SEPT 2021
Immediate Needs Grants for Flood Cleanup
ASAP Logo
ASAP's Appalachian Grown Farmer Relief Fund now has the capacity to help farmers recover from natural disasters in response to the widespread flooding damage caused by Tropical Storm Fred.

Growers can apply for up to $500 in grant funds for cleaning, replanting, repairing, or other costs not covered through insurance or other available programs. Qualifying farms must be enrolled in the Appalachian Grown program, and can apply through an easy to use online form available.
Integrated Pest Management Series
Sustainable farming is based upon managing the farm ecosystem in a holistic and informed manner. We often refer to this systems approach to pest management as IPM, or Integrated Pest Management. IPM utilizes cultural, physical, and biological tools. Pesticides are used only after all other strategies have been exhausted and are utilized only when pest damage reaches a critical level.

In this five part series participants will learn how to apply IPM principles to manage weeds, plant diseases, and insect pests on the farm. The first four sessions will be held online via Zoom. There will be an in-person opportunity to see IPM practices at work during an on-farm field day. Beginning and experiences farmers will both benefit from this comprehensive program.

Registration costs $15 and you can sign up through Eventbrite.

WORKSHOP SESSIONS:
SEP 13 | 4:00 - 5:30 pm Session 1: IPM - Plant Pests
Speaker: Tom Bilbo, Ph.D. , Postdoctoral Research Scholar, NCSU

SEP 20 | 4:00 - 5:30 pm Session 2: IPM - Plant Diseases
Speaker: Richard Boylan, Area Extension Agent, Agriculture, NC Cooperative Extension

SEP 27 | 4:00 - 5:30 pm Session 3: Integrated Weed Management
Speaker: Sara Runkel, Agriculture Agent, NC Cooperative Extension

OCT 4 | 4:00 - 5:30 pm Session 4: Creating an IPM Plan for Your Farm
Speaker: Craig Mauney, NC Cooperative Extension, Area Specialized Agent, Commercial Vegetable & Fruit Production

IN-PERSON SESSION
OCT 11 | 4:00 - 6:00 pm Session 5: IPM Field Day - Hands-on IPM activities, scouting, identification and more. Location TBD (in Yancey County)
Photographer Lynn Bett Iowa NRCS
Soil Health Series
Soil health is the foundation of healthy and productive crops. A key component of managing soils is to understand the complexities of how nutrients, physical properties, and microorganisms interact. Join NC Cooperative Extension in a deep dive into all things soil, in this easy-to-digest workshop series for farmers and gardeners. This workshop series will feature researchers and practitioners presenting their work in soil health. Each workshop will focus on a different area of interest in soil health research pertaining to agricultural crops and management systems. 

Register individually for each workshop through Eventbrite using the links below and also find out more details on each topic.

SEP 21 | 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Dr. Janel Ohletz presents: Weaving a Strong Soil Food Web. Register HERE

OCT 19 | 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Dr. Alison Eagle presents: Importance of Soil Health for Producer and Environmental Outcomes. Register HERE

NOV 16 | 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Dr. Fred Magdoff presents: Soil Health, Plant Health, and Pests. Register HERE
Harvest Skills for Medicinal Herbs
As medicinal herb growers, we strive to produce the highest quality crops. Harvesting skills and postharvest handling decisions can significantly impact our crop quality.

Join WNC Medicinal Herb Growers and GAIA Herbs as we delve into proper harvesting of aerial plant parts and roots for this hands-on event at a Gaia Herbs, a Brevard-based commercial organic herb farm. Participating in the harvest and walking through the process, we will also cover storage and quality control standards that can be implemented to document the quality and value of our crops for buyers. Finally, we will address Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) as they pertain to small herb farms.

SEP 14 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
GAIA Herbs, Brevard, NC
This workshop is FREE but registration is required through Eventbrite.
Space is limited.
NCDA Organic Cost-Share Assistance
Certified organic operations can apply for cost share assistance through the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) or at any Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office.

Organically-certified farms with expenses related to the renewal of their USDA organic certification between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021 are eligible to receive cost-share reimbursements. Applications are currently being accepted and will be taken until November 19th.
Explore Sustainable Farming with Farm Dreams
Organic Growers School offers Farm Dreams to help people determine if farming is a viable career path. If you’re in the exploratory stages of starting your own farm, this entry-level workshop is designed just for you. You will receive practical, common-sense information on sustainable farming and how to move forward.

  • Learn about sustainable farming careers in Western North Carolina.
  • Discover and assess your resources, skills and farming intentions.
  • Begin to develop an educational plan toward farming.
  • Connect with regional training opportunities and support networks.
  • Prioritize your next steps toward your farming goals.
  • Hear from experienced farmers running successful farms in WNC.

NOV 9 | 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Virtual Online Event
Registration fees offered on a sliding scale: $35 - $55