Specialty Workshops
events
Upcoming Workshops
Apr 23, 2026
Virtual Farm Insurance Workshop
Because we know how important it is for farmers to be ready for the unexpected. Join ARC&D & various insurance providers to learn more about farm insurance and risk management. Participants can expect to learn about available insurance options for various farm operations in the region.
May-September 2026
Summer Field School
Join ARC&D for our Summer Field School Series. Sign-up for all 8 sessions or pick 1 session a la carte. Click on the registration link to learn more about the class options.
August 24-26, 2026
Women Preserving Farmland
Join us for the 2026 Women Preserving Farmland for the Future: Starting the Conversation. Presented by the Appalachian Resource Conservation & Development Council, facilitated by Dana York of Grand Oak Farm and Green Earth Connection, this workshop will equip women land owners with the tools and knowledge they need to preserve their farmland for future generations of farmers.
Aprl 23, 2026
Biochar Burn Day in Erwin
Join ARC&D and Nolichucky Outdoor Recreation Association for hands-on biochar workday in Erwin. Participants can expect to have a hands-on experience making biochar using a Ring of Fire kiln.
Tuesdays in May of 2026
Soil Reclamation workshops
Join ARC&D & UT Extension for our May Farmland Soil Reclamation Series! You may attend one, two, or all three workshops. These workshops will look more like a mini-field day and there will not be much by way of hands-on learning or volunteer opportunity, as has been the case with our past Tennessee Stream Team riverbank stabilization workshop series.
Farm Profile: Jordan Farms
Featured Chef: Full Throttle Kitchen Food Truck
Farm Profile: Motte & Bailey
Farm Profile: Persephone’s Garden partnership
Farm Profile: Runion Farm is a test of soil recovery
PAST Workshops
Mar 19, 2026
TN Stream Team Thompson Farm Workshop
Join ARC&D, UT Extension, TN Department of Forestry, & Nolichucky Outdoor Recreation Association for a hands-on streambank stabilization workshop in Washington County. Participants will receive instruction on key riverbank stabilization techniques. These include sand bag check dam installation, rill erosion abatement, live staking, bare-root planting, seeding and matting.
Mar 12, 2026
Live Stake Harvesting Workshop
Join ARC&D, UT Extension, TN Department of Forestry and Nolichucky Outdoor Recreation Association for hands-on live stake harvesting workshop at Grand Oak Farm in Washington County. Participants can expect to learn proper harvest techniques for live stakes.
Aprl 23, 2026
Biochar Burn Day in Erwin
Join ARC&D and Nolichucky Outdoor Recreation Association for hands-on biochar workday in Erwin. Participants can expect to have a hands-on experience making biochar using a Ring of Fire kiln.
Jan 23, 2026
MAY – AUG 2025
Streambank Stabilization Workshop - tn STREAM TEAM
Join ARC&D, UT Extension, TN Department of Forestry, and Nolichucky Outdoor Recreation Association for the next TN Stream Team streambank stabilization workshop in Washington County.
Oct 28, 2025
MAY – AUG 2025
Riparian Restoration Info Session
Landowners and community members will come away with information and resources of what is being done to restore flood-damaged farms and forest properties, stabilize streambanks, and rebuild resilient watersheds, and how landowners can apply to be a part of these programs.
Summer Field School
The Field School Beginning Farmer Training program celebrates 10 years in 2025. Class sessions are all field trips to area small-scale sustainable farm operations; 8 field trips occur May-August, and are individually registered for.
June
8, 2025
Ag in Art: Land Based Craft Series – Brooms & Broomcorn
Broomcorn Planting
Learn how broomcorn can be added into your farm business or backyard garden.
Broom Making
Learn how to make your own whisk style broom.
May
24, 2025
Ag in Art: Land Based Craft Series – Ecoprinting & Natural Dyes
Dye Garden Planning
Learn how to grow crops that can be used to produce natural dyes.
Ecoprinting
Learn how to create your own one of a kind bandana using natural dyes.
APRIL
29, 2025
Setting up a retail booth for success
Ashley Cavender will host a panel with area farmers market and farm retail entrepreneurs on designing and setting up a retail stand to draw in customers.
May
5-7, 2025
Women Preserving Farmland For the Future: Jefferson County
This workshop will equip women land owners with the tools and knowledge they need to preserve their farmland for future generations of farmers.
APRIL 10 & 16, 2025
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!
APRIL 10 &
16, 2025
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.
april
23, 2025
Branding & Graphic Design for local food & farm businesses
A part of the virtual marketing series, Johnson City design firm Creative Cat will go over branding principles to draw more customers in and workshop your design.
March 15 & 16, 2025
Ag in Art: Land Based Craft Series – Baskets & Willows
Willow Growing | March 15
Learn how to grow willow for your farm business or backyard garden.
March
25, 2025
Streambank Repair Workshop
Join us to learn approaches to stabilizing and replanting streambanks with an emphasis on impacts after flooding as seen from Hurricane Helene.
nov – march
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).
1/6/2025
Seed Saving with Utopian Seed
Chris Smith, founder of Utopian Seed Project out of Asheville, NC, will lead workshops on seed saving, and increasing biodiversity in our Southern Appalachian gardens, and creating varieties suited for future farming.
1o/21 – 10/23/2024
Women Preserving Farmland: Hawkins Co.
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.
concluded:
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.
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.