NC Alternative Crops & Organics Program

08/19/2026

Graphic per Kituwah Preservation & Education Program:
Pronunciations: https://canva.link/w8gj9caimvh4ml6
Games: https://www.educandy.com/site/resource.php?activity-code=14df44

08/13/2026

08/13/2026

Join AFFC & for Q&A, resources & casual conversation on forest farming! 🌳 All regions & experience levels welcome. Learn more & register: https://www.appalachianforestfarmers.org/office-hours

08/11/2026

We are getting quite a few inquiries about ginger production again. If you are one of those interested in learning more about it, consider attending this workshop at NC A&T State University in Greensboro. They are cutting off registration at 75 people, so don't delay.

08/08/2026

WNC Agricultural Options is now accepting grant applications from farmers diversifying or expanding their businesses. WNC AgOptions is funded by the North Carolina To***co Trust Fund Commission and works in partnership with WNC Communities and N.C. Cooperative Extension.

Applicants are encouraged to participate in information sessions listed below.

***The Intent to Apply deadline is October 9, 2026. *** All applicants must contact their county Cooperative Extension Agent before this date to discuss their projects.Extension agents remain a resource for farmers throughout the year as they complete their projects.

WNC AgOptions offers grants to farmers in the following counties/units: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

More information can be found at: https://wncagoptions.org/

08/07/2026

Project Highlight: AHPA ERB Foundation, Improving Germination and Seedling Vigor of Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) is a multi-year project (2026-2029) to support commercial-scale production of Actaea racemosa by focusing on improving seed germination and seedling management, led by Jeanine Davis, Ph.D., and Research Scholar Margaret Bloomquist of North Carolina State University.

to learn more about this project click this link: https://www.ahpa.org/improving_germination_seedling_vigor_black_cohosh

08/06/2026

Tomorrow is the last day for Gather to Grow Early Bird Registration! Join us this October in Blacksburg, VA to celebrate, and explore forest farming herbs and botanicals, mushrooms, decorative products, and a forest-full of possibilities. We hope to see you there! https://www.appalachianforestfarmers.org/gather-to-grow

Video from the epic 2024 Gather to Grow Forest Farming Conference in Roanoke, VA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEBrEqgDHDk

08/06/2026

What a busy summer we are experiencing, but it is a rewarding one! Check out our most recent newsletter to learn what we have been up to in our program based in western North Carolina. From research on growing Chinese medicinal herbs, to corn bead production for Cherokee artisans, to tomato taste tests for up and coming varieties, there is lots going on! In addition, there are webinars, volunteer opportunities, and events to learn about and register for.

All included here in our newsletter: https://ncextension.activehosted.com/index.php?action=social&chash=8038ffd434bda60b2d38cb52a38f8629.34383&s=a48a34e83f975b88c6e39733b0f51985

08/01/2026

The Expanding Agroforestry Project (EAP) works with a network of regional partners to support agroforestry implementation across 30 states over the next three years. Enrollment for the currents cycle is open through August 11th. Learn more and apply at https://www.nature.org/expandingagroforestry