Growing Local

The local food movement is built on relationships. Hear how butcher Casey McKissick from Foothills Meats partners with farmer Melissa George from Mountainside Family Farms.

Outdoor farmers markets are in full swing. Hear about activities for kids at the Mills River Farmers Market and other markets in Western North Carolina.

Some small farms are scaling up as demand for local food increases. Come along for an audio tour of Dry Ridge Farm in Mars Hill, North Carolina to hear the sounds of 2,000 birds eating local feed and scratching in the grass.

Spring is a prime time for school gardens and other farm to school activities. Hear longtime garden instructor Suzanne Wodek talk about the early days of school gardens and how she’s seen these projects evolve over the years.

Come along to the outdoor Asheville City Market as we revisit last year’s opening day.

Local farmers canvased West Asheville neighborhoods to pass out coupons and spread the word about the first farmers market of the season.

Farmers markets are a joy to attend, but have you thought about what it’s like to plan them every week? A recent Farmers Market Summit brought together 30 market managers to network and share resources.

The dishes at Chef Dan Silo’s forthcoming restaurant Sawhorse will combine memories of his childhood in the mountains of New York state with local ingredients grown just up the road.

Childhood memories of her family’s cows inspired Melissa George to raise livestock on pasture at Mountainside Family Farms.

How do Peace Corps volunteers in Madagascar become North Carolina farmers? With the help of a longtime farmer and his neighbors. Hear how Shiloh Avery and Jason Roehrig of Tumbling Shoals Farm pass on that same knowledge and kindness at their farm. Photo by Sarene Cullen

Students and teachers are gearing up for spring farm to school activities. Listen back to an afternoon at Burke County Public Schools to hear teenagers teach youngsters about local food.

Nicole Coston was inspired to start Bearwallow Valley Farms in Henderson County, North Carolina because of her grandmother’s perseverance during the Great Depression.

What does it take to start a farm in Western North Carolina? Henry Payne of Five Pine Farm in Yancey County shares his story.

Come along to a winter farmers market with Graham House, executive chef at Sovereign Remedies in Asheville, North Carolina. Go inside the mind of a chef as he picks out local produce and crafts a menu back at the restaurant.

Have you always wanted to start a garden or explore new vegetables at the farmers market? Find local food and farm educational programs on ASAP’s fromhere.org events calendar.

Meet Suzy Phillips, owner of Gypsy Queen Cuisine, and hear how she uses local lamb to share stories about growing up in Lebanon.

What’s it like to join a CSA? Meet four CSA members and learn about their experiences with Community Supported Agriculture.

Looking forward to an abundance of fruits and veggies this year? CSAs bring that bounty to your kitchen each week. Find out why the Community Supported Agriculture model supports farmers and healthy eating.

Pickens, South Carolina is a surprising place to find a tea farm, but Table Rock Tea Company is bucking international trends by growing tea in the Southern Appalachians.

Microgreens are tiny edible plants produced from vegetable and herb seeds. Find out why Sleight Family Farm decided to grow microgreens at their farm in Old Fort, North Carolina.