and their communities.”
The survey is part of a three-year research project, “Connections in Direct Markets: Assessing the feedback loop between consumer values and farmers’ marketing strategies,” which will examine and improve communication and alignment between farmers and consumers in Western North Carolina. The research phase will also employ consumer focus groups, farmer interviews and case studies, and more targeted surveying. The broad consumer survey provides an update to the last consumer survey conducted by the Local Food Research Center in 2014. Results from the current research project will be shared in 2025.
ASAP founded the Local Food Research Center in 2011 to study the economic, environmental, and social impacts of localizing food systems. From its inception, ASAP’s programs and services have been grounded in research and evaluation, adjusting based on a strong feedback loop and observation of current conditions in the food system.
This project is supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2022-38640-37488 through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number LS23-382. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.
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Spring has sprung, and at the YWCA that means that our talented Nutrition team is cooking up new ways to serve fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables to the children in our Early Learning and Empowerment Child Care programs. We are so grateful to be partnering with the wonderful volunteers who operate Grace Covenant’s Community Garden to receive produce grown specifically for our kitchen! The YWCA has been partnering with Grace Covenant for three years, and we have received over 1000 pounds of healthy, local produce from the garden.
YWCA Nutrition Specialist Melinda Aponte works hard to make the most of the bounty from Grace Covenant, and she also nurtures our own YWCA garden to teach kiddos in our childcare programs healthy habits and get them in the garden. Love the idea of helping to feed children fresh, healthy foods? Volunteer with the YWCA Nutrition team this spring and summer to help out in the YW garden space.
Zumba Gold is a low-impact class recommended for seniors or people just getting started or getting back to exercise. This class is taught by Trish Howey, a senior Zumba instructor with years of experience. Zumba Gold uses Latin and Pop music with choreography to increase strength for body, brain, and balance. The goal is to be fit and to have FUN while exercising. Base strength is recommended.
Space is limited so registration is required.
Saturday, April
27, 2024
Buncombe County Master Gardener Plant Clinic @ Herb Festival
Master Gardeners Plant Clinics
Equine Yoga + Trail Ride with Cathy Woods
Breakthrough Breathwork Meditation Workshop with Sound Baths
Hybrid: Unlock the Power of Scent: Aromatherapy in Ayurveda
World Tai Chi Day + Qigong Day
2024 Gardening Series
Plant Clinic is returning to the WNC Herb Festival after a Covid hiatus of 4 years. This is always a lively and popular event for gardeners and EMG volunteers.
Plant Clinic is returning to the WNC Herb Festival after a Covid hiatus of 4 years. This is always a lively and popular event for gardeners and EMG volunteers.
Our table will be located at the entrance hall to the Davis Event Center at the Ag Center. The Ag Center is located across the highway from the Asheville Airport. A link to an Ag Center map and directions can be found at
Just bring your enthusiasm, curiosity and questions. Extension Master Gardeners will be
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Join Cathy Woods, Author of “Yoga for Riders,” creator of Body, Mind, Equine™ and international presenter, for a retreat day of yoga, equestrian mindfulness, and trail riding at Tryon International Equestrian Center located in beautiful Western North Carolina.
Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and inner healing through our groundbreaking Breathwork Meditation Workshop including 2 Sound Baths! During this immersive experience you will be guided through a powerful Breathwork practice to help you massively release stress, heal past wounds and traumas, access deeper levels of awareness, and connect more profoundly to Source.
Led by two professional highly experienced facilitators with over 50 years experience between them, this workshop will
deepen your connection with your breath and unlock its incredible potential for physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Join a group of like-minded individuals on the path to self-discovery in a supportive nurturing environment on the beautiful island in Marshall on one of the world’s oldest rivers.
You may come to the full day (10am-4.30pm, $120 ) which includes two Breathwork Meditation Sessions with sound baths and a session of Self-discovery. You may also come to the first Breathwork Meditation Session with sound bath only (10am-1pm, $60) or the second Breathwork Session with sound bath only (1.30pm-4.30pm, $60).
Register at www.breakthroughbreathwork.com/events
In this transformative webinar, you will explore the essence of gandha (Sanskrit for smell) and the profound impact it holds from an Ayurvedic perspective. Together, we will explore a range of herbal and essential oils used in aromatherapy, unlocking the wisdom to discern when and how to use them, tailored to your unique dosha – Vata, Pitta, or Kapha. By the end of this session, you will possess a deeper understanding of the therapeutic potential of scent and how it can enhance your well-being.
What you will learn in this webinar is not just knowledge; it’s the power to heal, rejuvenate, and elevate your consciousness through the wisdom of Ayurveda and aromatherapy.
Topics we will cover in this webinar
In this webinar, we’ll embark on a transformative exploration together:
Gain insight into the profound concept of Ganda and how it influences your senses and overall well-being.
Explore the world of herbal and essential oils, learning when and how to use them to restore balance based on your dosha.
Discover the ancient Tanmatra philosophy and how it shapes your sensory experiences.
Engage in interactive discussions and Q&A sessions with our knowledgeable instructors.
World Tai Chi Day & Qigong Day!
ALL are welcome at this FREE event that is open to the public on April 27th. You’ll meet up with others at the Carrier Park pavilion. Classes will be held from 10am – 3pm. This event is to help introduce new people to the various forms of Tai Chi, or Taiji, practice. Learn why the ancient form of Tai Chi offers benefits for everyone- no experience necessary.
2024 Gardening Series
Sign up for one or sign up for the whole series!
Classes will occur over four Saturdays, April 13 – May 4, from 2-4 pm. Each class is $25.
April 13 Class – Garden Planning and Prep
We will discuss what goes into garden planning through setting priorities, observation, mapping, budgeting, and succession planting. The class will include tips for choosing what to grow and how much to plant. Learn what is needed to start and care for plants, whether you are growing from seed indoors, purchasing transplants, and/or direct seeding; this will include discussions of useful tools and how to use them. This class will also include some hands-on transplanting. We will also review some great perennial edibles and how to care for them year-round.
April 20 Class – Soil Management and Care
In this class, we will dive into soil management. We will talk about the principles of healthy soil and how to amend your soil naturally and affordably, including discussions on composting, compost tea, and vermicompost. We will experience different strategies to build a raised bed, clear space for a new one, or revive an old garden bed. Get ready to get your hands in the dirt!
April 27 Class – From Lawn to Garden: Making the Most of Your Space
We will meet at Laura Ruby’s West Asheville garden for our third class together. Delve into the wide world of garden pro tips, tricks, tools, and secrets! This class will cover ideas and options for making your garden more manageable, fun, and productive through systems thinking. See established gardens and ways to adapt to your needs and growing space. You will also see how fruit production can be integrated with growing flowers and veggies.
May 4 Class – Summer Garden Management and Preservation
We will reconvene at Peace Gardens & Market for our final workshop, discussing succession planting, summer weed and pest management, and preserving the harvest (what to do with all those tomatoes and more!). We will share tips for keeping your body and energy up throughout the season to sustain you through the joy of harvests and eating your home-grown produce.
Other topics to be covered, time permitting:
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DIY structures, e.g., trellis, rainwater collection, bed building
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Early spring weeds, what’s edible, early tips for managing weeds
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Common garden pests & how to deter them
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Reading a soil test
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Cover cropping and NPK
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Common problems in the garden
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Maximizing your space
Sunday, April
28, 2024
ASAP: How Does Western North Carolina Shop for Food SURVEY
Master Gardeners Plant Clinics
ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) has released a survey to learn more about how people in Western North Carolina shop for food and why they choose the food they do. The survey, part of a three-year project by ASAP’s Local Food Research Center, is for any resident of Western North Carolina over the age of 18, no matter where or how they shop for food. It can be completed online at surveymonkey.com/r/WNCFoodASAP or over the phone by calling ASAP at 828-236-1282. It should take approximately 8 to 12 minutes to complete and will be open through Oct. 31, 2024. Respondents are encouraged to share the survey widely with families, friends, and co-workers.
“By completing this survey, you are helping local farmers understand and connect with consumers,” said Amy Marion, ASAP Associate Director and lead researcher. “The challenges of our food system are constantly evolving. Improving it requires active participation from all community members. With this research we can better understand consumer values and the barriers they face, and help farmers and food producers improve communications with their customers and their communities.”
The survey is part of a three-year research project, “Connections in Direct Markets: Assessing the feedback loop between consumer values and farmers’ marketing strategies,” which will examine and improve communication and alignment between farmers and consumers in Western North Carolina. The research phase will also employ consumer focus groups, farmer interviews and case studies, and more targeted surveying. The broad consumer survey provides an update to the last consumer survey conducted by the Local Food Research Center in 2014. Results from the current research project will be shared in 2025.
ASAP founded the Local Food Research Center in 2011 to study the economic, environmental, and social impacts of localizing food systems. From its inception, ASAP’s programs and services have been grounded in research and evaluation, adjusting based on a strong feedback loop and observation of current conditions in the food system.
This project is supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2022-38640-37488 through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number LS23-382. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.
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Monday, April
29, 2024
ASAP: How Does Western North Carolina Shop for Food SURVEY
Learn + Grow ADULT + CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Volunteer: Grace Covenant Community Garden
ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) has released a survey to learn more about how people in Western North Carolina shop for food and why they choose the food they do. The survey, part of a three-year project by ASAP’s Local Food Research Center, is for any resident of Western North Carolina over the age of 18, no matter where or how they shop for food. It can be completed online at surveymonkey.com/r/WNCFoodASAP or over the phone by calling ASAP at 828-236-1282. It should take approximately 8 to 12 minutes to complete and will be open through Oct. 31, 2024. Respondents are encouraged to share the survey widely with families, friends, and co-workers.
“By completing this survey, you are helping local farmers understand and connect with consumers,” said Amy Marion, ASAP Associate Director and lead researcher. “The challenges of our food system are constantly evolving. Improving it requires active participation from all community members. With this research we can better understand consumer values and the barriers they face, and help farmers and food producers improve communications with their customers and their communities.”
The survey is part of a three-year research project, “Connections in Direct Markets: Assessing the feedback loop between consumer values and farmers’ marketing strategies,” which will examine and improve communication and alignment between farmers and consumers in Western North Carolina. The research phase will also employ consumer focus groups, farmer interviews and case studies, and more targeted surveying. The broad consumer survey provides an update to the last consumer survey conducted by the Local Food Research Center in 2014. Results from the current research project will be shared in 2025.
ASAP founded the Local Food Research Center in 2011 to study the economic, environmental, and social impacts of localizing food systems. From its inception, ASAP’s programs and services have been grounded in research and evaluation, adjusting based on a strong feedback loop and observation of current conditions in the food system.
This project is supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2022-38640-37488 through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number LS23-382. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.
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Spring has sprung, and at the YWCA that means that our talented Nutrition team is cooking up new ways to serve fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables to the children in our Early Learning and Empowerment Child Care programs. We are so grateful to be partnering with the wonderful volunteers who operate Grace Covenant’s Community Garden to receive produce grown specifically for our kitchen! The YWCA has been partnering with Grace Covenant for three years, and we have received over 1000 pounds of healthy, local produce from the garden.
YWCA Nutrition Specialist Melinda Aponte works hard to make the most of the bounty from Grace Covenant, and she also nurtures our own YWCA garden to teach kiddos in our childcare programs healthy habits and get them in the garden. Love the idea of helping to feed children fresh, healthy foods? Volunteer with the YWCA Nutrition team this spring and summer to help out in the YW garden space.
Tuesday, April
30, 2024
Adult Mental Health Series: Communication 101
Want to learn more about managing depression and nervous energy? Got questions about medications or emotional implications of chronic illness? Join Vaya Health’s Geriatric and Adult Mental Health Specialty team for a series of classes at the Enka-Candler and Leicester Libraries
Classes are free to attend, but registration is required. Please visit the Vaya Health calendar to register. Everyone is welcome.
Communication is the string that ties us all together. If that string isn’t strong enough or is broken, relationships tend to unravel. Effective communication cultivates strong relationships and supports one’s voice being heard. This curriculum is designed to look at ways to neutralize barriers and methods to enhance clear, concise, and deliberate exchanges.