Join us on Tuesday, August 19, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm with Delia Noemi Jovel from Tierra Fertil Cooperativa, a Farm Beginnings® graduate and current Journeyperson student, who will share her farm journey.

Register for the online info session via this link.

Ten Mile Farm has shifted from vegetable production to nursery starts, cut flowers, and workshops. We’ll discuss how farms can change according to land and infrastructure, market niche, and farmer interest, as well as  how to decide when it’s time to narrow or expand enterprises on the farm.

Join us on Monday, July 21, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm with Stephen Bishop from NC Farm Link, who will share insights on navigating land tenure and land access, as well as the ongoing challenges faced by new and beginning farmers. NC Farmlink partners with OGS during Farm Beginnings® to support this very vital piece of the farming journey.

Register for the online info session via this link.

This tour highlights on-farm conservation practices that support both environmental stewardship and farm success. We’ll see their South Poll cattle herd, discuss grazing and fencing strategies, and water distribution. We’ll also look at how a recent clear-cut is being transformed into productive silvopasture.

Join us on Wednesday, July 2, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm with Erica Blumenfeld, a longtime mentor for Farm Beginnings and now a new board member of OGS.

Register for the online info session via this link.

Explore Thatchmore Farm’s alternative energy systems, including off-grid solar and a pelletized wood-heated greenhouse. Learn how integrated systems—from passive heating to a dual-purpose walk-in for seed incubation and cooling—can support both farmers and the land amid a changing climate.

Join us for a hands-on fermentation workshop, where you'll learn to preserve and enhance the flavors of foods like vegetables. We’ll cover techniques such as dry salting and brining while also finding ways to use scraps and reduce waste. Learn more and register here.

Join us for a hands-on workshop in home-scale cheesemaking! Using cow's milk, you'll learn to create feta, cream cheese, and sour cream with simple ingredients and techniques. We'll cover essential tools, selecting and preparing milk, using cultures and coagulants, and aging cheese without a specialized cave. Discover how time, temperature, and curd treatment affect flavor while enjoying homemade cheese and rosemary flatbread. You’ll also get to take home a small batch of feta to finish and enjoy! Learn more and register here.

The following topics are slated for discussion, time permitting: DIY structures like trellises and rainwater collection systems, along with techniques for building garden beds. There will also be a focus on early spring weeds, including which varieties are edible and tips for managing them effectively. Additionally, we will cover common garden pests, methods to deter them, and guidance on reading a soil test. Other subjects include cover cropping, understanding NPK, addressing common garden problems, and strategies for maximizing garden space. Register or learn more here.

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Veterans Healing Farm officially moved to a new property in Mills River, 10 days before Helene struck. In the aftermath of the storm, VHF staff put their skills and energy to use, helping with supplies and welfare checks in untiring support of their community. Since this will be their first growing season onsite, they will benefit from some extra hands to help on the farm. Details on work projects are TBA; stay tuned!

In this class, participants will dive into soil management. They will explore the principles of healthy soil and learn how to amend their soil naturally and affordably. Discussions will encompass composting, vermicomposting, and various strategies to build a raised bed, clear space for a new one, or revive an old garden bed. Everyone should get ready to get their hands in the dirt! Register or learn more here.

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In response to total devastation from Helene, Mystic Roots set out to re-envision the land to prioritize regeneration from the ground up. Where there once was a flourishing medicinal herb farm, there will now be livestock to increase soil fertility, swales to retain water, and a small forest farm. We will review the success of the native plant live stakes planted along the riverbank and checking out what else is coming up on the property, as well as repurpose their newly acquired bounty of rocks for water retention!

This class will cover the fundamentals of garden planning, including setting priorities, making observations, designing layouts, budgeting, and implementing succession planting. Participants will gain insights into selecting what to grow and determining the appropriate quantities to plant. They will learn about the requirements for starting and caring for plants, whether by growing from seed indoors, purchasing transplants, or direct seeding. The course will discuss useful tools and their applications, along with hands-on experience in transplanting. Additionally, the class will explore various perennial edibles and provide guidance on their year-round care. Register or learn more here.

Join Soirée-Leone to explore how fermented foods are essential to our health and wellness, personally and community-wide. These workshops will help you integrate these skills into your everyday life with a deeper knowledge of the process and ingredients. Register and learn more here.

Join Soirée-Leone to explore how fermented foods are essential to our health and wellness, personally and community-wide. These workshops will help you integrate these skills into your everyday life with a deeper knowledge of the process and ingredients. Register and learn more here.

Effectively managing weeds can be the most labor-intensive for ecological crop and vegetable production. This online workshop will cover common weed biology, ecology, and identification. You will also learn preventative, mechanical, and cultural practices you can implement to reduce weed pressure on your farm. Mary Carroll will share their weed management practices to identify weeds and reduce weed pressure at Red Scout Farm. Learn more here.

In this online workshop, we’ll explore ecologically based preventive, cultural, and integrated practices to reduce the impact of disease on your farm. You will thoroughly understand what causes disease, identification techniques, and best management practices for reducing damage from disease. The owner/operators of TendWell Farm will share the disease management practices they use to prevent disease and promote disease resistance on their 200-acre Certified Organic Farm. Learn more here.

In this online workshop, you will gain an ecological understanding of pests, including their biology, how to sample for pests and beneficial insects, and their relationship to soil and nutrient management. You will also learn management strategies commonly used to prevent pest damage and promote benefits and be equipped to develop a plan to manage pest outbreaks effectively on your farm. Tom Elmore will share his 30+ years of experience, highlighting the pest management practices that have worked for Thatchmore Farm. Learn more here.

An exploratory workshop designed to help aspiring farmers plot a course toward a successful farming venture. Learn more here.

This online workshop will give you an in-depth look at the principles and practices of soil health management and the challenges and opportunities of managing soil health. Participants will learn the natural and human factors influencing soil organic matter content and the ecological processes responsible for promoting soil health in agricultural operations. Learn more here.

Join Organic Growers School for Sow & Grow Fest, a family-friendly event celebrating Western North Carolina’s vibrant food and farming community.  Learn more here.

Learn to control common garden pests by supporting abundant diverse insect communities with plantings and other critical components.

Learn the fundamentals of designing and installing native plants to cultivate thriving ecosystems right in your own backyard.

Learn the fundamentals of designing and installing native plants to cultivate thriving ecosystems right in your own backyard.

This workshop will incorporate the history of the indigo plant, how artists use it today, and how to grow and use indigo on a small scale.