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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 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

Scroll down to view upcoming workshops and events, or
​click here to view past workshops, recordings, and notes

Interested in hosting a workshop or skill sharing event? Send us a pitch here!

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Bouquet Making Workshop at
​Springhouse Farm

Join Springhouse Farm and Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture for an evening in the flower field! We will start the evening with a farm tour of Springhouse farm. This will be followed by a bouquet making workshop and everyone will have the opportunity to make their own bouquet. This will be followed by a potluck in Springhouse farm's new pavilion!

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The cost of the workshop is on a sliding scale from $10-$30. 

​Learn more and sign up here. 

 

IMPACT

In 2018, Blue Ridge CRAFT hosted 10 peer to peer workshops
​that engaged 115 aspiring, beginning, and established farmers.

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

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

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

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