Calendar of Events

ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) has released a survey to learn more about how people in Western North Carolina shop for food and why they choose the food they do. The survey, part of a three-year project by ASAP’s Local Food Research Center, is for any resident of Western North Carolina over the age of 18, no matter where or how they shop for food. It can be completed online at surveymonkey.com/r/WNCFoodASAP or over the phone by calling ASAP at 828-236-1282. It should take approximately 8 to 12 minutes to complete and will be open through Oct. 31, 2024. Respondents are encouraged to share the survey widely with families, friends, and co-workers.

“By completing this survey, you are helping local farmers understand and connect with consumers,” said Amy Marion, ASAP Associate Director and lead researcher. “The challenges of our food system are constantly evolving. Improving it requires active participation from all community members. With this research we can better understand consumer values and the barriers they face, and help farmers and food producers improve communications with their customers and their communities.”

The survey is part of a three-year research project, “Connections in Direct Markets: Assessing the feedback loop between consumer values and farmers’ marketing strategies,” which will examine and improve communication and alignment between farmers and consumers in Western North Carolina. The research phase will also employ consumer focus groups, farmer interviews and case studies, and more targeted surveying. The broad consumer survey provides an update to the last consumer survey conducted by the Local Food Research Center in 2014. Results from the current research project will be shared in 2025.

ASAP founded the Local Food Research Center in 2011 to study the economic, environmental, and social impacts of localizing food systems. From its inception, ASAP’s programs and services have been grounded in research and evaluation, adjusting based on a strong feedback loop and observation of current conditions in the food system.

This project is supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2022-38640-37488 through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number LS23-382. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.

Whenever you want!   Supplies available at 2 Sulphur Springs Road If you need to request supplies for the same or next day, please call 828-254-1776. Organizing a litter cleanup with your friends, neighbors, co-workers, or other community members is easier than you may think! Asheville GreenWorks provides cleanup supplies and safety information, and will coordinate trash pick up as needed. Available supplies include safety vests, gloves, trash grabbers, trash bags, and SHARPs containers (upon request). Review the attached guides for instructions and safety information. Need to know Please review the attached documents and contact [email protected] with any questions. Your supplies will be available for pickup on the date you’ve requested at Asheville GreenWorks’ office at 2 Sulphur Springs Road, Asheville, NC 28806. All cleanups should be reported using the online form and supplies should be returned after your cleanup. Links & Attachments Cleanup Record DIY Cleanup Instructions-C5tsCUvm.pdf Do’s and Don’ts – Roadside Cleanups-j81w1uHK.pdf Syringe Safety-DBjtozsc.pdf

What does Farm Beginnings® include?

The 200+ hr, year-long program consists of:

• Training on holistic management, farm business, marketing & financial planning

• Sessions taught by regional, experienced farmers

• One-year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network membership

• Completing and presenting an individualized farm plan

• Access to field days with regional partners

• Entry to ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference

• Entry to OGS’s Spring Conference

• 15 hr mentorship with an experienced farmer mentor

View a sample of the full course schedule here.

Asheville Parks & Recreation’s public pools provide safe and affordable outdoor summer fun for all ages. For info about pool schedules, please call 828-348-4770 or visit ashevillecitypools.com.

Malvern Hills Park’s 90 year-old outdoor pool will not open this summer. While we were able to keep the facility operational through last summer, the pool can no longer be repaired to safely meet the needs of our community. For more, read this article.

Admission

• Individual – $3 per session
• Individual Season Pass – $100
• Family Season Pass – $150 (up to four individuals)

Locations

• Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center Pool – 285 Livingston Street
• Recreation Park Pool – 65 Gashes Creek Road

Events

• Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts hundreds of free and low-cost activities, programs, and events each month. Check out the latest program guide.

• Pools will open Saturday, May 25!

  Dates of Operation:
  Grant Center Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Sunday, August 11th
  Recreation Park Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Monday, September 2nd, weekends only from
  August 12th through September 2nd

  Pools open weekends only until June 10th, with the exception of Monday, May 27!

  Hours of Operation June 10 through August 11:
  Monday through Friday – 12:00pm-6:00pm
  Saturday – 11:00am-6:00pm
  Sunday – 1:00pm-6:00pm

  Cost is $3 per person per day

Asheville Parks & Recreation’s public pools provide safe and affordable outdoor summer fun for all ages. For info about pool schedules, please call 828-348-4770 or visit ashevillecitypools.com.

Malvern Hills Park’s 90 year-old outdoor pool will not open this summer. While we were able to keep the facility operational through last summer, the pool can no longer be repaired to safely meet the needs of our community. For more, read this article.

Admission

• Individual – $3 per session
• Individual Season Pass – $100
• Family Season Pass – $150 (up to four individuals)

Locations

• Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center Pool – 285 Livingston Street
• Recreation Park Pool – 65 Gashes Creek Road

Events

• Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts hundreds of free and low-cost activities, programs, and events each month. Check out the latest program guide.

• Pools will open Saturday, May 25!

  Dates of Operation:
  Grant Center Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Sunday, August 11th
  Recreation Park Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Monday, September 2nd, weekends only from
  August 12th through September 2nd

  Pools open weekends only until June 10th, with the exception of Monday, May 27!

  Hours of Operation June 10 through August 11:
  Monday through Friday – 12:00pm-6:00pm
  Saturday – 11:00am-6:00pm
  Sunday – 1:00pm-6:00pm

  Cost is $3 per person per day

Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/o/tickets/forms/edit?ticketingId=d65860b2-f8dc-4438-bef5-191cf74bb9dc&#advanced-parameters

ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) has released a survey to learn more about how people in Western North Carolina shop for food and why they choose the food they do. The survey, part of a three-year project by ASAP’s Local Food Research Center, is for any resident of Western North Carolina over the age of 18, no matter where or how they shop for food. It can be completed online at surveymonkey.com/r/WNCFoodASAP or over the phone by calling ASAP at 828-236-1282. It should take approximately 8 to 12 minutes to complete and will be open through Oct. 31, 2024. Respondents are encouraged to share the survey widely with families, friends, and co-workers.

“By completing this survey, you are helping local farmers understand and connect with consumers,” said Amy Marion, ASAP Associate Director and lead researcher. “The challenges of our food system are constantly evolving. Improving it requires active participation from all community members. With this research we can better understand consumer values and the barriers they face, and help farmers and food producers improve communications with their customers and their communities.”

The survey is part of a three-year research project, “Connections in Direct Markets: Assessing the feedback loop between consumer values and farmers’ marketing strategies,” which will examine and improve communication and alignment between farmers and consumers in Western North Carolina. The research phase will also employ consumer focus groups, farmer interviews and case studies, and more targeted surveying. The broad consumer survey provides an update to the last consumer survey conducted by the Local Food Research Center in 2014. Results from the current research project will be shared in 2025.

ASAP founded the Local Food Research Center in 2011 to study the economic, environmental, and social impacts of localizing food systems. From its inception, ASAP’s programs and services have been grounded in research and evaluation, adjusting based on a strong feedback loop and observation of current conditions in the food system.

This project is supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2022-38640-37488 through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number LS23-382. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.

Whenever you want!   Supplies available at 2 Sulphur Springs Road If you need to request supplies for the same or next day, please call 828-254-1776. Organizing a litter cleanup with your friends, neighbors, co-workers, or other community members is easier than you may think! Asheville GreenWorks provides cleanup supplies and safety information, and will coordinate trash pick up as needed. Available supplies include safety vests, gloves, trash grabbers, trash bags, and SHARPs containers (upon request). Review the attached guides for instructions and safety information. Need to know Please review the attached documents and contact [email protected] with any questions. Your supplies will be available for pickup on the date you’ve requested at Asheville GreenWorks’ office at 2 Sulphur Springs Road, Asheville, NC 28806. All cleanups should be reported using the online form and supplies should be returned after your cleanup. Links & Attachments Cleanup Record DIY Cleanup Instructions-C5tsCUvm.pdf Do’s and Don’ts – Roadside Cleanups-j81w1uHK.pdf Syringe Safety-DBjtozsc.pdf

What does Farm Beginnings® include?

The 200+ hr, year-long program consists of:

• Training on holistic management, farm business, marketing & financial planning

• Sessions taught by regional, experienced farmers

• One-year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network membership

• Completing and presenting an individualized farm plan

• Access to field days with regional partners

• Entry to ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference

• Entry to OGS’s Spring Conference

• 15 hr mentorship with an experienced farmer mentor

View a sample of the full course schedule here.

Asheville Parks & Recreation’s public pools provide safe and affordable outdoor summer fun for all ages. For info about pool schedules, please call 828-348-4770 or visit ashevillecitypools.com.

Malvern Hills Park’s 90 year-old outdoor pool will not open this summer. While we were able to keep the facility operational through last summer, the pool can no longer be repaired to safely meet the needs of our community. For more, read this article.

Admission

• Individual – $3 per session
• Individual Season Pass – $100
• Family Season Pass – $150 (up to four individuals)

Locations

• Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center Pool – 285 Livingston Street
• Recreation Park Pool – 65 Gashes Creek Road

Events

• Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts hundreds of free and low-cost activities, programs, and events each month. Check out the latest program guide.

• Pools will open Saturday, May 25!

  Dates of Operation:
  Grant Center Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Sunday, August 11th
  Recreation Park Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Monday, September 2nd, weekends only from
  August 12th through September 2nd

  Pools open weekends only until June 10th, with the exception of Monday, May 27!

  Hours of Operation June 10 through August 11:
  Monday through Friday – 12:00pm-6:00pm
  Saturday – 11:00am-6:00pm
  Sunday – 1:00pm-6:00pm

  Cost is $3 per person per day

Asheville Parks & Recreation’s public pools provide safe and affordable outdoor summer fun for all ages. For info about pool schedules, please call 828-348-4770 or visit ashevillecitypools.com.

Malvern Hills Park’s 90 year-old outdoor pool will not open this summer. While we were able to keep the facility operational through last summer, the pool can no longer be repaired to safely meet the needs of our community. For more, read this article.

Admission

• Individual – $3 per session
• Individual Season Pass – $100
• Family Season Pass – $150 (up to four individuals)

Locations

• Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center Pool – 285 Livingston Street
• Recreation Park Pool – 65 Gashes Creek Road

Events

• Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts hundreds of free and low-cost activities, programs, and events each month. Check out the latest program guide.

• Pools will open Saturday, May 25!

  Dates of Operation:
  Grant Center Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Sunday, August 11th
  Recreation Park Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Monday, September 2nd, weekends only from
  August 12th through September 2nd

  Pools open weekends only until June 10th, with the exception of Monday, May 27!

  Hours of Operation June 10 through August 11:
  Monday through Friday – 12:00pm-6:00pm
  Saturday – 11:00am-6:00pm
  Sunday – 1:00pm-6:00pm

  Cost is $3 per person per day

Camp Bluebird 2024 is coming This September! Together, We Soar! Make a Difference in the Lives of Adult Cancer Survivors:   Did you know almost 2 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the United States in 2023 alone? Each year, millions of people are directly impacted by cancer with an estimated almost 40% of Americans being diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes.   For those who’ve heard the dreaded three words “You have cancer,” their lives have changed forever, and their new journey is often filled with tears, worry, isolation, and heartache. At Camp Bluebird, we want to help survivors realize their story is not over when they get their diagnosis, they have merely started writing a new chapter…one filled with resilience, hope, and a new sense of determination. And most importantly, we want them to know they are not alone in this journey. A camp dedicated to survivors and their journeys of healing and hope…What is Camp Bluebird?   Camp Bluebird is a 3-day, 2-night camp where survivors join together for companionship, arts, wellness and therapeutic activities, and even a DJ dance party! Our camp is designed to empower survivors on their journeys of healing and rediscovery while making lifelong friendships.   This year’s camp will take place September 10-12, 2024 at the Bonclarken Conference Center in historic Flat Rock, NC.     We hope you will consider helping  as we reach more campers and make a greater impact in the survivor community! CAMP BLUEBIRD’S MISSION   At Camp Bluebird, our mission is to provide space for cancer survivors from all walks of life to come together for support, encouragement, and understanding.  A place where hearts find rest, strength ignites and spirits SOAR as we share in a journey of healing and hope. VISIT CAMP BLUEBIRD WEBSITE Donate Securely Online With generous donations from our community and friends like you, we can ensure every deserving survivor can experience the magic of Camp Bluebird. Every donation, no matter the size, makes an impact.   Donations not only help those with financial hardships, but also help pay for camp activities, programs, and supplies. Will you help make an impact this year? Donate Online Now Your gift today makes a difference in the lives of Cancer Survivors!

The need for blood products as vital parts of life-saving medical procedures and treatments is constant. As summer begins to hit its stride, the need for these blood products in the community significantly increases while blood donor turnout typically drops.

The Blood Connection (TBC), your community blood center which serves local hospitals, wants to make the public aware of an urgent need for blood right now and urges the communities it serves to celebrate this Independence Day by volunteering to donate blood to fellow Americans – their neighbors in need – during TBC’s Freedom Week promotion July 1-4.

According to AAA, an estimated 70.9 million Americans are expected to travel more than 50 miles from their homes during the entire week of July 4^th this year. With the increase in travel during the summer months, hospitals in our communities have historically seen an increased volume of trauma cases. This is why TBC is urging any community member who is willing, to come out and donate blood.  The local life-saving organization stresses that it is the blood on the shelves – waiting in case of trauma events – that saves lives.

“It is imperative that the local community come forward to support the hospitals in their area during this time of urgent need for blood donations,” said Delisa English, President & CEO of The Blood Connection. “Unlike many of the other products used to treat trauma and other injuries, blood cannot be replaced through lab manufacturing or built on an assembly line. Blood must be donated from volunteer donors, who embody the selflessness that is a staple of our nation.”

TBC will have its donation centers open this entire week including July 4 and will continue hosting mobile blood drives July 1-4. As a thank you for donating during this time, all donors will receive $70 in rewards and an exclusive TBC Freedom Week t-shirt. To find a blood drive or center near you, visit thebloodconnection.org/donate. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are always welcome.