2020 EVENT PROGRAM - Organic Growers School
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2020 EVENT PROGRAM
Farming While Black Mushroom Cultivation
with Leah Penniman with William Padilla-Brown & Leif Olson
Chickens & You Healing Our Soils
with Pat Foreman & Meagan Coneybeer with Troy Hinke
Practical. Affordable. Accessible.
27th Annual • OrganicGrowersSchool.org
Mars Hill University, Mars Hill NC • March 6-8
2 | 2020 SPRING CONFERENCE ORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG
Support OGS
OGS Board of Directors:
ALISON CZECZUGA
BOB GOETTLING, Treasurer
CATHY CLEARY, Vice Chair
ELLEN RUBENSTEIN CHELMIS
ELLIE WIGODSKY, Chair
JEANINE DAVIS
KIMBERLY HUNTER
MACON YORK COSTLOW
MARY SAUNDERS BULAN, Secretary
TA’RIN’II SHANAI Organic Growers School (OGS) is the premiere provider of practical
ZO MPOFU and affordable organic education in the Southern Appalachians.
Since 1993 we have been building a vibrant food & farming
OGS Staff Members:
community by boosting the success of organic growers.
AGATHA HANNAH, Farmer Programs A 501c3 non-profit, our hands-on training, workshops, conferences
Coordinator & Conference Associate
and partnerships inspire, educate, and support people to farm,
BRANDON GREENSTEIN, Sustainability garden, and live organically.
Consultant
CAMERON FARLOW, Farmer Programs We keep registration fees affordable through grants,
Director sponsorship, and donations from people like you.
EMILY BELL, Conference Registration &
Volunteer Coordinator Our program fees DO NOT cover our operating expenses.
LEE WARREN, Executive Director
NICOLE DELCOGLIANO, Farmer Programs Please donate regularly to OGS to support the
Coordinator kind of food and farming systems you value.
ROD BOWLING, Administrative Director
SARAH ZEILKE, Marketing &
Communications Director OrganicGrowersSchool.org/Donate
SERA DEVA, Farmer Programs &
Conference Curriculum Coordinator
We couldn’t do this without you!
Track Leaders: Community Food: ISA WHITAKER • Cooking: ANNE KNOFLICEK •
Earth Skills: ERICA GUNNISON • Farming -- Beginning: DALLAS ROBINSON • Farming
-- Experienced: JOE EVANS • Gardening -- Beginning: MACON YORK COSTLOW •
Gardening -- Experienced: TA’RIN’II SHANAI • Herbs: NOELLE JOY • Homesteading:
CHRIS SMITH • Livestock: MEREDITH LEIGH • Mushrooms: WILLIAM PADILLA-BROWN
• Permaculture: INDY SRINATH • Poultry: MEAGAN CONEYBEER •
Soils: MARK DEMPSEY • Sustainable Forestry: IAN SNYDER • Sustainable Living:
RICHARD FREUDENBERGER • Thinking Big: SERA DEVA
Speakers: Thanks to our 100+ Speakers who have shared their time and expertise
this weekend. For a complete list of speaker bios, go to pages 19-29.
Host and Volunteers: Thank you to MARS HILL UNIVERSITY and our 150+ volunteers!
ORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG 2020 SPRING CONFERENCE | 3
WEEKEND HAPPENINGS IMPORTANT DETAILS
Trade Show Where’s the Coffee?!
Visit a diverse spread of local businesses in the Exhibit Hall. Coffee and snacks may be found in the Exhibit Hall at both the
Located in Chambers Gym, the Exhibit Hall is open to the public Firestorm Cafe & Books booth and the Notorious Coffee booth.
Saturday 7:30AM - 6PM and on Sunday, 7:30AM - 4PM For a full list Notorious Coffee will also have a satellite location in the lobby of
Day Hall.
of exhibitors, go to page 12.
Lunch, Anyone?
LUNCHTIME FEATURES: Organic Meetups Visit the Buffet Line (Pre-purchased meals only), stop by FBFC in the
Saturday ONLY - Day Hall lobby, or check out the restaurants downtown. If you pre-purchased
Want to network with other growers? Bring your lunch to a casual a meal from Gypsy Queen, it will be available in the Dining Hall in
meetup between 12:45 and 1:45 with folks who grow like you do... Chambers Gymnasium. Grab-and-go options are available in the gym
lobby. Or explore downtown Mars Hill and check out the numerous
LGBTQ Farmer Meet Up
restaurants on Main Street. The French Broad Food Co-op will
Saturday ONLY - Day Hall - Day Hall 201 be open at lunchtime and will have snacks as well as grab-and-go
Calling all LGBTQ+ farmers and farmworkers! Join us for sandwiches.
community and conversation about our unique challenges and
If Workshop Changes Occur
opportunities within the organic farming movement. Bring your
Changes to the weekend schedule after the printing of this program
own lunch.
will be posted to two message boards: One in the lobby of Chambers
New & Young Farmer Meet Up Gymnasium and one in the ground floor lobby of Day Hall.
Saturday - Day Hall - Floor 2 Advertise Your Program or Event
Join the National Young Farmer's Coalition for lunch and meet Do you have an event, program, or something else that you want to
up to discuss what it means to be a new farmer in a changing advertise? Pin your materials to the message board in the lobby of
world. Anyone in their first 10 years of growing welcome, OR Chambers Gym. (This is the same board OGS uses to post workshop
anyone who wants to support farming as public service! changes.)
OGS T-Shirts and Tote Bags for Sale WIFI Access
Network: MHUwireless • Password: mhillwireless
Want to represent OGS all year round? We have 100% organic
cotton t-shirts and 100% recycled cotton tote bags for sale at the Nursing Mother's Room
OGS Booth in the Exhibit Hall. Ferguson 146 (Off of the Atrium) is reserved for nursing mothers to have
some privacy and quiet. Mother, please come and go as you need!
Name Badge Recycling
Social Media Mentions
Please recycle your name badge so we can use it again next year.
If you’re posting about the Spring Conference this weekend, be sure
Buckets and boxes are available around the event space. You can
to tag us! – @organicgrowersschool and use our hashtags:
also return it to a class moderator or assistant, staff member, or #springcon2020 • #getgrowing
drop it at the OGS table in the Exhibit Hall. Be sure to tag @organicgrowersschool and #ogsspringconf to get
Questions? entered into a raffle for an OGS Shirt (size of your choice!) & Tote
Find a helpful OGS staff person at the OGS Booth in the Exhibit Hall Bag! We’ll announce the winner by sharing your post on social media
in the Chambers Gym or at the registration desk in the lobby. on Sunday afternoon -- you can come pick up your shirt & tote bag at
the OGS booth in the Exhibit Hall.
OUR COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL JUSTICE
OUR GOAL: OGS aspires to develop, promote, and sustain an organizational culture that acknowledges, values, and nurtures equity,
diversity and inclusion in board, staff, volunteers, audience, leaders, and programs. We define diversity as: race, gender, ethnicity,
sexual orientation, socioeconomics, personality, ability, education, geography, age, experience, values, politics, appearance, religion,
mental health, and immigration status.
OUR MISTAKES: OGS has made many and will continue to make many mistakes while working on this goal, and we are committed
to this ongoing and important work through all of our educational programs through relationship building, partnerships, and policy
development, to dismantle injustice in OGS and in the food system for the ultimate goal of food justice for all.
CLASSROOM CULTURE: OGS seeks to cultivate a classroom culture of a respectful and reciprocal learning that is non-judgemental
and engaging of all people. With your partnership and through your leadership, please set the following goals:
• All participants have a voice.
• All participants are heard.
• Conflict is an opportunity for deeper understanding.
• Everyone takes responsibility for the quality of the conversation.
4 | 2020 SPRING CONFERENCE ORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG
JOIN OGS AT THE SATURDAY SOCIAL RAFFLE DRAWING
Prizes will be on display and tickets for sale
5:30–7:30PM • Saturday, March 7, 2020 on Saturday all day and Sunday AM at the
Hickory Nut Gorge Brewery, Mars Theater, 70 Main Street, Mars Hill OGS raffle booth in the Exhibit Hall. Raffle
It’s a short walk just across the street from campus. drawing will be on Sunday at 1PM & posted
at the raffle booth location. Winners need
not be present to win, but we encourage
you to check-in and take your prizes home!
First 35 people to purchase $20 worth
of raffle tickets will receive a free beer
voucher to use at the Saturday Social.
Cost: $5 per ticket or $20 for 5 tickets.
Top Prizes
• Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine -
online medicine making course
• Floyd Yoga Jam - full passes to the
4-day festival
• New Belgium Brewing Co - gift pack
and tour
• Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary
- top-bar beekeeping workshop
2020 Raffle Prize Donors Include
Bonterra Organic Vineyards
Kick back and relax in this newly renovated movie theater with your fellow farmers Brown's Fish Fertilizer
and gardeners over beer or Buchi! Keep the conversation flowing and farm inspiration CharGrow
growing. Sample one of HNG’s English Cask-style ales or Buchi’s line of locally Deschuetes Brewery
fermented flavors. Dirtcraft Organics
Fedco Seeds
Organic Educator of the Year Award Firestorm Books
Floyd Yoga Jam
This award honors the individuals in our midst who have made Fun Frolic Farm
ongoing and important contributions to the sustainable agriculture Kenkashi
community in Western NC and the Southern Appalachians. This Medina Mercantile
year OGS is thrilled to recognize Dr. Jeanine Davis. Jeanine is Mushroom Mountain
a researcher and extension specialist with NC State University, New Belgium Brewing Company
and a founding member of Organic Growers School. She and Organic Growers School
her staff run a program dedicated to organic agriculture and alternative crops (e.g., Peace and Harmony Farm
hops, truffles, stevia, herbs) at research stations in Mills River and Waynesville. She is Plant to Profit
the lead author of the book Growing and Marketing Ginseng, Goldenseal and Other Reems Creek Nursery
Woodland Medicinals and co-owner of Our Tiny Farm in Etowah. Seven Springs Farm
Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary
Villagers
Lee Barnes will be offering the Southeastern Seed & Plant Exchange in
the Exhibit Hall at the Chambers Gymnasium. Have extra seeds?
Bring them with you! Need or want some seeds? Come get them!
You’ll find plenty of interesting heirlooms along with staple
varieties of vegetables, herbs and flowers.
If you’re bringing seeds to share, please include the following information:
Variety name
Scientific name
Date harvested or Seed Company “packaged for” year
Stories and notes about your experience with this variety
ORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG 2020 SPRING CONFERENCE | 5
Workshop Descriptions
COMMUNITY FOOD Understanding the Root Causes of Mead Making
DAY 201 Hunger Marissa Percoco
Janice Brewer & Ali Stone The ancient art of mead making
Community Gardens for Good Everyone is hungry for something mixes honey with fruit, flowers, roots
(Sunday ONLY) and everyone has something to give. and herbs to create beverage bliss.
Isa Whitaker Dive deeper into the roots of hunger We'll cover handling, harvesting, and
Discover the assets of community while exploring the intersections preparing ingredients including ratios
gardens and their power to encourage of emergency food assistance and and qualities of sweeteners and
good physical and mental health, community farming. Learn to disrupt yeasts, and bottling and storing. The
strengthen community, and engage the systems that keep people in loops focus is on wild, open, and cultured
youth. Combine gardening with Hip-Hop of food insecurity. fermentation.
as a way to bring awareness of nature
connection and getting youth to expand COOKING EARTH SKILLS
outside the box.
FERGUSON MATH & SCIENCE 135 DAY 202
Co-operative Farming Models Food Preservation: Canning Primal Play
Kimberly Hunter Kaleb Wallace Elijah Strongheart
Explore co-operative farming models, Demonstration and discussion of What principles can be derived from
best practices, and experimental techniques and equipment used to studying the way our ancestors
systems. Discover how farmers can preserve food with water bath canning. traditionally interacted with their
engage in aspects of independent Pressure canning of low acid foods will environment? What games do we play to
farming while also incorporating co- also be discussed. Learn to feed yourself stay young? All knowledge is acquired
operative components. It doesn't have from local foods through the winter! through movement and interaction. We
to be all or nothing will organize and research methodology
Food Diaspora that enables us move through our
Farming While Black Georie Bryant 3-dimensional terrain and acquire
(Saturday ONLY) Through discussion and cooking information about our surroundings.
Leah Penniman demo, we’ll investigate the relationship
Some of our most cherished between food, culture, and racial Invasive Ethnobotony
sustainable farming practices have equity. Explore the indigenous roots Lauren Bacchus
roots in African wisdom. Learn how and history of the foods we enjoy and Instead of vilifying invasive plants,
Soul Fire Farm is part of a global the ways that current eating habits are understand their value and uses
network of farmers working to increase implicit to cultural injustice. through ethnobotany. Used for
farmland stewardship by people of millennia by traditional peoples,
color, restore Afro-indigenous farming Local Cherokee Cuisine rediscover the history and uses of
practices, and end food apartheid. Tyson Sampson mulberry, kudzu, and others for food,
Discover Cherokee family food fiber, and medicine. Human-use is an
Sowing the Seeds of Racial Equity traditions starting with introductions effective form of species management.
Natilee McGruder and relational narrative of these
Racial inequities hold our entire historically and culturally significant Traditional Sustainable Foods of the
community back. Learn to address plants and foods. Workshop will Cherokee
these issues in food system head- include demonstrations and sharing of Mary Crowe
on and create a plan of action to the principal foods. Discover traditional foods gathered in
incorporate racial equity work into your the Great Smokies by the Cherokee
work and daily life. including spring gathering of
various wild mountain salads and
plants. Including but not limited to
Ramps, Sochan, Poke Salad, Jellico,
mushrooms, berries and nuts.
6 | 2020 SPRING CONFERENCE ORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG
Woodslore & Wildwoods Wisdom Smart Tools, Healthy Body Gearing for Stability & Growth:
Doug Elliott Nazirahk Amen Designing a Small Farm for Financial
Whether he's singing about ginseng, Belief in only hard work can lead to Success
pontificating on possums, talking turtle, aches and pains. Working smarter is Elliot Seldner & Panel: E. Chender & L.
telling wild snake tales, or wailing out the more enduring path. From hand Howerter
a jivey harmonica tune, storyteller/ tools to tractors and plant protection to Double down on profitability. Topics
naturalist, Doug Elliott, will take you harvesting equipment, discover useful covered: setting financial goals,
on a multifaceted celebration of the tools to help make life easier in the four-season cash flow, growing in
human connection to the natural world. field. greenhouse/high tunnel environments,
FARMING: EXPERIENCED and more. Useful for vegetable
FARMING: BEGINNING DAY 304 growers both actively farming as
WALL 302 well as those in the planning and
SATURDAY development phase.
Black Farmers: The New Generation Blight Resistant Tomato Varieties for
Kendrick Ransome the Organic Market GARDENING: BEGINNING
Stories of a beginning black farmer Inga Meadows & Panel: M. Ashwill, P. BELK AUDITORIUM
and he is sustaining human and Shoemaker, & T. Elmore
economic development in his The use of grafted tomatoes in 10 Easy Vegetables for Beginners
communities. Discuss how to establish sustainable production has the Clint DeWitt
more black farmers, the importance potential to increase yields depending Explore how easy gardening can be!
of privileged and minority farmers to on several variables. Explore Discover the basics of ten vegetables
coexist and share (markets, equipment, applications of grafted tomatoes that are easy to grow, seamlessly
etc.) and identify community allies. including disease resistance and many scaled up or down, and best of all, can
factors to consider when growing provide fresh produce throughout the
Sustainable Agriculture 101 grafted tomatoes. year.
Lucas Howerter
We will explore small-scale market Organic No-Till Techniques Gardening 101: A Holistic Approach
farming, in particular cooperative Shawn Jardnicek & Panel: C. Johnson, R. Krista Fayette
management strategies, building a Klein, & R. Hedrick Gardening Learn the basics of creating
farm from the ground up, detailed Tools and techniques for no and low- a garden, starting with our connection
year-round vegetable production for a till agriculture being used on NC farms. to the land and what we want to
CSA, sustainability considerations and Discuss techniques like weed-free receive from it. We will discuss garden
intensive growing practices using low-till, cover crops, raised-bed production, bed preparation and maintenance as
hand-scale methods. We will use Ten delaying cover crop maturity, adding well as basic plant care from seedling
Mothers Farm, a high production/low mulch to extend weed control, to harvest.
acreage mixed vegetable farm, as an cover crop mixes, seeding rates and
example equipment for all scales. The Seed Garden
Pam Dawling
Intergenerational Mentorship SUNDAY Learn to grow seed crops. Discover:
Felicia Bell & DJ Baker Advanced Enterprise Development & selection and marking plants for
Experienced farmers need to team Strategizing improvement, best population size
up with beginning farmers for Nicole DelCogliano & Kimberly Hunter and isolation distances, drying and
intergenerational mentorship. This & Panel: C. Coulter & H. Whitesides cleaning, storage and germination
prevents costly pitfalls, provides Farming requires a variety of testing. Examples of easy-to-grow wet
access to wisdom and traditional production, management, and and dry seed crops. Use hoophouses
knowledge, provides potential for land business skills. Understanding how for seed growing in summer.
opportunities, and the assists in the financial and production records
long-term success of new farmers. translate to business development
can sometimes be challenging.
Group discussion on advanced
enterprise development and adaptive
management strategies for beginning
and advanced small farmers.
ORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG 2020 SPRING CONFERENCE | 7
The Whole Okra: A Seed to Stem Growing Sweet Potatoes What's the Buzz on Adaptogens?
Celebration Pam Dawling & Panel: Annie Louise Eileen Brantley & Amy Wright
Chris Smith Perkinson Adaptogens strengthen immunity,
Okra is an easy to grow, productive, Grow your own sweet potato slips, improve mental and physical function,
nutritious, and beautiful heat loving plant them, cultivate healthy crops, and relieve the impact of stress.
crop. Let’s celebrate this wonderful harvest good yields, and select Our ancestors across the globe
vegetable and explore using the suitable roots for next year’s slips. incorporated adaptogens effectively.
whole plant (from seed to stem) for a Cure and store roots for top quality Learn to appropriately utilize these
wide range of culinary applications and minimal losses. Useful for powerful herbal allies including some
and beyond. beginner and experienced growers recipes to try at home.
alike. .
GARDENING: EXPERIENCED HOMESTEADING
WALL 414 HERBS WALL 220
WALL 418
SATURDAY Digital Skills for the Homesteader
Cultural Growing Techniques Grief & Trauma Support with Plant Jason Contreras
Tarinii Shanai & Panel: S. Seldin, T. Medicine Connecting with an online community
Sampson, Z. Sabb-Hubb Kelbi Morris through social media and video
Discover the traditional sustenance None of us escape the trials and platforms is a common path for
gardening techniques, specific crops, tribulations of life. Thankfully there are homesteaders. Learn from a skilled
and diverse cultural foods from West many safe, accessible, and effective and self-taught homesteading
Africa, Israel, and other regions, and tools to help with the impact of trauma. videographer about sharing and
how they relate to growing and eating Discover plant based medicines and monetizing your land-based living.
in Appalachia. These nutritious foods nervous system support that can
can be incorporated into your garden support us through difficult times. Home-Scale Grain Production
and kitchen. Mark Dempsey
Growing & Selling Herbal Products Are you wanting to produce more of
Forest Gardening Patricia Kyritsi Howell the staple foods you eat or feed your
Jeanine Davis & Marc Williams & Panel: Transform your herb crops into a livestock? Explore the many methods
Osker Brown lucrative revenue stream by making to successfully produce a wide
With even a small shaded area, you and selling your own herb products. variety of grains—cereals, legumes,
can create a forest garden for food Learn the regulatory and financial and more—a small-scale. We’ll cover
and medicine as well as a beautiful considerations related to the home- growing, harvesting, cleaning, and
place in which to “forest bathe.” made manufacture as well as storage.
Learn the basics basics on how to marketing and sales of teas, salves,
grow, procure seeds and plants, and lotions, and bath products. Homesteading 101
maintain a plentiful forest.plants, and Angelica Watkins
local opportunities. Hemp Overview & Production From city dweller to homesteader.
Michael Lewis Hear stories of wrangling chickens,
SUNDAY Take a look at the history of the raising rabbits, gardening, harvesting
Grow Great Vegetables in North hemp plant's role in the development grapes, butchering goats, making
Carolina of our species, the events that led sourdough and weaving washcloths.
Ira Wallace & Panel: Cindy Trisler to its criminalization, the eventual Discover ideas about setting up your
Tips and techniques for growing re-introduction of the plant to our homestead, how to gain practical
garden fresh salads year-round, current economy and a broad look at knowledge, and learn lessons from
including vine ripened tomatoes, crisp current policies and issues around the others.
green peppers, outstanding winter development of this crop for farmers.
collards, and dozens of other delicious Overview of production specifics for
edibles. Discussion of soil building, fiber, grain, and production, and a
planting dates, succession sowing, review of diseases and pests.
mulch, managing water, selecting the
best varieties, and more.
8 | 2020 SPRING CONFERENCE ORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG
Practical Skills for Food Storage Raising Bacon: Understanding Feed Mushroom ID Basics: 20 Easy
Ashleigh Hillen Rations & Alternative Feed Ingredients to Identify Edible & Medicinal
Practical skills for storing food through "Pork" Rhyne Cureton Mushrooms
the winter. Learn a variety of storage Although swine can close the loop Tradd Cotter
methods including dehydrating and on food waste, it's not enough to just If you have ever wanted a basic
drying, canning, fermenting, freezing, feed pigs scraps! In this session we introduction to unlocking the edible
root cellaring, storage of root crops will discuss how feed is formulated, and medicinal mushrooms in our area
in the ground, and ongoing rotation differences in food rations depending this is it! Includes basic taxonomy,
for freshness. Create at-home food on age or breed, how feed affects pork spore printing tips, collection advice,
resiliency. quality, which feed ingredients to stay dissecting mushrooms, and how to use
away from, and the cost effectiveness of field guides properly.
LIVESTOCK procuring alternative feeds.
DAY 303 PERMACULTURE
MUSHROOMS WALL 413
All About Minerals WALL 202
Greg Stewart Permaculture 101
Explore the macro and micro nutrients Fermenting with Fungi: Molds & Michael Brown
essential for optimum animal health, Yeasts Learn about permaculture including
develop a holistic supplementation Erica Gunnison ethics and principles for land,
program, discover the minerals that might Discover fungal cultures as a way to livelihood, community engagement,
be lacking in mountain soils, implement preserve the harvest, increase nutrient and more. Discover this holistic design
the best method of supplementation, and availability, and create intoxicants! system used to create regenerative
experience the resulting nutrient density Work with molds and yeasts to create human settlements and food systems
of your products. tempeh, meads, miso, and others. The while working harmoniously with
world of fungi is vast and not limited to nature and ecological systems.
Sustainable Meat Rabbits: Down the mushrooms.
Rabbit Hole of a Greener World Phyco-Permaculture
Sarah Hopton Fungi in the Soil William Padilla-Brown
Start or scale up a meat rabbit enterprise, Leif Olson Integrate algal allies into your systems
for home or business. Learn feeding, Leif Olson is an environmental including a practical understanding
breeding, rearing, housing, diseases, scientist, educator and consultant who of the top five algae cultures.
cures, processing options, marketing studies the interactions of ecology with Focus on spirulina due to ease of
(direct, restaurants, distributors), and food production, waste management cultivation and safety for consumption.
financial data. Get a realistic sense of the and land restoration. His background Discover media preparation, culture
costs and benefits at various scales. includes mushroom cultivation, maintenance, batch culturing,
biogeochemistry, field ecology and harvesting and consumption. Hands-
Livestock Learning Curves: The Biggest landscaping and he currently works on.
Things I've Learned From Animals as a research consultant for land
Meredith Leigh & Panel: R Cureton, S. management projects. Permaculture Land Assessment
Duboc, V. Hamilton, & R. Sinicrope Luke Costlow
Learn from seasoned farmers about a Medicinal Mushrooms Effective implementation of the
variety of species. From business to Cornelia Cho permaculture principles requires a deep,
spiritual, discover the hard knocks and Covering both ancient knowledge robust, and holistic understanding of
sweet gifts of livestock management. and current research, learn how the specific land you are stewarding.
Equal parts philosophy, embarrassing mushrooms can help us with many Discover the assessment process, using
stories, and technical tips, plan for a lively health issues including eczema, an objective lens, which will lead to
and educational conversation and Q&A. Parkinson’s disease, glucose informed design decisions and more
regulation, dementia, immune creativity in implementation.
regulation, addiction, depression, and
more. Grow your own---often delicious-
--medicine on agricultural waste.
ORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG 2020 SPRING CONFERENCE | 9
Perennial Permaculture Plants Production, Processing, & Marketing SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY
Laura Ruby Tyler Case DAY 205
Come learn about the top 20+ native Discussion of systems for production, Forest Farming Enterprises in
and non-native perennial plants for the processing, and selling chickens in our Appalachia
Western North Carolina region and why farm's small scale broiler operation. We’ll Jeanine Davis
we love them. Leave this class ready to cover the on-farm processing setup, Learn how woodland medicinals
start or expand your useful and edible methods, marketing, and customer can provide long term income as a
perennial permaculture garden, berry ordering system. component of your forest management
patch or orchard. Learn how these plants plan. These medicinal herbs can be
can support humans and the greater SOILS grown to harvest and sell, produced as
ecosystems of our region. DAY 301 nursery and seed crops, or be part of an
agritourism/educational business.
POULTRY Fertility Management
DAY 204 Robin Kloot Forest Planning
Soils are more than a medium to Mary Vann Johnston
Hentopia: DIY Chickens grow plants, they are a living, dynamic Learn the role of the forest in your land
Frank Hyman ecosystem. As we expand the plan through stewardship planning,
Go on vacation without a chicken paradigms that govern soil fertility, this intentional design, and management
sitter! Discover low-tech self-filling influences the ways in which we view, strategies. Discover the resources and
waterers, vending machine feeders, tend, engage, and benefit from soils. tools for a variety of options that will
best nest boxes, and a nearly help you achieve your forest goals and
free coop made of pallets. Slides, No-Till Methods for the Small-Scale objectives.
handouts, Q&A, and props! Cut the Grower
time and money you spend on chicken Cedar Johnson Growing Fruit Organically in the
keeping. Cut back on tilling and cultivation to Southeast
improve soil health even on a garden Andrew Goodheart Brown
Poultry Husbandry & Management or small farm scale. Learn practical, Growing fruit organically in WNC can be
Meagan Coneybeer methods and accessible approaches a challenge. Discover what you need
Learn the various pastured poultry used by small-scale growers to cut to know to design for success. Make
management styles including using back on tilling while still growing a good decisions prior to starting your fruit
pasture and landscaping to benefit successful crop. growing, though all levels can benefit!
poultry. Discussions on coop and
forage styles based on terrain and Soils 101 Making Maple Syrup in the South: From
predator pressure, management of Mark Dempsey Back-yard Sugaring to Small-Scale
broody hens, raising chicks, utilizing Soil is complex, but with some basic Farming
manure, as well as health and knowledge of how soil works, you can Wheeler & Michael Waldeck
wellness. farm better. Come learn how the many Tap into something sweet! Delve into the
properties of soil interact, and how you lost art of sugaring in the south. Top to
Predator Protection for Poultry can manage for both healthy soil and bottom tutorial on how to make maple
Tim Burke healthy plants. syrup, whether you're tapping a single
Learn to protect your birds from tree, or pursuing a small-scale farming
predators of all kinds and avoid Soil Food Web enterprise.
devastating losses to your flock. Troy Hinke
Understand each predator and learn Understand and steward the life in
strategies for protection. Specifically your soil to promote healthy plants
we’ll discuss containment options for and sustainable profits. Discover the
specific breeds of poultry. soil food web and techniques for
living soil using compost and compost
teas. Three to five days of training
condensed into 90 minutes.
10 | 2020 SPRING CONFERENCE ORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG
SUSTAINABLE LIVING Tiny Homes Healing the Matriarch
WALL 219 Jeramy Stauffer (Sunday ONLY)
The tiny home and portable house Zaire Sabb-Hubb
DIY Solar 101 movement has swept the country. It There is a growing shift in consciousness
(Saturday ONLY) advocates for simple living, a smaller in women around the world. Women
Keenan Phillips ecological footprint, & an architectural are done with being sick and tired and
Introduction to solar powered systems design that meets all human needs. This ready to emerge into their full potential.
on a small scale. Learn about siting, class will discuss technical approaches, Discover the imbalanced scales and
planning, designing, components, design concepts, rules & regulations, ways to heal the imbalance.
energy storage methods, construction, construction issues, infrastructure, and
and more! Get some hands-on homesteading tips. Rural Justice in an Unsettled Land
experience with tools to help you create Charlie Thompson
your own power system. Water Resilience for the Homestead An intimate portrait of the joys and
John Henry Nelson hardships of rural life, in a search of
Regenerative Farming Funding In an age of climate change and water community, equality, and tradition in
Mari Stuart & Zev Friedman challenges, it’s important to design Appalachia. Learn what thrust Charlie into
Co-operate WNC’s new initiative and build in water resilience on your organizing, teaching, and documenting
helps farmers transition to climate- homestead or farm. Learn about in his quest for rural justice in the US and
resilient, regenerative farming and collection, storage, and use. Discover Latin America.
land management practices. The how to prepare for a changing future of
program leverages cooperative funding water challenges. Stewardship Dowsing: Applied Intuition
mechanisms to implement these Lee Barnes
practices. Learn about the benefits of THINKING BIG Simple Dowsing/Divining techniques
regenerative farming and how your farm DAY 305 allow us to ask clearer questions and tap
can participate as a pilot site. into superconscious awareness. When
Climate Advocacy & Resilient Farming we allow our muscles and body a "voice,”
Solar for Home & Farm Asher Wright & Steffi Rausch it helps for more informed decision
(Sunday ONLY) Farmers are at the center of emerging making by inviting both our conscious
Chavo Krenek solutions for a changing climate. Learn experiences and subconscious
Apply the most current solar technology tangible strategies to build resilience connections.
and equipment to your home or farm, into your farm as well as communication
including battery storage options. strategies to effectively engage with
Discuss the current financial incentives, legislators on federal climate policy. We
such as federal tax credits and the solar need both to mitigate effectively.
rebate program for Duke customers in
NC. Growing Out Loud:
The New American City
(Saturday ONLY)
Rashid Nuri
The current paradigm of commercial
agriculture is not sustainable. Small farms
and urban agriculture can improve the
future of the world's food production,
improve health outcomes, and build
strong communities. Discover history and
guidance as this new generation of food
revolutionaries.ORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG 2020 SPRING CONFERENCE | 11
HALF-DAY WORKSHOPS: AM
These workshops require advance registration and cost an additional $10 to cover materials fees. To register, go to the registration table in
the Chambers Gymnasium.
The ABCs of CBD Organic Plant Propagation Kudzu Freeform Basketry
Franny Tacy Thomas Leonard Nancy Basket
FELLOWSHIP HALL WALL 412 WALL 415
CBD receptors are found throughout Explore the reproduction of your Make beautiful use of this prolific
the entire body including brain, favorite medicinal herbs, trees, and weed! Split mature kudzu vines,
organs, connective tissues, glands, other plants through this hands-on prepare fibers, and weave a unique,
and immune cells. This incredible workshop. Learn seed saving including elegant, and useful basket. Go home
Endocannabinoid System serves as a harvesting, processing, and storing with more knowledge about different
bridgeway between the body and the as well as cloning through vegetative ways to use this fast-growing invasive
mind. Learn about the CBD Business propagation. and a basket of your own.
from seed to sale.
Beekeeping Basics: Natural Products
With Honey
Oxx Simeina
WALL 422
Learn the basics of keeping a colony
of bees without the use of pesticides.
Discuss the most delicious byproducts
of the honeybees and learn to process
them into products at home. Lipbalm
product demonstrations.
HALF-DAY WORKSHOPS: PM
These workshops require advance registration and cost an additional $10 to cover materials fees. To register, go to the registration table in
the Chambers Gymnasium.
Growing Soils with Vermicompost Herbal Products 101: Oils & Teas
Rhonda Sherman Noelle Joy
WALL 422 FELLOWSHIP HALL
Learn how to recycle food scraps, Explore the basics of making herbal
garden waste, and carbon into food infused oils and herbal teas. We’ll
for worms that makes nutritious cover how to get started, which
vermicompost. It will make your soil methods are best to use for which
healthy and maximize production! herbs, and formulating your own
Learn about worm bins, production products. Take home a handcrafted
methods, and the benefits to soil and salve and herbal tea.
plants.
Living with Fermentation: A
Growing Tropical Perennials in Comprehensive Exploration
Appalachia Marissa Percoco
Chris Smith WALL 415
WALL 412 Historical preservation through
Tropical perennials are stunning plants fermentation from around the world,
with limited pests and diseases, offer including jun, kombucha, kvass, kraut,
a diverse diet for a changing climate, kim chi, kefirs, sodas, meads, sour
and can be grown locally. Learn dough, and more. Explore techniques
open-field practices and culinary and tricks to create nutritious, delicious
applications for taro, arrowroot, yacon, fermented delights in your own kitchen
turmeric, ginger, water chestnut, sweet using seasonal and local foods.
potato, ube, and cassava.12 | 2020 SPRING CONFERENCE ORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG
2020 Exhibitors
Buchi Kombucha
Carolina Farm Credit
Cecilia's Kitchen
Clean Water Labs
Dirtcraft Organics
Doug Elliott
Dr Bronner's
Eagle Feather Farm
BUILDING Edible Asheville
BRIDGES Energy Cost-share Assistance Program
Fedco Seeds
Firestorm Cafe & Books
French Broad Food Co-op
Fun Frolic Farm
Gypsy Queen Cuisine
Indigenous Environmental Network
Kenkashi Microbes
Kudzu Kabin Designs
Living Web Farm
Mushroom Mountain
NC Ginseng Association
Notorious Coffee
Organic Growers School
Peace & Harmony Farm
Pfleger Pfarms
Pure Fire Foods
Purple Mountain Organics
RD & S Farm
Reems Creek Nursery
Southeastern Seed & Plant Exchange
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
Sow True Seed
Useful Plants Nursery
Villagers
Well Seasoned Table
Wild Abundance and Firefly Gathering
Zink Outdoor Power EquipmentORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG 2020 SPRING CONFERENCE | 13
14 | 2020 SPRING CONFERENCE ORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG
ORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG 2020 SPRING CONFERENCE | 15
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2020
9:00–10:30 11:00–12:30 2:00–3:30 4:00–5:30
Co-operative Farming The Root Causes of Sowing the Seeds of
COMMUNITY FOOD Farming While Black
Models Hunger Racial Equity
DAY 201 Leah Penniman
Kimberly Hunter J. Brewer & A. Stone Natilee McGruder
COOKING Food Preservation:
Mead Making Local Cherokee Cuisine Food of the Diaspora
FERGUSON MATH & Canning
Marissa Percoco Tyson Sampson Georie Bryant
SCIENCE 135 Kaleb Wallace
Traditional Foods of the Woodslore & Wildwoods
EARTH SKILLS Invasive Ethnobotany Primal Play
Cherokee Wisdom
DAY 202 Lauren Bacchus Elijah Strongheart
Mary Crowe Doug Elliott
Sustainable Agriculture Intergenerational Black Farmers:
FARMING: BEGINNING Smart Tools, Healthy Body
101 Mentorship The New Generation
WALL 302 Nazirahk Amen
Lucas Howerter F. Bell & D.J. Baker Kendrick Ransome
FARMING: EXPERIENCED Blight Resistant Tomato Varieties Organic No-Till Techniques
DAY 304 Inga Meadows Panel: M. Ashwill, T. Elmore Shawn Jadrnicek Panel: C. Johnson, R. Hendrick, R. Klein
GARDENING: BEGINNING Gardening 101 The Whole Okra 10 Easy Vegetables The Seed Garden
BELK AUDITORIUM Krista Fayette Chris Smith Clint DeWitt Pam Dawling
GARDENING: EXPERIENCED Forest Gardening Cultural Growing Techniques
WALL 414 Jeanine Davis Panel: Osker Brown Ta'rin'ii Shanaii Panel: S. Seldin, T. Sampson, Z. Sabb-Hubb
Growing & Selling Herbal
HERBS Adaptogens Hemp Production Grief & Trauma Support
Products
WALL 418 E. Brantley & A. Wright Michael Lewis Kelbi Morris
P. Kyritsi Howell
HOMESTEADING Homesteading 101 Food Storage Digital Homesteading Grain Production
WALL 220 Angelica Watkins Ashleigh Hillen Jason Contreras Mark Dempsey
LIVESTOCK Raising Bacon Livestock Learning M. All About Minerals Sustainable Meat Rabbits
DAY 303 Rhyne Cureton Leigh & Panel Greg Stewart Sarah Hopton
MUSHROOMS Mushroom ID Basics Medicinal Mushrooms Fungi in the Soil Fermenting with Fungi
WALL 202 Tradd Cotter Cornelia Cho Leif Olson Erica Gunnison
Permaculture Land Perennial
PERMACULTURE Permaculture 101 Phyco-Permaculture
Assessment Permaculture Plants
WALL 413 Michael Brown W. Padilla-Brown
Luke Costlow Laura Ruby
Husbandry & Production, Processing &
POULTRY Predator Protection Hentopia: DIY Chickens
Management Marketing
DAY 204 Tim Burke Frank Hyman
Meagan Coneybeer Tyler Case
SOILS Soils 101 No Till Methods Fertility Management Soil Food Web
DAY 301 Mark Dempsey Cedar Johnson Robin Kloot Troy Hinke
Making Maple Syrup in Forest Farming
SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY Forest Planning Growing Fruit
the South Enterprises
DAY 205 Mary Vann Johnston A. Goodheart Brown
W. & M. Waldeck Jeanine Davis
Regenerative Farming
SUSTAINABLE LIVING Tiny Homes DIY Solar 101 Water Resilience
Funding
WALL 219 Jeramy Stauffer Keenan Phillips John H. Nelson
M. Stuart & Z. Friedman
THINKING BIG Stewardship Dowsing Growing Out Loud Rural Justice Climate Advocacy
DAY 305 Lee Barnes Rashid Nuri Charlie Thompson S. Rausch & A. Wright
SATURDAY AM 9:00-12:30 SATURDAY PM 2:00-5:30
HALF DAY The ABCs of CBD Herbal Products 101: Oils & Teas
WORKSHOPS Franny Tacy - FELLOWSHIP HALL Noelle Joy - FELLOWSHIP HALL
Meet In Listed Beekeeping Basics: Natural Products with Honey Growing Soils with Vermicompost
Classroom; Outdoor Oxx Simenia - WALL 422 Rhonda Sherman - WALL 422
Locations In The Lion's Organic Plant Propagation Growing Tropical Perennials in Appalachia
Eye Quad Or Outside Thomas Leonard - WALL 412 Chris Smith - WALL 412
Of Day Hall Kudzu Freeform Basketry Living with Fermentation: A Comprehensive Exploration
Nancy Basket - WALL 415 Marissa Percoco - WALL 415SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2020
9:00–10:30 11:00–12:30 2:00–3:30 4:00–5:30
Community Gardens Co-operative Farming The Root Causes Sowing the Seeds of
COMMUNITY FOOD
for Good Models of Hunger Racial Equity
DAY 201
Isa Whitaker Kimberly Hunter J. Brewer & A. Stone Natilee McGruder
COOKING Food Preservation:
Mead Making Local Cherokee Cuisine Food of the Diaspora
FERGUSON MATH & Canning
Marissa Percoco Tyson Sampson Georie Bryant
SCIENCE 135 Kaleb Wallace
Traditional Foods of the Woodslore & Wildwoods
EARTH SKILLS Invasive Ethnobotany Primal Play
Cherokee Wisdom
DAY 202 Lauren Bacchus Elijah Strongheart
Mary Crowe Doug Elliott
Sustainable Agriculture Intergenerational Black Farmers: Smart Tools, Healthy
FARMING: BEGINNING
101 Mentorship The New Generation Body
WALL 302
Lucas Howerter F. Bell & D.J. Baker Kendrick Ransome Nazirahk Amen
FARMING: EXPERIENCED Designing a Small Farm For Financial Success Advanced Enterprise Development & Strategizing
DAY 304 Elliot Seldner Panel: E. Chender, L. Howerter N. DelCogliano & K. Hunter Panel: C. Coulter, H. Whitesides
GARDENING: BEGINNING Gardening 101 The Whole Okra 10 Easy Vegetables Clint The Seed Garden
BELK AUDITORIUM Krista Fayette Chris Smith DeWitt Pam Dawling
GARDENING: EXPERIENCED Growing Sweet Potatoes Grow Great Vegetables in NC
WALL 414 Pam Dawling Panel: Annie Louise Perkinson Ira Wallace Panel: Cindy Trisler
Growing & Selling Herbal
HERBS Adaptogens Hemp Production Grief & Trauma Support
Products
WALL 418 E. Brantley & A. Wright Michael Lewis Kelbi Morris
P. Kyritsi Howell
HOMESTEADING Homesteading 101 Food Storage Digital Homesteading Grain Production
WALL 220 Angelica Watkins Ashleigh Hillen Jason Contreras Mark Dempsey
Livestock Learning M. Sustainable
LIVESTOCK Raising Bacon All About Minerals
Leigh Meat Rabbits
DAY 303 Rhyne Cureton Greg Stewart
& Panel Sarah Hopton
MUSHROOMS Mushroom ID Basics Medicinal Mushrooms Fungi in the Soil Fermenting with Fungi
WALL 202 Tradd Cotter Cornelia Cho Leif Olson Erica Gunnison
Permaculture Land Perennial
PERMACULTURE Permaculture 101 Phyco-Permaculture
Assessment Permaculture Plants
WALL 413 Michael Brown W. Padilla-Brown
Luke Costlow Laura Ruby
Husbandry & Production, Processing
POULTRY Predator Protection Tim Hentopia: DIY Chickens
Management & Marketing
DAY 204 Burke Frank Hyman
Meagan Coneybeer Tyler Case
SOILS Soils 101 No Till Methods Fertility Management Soil Food Web
DAY 301 Mark Dempsey Cedar Johnson Robin Kloot Troy Hinke
Making Maple Syrup in Forest Farming
SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY Forest Planning Growing Fruit
the South Enterprises
DAY 205 Mary Vann Johnston A. Goodheart Brown
W. & M. Waldeck Jeanine Davis
Solar Power for Regenerative Farming
SUSTAINABLE LIVING Tiny Homes Water Resilience
Home & Farm Funding
WALL 219 Jeramy Stauffer John H. Nelson
Chavo Krenek M. Stuart & Z. Friedman
THINKING BIG Stewardship Dowsing Healing the Matriarch Rural Justice Climate Advocacy
DAY 305 Lee Barnes Zaire Sabb-Hubb Charlie Thompson S. Rausch & A. Wright
SUNDAY AM 9:00-12:30 SUNDAY PM 2:00-5:30
HALF DAY The ABCs of CBD Herbal Products 101: Oils & Teas
WORKSHOPS Franny Tacy - FELLOWSHIP HALL Noelle Joy - FELLOWSHIP HALL
Meet In Listed Beekeeping Basics: Natural Products with Honey Growing Soils with Vermicompost
Classroom; Outdoor Oxx Simenia - WALL 422 Rhonda Sherman - WALL 422
Locations In The Lion's Organic Plant Propagation Growing Tropical Perennials in Appalachia
Eye Quad Or Outside Thomas Leonard - WALL 412 Chris Smith - WALL 412
Of Day Hall Kudzu Freeform Basketry Living with Fermentation: A Comprehensive Exploration
Nancy Basket - WALL 415 Marissa Percoco - WALL 41518 | 2020 SPRING CONFERENCE ORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG
https://organicgrowersschool.org/conferences/harvest/
Saturday & Sunday, September 4-5, 2020 • 9:30-4:30
Warren Wilson College
701 Warren Wilson Rd, Swannanoa, NC 28778
The Harvest Conference is an educational event that offers
affordable classes on organic growing and sustainable living.
A small selection of 1-day workshops taught by outstanding
guest speakers, Each day-long workshop is independent. Take
a workshop with any instructor on Friday and/or Saturday;
receive a discount for registering for both days.ORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG 2020 SPRING CONFERENCE | 19
Instructor Bios
Ali Stone Ashleigh Hillen
Root Cause Farm HOMESTEADING: Food Storage
COMMUNITY FOOD: The Root Causes of Hunger Ashleigh Hillen works in outdoor survival, agriculture, and
Ali Stone is Program Manager at Root Cause Farm and a student seed sovereignty. Her goal is to empower others through the
at OHSU pursuing an MS in Food Systems and Society. She practices of self sufficiency and home food preservation that were
brings leadership experience in community garden development, passed down through generations of her family. She has a BS in
teaching, project management, and food access advocacy. She is Environmental Management and Policy with a Minor in Economics
interested in food access using an abundance mindset and asset from UNCA.
based model.
Carol Coulter
Heritage Homestead Goat Dairy
Andrew Goodheart Brown
FARMING - EXPERIENCED: Advanced Enterprise
Urban Orchardist
Development & Strategizing (Panel, Sunday Only)
SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY: Growing Fruit Organically
Carol Coulter has 20 years experience in nonprofit
Andrew Goodheart Brown, a 40 year resident of WNC and
management and recently retired from Blue Ridge Women in
a passionate home orchardist with over 46 varieties grown
Agriculture’s Director position. In 2009 she and her husband
ecologically. Andrew is an international consultant in small scale
opened a licensed goat dairy, making and selling cheese,
sustainable agriculture projects, an endangered species observer,
fudge, and caramel. She teaches Farm Business Management
field biologist, naturalist, permaculturist, gourmet natural food cook,
and Grant Writing at Appalachian State University.
educator, gardener and beekeeper.
Cedar Johnson
Angelica Watkins Goldfinch Gardens
HOMESTEADING: Homesteading 101 FARMING - EXPERIENCED: Organic No-Till Techniques
Angelica Watkins is a wife, mother of four children, homeschooler, (Panel, Saturday Only) & SOILS: No-Till Methods
and homesteader. She has lived in WNC for eight years. In addition Cedar Johnson has been involved in sustainable farming for over
to raising her family, she has been raising ducks, goats, tending a 20 years. She and her family run Goldfinch Gardens, a small,
garden, and cooking healthy, wholesome meals while learning old sustainable farm in Yancey county where they sell a wide variety of
world skills and juggling daily life. vegetables to restaurants and through an online CSA. She studied
ecological agriculture at The Evergreen State College.
Asher Wright
Charlie Thompson
Hickory Nut Gap Farm
Duke University
THINKING BIG: Climate Advocacy & Resilient Farming
THINKING BIG: Rural Justice
Asher Wright is the Farm Director at Hickory Nut Gap Farm. His
Charlie Thompson teaches, writes, and makes films about rural
love for farming began at Warren Wilson College 15 years ago
justice, is Professor of the Practice of Cultural Anthropology and
where he graduated with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and
Documentary Studies at Duke University, and the author of ""Going
worked as a farm manager. He has an M.S. in Animal Science from
Over Home: A Search for Rural Justice in an Unsettled Land.” He’s
Clemson University.
a native of Southwest Virginia and a former organic farmer.20 | 2020 SPRING CONFERENCE ORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG
Chavo Krenek D.J. Baker
Sugar Hollow Solar, Inc. Esculent
SUSTAINABLE LIVING: Solar Power for Home & Farm (Sunday FARMING - BEGINNING: Intergenerational Mentorship
Only) D.J. Baker is an advocate for small and local food businesses, an
Chavo Krenek is the Director of Operations and Managing Partner activist for justice, and a student and teacher of nutrition, health,
with Sugar Hollow Solar, a local full-service solar installation agriculture, and food. D.J. is inspired to help everyday people
company. His degree is in Appropriate Technology from striving to cultivate a new culture and health in their homes and
Appalachian State University, and has worked in solar for the past communities.
4 years.
Doug Elliott
Chris Smith Possum Productions
Utopian Seed Project EARTH SKILLS: Woodslore & Wildwoods Wisdom
GARDENING - BEGINNING: The Whole Okra & HALF DAY Doug Elliott is a naturalist, herbalist, storyteller, basket maker,
WORKSHOPS: Growing Tropical Perennials in Appalachia backcountry guide, philosopher, and harmonica wizard. He has
Chris Smith is executive director of Utopian Seed Project, a crop- broad, practical, scientific and cultural knowledge of the area's
trialing non-profit celebrating food. He serves on the boards of The many useful wild plants and interesting critters. He has authored
People’s Seed and Sow True Seed. His book, The Whole Okra, five books, and a number of award winning recordings, and is seen
was published in June 2019. He's passionate about sustainable on PBS-TV.
food systems, heritage seed saving, and surviving the apocalypse.
Eileen Brantley & Amy Wright
Cindy Trisler Herb Girls Athens
Mudluscious Garden HERBS: Adaptogens
GARDENING - EXPERIENCED: Growing Great Vegetables in Amy Wright & Eileen Brantley work together in their new business,
NC (Sunday ONLY) Herb Girls Athens; their mission is to reconnect their community
Cindy raised three children on a homestead in the Midwest with healing foods and herbal medicine by providing nutritional
without running water or plumbing. She now resides in Madison therapy consults, education, and high-quality, handcrafted herbal
County, NC on a small homestead called Mudluscious Pottery products.
and Farm. There she runs an Air BnB, cooks everything from
scratch, tends the gardens including chickens and mushrooms, Elijah Strongheart
and provides wonderful products weekly to customers. EARTH SKILLS: Primal Play
Elijah Strongheart is adept in many movement modalities and
Clint DeWitt philosophies, as well as being a Human Development student
Kanuga Conferences, Inc. and avid earthskills practitioner. He has 10+ years experience
GARDENING - BEGINNING: 10 Easy Vegetables guiding youth and adults in wilderness settings, and among
Clint DeWitt serves as the Environmental Projects Manager at other things is a Yoga Teacher, rock climber, highliner, sculptor,
Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville. His duties include poet, arborist, bibliophile, and whitewater paddler.
the planning and care of a one-acre educational garden that
demonstrates organic and beyond organic practices for students Elliot Seldner
and guests from across the southeast while providing fresh, local Fair Share Farm, LLC
food for the conference center dining hall. FARMING - EXPERIENCED: Designing a Small Farm For
Financial Success (Sunday Only)
Cornelia Cho Elliot Seldner runs Fair Share Farm, LLC in Pfafftown, NC, with wife
Mushroom Club of Georgia Emma Hendel. The four-season farm serves customers in Winston-
MUSHROOMS: Medicinal Mushrooms Salem, Greensboro and Charlotte with a mission is to make the world
Cornelia Cho is a practicing pediatrician, mushroom club president, a little better by growing great food and feeding a lot of people.
educator and life-long explorer of the many paths to healing. She
loves growing, preserving, fermenting, foraging, and cooking food Erica Gunnison
as well as finding waste solutions, reclaiming traditional foodways MUSHROOMS: Fermenting with Fungi
and advocating food justice. Erica Gunnison is a community organizer working with
Whippoorwill Festival, Amazon Mycorenewal Project, Radical
Mycology Convergence, Organic Growers School, and Firefly
Gathering. She is drawn to the intersection of natural and human
communities with a focus on sharing skills designed to empower
individuals, build collective culture, and create a harmonious
shared Earth.ORGANICGROWERSSCHOOL.ORG 2020 SPRING CONFERENCE | 21
Evan Chender Holly Whitesides
The Culinary Gardener Against the Grain
FARMING - EXPERIENCED: Designing a Small Farm For FARMING - EXPERIENCED: Advanced Enterprise
Financial Success (Sunday Only) Development & Strategizing (Sunday Only)
Evan Chender, a farmer and former chef, runs The Culinary Holly Whitesides and her family have been farming Biodynamically
Gardener, a one-acre intensive vegetable farm in Weaverville, NC. since 2013 on 35 acres near Boone, NC. They raise certified
He grows over 200 varieties of crops per year and markets directly BIodynamic and Organic vegetables, as well as Animal Welfare
to restaurants in Asheville and Atlanta. Approved and pastured beef, pork, chicken, turkey, and goat. Holly is
committed to regenerative agriculture that heals people and the soil.
Felicia Bell
RD & S Farm, LLC Inga Meadows
FARMING - BEGINNING: Intergenerational Mentorship North Carolina State University
Felicia Bell is an Agriculture Specialist at NCAT, an African FARMING - EXPERIENCED: Blight Resistant Tomato Varieties
American farmer, born into a farming family, and co-owner of Eritaj (Saturday Only)
Cookery, a restorative food cafe and education hub in Jackson, Inga Meadows is the Extension Vegetable Pathologist for WNC
MS. Bell has over 30 years of experience working with heritage where she provides disease management recommendations
breed animals on various grazing methods. for growers and conducts research for cultural and chemical
management of vegetable diseases. Inga served as the
Frank Hyman ornamental and tree pathology researcher at Clemson University
POULTRY: Hentopia, DIY Chickens and has taught plant disease diagnosis for agriculturalists
Frank Hyman is a writer, carpenter, stone mason and welder with worldwide.
40 years construction experience with farms, gardens, houses,
coops and treehouses. He’s been an organic farmer, an IPM scout
and a Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor. His articles
appear in Chickens, Community Chickens.com, Paleo and Hobby
Farms.
Franny Tacy
Franny's Farmacy
HALF DAY WORKSHOPS: The ABCs of CBD
Franny Tacy is the owner of Franny's Farm and Franny's Farmacy, a
vertically-integrated hemp business with growers, manufacturing,
distribution, multiple dispensaries across the US. She was the
first female farmer in NC to plant hemp. She strongly promotes
comprehensive hemp education, collaborative systems, and her
“Women in Hemp” non-profit.
Georie Bryant
Symbodied
COOKING: Food of the Diaspora
Georie Bryant is a cultural historian and chef from Durham, NC.
His work focuses on connecting the complicated cultural histories
of food and agriculture with the realities of injustice and inequality.
Through his cooking and the work of his company SymBodied,
Georie seeks to help individuals reconnect to their indigenous
roots in a way which fosters a healthy self-awareness, something
he believes is key to addressing the problems of today.
Greg Stewart
LIVESTOCK: All About Minerals
Greg Stewart is the President of the World Shepherd Project and
owner and principal at Southern Veterinary Services in GA since
1988. His 33 year career has focused on small ruminants—deer,
elk, sheep, and goats—in ten states.You can also read
