Our hands-on training, workshops, conferences, and partnerships inspire, educate, and support people to farm, garden, and live organically.

Spring Gardening Series

Every Tuesday, Mar. 5–Apr. 9, 2019  •  Black Mountain and Asheville, NC

This six-class series will teach you everything you need to know about growing and expanding your garden—from planning and planting to production and pests. Every other class takes place at the Dr. John Wilson Community Garden for hands-on instruction.

Spring Conference

Friday–Sunday, Mar. 8–10 2019  •  Mars Hill University

The Spring Conference is a one-of-a-kind event that offers regionally specific workshops on organic growing and sustainable living. We will open registration and publish the 2019 schedule, class and workshop descriptions, and instructor bios in mid-December 2018.

Living on the Land Learning Circles

March, April, May, & June 2019  •  Western NC Locations

Equal parts workshop, site-visit, mentoring experience, gathering of growers, and design session, the Living on the Land Learning Circles will take place monthly (from March to June 2019) on a farm or homestead in Western NC and are guided by local, land-experienced, and seasoned designer and planner, Brandon Greenstein, the OGS Sustainability Consultant. 

Fall Gardening Series

Tuesdays, Aug. 13 and 20, 2019  •  6:00–8:00PM  •  Black Mountain, NC

Join Diana McCall, garden manager at the Dr. John Wilson Community Garden, for two evenings in her Black Mountain garden. Discover when to seed and transplant, which vegetables to plant, site location based on the hours of sunlight, and simple techniques for winter protection.

Farm Beginnings® Year-Long Farmer Training

October 2019 – September 2020  •  Times and Locations Vary

Farm Beginnings® Year-Long Farmer Training is a 200+ hour comprehensive training, networking, and mentoring program led by farmers in around the Southern Appalachian community. The program will help you build the skills to start and expand your own successful farm business through coursework, conferences, farm tours, and one-on-one mentorship.

Navigating Farm Labor

Future 2019 dates to be announced  •  Alexander, NC

This 6-hour workshop will showcase how to structure labor on a small farm through the eyes of established regional farmers. Legal and financial considerations will be highlighted and discussed to better understand which labor structure best fits your farming model.

Homestead Dreams

Saturday, October 12, 2019  •  10:00–5:00  •  Arden, NC

Saturday, February 2020  •  10:00–5:00  •  Arden, NC

Whether you own or rent a home or live in a rural or urban setting, you can learn to incorporate small-scale, self-sufficiency and sustainability into your life through this entry-level, one-day exploratory workshop.

Farm Dreams

2019 dates to be determined

If you’re in the exploratory stages of starting your own farm, this entry-level workshop is designed just for you. You will receive practical, common-sense information on sustainable farming and hear from experienced farmers running successful farms in WNC.

Cuba Agroecology Tour

Tuesday, Jan. 7 – Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020  •  Cuba

Join OGS for a tour of Cuba’s sustainable farms. Learn from farmers and food activists about Cuba’s transition to agroecological farming practices. Acquire the knowledge and strategies to create just, sustainable, local, and healthy food systems in your own communities.

Holistic Financial Planning

2019 and/or 2020 dates to be announced  •  Alexander, NC

Learn this whole farm planning and decision-making framework that helps farmers take into account their triple bottom line – their economic, environmental, and social viability. It is a fantastic workshop with out-of-state presenter that could likely be a game-changer for how you think about farm finances.