Organic Growers School

10/21/2026

That's a wrap on our CRAFT farm tours for the season! 🌱

For our final tour, we visited The Utopian Seed Project with Leeza Chen, farm and seed Manager, to explore crop trials and regionally adapted seed production.

Participants got a closer look at the different root crop varieties USP has been trialing (harvested ahead of the weekend's first hard frost), saw a converted box trailer used as a seed dryer, and even got hands-on shelling soybeans.

USP's work helps build a more diverse and resilient regional food system through seed saving, crop trials, and "seeds that know the South."

Big thanks to Leeza and the USP for sharing their work, and to the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy for hosting it on its community farm!

We’re grateful for another season of learning directly from the farmers and growers strengthening our local food system.

10/13/2026

From a quarter-acre borrowed garden to a thriving 38-acre farm, Anna and Paul Littman of Ivy Creek Family Farm have grown something special.

When they started growing vegetables in 2008, their harvests quickly outpaced what they could use themselves. A simple farm stand became a gathering place for neighbors, a source of fresh food for the community, and the beginning of a much bigger dream.

Today, as Farm Beginnings graduates, Anna and Paul run a thriving farm that supplies local restaurants, CSA members, and farmers' markets, including North Asheville and Weaverville. They also donate hundreds of pounds of produce to people in need each year.

Their journey is a wonderful example of what can grow from a passion for farming, with the right support.

Ready to start your own farming journey? Applications for this year’s Farm Beginnings cohort are still open!

Apply: https://hubs.la/Q04B4Hl30

10/09/2026

NEW PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: No Taste Like Home 🌿

What if some of the most interesting foods were growing right outside your front door?

Based in Asheville, No Taste Like Home has been helping people discover the world of wild foods through foraging education, guided tours, and hands-on experiences since 1995.

From edible plants and berries to mushrooms and wild greens, their expert guides help people learn about the abundance of the Appalachian landscape and build a deeper connection with the natural world.

We're glad to partner with an organization helping our community learn more about the land we call home.

Explore their tours and programs: https://hubs.la/Q04zPB1N0

10/06/2026

Fall growing can be incredibly rewarding—cooler weather, sweeter crops, and fewer weeds—but getting the timing right takes some planning.

In our latest Ask OGS blog, we break down how to schedule sowing for cold-weather crops, including:
• How to count backward from your desired harvest date
• How crop hardiness and variety affect timing
• How microclimate and day length come into play
• When to use row cover, cold frames, or other protection
• Why keeping good records can help you dial in your timing over the years

The post also includes general sowing guidelines for growers around 2,000 feet in elevation, similar to Asheville.

Read more:

Planning for fall and winter harvests starts with knowing when to sow and how to protect crops as temperatures drop. Learn how to schedule cold-weather plantings, choose appropriate protection, and extend your growing season.

10/02/2026

Our final Organic Crop Management webinar is coming up!

On October 5, join Steve Beltram of TendWell Farm to hear all about Organic Disease Management.

Learn how to identify the causes of disease and use preventive, cultural, and integrated practices to reduce disease damage and promote healthier, more resilient crops. Steve will also share what disease management looks like on TendWell Farm, a 250-acre Certified Organic Farm.

Register for free: https://hubs.la/Q04z1w8-0

09/30/2026

"My favorite part has been connecting with, learning from, and laughing with farmers working through similar challenges." — Liz Elmore, Thatchmore Farm

That kind of farmer-to-farmer connection is at the heart of our Journeyperson Program, a year-long program for farmers who have been independently farming for at least three years and are ready to grow their farm businesses.

Not sure if Journeyperson is the right next step for you? Join us TOMORROW, October 1 at 7 p.m. for a free online info session to learn more about the program and get your questions answered.

Applications for the 2026/2027 cohort are due October 5, so this is a great chance to learn more before you apply.

Register for tomorrow's info session: https://hubs.la/Q04yGQVB0

09/24/2026

Dreaming of a life like this? 💭

Farm Dreams is an online, entry-level workshop designed for aspiring farmers who want a practical look at what it takes to start a small farm and a clearer idea of what their own path could look like.

You’ll explore your skills, resources, and farming intentions; learn about sustainable farming careers in Western NC; connect with regional training and support networks; and start building a plan for your next steps.

📅 September 29, 2026
💻 Online Workshop

Come dream a little, get practical, and leave with a clearer sense of where to go from here.

Register now: https://hubs.la/Q04y3SrW0

09/22/2026

You can save $150 on Farm Beginnings tuition if you apply by September 28!

Farm Beginnings is a year-long, farmer-led program designed to help beginning and aspiring farmers build the skills, knowledge, connections, and confidence to grow a sustainable farm business.

Class starts October 15! If Farm Beginnings has been on your mind, this is a great time to take the next step.

Apply: https://hubs.la/Q04y3Cgv0

09/16/2026

Every farm has a story. 🌱

For Cooperativa Agroecológicos Tierra Fértil, that story began with a group of Hispanic community members in Henderson County coming together to build something rooted in food, community, and collective power. And some help from the Farm Beginnings program.

Founded in 2020, Tierra Fértil is a farmer cooperative working to increase access to resources, build food autonomy, and create a more equitable local food system.

In this video, founder Delia Jovel shares why they joined the program and what Farm Beginnings has meant for Tierra Fértil.

If you're thinking about starting a farm, Farm Beginnings can help you build the knowledge, skills, and connections to take the next step.

Applications for the next cohort are open now. Apply today: https://hubs.la/Q04xFsXx0

09/14/2026

If you've been thinking about starting a farm, growing your farm business, or simply wondering whether Farm Beginnings is the right fit for you, this is your chance to ask questions and hear directly from someone who's been there.

For Amanda and Steven of Zephyr Family Farm, farming became a way to bring together their dreams for family, work, and community. Their journey included Farm Beginnings, and this week they'll share what they've learned along the way.

FREE Farm Beginnings Info Session
📅 Wednesday, September 16
🕖 7–8 PM
💻 Live on Zoom

Bring your questions, meet fellow aspiring farmers, and learn how Farm Beginnings can help you take the next step.

Register: https://hubs.la/Q04xstZm0