Organic Growers School

09/03/2026

To achieve a thriving garden worthy of a humble-brag, healthy soil comes first. But even great soil can cause problems if the pH is off.

In our recent blog, you'll learn everything you need to know about soil pH, including how it affects how well plants take in nutrients, how to tell if there's a pH imbalance rather than a nutrient deficiency, and how to build better soil over time.

Read now: https://hubs.la/Q04wyFZb0

Want to learn more? Sign up for our free upcoming Organic Soil Management webinar: https://hubs.la/Q04wywyl0

Learn what soil pH means, how to read at-home soil tests, and natural ways to improve garden soil for healthier plants and better harvests. Organic Growers School shares practical tips for understanding acidity, nutrients, and long-term soil health.

08/31/2026

Before you can grow a healthy crop, you have to grow healthy soil.

The first workshop in our upcoming Organic Crop Management series takes a closer look at the living systems beneath your crops (a.k.a. your soil!) and how growers can work with those systems to build healthier, more resilient farms.

Mary Carroll Dodd of Red Scout Farm will explore soil organic matter, the ecological processes that contribute to soil health, and the factors that influence how soil functions on a farm.

The talk will focus on cover crops and how they can fit into a larger soil-health strategy.

When: September 14 from 6:30–8:30 PM
Where: Online
Price: FREE!

If you're looking to better understand what's happening beneath your crops, this is a good place to start.

Register for free: https://hubs.la/Q04v-hp70

08/27/2026

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: Southern SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) 🍃

Southern SARE supports farmers, educators, and researchers working toward more sustainable, resilient agriculture.

We’re grateful to put that support to work with farmers across the Southern Appalachians.

Learn more about SARE: https://hubs.la/Q04vywb90

08/25/2026

Organic Crop Management is a new free webinar series we're hosting, led by local farmers and agricultural resource specialists.

Over four online workshops, local farmers and agricultural specialists will share approaches they’ve used in their own operations.

The 2026 series includes:

🌱 Organic Soil Management — Sept. 14
🌱 Organic W**d Management — Sept. 23
🌱 Organic Pest Management — Sept. 28
🌱 Organic Disease Management — Oct. 5

👉 Register for the full series: https://hubs.la/Q04vccbb0

08/21/2026

In 2019, Caja Solidaria was part of OGS’s Farm Beginnings program. Today, their farm grows produce that puts WNC’s abundance to work for the community—supplying Food as Medicine programs and making fresh produce available to neighbors.

We recently visited Caja Solidaria through our CRAFT Farmer Network and loved seeing how their work connects farming with food access, health, and community care.

Farm Beginnings builds the skills, relationships, and support farmers need to grow businesses that strengthen the regional food system.

Scholarships are still available for the upcoming Farm Beginnings cohort! Your support helps make this kind of farmer education accessible to more people in our region.

🌱 Learn more: https://hubs.la/Q04tV_LK0

08/19/2026

August abundance is here.

This month is one of those abundant times of year when the harvest can start coming faster than we can eat it, which means it’s time to think beyond tonight’s dinner.

Pickling, fermenting, canning, freezing, drying, and other preservation methods can help you make the most of what’s growing now and carry that abundance into the months ahead.

Our new resource, "An Abundant Time of Year: How-to Food Preservation," has tips and ideas to help you get started.

👉 Read it here:

Discover the joys and techniques of home food preservation, from pickling and salsas to fruit butters and sun-dried tomatoes. This guide offers simple recipes and practical tips for capturing the flavors of summer to enjoy all year long. Preserve your harvest and savor delicious, homemade treats thr

08/14/2026

Farming is kinda chic. 🌱

Growing your own food. Getting dirt under your fingernails. Sharing what you grow. Learning as you go.

Find more ways to get your hands in the dirt: https://hubs.la/Q04t3Vf-0

08/11/2026

Thinking about joining Farm Beginnings but worried about the cost? 🌱

Cost shouldn’t be the thing that keeps you from exploring your farm dream.

Over the past three years, an average of 83% of Farm Beginnings participants received scholarship support from OGS and our funding partners.

For the 2026–2027 cohort, $35,000 in scholarship funding is available to help make this year-long program more accessible to aspiring and beginning farmers.

Farm Beginnings combines practical business training, farmer-to-farmer learning, mentorship, and community to help you turn your farm goals into a plan.

Applications are open now: https://hubs.la/Q04sH3Ss0

08/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us at our latest CRAFT Farm Tour at New Roots Market Garden in Marshall, NC. Stephen and Krista shared how low-till farming, cover crops, compost, thoughtful irrigation, and biodiversity all work together to build healthier soil, conserve water, and create a more resilient farm.

As Farm Beginnings graduates, they're a great example of how farmer-to-farmer learning continues long after a program ends.

Thank you to New Roots for welcoming our community and sharing your knowledge with fellow growers.

Join us for the next farm tour: https://hubs.la/Q04s7sJt0

08/03/2026

Happy National Farmers' Market Week! 🌽 🥒 🌸

Farmers' markets are where communities connect, local farms thrive, and fresh, seasonal food finds its way to our tables.

This week, show your support by visiting a market near you. Pick up something fresh, meet the people growing your food, and celebrate the incredible farmers who help nourish our communities.

Need help finding a market?

Check out our Farmers' Market directory to discover farmers' markets and organic growers across WNC: https://hubs.ly/Q04rJg3F0

Where's your favorite farmers' market? Tag them below!