Specialty Workshops
ARC&D specializes in excellent quality workshops for local food and farms. We are always adding new workshops to the calendar, so check back often and sign up to receive our monthly newsletter so you never miss out.
ongoing: Summer 2024
Summer Field School
The Field School Beginning Farmer Training program celebrates year #9 in 2024. Class sessions are all field trips to area small-scale sustainable farm operations; they occur the 2nd & 4th Thursdays, May-August, and are individually registered for.
Winter 24-25
Winter Field School Business Intensive
Over the course of 8 sessions. write a business, financial and marketing plan for your farm, and completion qualifies you for credit with the TN Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP). Schedule will be announced in 2024.
Past Workshops
06/05/2024
Social Media/Instagram for Local Food vendors: 101
Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez taught a virtual workshop: quick and dirty tips for farmers and local food vendors on boosting your customer engagement this season!
06/27/2024
Social media/Instagram for Local Food vendors: 202
Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez will teach a more advanced virtual workshop for farmers and local food vendors on boosting your customer engagement this summer and beyond.
04/06/2024
Fruit School: Grafting
Taylor Malone will teach how to graft fruit trees at this hands-on grafting workshop. Grafting knives are included in the registration fee, and students will take home their newly grafted cuttings to start their own orchard.
5/6 through 5/8 2024
Women Preserving Farmland
This 3-day workshop with Dana Ensor and a suite of specialists is for women landowners who want to be equipped with the tools needed to make decisions for the future of their land and its stewardship.
10/28/2023
“Ark of Taste” with Dr. Shields
Taste testing, seed swap, and book signing with Dr. David Shields, the expert on southern heirloom crops cuisine AND how to rescue them from extinction.
07/18/2023
Irrigation, Crop Sprays, Frost Protection, Oh My!
Assessing and testing water quality and good practices for fruit and vegetable production at Grand Oak Farm, with NRCS
03/05/2022
Elderberry Production
Learn about profitable Elderberry Production from industry expert, Terry Durham in this all day, hands-on workshop, and take home ten elderberry starts!
03/08/22
Mushroom Innoculation
Learn the ins and outs of Mushroom Innoculation from Rodney Webb, and take home an innoculated log to harvest your first homegrown mushrooms.
04/15/22
Fruit School
Taylor Malone will teach students how to graft fruit trees at this hands-on grafting workshop. Grafting knives are included in the registration fee, and students will take home their newly grafted cuttings to start their own orchard.
05/12/22
Rotational Grazing #1
Washington County Cattle Farmer, John Abe Teague, will host this workshop on Mire Creek Angus Farm, to share his wisdom of rotational grazing with students.
06/16/22
Regenerative Cattle
Visit Wayne Huges’ Rocky Field Farms to learn about the benefits of Regenerative Cattle ranching.
06/21/22
Mixed Fruit Orchard
Visit the Bauernhof Kitsteiner to experience a mixed fruit orchard and learn from owner, Jon Kitsteiner about how he runs his unique operation.
09/07/22
Persimmons & Pawpaws
Learn from Bennie Lafleur about persimmon and pawpaw production.
09/14/22
Muscadines
Dennis Curtis of Curtis Muscadines will share his knowledge of muscadine production in East Tennessee with students.
09/29/22
High Tunnels
Tour the high tunnel at Hope Farms & Studio in Greene County, and hear from Steve Mallory about his experience building and using this valuable season extension method.
10/06/22
Reading the Land
Understanding your pasture and adapting your animal management. USA Regenerative Agriculture Alliance: 203 Old Wilson Hill Rd. Greeneville, TN 37745.
Special Thanks to Our Program Sponsors
Help us grow, connect, preserve, and foster in Northeast Tennessee & beyond.
Your support keeps us running. Our work depends on the generous donations we receive from community members, partners, and sponsors. Make a tax-deductible contribution to the Appalachian RC&D Council today, and you will be an integral part of our drive to support local agriculture, ensure access to nutritious food for all our local communities, and protect the natural beauty of Appalachia. You may choose to have your contribution applied to a specific program, or to wherever our greatest need is currently. Thank you for your support!