ASAP's Business of Farming Conference Feb 25

Registration is now open for ASAP's Business of Farming Conference on February 25 at Warren Wilson College.

When: Saturday, February 25th, 2012, 8:30 am-5 pm Check in: 8-8:30 am

Where: Warren Wilson College: 701 Warren Wilson Road, Swannanoa, NC 28778

Cost: $30 per person or $45 for two farm partners before February 1st

$35 per person or $50 for two farm partners after February 1st

Conference registration includes your choice of workshops, meetings with restaurant and wholesale buyers, a locally sourced breakfast and lunch, and a comprehensive resource notebook.

2012 Workshops

• Selling to Restaurants
• Promoting Your Rural Market
• Managing Labor on the Farm
• Hosting Families and School Groups
• Quickbooks™
• Salesmanship
• Food Safety Certification
• Easy Website and Blog Platforms
• I Have a Website...Now What?
• Farm Business Planning
• Brief consults with lawyers and others
• and much more!

Questions?: Call ASAP at 828-236-1282.

Tomato Contest at The Market Place August 25

Are you a ‘mater maven?

Show off your gorgeous garden goods at the first Homegrown Tomato Contest!

August 25 from 3 until 5 pm @ The Market Place in downtown Asheville.

Bring your tastiest, most exquisite tomato for your chance to win:

• $50 gift certificate to The Market Place
• Seed collections from local seed company Sow True Seed
• $15 in market bucks to Asheville City Market

Got an ugly tomato? Bring it, too, for the Ugly Tomato Contest! *Note: Up to six judges could be sampling your tomato, so choose one that can be sliced into at least six slices. If bringing cherries or Sun Golds, bring at least six for sampling.

Entries must arrive right at 3 pm to allow time for set up, slicing, and judging. During judging, enjoy tomato appetizers and drinks prepared by Chef William Dissen, mingle with fellow gardeners, and get great gardening advice and resources! The restaurant’s bar will also be open for afternoon cocktails (not included in entry fee.) Winners will be announced near the end of the celebration. After the contest, stay for dinner and exclusive local tomato specials.

Judges: Charlie Jackson, executive director of ASAP; William Dissen, chef/owner of The Market Place; Missy Huger, owner/operator of Jake’s Farm; Del Holston, Asheville CVB Online Relations Manager/Foodtopia; Dr. Dilip Panthee, Assistant Professor, Tomato Breeding, NC State Univ; and a representative from Sow True Seed

$8 entry fee benefits local farmers and ASAP. Contest is limited to the first 30 entrants. To reserve your space, contact The Market Place at (828) 252-4162.

This event is brought to you by The Market Place and ASAP and made possible with donations from Sow True Seed.

Local Food Guide Deadline Feb 15

The Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) is preparing for the print copy of their annual Local Food Guide. This is the 10th edition of this incredible resource.

If you would like your farm or business listed in the Local Food Guide you can sign-up online here.
The deadline to be included in the Local Food Guide is Feb 15.

100,000 copies of the Local Food Guide are distributed around western NC and the southern Appalachians. In addition, the Local Food Guide is available on-line. (You can sign up to be in the on-line version throughout the year).

If you need assistance in signing up your farm or business, contact the folks at ASAP.