Community Events
Volunteer Opportunity: Mystic Roots Farm Workday & Natives Walk
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!
Spring Gardening Series: Soil and Water Management and Plant Care
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.
Volunteer Opportunity: Veterans Healing Farm Workday
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!
Spring Gardening Series: Successful Gardening Through the Season
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.
Introduction to Cheesemaking
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.
Introduction to Vegetable Fermentation
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.
Spring Gardening Series: Garden Design, Planning, and Prep
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.
2025 Spring Conference
Join OGS for the 2025 Spring Conference. Attend pre-conferences and half-day classes on Friday, March 14, 2025, or join in during the weekend on Saturday and/or Sunday, March 15-16, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Cheesemaking & Fermentation Weekend - Introduction to Vegetable Fermentation (Sunday)
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.
Cheesemaking & Fermentation Weekend - Introduction to Cheesemaking (Saturday)
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.
Organic Crop Management - Organic Weeds Management
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.
Organic Crop Management - Organic Disease Management
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.
Organic Crop Management - Organic Pest Management
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.
Farm Dreams 2024
An exploratory workshop designed to help aspiring farmers plot a course toward a successful farming venture. Learn more here.
Organic Crop Management - Organic Soil Management
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.
Sow & Grow Fest
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.
Gardening Series: Gardenscaping for Pollinators and Predatory Insects
Learn to control common garden pests by supporting abundant diverse insect communities with plantings and other critical components.
Gardening Series: Pollinator-Friendly Pest Management
Learn the fundamentals of designing and installing native plants to cultivate thriving ecosystems right in your own backyard.
Gardening Series: Landscaping with WNC Native Plants
Learn the fundamentals of designing and installing native plants to cultivate thriving ecosystems right in your own backyard.
Farm to Fiber: From Indigo Plant to Indigo Dye
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.