Blue Ridge Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) cultivates meaningful mentor relationships between aspiring and experienced farmers. 
​We believe that the educational and professional development of tomorrow’s growers and producers informs the health of our diverse local-food system and rural economy. 

Based upon CRAFT models like Organic Growers School's WNC CRAFT and similar apprenticeship networks, Blue Ridge CRAFT connects aspiring farmers with experienced farmers and encourages innovative on-farm educational and professional experiences. Providing tools to established farmers that will enhance their mentorship abilities is central to Blue Ridge CRAFT's efforts.

CRAFT first emerged in New York's Hudson Valley in 1994 as "a cooperative effort of local organic and biodynamic farms organized to enhance educational opportunities for farm apprentices." And, it has since spread to many other communities. Each organization is unique, but dedicated to the advancement of tomorrow's growers. To learn more about other CRAFT organizations, click here.

In the fall of 2014, Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture was approached by established farmers seeking a way to provide structured education and training to their on-farm apprentices.

​Through further input from the community, Blue Ridge CRAFT was formed in 2015 with the goals of: 
  • Connecting aspiring farmers with established farmer-mentors in the High Country
  • Providing structured educational opportunities and training to aspiring farmers
  • Providing labor-management education and assistance to established farmers

As we work together to form a more resilient and just food system and local economy, Blue Ridge CRAFT believes that is imperative that we encourage candid, meaningful conversations, form durable and inclusive partnerships, engage best practices, and excite innovation and creativity.

Workshops and Events

2025 CRAFT Workshop Series 

​Small Ruminants Workshop 

When: July 16th; 1pm-5pm
Where: Upper Mountain Research Station, Laurel Springs,  NC
Cost: $25 Recommended Donation (FAMACHA Training and Certification) or $10 High Country Producer 

 This workshop will provide education on parasite control in small ruminants, and is a local, hands-on, certification training for FAMACHA. 

At this workshop, you can expect...
  • instructors will teach shepherds to look for and identify internal parasites in their flock
  • to learn basic handling and lambing 
  • equip you with keys to success with small ruminants, including coverage of the most common parasites, prevention of parasites, and how to assess for parasites. 

Participants will leave with a FAMACHA certification, including a FAMACHA card. 

Native Landscaping Workshop

When: August 10th; 10am-12pm
Where: Daniel Boone Native Gardens
Cost: Free! 

At this Workshop, participants can expect to learn...
  • how to sustainably use and incorporate native plants that are crucial for providing food and habitat for wildlife 
  • suggestions for attracting pollinators and beneficial insects for biological control
  • Q&A following the workshop to get personal advice and insights on native gardening
​

Thanks to our 2024  Workshop Series Sponsors!

IMPACT

In 2024, Blue Ridge CRAFT hosted 16 workshops
​that engaged over 180 aspiring, beginning, and established farmers.

2024 Workshops:
  • Organic Soil Fertility with Wildcat Composting and Watauga County Cooperative Extension (part 1 (composting), part 2, notes, photos)
  • Scaling Up 2024: High Country Food Hub Business Meeting (slides, notes, photo slideshow)
  • Mushroom Production and Inoculation with Lively Up Farm (notes, photos) ​
  • Organic Disease Management with Watauga County Cooperative Extension and Opossum Bottom Farm (notes, slides)
  • ​Organic Integrated Pest Management with Watauga County Cooperative Extension and Anthea VanGeloven (notes, slides)
  • ​Womens' Chainsaw Workshop with the Forest Stewards Guild (photos, notes)
  • Biochar Workshop at Laughing Springs Farm (notes, photos)​
  • Introduction to Beekeeping Workshop at Against The Grain (notes, photos)  
  • Efficiency in Farming at Full Moon Farm (photos)
  • Native Landscaping at Daniel Boone Native Gardens (notes, photos)
  • 6th Annual Farm Olympics (photos)
  • Bioblitz at Laughing Springs Farm (data)
  • Woodworking 101: Carpentry for Beginners with Travis Taylor (notes, photos) 
  • Farm Retirement and Succession Workshop with Carol Coulter (notes)
  • USDA Disaster Aid Assistance Farmer Meeting, instructed by RAFI (Virtual Recording of Workshop, notes)
  • Agency Roundtable on Helene Programs and Assistance (notes)
In 2023, Blue Ridge CRAFT hosted 18 workshops
​that engaged over 140 aspiring, beginning, and established farmers.
2023 Workshops:
  • ​Winter Vegetable Production & Marketing at Opossum Bottom Farm (photos)
  • Scaling Up 2023: High Country Food Hub Business Meeting & Keynote Address, presented by Ambrook Financial (photos, notes and presentation)
  • Produce Safety Plan Development Workshop with CFSA & NC State Extension (photos, notes and presentation)
  • Small Farm & Business Marketing Workshop with ASAP and Grapevine Local Food Marketing (notes, presentation p1 & p2, and ASAP's Farmer Toolkit)
  • Understanding your Soil: sampling, interpretation, and management workshop with Watauga County Cooperative Extension and Watauga County Soil & Water (photos, notes and presentation p1, p2, and p3) 
  • ​Allergen Control and Egg Safety and Handling Workshop with CFSA (slides and webinar recording)
  • High Country Farm Worker Social at Springhouse Farm
  • Postural Assistance Workshop for Farmers with Full Moon Farm & Music City GOATA
  • Homestead Scale Permaculture Design at the Valle Crucis Lavender House (photos, notes and resources)
  • Introduction to Medicinal Herbs at Laughing Springs Farm (photos, notes)
  • Agritourism Workshop at Wild East Farm (notes)
  • Fifth Annual Farm Olympics hosted by Springhouse Farm (photos)
  • Accounting for Enterprise Analysis & Ambrook Software webinar (recording, notes, and slides)
  • Production Planning for Diversified Vegetable Farms at Tumbling Shoals Farm (slides and notes)
2021 Workshops:

CRAFT events postponed due to COVID-19 Pandemic
  • ​Scaling Up 2021: Post-harvest handling with Sarah Bostick
  • Scaling up 2021: Consumer Friedly Bulk Purchasing with Lee Menius
  • Scaling up 2021: Best Practices for Commercial Kitchens with Lynette Johnson
  • Egg Grading Workshop hosted by Watauga County Cooperative Extension
  • AgOptions and AgVenture Grant Application Review led by Watauga County Cooperative Extension
  • Season Extension Infrastructure at Full Moon Farm
  • Soil and Water Conservation:  biochar & keyline plowing techniques at Against the Grain Farm 
2025 Workshops:​​
In 2022, Blue Ridge CRAFT hosted 17 workshops
​that engaged 157 aspiring, beginning, and established farmers.
2022 Workshops:
  • ​Scaling Up 2022: High Country Food Hub Business Meeting
  • Record Keeping Workshop with Wild Hope Farm (recording)
  • Restaurant Roundtable: Selling to chefs, restaurants, & wholesale buyers
  • Greenhouse Production and Propagation Workshop at Tumbling Shoals Farm
  • Mushroom Inoculation & Production at Lively Up Farm
  • Black Fly Larvae Production at ASU REI
  • Integrated Sustainable Energy for Enhancing Farm Productivity at ASU REI
  • High Country Florist Meet & Greet at Common Good Co.
  • Composting Workshop at Against the Grain Farm
  • On Farm food safety and handling at Daffodil Spring Farm
  • On Farm food safety and Handling at Mountainwise Farm
  • Goats 101 & Farm Tour at Heritage Homestead Goat Dairy
  • Rotational Grazing Workshop & Farm Tour at Bub's Provisions
  • Agritourism Workshop & Farm Tour at Apple Hill Farm
  • Bouquet Making Workshop & Farm Tour at Springhouse Farm
  • Fourth Annual Farm Olympics hosted by Hedge Family Farm and Ripshin Goat Dairy
  • High Country Farmworkers Focus Group

​2020 Workshops: 

CRAFT events postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic.
​
2019 Workshops:
  • ​Producer Focus Groups: strategic planning, 2019-2022
  • Second Annual Farm Olympics at Against the Grain Farm
  • Scaling Up 2019: Honest Conversation about Farm Planning, Food Safety, Quality, and Resiliency with Trish Tripp
  • Scaling Up 2019: Untangling Food Safety Regulations and Best Practices for Commercial Kitchens with Currey Nobles & Lynette Johnston 
  • Scaling Up 2019: Using the Meat Calculator with Matt LeRoux
  • Winter Farmer Roundtable: Farmers' Market Success with Ken Dawson
2018 Workshops
  • Farmers' Market Success! with Ken Dawson of Maple Spring Gardens
  • Planting the Seed for Self Care: Women in Agriculture Event with the Organic Growers School​
  • Raising Meat Goats with Nona and Jeff Cullen of The Abandoned Dogs Kiko Goats Farm
  • Using a BCS Tractor & Teaching Beginning Growers with Richard Caulkins of Harbin Hills Farm
  • Certified Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World (AGW) at Against the Grain Farm
  • Farm Olympics at Tumbling Shoals Farm
  • Chicken Processing Workshop at Healing Springs Farm
  • NRCS Workshop at the Watauga Cooperative Extension 
  • Apprentice Gathering at Against the Grain Farm
  • Biochar: Renewable Energy Source for Heating Greenhouses Workshop ​at Against the Grain Farm and Springhouse Farm 
  • Farm Transition & Estate Planning Workshop at F.A.R.M Cafe
  • Vegetable & Meat Enterprise Budget Tools with Shiloh and Jason Avery of Tumbling Shoals Farm
2016 Workshops:
  • Seed Saving as an Enterprise with Against the Grain Farm and Thankful Fork Farm
  • Seed Saving 101 with Richard Boylan, Debbie Bauer, and Julia Showalter
  • Agritourism & Animal Health at Heritage Homestead Goat Dairy
  • Basic Horse Care 101 at Mountain Works Sustainable Development
  • Rational Livestock with Jay Coman at Stony Knob Farm
  • Postharvest Handling & Knowing your Markets at Tumbling Shoals Farm
  • Postharvest Handling & Knowing your Markets at Creeksong Farm
  • Integrated Pest Management & Whole Farm Planning at FIG and Octopus Gardens
  • Fruit Workshop with Kathy & Kent Bishop at Three B Farm
  • Small Farm Machinery Hands-On Demonstration 
  • Fruit Workshop at Moretz's Mountain Orchard & Farms
  • Farm Transition & Estate Planning at the Watauga Agricultural Conference Center
  • Season Extension & Greenhouses workshop at Parkway School & Fog Likely Farm
2017 Workshops:
  • Fiber workshop at Laureland Greenhouse with Susan Graham and Amy Galloway 
  • How to Use & Maintain a BCS Tractor with Richard Boylan of Otus Branch Farm
  • Applying for Grants & Pawpaws with Susan Owen of Lily Patch Farm
  • Movie on a Barn at Springhouse Farm
  • Irrigation with Cory Bryck of New Life Farm
  • Integrated Pest Management with Richard Boylan, Francis Mangogna, Kathleen Petermann, and Eli Snyder  at Waxwing Farm and F.I.G. Incubator Farm
  • Quality of Life: Working & Living on a Farm with Matt Gundlach of Beatitude Gardens
  • Agritourism at Apple Hill Farm
  • Habitat Conservation with Susan Wright of Shady Grove Gardens
  • Biodynamics & Compost with "The Barefoot Farmer" Jeff Poppen
  • Labor Workshop with Alex Hitt of Peregrine Farm
  • Production Record Keeping and Bulk Ordering with Holly Whitesides of Against the Grain and William Lyons of Bluebird Farm
  • Farmers' Markets Workshop at the Watauga Agricultural Conference Center
2015 Workshops
  • Aspiring Farmer & Farm Apprentice Roundtable & Dinner
  • Established Farmer Listening & Planning Session
  • Accessing Farmland in the Mountains workshop at Watauga County Center
  • Workshop & Potluck with James Davis at Thankful Fork Farm
  • Workshop & Potluck with Brooke Walker & Susan Turman at Elk Ridge Farm
  • Workshop & Potluck with Shiloh Avery & Jason Roehrig at Tumbling Shoals Farm
  • Workshop & Potluck with Richard Boylan & Caroline Hampton at FIG Farm
  • Apprentice Pizza Making Social and Farm Tour at Waxwing Farm
  • Agritourism Workshop at Heritage Homestead Dairy
P.O. Box 67 | 969 W King Street
 Boone, NC 28607 | 828.386.1537
Email: [email protected]
© 2023 Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture | Most Rights Reserved

Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture is a non-profit tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)3 of the IRS code (Federal ID # 34-2011588). 

Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 919-814-5400. The license is not an endorsement by the state.