Nonprofits dedicated to providing food to the community have relied on COVID-era programs and knowledge to help WNC’s farms survive the impact of Tropical Storm Helene.
From CPP: ‘Worst’ year ever for farms in North Carolina
Farms tend to be located in the region’s fertile river bottoms, and when those rivers swelled and roared, they took crops, barns, bails of hay, miles of fencing, farm roads, cattle, farm equipment and acres of topsoil.
Women in Business: On the way to achieving your big-picture goal
“Entrepreneurship, especially for a small farm business at its start, is a major balancing act between the manual labor involved and the hustle of developing social media content and promotional materials and all the daily logistics of running a business,” says Salley Williamson, owner of Piney Mountain Farm.
Gardening with Xpress: Make growing spaces more resilient
Alternate waters sources, diversification and collaboration help growing spaces survive and thrive.
WNC farms face the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene
From loss of infrastructure, crops and market outlets to erosion of precious topsoil, WNC’s farms are struggling to pick up the pieces left behind after the storm.
Gardening with Xpress: Preserving peppers, growing Brussels sprouts and saving squash seeds
DIY projects for using fall’s bounty of peppers and chiles to spice up your pantry. Also, advice on growing Brussels sprouts in WNC and saving squash seeds.
What’s new in food: Fair celebrates Burton Street history and the fall harvest
On Saturday, Sept. 7, the Burton Street Community Association will honor the legacy of E.W. Pearson with free food, activities, music and more at the Buncombe County District Agricultural Fair. Also in this week’s food news: A new late-night hot dog eatery, Asheville Charcuterie Co.’s first brick-and-mortar space and more.
Gardening with Xpress: Fungi, fall carrots and elderberry harvests
Fungi in the garden can be either helpful or harmful. Plus, tips for making the most of this season’s elderberry harvests and advice for planting fall carrot crops.
Green Roundup: ASAP’s Farm Tour spotlights local growers
The Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project is gearing up for its annual Farm Tour in September. Also in local green news, a new solar lending program from Sugar Hollow Solar, the West Asheville Garden Stroll spotlights the Horney Heights neighborhood, N.C. Arboretum hosts Monarch Butterfly Day and more.
Gardening with Xpress: Tips for quashing squash plant pests
A few strategies for combating squash vine borers, coping with zucchini overload and combining cover crops with no-till gardening.
Gardening with Xpress: Soil bacteria and nutrients ensure successful bean plants
Taking a few simple steps this summer, from seeds to soil tests, will prevent potential issues in growing green beans.
Gardening with Xpress: Wet spring sprouts mold in all the wrong places
A rainy spring brings molds and rot into the gardening mix. That’s OK, there are ways to ward them off.
Everyone loves a garden. Sometimes, that’s a problem
We aren’t the only creatures who love berries. Learn how to keep birds and bears at bay.
Conserving Carolina seeks photo contest entries
Conserving Carolina’s fifth annual Habitat at Home spring photo contest is underway. Plus: Hendo Earth Fare returns to Hendersonville; G5 Trail Collective adds 10 new miles; and more!
Veterans Healing Farm searches for new site in Henderson County
The Veterans Healing Farm is seeking to raise $5 million to purchase a new location and expand its offerings year-round.
Gardening with Xpress: Replenish the soil so your plants can ‘eat’
Replenishing the soil is first step to a successful growing season.
How to work your garden and not vice versa
How to set gardening goals you can achieve without getting stressed out.
The story behind Asheville’s reputation as a bonsai destination
“The way [my bonsai] are constructed, it’s not based on what I was taught or what the books tell you to do,” says Arthur Joura, bonsai curator at The N.C. Arboretum. “It’s based on what I’ve seen in my own experience and run through the filter of my knowledge of art.
Whatever it takes: The benefits of talking to local farmers
“Many first-time market shoppers can find the experience overwhelming or intimidating, so I would offer the suggestion of walking around the market first to get a sense of what’s available and make a plan for what you want to buy,” says Molly Nicholie, executive director of ASAP.
Whatever it takes: Becoming a nonprofit
“Gaining 501(c)(3) nonprofit status has opened the market to new funding sources that we didn’t have access to before, while connecting us to the community in new ways,” says Lyric Antio, market director of the RAD Farmers Market
Women in Business: Live in the moment
“The greatest lesson I’ve learned thus far is to reflect on my progress as I keep moving forward,” says Rachel Baran, owner and operate of Sun Dragon Flower Farm.