Category: Organic Growers School

Fermenting is a great way to increase the bioavailability of nutrients in certain foods; it improves gut health and strengthens the immune system. Plus, we love the way it tastes! In our bodies, bacteria outnumber the cells containing our unique DNA by more than 10 to 1. The vast majority of these bacteria- around 100…

Stinging Nettle, aka Urtica dioica, has been used for food, medicine, and fiber dating back to the Bronze Age! Growth: Nettle can grow up to 8 feet tall and has a square, fibrous stem with deep grooves running down it. The dark green leaves are ovate and sharply toothed with a heart-shaped base and a…

Appalachian Aperitif for cocktails, mocktails, and digestive health. Ingredients: – 3 fresh dandelion roots – 3 fresh chicory roots – 1/4 cup spicebush twigs (& berries if you have em) – 2 Tbs staghorn sumac berries – 2 Tbs wild rose hips – 1 small to medium orange, peel and all Add washed and cut…

We’re so thankful to live in an area with so many sustainable and organic farms! It is an honor to support farmers in feeding their community while making a living and working towards climate resilience. Head to @asapconnections link in bio to discover local farmers markets in Western North Carolina. Not everyone can grow their…

It’s that time of year when it hurts to smile! Never fear, lip balm is here. 2 TBS coco butter 2 TBS shea butter 1 tsp infused oil (or more, but increase beeswax %) 1-4TBS beeswax 2-5 drops peppermint or rose essential oil Tips: I suggest dipping a spoon in the melted mixture and sticking…

Persimmon party 🥳 Today I started the long process of growing Diospyros virginiana from seed! Many plants native to the Appalachian region require specific conditions to grow. Persimmon (and PawPaw) seeds, for example, need to be cold stratified for several months in order to break dormancy. Persimmons are also dioecious, meaning you’ll need trees with…

Hear from two of our Farm Beginnings graduates about how this program has helped them find success with their farm business. To learn more about the program, visit: https://organicgrowersschool.org/farmers/farm-beginnings/

Learn more about the Organic Growers School’s yearlong Farm Beginnings training program for new farmers. The program runs from Oct 2021-Oct 2022, and applications are due September 18, 2021. We have a limited number of scholarships and other financial assistance available. Find out more & apply on our website at https://organicgrowersschool.org/farmers/farm-beginnings/

Learn more about the Cuba Agroecology Tour from the Organic Growers School. Bring questions!

Highlights from the Soils Track Live Q&A Panel at the Organic Growers School’s 28th Annual Spring Conference, recorded on March 21, 2021. Buy access to this and the other 10 Tracks on our website: https://organicgrowersschool.org/conferences/spring/

Highlights from the Mushrooms Track Live Q&A Panel at the Organic Growers School’s 28th Annual Spring Conference, recorded on March 21, 2021. Buy access to this and the other 10 Tracks on our website: https://organicgrowersschool.org/conferences/spring/

Highlights from the Cherokee Foods Live Q&A Panel at the Organic Growers School’s 28th Annual Spring Conference, recorded on March 20, 2021. Buy access to this and the other 10 Tracks on our website: https://organicgrowersschool.org/conferences/spring/

Did you catch Saturday’s Spring Conference Kick-Off?! Rashid Nuri, Samantha Foxx and Eric Holt-Gimenez inspired all with their heartfelt wisdom. Here are just a few short highlights that will get you motivated to cultivate community food resilience though working with nature, not against it. Head to our website to register today, it’s not too late!…

Learn more about the workshops in the Sustainable Living Track at the Organic Growers School’s 28th Annual Spring Conference. The conference is happening from March 13-21, 2021. Learn more and register at https://organicgrowersschool.org/conferences/spring/register/

Learn more about the workshops in the Soils Track at the Organic Growers School’s 28th Annual Spring Conference. The conference is happening from March 13-21, 2021. Learn more and register at https://organicgrowersschool.org/conferences/spring/register/

Learn more about the workshops in the Permaculture Track at the Organic Growers School’s 28th Annual Spring Conference. The conference is happening from March 13-21, 2021. Learn more and register at https://organicgrowersschool.org/conferences/spring/register/

Learn more about the workshops in the Mushrooms Track at the Organic Growers School’s 28th Annual Spring Conference. The conference is happening from March 13-21, 2021. Learn more and register at https://organicgrowersschool.org/conferences/spring/register/

Learn more about the workshops in the Livestock Track at the Organic Growers School’s 28th Annual Spring Conference. The conference is happening from March 13-21, 2021. Learn more and register at https://organicgrowersschool.org/conferences/spring/register/

Learn more about the workshops in the Herbs Track at the Organic Growers School’s 28th Annual Spring Conference. The conference is happening from March 13-21, 2021. Learn more and register at https://organicgrowersschool.org/conferences/spring/register/

Learn more about the workshops in the Gardening Track at the Organic Growers School’s 28th Annual Spring Conference. The conference is happening from March 13-21, 2021. Learn more and register at https://organicgrowersschool.org/conferences/spring/register/

Learn more about the workshops in the Food Systems Track at the Organic Growers School’s 28th Annual Spring Conference. The conference is happening from March 13-21, 2021. Learn more and register at https://organicgrowersschool.org/conferences/spring/register/

Learn more about the workshops in the Farming Track at the Organic Growers School’s 28th Annual Spring Conference. The conference is happening from March 13-21, 2021. Learn more and register at https://organicgrowersschool.org/conferences/spring/register/

Learn more about the workshops in the Cooking Track at the Organic Growers School’s 28th Annual Spring Conference. The conference is happening from March 13-21, 2021. Learn more and register at https://organicgrowersschool.org/conferences/spring/register/

Learn more about the workshops in the Cherokee Food Track at the Organic Growers School’s 28th Annual Spring Conference. The conference is happening from March 13-21, 2021. Learn more and register at https://organicgrowersschool.org/conferences/spring/register/

Curious to learn more about our upcoming program? Many skills are required to start and expand a successful farm business: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more. Farm Beginnings® will help you build these skills through one year of farmer-led training, mentoring, and networking. Using a holistic management frame, farmer-led classroom…

For our June 2020 WNC CRAFT tour we visited the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Community farm for a pasture walk with two Extension Agents from Buncombe County Cooperative Extension. We focused on pasture health, weed identification, and management.