Our Partners
Our Partners support participants in reaching their organic living, farming, and growing goals.
Biltmore
Biltmore, once the private estate of George Vanderbilt, now welcomes guests to experience this historic destination in Asheville, NC. “In keeping with our long agricultural heritage, we support local organizations that promote food access and sustainability, nutrition education, and food safety, and those that educate and preserve our natural resources.”
For more information visit biltmore.com
Seven Springs Farm Supply
Seven Springs Farm Supply is a farm-based, independent supply company focused on providing the highest quality soil amendments, cover crop seed, potting mixes, and pest management solutions approved for organic farming—the farmer’s choice for over 30 years. We strive to provide effective, ecologically sound solutions, quality advising, and superior service.
For more information visit 7springsfarm.com
Reems Creek Nursery
Reems Creek Nursery is an award-winning garden center and gift shop. Located just 10 minutes north of downtown Asheville, it offers organic growing supplies, sustainably-raised veggie starts, seeds, fruits and berries, and herbs; plus native and pollinator plants, trees and shrubs, perennials, annuals, houseplants, and a garden shop for unique gifts, outdoor living, tools and more. Voted #1 Best Nursery in WNC for nine straight years!
For more information visit www.reemscreek.com
Mother Earth Food
Mother Earth Food is a family-owned, home delivery service featuring local and sustainable food from farmers and food artisans from Asheville and across Western North Carolina. “We carefully curate over 1,000 items from over 300 local farmers and food artisans and deliver them to folks in Western North Carolina—farmers market freshness, home delivery convenience. Order online, and we'll take it from there!
For more information visit motherearthfood.com
Self-Help Credit Union
Self-Help Credit Union creates and protects ownership and economic opportunity for all, especially people of color, women, rural residents, and low-wealth families and communities. “Our food system lending addresses health, economic, and social disparities through lending to food businesses and organizations that improve the health and well-being of our communities.”
For more information visit self-help.org
SARE
The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program is a decentralized competitive grants and education program operating in every state and island protectorate. SARE is divided into four different regions that operate as separate entities and run grant programs for their states. SARE is a sponsor of the Forest Farming Series.
For more information visit sare.org
The USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP)
The USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) provides grants to organizations for education, mentoring, and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers or ranchers.
According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service’s most recent agricultural census data, the number of young people entering farming continues to decline, but the number of new farmers and ranchers over the age of 35, as well as the number of smaller farms and ranches nationwide, continues to rise.
Ensuring there will be a “new generation” of beginning farmers and ranchers—regardless of age or production choice—is especially important for the continuation of agricultural production in the United States.
For more information visit the BFDRP website
United States Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Marketing Service
Spring Conference, Farm Beginnings, Journeyperson, and WNC CRAFT Farmer Network programs are supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). “TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).”
For more information visit the TOPP website
Cedar Grove Law
Cedar Grove Law focuses on providing legal services to farmers, growers, artisans, and stewards of the land. We handle business formation, contract negotiation, land use, agritourism, estate planning, and disputes. We serve farms and small businesses across NC and TN. We’re passionate about client service, doing good work, and helping our community–kinda like you!
For more information visit the Cedar Grove Law website
Leah B. Noel, CPA, PC
Leah B. Noel, CPA, PC provides professional financial services to both individuals and businesses. We give the same attention and focus to all clients, whether large or small. Our accounting, tax preparation, and other provided financial services are tailored to the unique needs of each client.