The Center for Working Lands

02/27/2026

12/01/2025

This year’s fall corn harvest meant something a little different this time around. Last fall we couldn’t even imagine a way forward as we looked out at fields full of sand and debris following the flooding from Helene. Even after months of debris removal and regrading, Farm Managers didn’t know if corn would grow in such harsh conditions, but they had to try. The corn harvest is critical to the farm’s operation and feeds our animals through the winter. Fast forward five months, and you may hear a collective sigh of relief below the roar of the combines. While this particular harvest holds a special place in our hearts, we know we have more work to do. Stay tuned as we move from remediation to restoration with a new venture into the exciting world of biochar!

11/19/2025

Did you know that mulberry fruits contain 18% protein?

That’s remarkably high for a fruit, making it an ideal tree to use in a silvopasture system. Silvopasture systems intentionally integrate trees into grazing systems and can increase biodiversity, provide animal health benefits, increase carbon sequestration, boost soil health and provide multiple market crops. The WWC Farm recently partnered with the silvopasture organization, Trees for Graziers, to plant 70 mulberry trees along the edges of our pig pastures. Once mature, these trees will provide our pigs with a number of nutritional benefits, as well as some added shade during the summer months. This work is just the beginning in a series of silvopasture projects to be implemented on the farm in the near future. Be on the lookout for new silvopasture plantings along Warren Wilson Road!

10/27/2025

Warren Wilson College is building momentum in its fight against climate change.
Now in its second year, the Climate Action Now (CAN) Initiative is expanding its reach- integrating climate solutions into every corner of campus life, including academics, operations, and community life.

In its first year, CAN brought 300+ people together for the inaugural Climate Summit, launched new student work crews focused on emissions tracking and climate resilience, and inspired faculty and staff to weave climate action into teaching and daily operations.

Now in year two, CAN is expanding through Innovation Grants supporting eight new projects- from sustainable housing and composting systems to art, data science, and river restoration.

At Warren Wilson, climate action isn’t a side project, it’s what it means to learn, work, and lead.

Learn more at the link in the comments below!

09/30/2025

It's FALL FEST time! Join us for a free open-to-the-public family fun event on Warren Wilson College’s Working Lands (Farm, Garden, and Forest) this Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 10am to 1pm.

Craft demonstrations from the Blacksmithing, Fiber Arts, and Fine Woodworking Crews will take place throughout the event and student artisans will be vending their wares with autumnal activities, tours, and open houses from our land and craft crews.

The Farm School General Store will be open, with WWC-raised meat and limited other WWC items available for sale.

Enjoy live music provided by the Cane Creek Hellbenders and food and coffee offerings from Defiance Cafe and Roam Coffee.

Register now at: https://events.warren-wilson.edu/event/fall-fest-and-working-lands-showcase

09/26/2025

Spectrum News visited campus to see how our student-run farm is making a comeback a year after Tropical Storm Helene. What they found was resilience, community, and a corn crop ready for harvest - in September, no less.

Students, staff, and faculty have worked tirelessly to restore our farm and garden, which sit along the Swannanoa River floodplain. The recovery has been both hands-on and heart-led, serving as a model for how to rebuild with ecological resilience in mind.

“We’ve had to work really hard to get it back to even ground floor where it was. Being able to rethink things, it’s like a fresh start for us.” — Wren Tisnado-Blake, Cattle Crew Boss

Watch the full Spectrum News video here: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2025/09/04/warren-wilson-farm-experiencing-comeback-after-helene-

09/22/2025

BIG NEWS! 191 acres of forest, pasture, and creekside land are now permanently protected thanks to a groundbreaking partnership between Warren Wilson College and the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. The new Bull Creek Preserve will serve as a living classroom, a community sanctuary, and a powerful example of climate resilience.

From student-led river restoration after Hurricane Helene to hands-on learning in regenerative agriculture and forest management, this land is shaping the future of environmental stewardship at Warren Wilson and beyond. And with public trails still open for hiking and biking, it remains a place of connection for the whole community.

Learn more about this innovative partnership at https://www.warren-wilson.edu/2025/09/19/partnership-protects-191-acres/

09/17/2025

Missed it live? Then catch the replay!

Dave Ellum, Dean and Director of Warren Wilson College’s Center for Working Lands, takes us on a compelling journey through the clean-up and restoration of the Swannanoa River as it winds through campus followed by a dynamic panel discussion with WWC faculty and staff. This recorded event dives deep into the science, strategy, and resilience planning that shaped the project- and what it means for future flood events.

https://youtu.be/z6quBnDgiAo

09/10/2025

09/04/2025

Reminder! Tonight at 6:30 p.m. in Canon Lounge, join Dave Ellum and members of Warren Wilson’s Center for Working Lands for a deep dive into the clean-up and restoration of the Swannanoa River as it flows through campus.

From the early days of Army Corps mobilization to the development of ecologically sound protocols, this presentation will explore the science, strategy, and resilience planning behind the work—and what it means for future flood events.

An expert panel of WWC faculty and staff will follow, offering insights and answering questions. Free and open to the public: all are welcome!

08/29/2025

What does it take to restore 2.5 miles of river after a flood?

On Thursday, Sept. 4 at 6:30 p.m. in Canon Lounge, join Dave Ellum from Warren Wilson’s Center for Working Lands for a deep dive into the clean-up and restoration of the Swannanoa River as it flows through campus.

From the early days of Army Corps mobilization to the development of ecologically sound protocols, this presentation will explore the science, strategy, and resilience planning behind the work—and what it means for future flood events.

An expert panel of WWC faculty and staff will follow, offering insights and answering questions. Free and open to the public: all are welcome!

07/22/2025

Congratulations to Forestry Crew member and Environmental Studies senior, Ellis Sperling-Freilich ‘25, for receiving this year’s Outstanding Achievement in Environmental Studies. This award sponsored by the Upper French Broad River Defense Association is given to a graduating senior who has made outstanding contributions toward protecting the Western North Carolina environment through work, scholarship and community engagement.

Ellis was an active leader on the Agroforestry Subcrew, a division of the Forestry Crew that focuses on non-timber forest products and helps manage the large number of agroforestry operations on campus. “I’m really interested in the ability to shift our agricultural practices to a more perennial system that is more sustainable for people and acts as a conservation tool for keeping land forested. I think the integration of agroforestry can be a real economic development tool. Which is really important as we move forward, and as so much shifts and changes with climate. I think forests are going to hold a lot of our success and our possibility for survival” says Ellis.

Ellis’s leadership was not only evident on the crew, but in the community and classrooms as well. Immediately following Hurricane Helene she and her friends started a supply distribution hub in their attic and became involved in the hurricane response. “Which led to just seeing the need and desire of people to come together, to share, reflect, educate each other and what they’ve been doing.” To help answer this need, Ellis used her past experience in conference planning to develop the first ever Swannanoa Watershed Gathering event as part of her senior ENS capstone project. “I wanted to create a space for people to just come together and talk and share and have a way to have a space to just be in community. Come eat food here, talk here, and listen to speakers. It’s free, it’s just a space for anyone from the community to be a part of.” The Watershed Gathering proved to be a huge success with over 100 community members in attendance. Members of the Environmental Studies faculty hope it will become an annual event for years to come.