WNC From the Ground Up

11/25/2025

Ever wonder where your favorite beef cuts actually come from on the animal? Or discover cuts you didn't even know existed?

Join us December 11 from 6–9pm for a hands on butchery class where you'll break down a side of beef from start to finish. Learn proper knife techniques and how to identify, package, and store each cut like a pro.

Whether you're a farmer, homesteader, chef, or just someone who loves good food and wants to understand where it comes from, this class will give you skills and knowledge you can use for a lifetime.

What to expect:
Led by butcher AJ Nowell, you'll get expert instruction on breaking down a whole side of beef from SunnyBrook Farm. Chef Santiago Guzzetti from Ilda will prepare a light meal featuring locally sourced food and drinks. Plus, you'll have the option to pre-order meat packages to take home.

$80 per person
Register: https://square.link/u/nDOUXrZJ (or scan the QR code)

11/20/2025

Important Update: We're Consolidating Our Social Media in the Near Future!

We're bringing everything under one roof to make it easier to stay connected with our work supporting farmers and ensuring local food reaches everyone in our community.

Please follow our main accounts:
Facebook: facebook.com/wncfromthegroundup
Instagram: instagram.com/wncfromthegroundup

WNC Farm to Table is our food hub project, and moving forward, all our updates about the food hub, farmer resources, food access programs, and community partnerships will be shared from our main WNC From the Ground Up accounts.

(Don't worry - Sylva Farmers Market will keep its own pages for market-specific updates!)

We know it's an extra step to hit that follow button again, but it means you'll get the full picture of how we're keeping farmers farming and local food affordable for all in our little corner of Western North Carolina.

Thank you for being part of this community. See you on the other side!

11/20/2025

New ticket link and QR code because sometimes things go awry....

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11/08/2025

Imagine this. Now show your support so we can stop it. http://givebutter.com/wncfarmers

Imagine being told to grow...to invest in seeds, animals, tools, equipment, and heart... only to have the ground pulled out from under you two years later because that funding dried up.

That’s what happens when short-term funding props up VITAL food programs and then disappears. Farmers expand production, hire help, and build infrastructure to feed their communities… only to face collapse when the funding ends. It’s not just unfair. It undermines and destroys small farms and the local food systems that keep families fed.

Ask the old-timers about other programs designed to the exact.same.thing. They'll tell you, as the give you the side-eye or roll their eyes at you. Either way, you will know how they feel about what these programs actually to small farmers who are already struggling.

Our mission is to keep farmers farming and to make sure local food is for all. That means everyone. Locally. Built right here.
And that’s why we need your help bridging this gap right now.

Support WNC From the Ground Up.
http://givebutter.com/wncfarmers

11/06/2025

Y'all... we're posting important updates like this on our other page as this one will be deleted in the coming months. Please migrate over and keep following us.

And PLEASE read this!!!!

We’ve weathered the pandemic, storms, freezes, and funding gaps. We’re not stopping now. Help us raise $25,000 in bridge support to keep farmers paid and local food on family tables across WNC. Every dollar keeps the circle turning.

(And yes, the kitty insisted on being part of this story too as a reminder that persistence sometimes looks like chaos with claws.) - https://mailchi.mp/wncfromthegroundup.org/an-update

11/03/2025

Friends, there is no denying the inevitable struggle many of our neighbors are facing with the cuts in SNAP benefits and anticipated cuts to the WIC program.

WNC From the Ground Up is offering space to collect and distribute donations. There are many great organizations in our community, and this initiative is not designed in any way to undermine the work they are already doing, simply offering the extra space and hands for the food-focused organizations within our community.

This effort was born out of community organizers representing a wide range of non-profits and county agencies, with one goal in mind: to quickly get food to the organizations that need it. 

Here are the ways you can help: 
Check the current "wishlists" of the area organizations- donate those items.
Simply bring any food donations to WNC From the Ground Up; current hours are Monday-Friday, 8 am- 6 pm, and by appointment only on Saturday.
Volunteer for a shift! Visit this link https://wncfromthegroundup.org/volunteer to sign up.
Monetary donations will not be accepted at this location; please donate directly to your preferred organization.
Help when and where you can!

Thank you!

11/02/2025

While we are migrating, we will still be reposting on this page important information like this...

A special thank you to an anonymous donor who made it possible for four local youth to attend our upcoming From Hoof to Table: Butchering a Cow class.

In her words:
“Your program is a vital part of the future of the planet. It's important that young folks have the survival skills needed for minimal impact on the planet. I just wanted to spread the lesson to a wider audience.”

This gift captures exactly why we do this work — to reconnect people, especially the next generation, to where their food truly comes from.

Thursday, December 11 | 6–9PM
WNC From the Ground Up | 38 E Main St, Sylva
Tickets are still available, but going fast: https://square.link/u/dgeJeTCi

Learn. Respect. Eat local.

A special thank you to an anonymous donor who made it possible for four local youth to attend our upcoming From Hoof to Table: Butchering a Cow class.

In her words:
“Your program is a vital part of the future of the planet. It's important that young folks have the survival skills needed for minimal impact on the planet. I just wanted to spread the lesson to a wider audience.”

This gift captures exactly why we do this work... to reconnect people, especially the next generation, to where their food truly comes from.

Thursday, December 11 | 6–9PM
WNC From the Ground Up | 38 E Main St, Sylva
Tickets are still available, but going fast: https://square.link/u/dgeJeTCi

Learn. Respect. Eat local.

10/31/2025

A younger crew. A new voice. Same mission.
Follow for quick tips, behind the scenes, and the stories that keep farmers farming and local food on our tables.

https://www.tiktok.com/?_r=1&_t=ZP-911Da2bscuN

We’re on TikTok!
A younger crew. A new voice. Same mission.
Follow for quick tips, behind the scenes, and the stories that keep farmers farming and local food on our tables.

Scan the QR code or use the link in LinkTree in our bio!

10/31/2025

We know how hard this moment is for many families in Jackson County. The cuts to WIC and SNAP are going to stretch household budgets and put real strain on our community.

This is a way to strengthen, NOT REPLACE, the incredible work already being done by our local churches, pantries, and community partners.

Our team is simply adding capacity (storage, trucks, and coordination) so that no donation is turned away and every bit reaches families safely and quickly.

If you already support a pantry or church, please keep doing that.

If you want to help more, here is how you can make a difference right now:
Drop off items at 38 E Main Street
Volunteer your time: wncfromthegroundup.org/volunteer
Share this post with neighbors and local businesses

Every small act adds up. Together, we will make sure our community stays fed, warm, and cared for this winter.

EMERGENCY FOOD HUB NOW OPEN

With WIC & SNAP cuts on the horizon, Jackson County families need our help now.

WNC From the Ground Up is partnering with local churches and organizations to collect and distribute food donations across our community.

Drop Off Location:
WNC From the Ground Up
38 E Main St, Sylva
Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm
Hours will expand as we get volunteers

Accepting:
Items on partner organizations' lists

Want to give financially?
Please donate directly to our partner pantries and churches so they can purchase exactly what’s most needed. We are NOT accepting donations for purchasing items for pantries, churches and organizations

Current Partners:
The Community Table • Sylva First United Methodist Church • Live Forgiven Church • United Christian Ministries • AWAKE Children’s Advocacy Center • Cullowhee United Methodist Church • Circles of Jackson ... more added daily

With support from:
Sylva Shopping Support • WCU CCESL • Jackson County DSS & DHHS

With 18,000 sq. ft. of storage and refrigerated delivery, we can get your donations where they’re needed most and fast.

Together, we take care of our community.

Questions or bulk donations? Contact us at 828-307-3055 or [email protected]