…arm field trips possible for students. Through our annual mini-grants, workshops, and trainings, teachers and farmers get the resources they need to create lasting, hands-on learning experiences. Need help getting started? The following resources include listings of family-friendly farms open to visitors and school groups, activities tailored for on-farm learning, and tips for successful farm field trips. Don’t feel left out, parents. Educational…
…ASAP’s Local Food Guide for Kids is a guide to area school gardens, family-friendly farms, and other Farm to School happenings in Asheville City schools and schools in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and Jackson counties. Find the second edition in schools and online now!…
…own produce, eggs, and cheese and you live in the Asheville area, consider shopping safely at the new ASAP Farmers Market at A-B Tech, organized in response to the COVID-19 emergency to ensure public health. The market takes place on Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 am to noon. Thanks to generous support from the community, we are now offering Double SNAP to SNAP recipients. Fifty percent of your purchase total will be charged to your SNAP/EBT card….
…th the most votes. You can look at seed selections from various businesses online or look through seed catalogs. Not sure where to get seed catalogs? Call any seed company and request one. A few great seed companies are: Johnny’s Select Seed: 1-877-564-6697, Territorial Seed: 1-800-626-0866, or Sow True Seed (based in Asheville): 828-254-0708 The growth of vegetables and weeds in your garden will slow down as temperatures begin to drop. This means…
…utes, then flip fritters and bake for 5 more minutes until golden brown. Online Resources for Wednesday, 6/24: Three Sisters Gardens It’s not too late to plant your own Three Sisters garden this year. The Three Sisters gardening method is a Native American companion planting technique that typically features three crops that were historically important to many indigenous tribes: corn, beans, and squash. While many native peoples used this techn…
…oid poisonous plants or those with irritating characteristics like thorns. Online databases of poisonous plants are available here: NC State University Poisonous Plants Cornell University Poisonous Plants For those of you new to the gardening world, it’s helpful to become familiar with a few plant terms to help you navigate through the myriad choices: Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle during one growing season; that is, they sprout…
…worms in a baking dish. Either way, your kids will shriek with delight! Online Resources for Wednesday, 5/20: Worms and Compost Worms: Nature’s Recycling Superstars! Compared to some of the more elegant inhabitants of the garden, like bees and butterflies, earthworms don’t look very exciting. That said, appearances can be deceiving! The humble worm plays an important role as one of nature’s recyclers, turning waste products such as fallen leav…
…n regions of nine states, including North Carolina. Visit their website or online store to explore their artwork. Visit the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway to see examples of historic and modern Southern Appalachian textiles. Local Cloth is a non-profit organization dedicated to growing the fiber supply chain in Western North Carolina and enhancing the lives of those who make their living in fiber industries. They host workshops and ot…
…ut 10-15 minutes. Just before serving, sprinkle basil leaves over pizza. Online Resources for Wednesday, 7/22: Tips for Cooking with Kids If you’re new to cooking with kids in the home kitchen or the classroom, take some time to explore the local food cooking resources we’ve compiled on the Growing Minds website. You’ll find tips, recipes, and videos that will help you get started. Preschool teachers or parents of young children might also appr…
…nning Spider Creamery, Three Graces Dairy, and Good Fibrations. Use ASAP’s online Local Food Guide to search for these and more farms in the Appalachian Grown region that raise goats (many of which accept visitors). Use the resources below to learn more about these animals. Books for Monday, 9/28 Beatrice’s Goat More than anything, Beatrice longs to be a schoolgirl. But in her small Ugandan village, only children who can afford uniforms and books…