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

Fall Gardening Series

Mondays July 27 & August 3, 2020  •  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.

Harvest Conference

September 11th & 12th, 2020 • Livestream via Zoom Webinar

An educational event that offers affordable classes on organic growing and sustainable living. The September 2020 conference (now with a full online schedule!) features dix stand-alone 1-day workshops taught by outstanding guest speakers. Topics include Cherokee Foods, Farm Business, and Herbal Tonics.

Homestead Dreams

October 3, 2020

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 Beginnings® Year-Long Farmer Training

October 2020 – September 2021  •  Times & 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.

Farm Dreams

2020 and 2021 Dates Coming Soon! 

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. 5 – Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021  •  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.

Spring Conference

Friday–Sunday, Mar. 6-8 2020  •  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.

Spring Gardening Series

Six Mondays in Spring 2020  •  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.