BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Appalachian Highlands Farmers Magazine - ECPv6.17.4.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Appalachian Highlands Farmers Magazine
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Appalachian Highlands Farmers Magazine
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20270314T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20271107T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260917T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260917T183000
DTSTAMP:20260914T201558Z
CREATED:20260914T171550Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260914T201558Z
UID:9891-1789666200-1789669800@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:WVSU Aquaponics Workshop Introduces Fish-Based Growing
DESCRIPTION:The WVSU Aquaponics Workshop will be held Sept. 17 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Raleigh County Public Library\, 221 N. Kanawha St.\, in Beckley\, W.Va. West Virginia State University Extension Service is offering the program free of charge. \nThe workshop will introduce participants to aquaponics\, a growing system that combines fish production with hydroponic plant production. Instead of growing plants in soil\, aquaponic systems circulate water between fish and plants. Fish waste provides nutrients for the plants\, while the plants and related biological processes clean the water before it returns to the fish. \nFor people who have heard about hydroponics but are less familiar with aquaponics\, the workshop offers a chance to see how the two ideas differ and how fish become part of the nutrient system. \n\nArcadiYay\, CC BY-SA 4.0 \nWVSU Aquaponics Workshop Explores an Alternative Growing System\nAquaponics can appeal to growers interested in producing food where conventional field production is difficult\, or space is limited. Systems can vary considerably in size and complexity\, from small educational setups to larger commercial operations. \nThe WVSU Aquaponics Workshop can help participants better understand the basic relationship among fish\, plants\, water\, and nutrients before deciding whether the approach fits their interests. \nOperating an aquaponic system requires attention to more than plant growth. Producers must also consider fish health\, water quality\, temperature\, oxygen levels\, and the balance between the aquatic and plant portions of the system. Learning those fundamentals can help people develop realistic expectations about the equipment\, monitoring\, and management involved. \nWVSU Aquaponics Workshop Builds on Extension Education\nThe aquaponics program is part of a series of WVSU Extension workshops exploring food production and related skills. Other 2026 workshops have addressed soil health\, aeroponics\, and hydroponics\, giving participants several opportunities to learn about different production systems. \nFor Appalachian Highlands growers\, these systems may be worth exploring as possible additions to existing farms\, educational projects\, or small-scale specialty production. \nRegister for the WVSU Aquaponics Workshop\nThe WVSU Aquaponics Workshop begins at 5:30 p.m. on September 17 and lasts one hour. WVSU lists the program as free\, but participants should register in advance and check the university’s event page for any last-minute schedule or participation changes. \nThe workshop offers farmers\, gardeners\, and other interested participants a chance to learn how fish and hydroponic plant production can work together in one growing system. \nRead our full-length articles about educational opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/wvsu-extension-workshop-aquaponics/
LOCATION:Raleigh County Public Library\, 221 North Kanawha Street\, Beckley\, WV\, 25801\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education,Workshops & Seminars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Aquaponics_at_Growing_Power_Milwaukee.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="West Virginia University Extension":MAILTO:grass@wvu.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260924T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260924T130000
DTSTAMP:20260916T220300Z
CREATED:20260913T192834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260916T220300Z
UID:9772-1790254800-1790254800@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Healthy Soil for Healthy Crops Builds Better Growing Systems
DESCRIPTION:Healthy Soil for Healthy Crops will give farmers\, growers\, and gardeners practical\, science-based guidance to improve soil health and build more resilient growing systems. \nThe class will be held Thursday\, September 24\, 2026\, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the North Carolina Arboretum\, 20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way\, Asheville\, North Carolina. The in-person program is part of the Arboretum’s Adult Education offerings and will be taught by soil-health educator Mark Dempsey. \nUnderstanding How Healthy Soil Works\nThe workshop will begin with the fundamentals of soil and the biological and physical processes that influence crop performance. \nParticipants will examine the importance of organic matter\, how it affects soil function\, and why maintaining healthy soil can improve the long-term productivity of farms and gardens. The program will focus on practical steps growers can take to improve soil conditions rather than treating soil health as an abstract concept. \nThe Healthy Soil for Healthy Crops workshop is designed around research and real-world farm experience\, with an emphasis on strategies growers can put into practice on their own land. \n\nHealthy Soil for Healthy Crops and Soil Testing\nOne central topic will be soil sampling and nutrient testing. \nParticipants will learn how to collect a useful soil sample and how to interpret information from a nutrient test. Understanding soil-test results can help farmers and growers make better decisions about fertility\, amendments\, and overall soil management. \nThe workshop will also address steps producers can take after receiving test results\, helping connect laboratory information with practical field decisions. \nSoil Health\, Erosion and Farm Resilience\nThe program will explore ways better soil management can help reduce erosion and improve the resilience of farming systems. \nHealthy soils can play an important role in how agricultural land responds to heavy rainfall\, dry periods\, and other stresses. For Appalachian growers working on sloping ground or in areas that have experienced severe weather\, soil structure and erosion control can be especially important. \nHealthy Soil for Healthy Crops connects those broader concerns with practical soil-management strategies farmers and gardeners can use over time. \nExperienced Soil Health Instructor\nInstructor Mark Dempsey is a conservation specialist and soil health educator with the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association. \nDempsey has more than 15 years of research and education experience involving soil microbiology\, no-till production\, cover crops\, and sustainable agricultural systems. His work focuses on practical approaches to improving soil function and long-term farm resilience. \nRegistration and Financial Assistance\nThe class is intended for adults and runs for approximately three hours. The North Carolina Arboretum offers a 10% registration discount for members and also provides a scholarship application for participants who may have difficulty covering the cost of a class. \nDate: Thursday\, September 24\, 2026Time: 1-4 p.m.Location: The North Carolina ArboretumAddress: 20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way\, Asheville\, NC 28806Instructor: Mark DempseyFormat: In-person workshop \n  \nRead our full-length articles about educational opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/healthy-soil-for-healthy-crops/
LOCATION:The North Carolina Arboretum\, 20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way\, Asheville\, NC\, 28806-9315\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education,Workshops & Seminars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/jonathan-kemper-healthy-soil-healthy-crops-featured.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="North Carolina Arboretum Adult Education":MAILTO:adulteducation@ncarboretum.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260925T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260925T000000
DTSTAMP:20260915T195459Z
CREATED:20260915T191021Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260915T195459Z
UID:10066-1790294400-1790294400@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Kentucky Conservation Funding Application Deadline
DESCRIPTION:Kentucky conservation funding is available to eligible farmers and landowners seeking financial and technical assistance to improve soil health and implement conservation practices on working lands. Submit applications for the current funding cycle through a local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office by September 25\, 2026. \nThe opportunity is available through the Soil Health for Urban and Rural Environments\, or SHURE\, project\, a Regional Conservation Partnership Program initiative led by Grow Appalachia\, a strategic initiative of Berea College. Grow Appalachia is working with the Organic Association of Kentucky and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to deliver the program. \n\n\nMore Than $3.8 Million for Kentucky Conservation\nThe SHURE project is bringing more than $3.8 million into Kentucky to help farmers and landowners adopt conservation practices that support healthier soil and more resilient agricultural operations. \nEligible participants may receive financial assistance and one-on-one technical support. Grow Appalachia and Organic Association of Kentucky staff can help producers identify conservation needs\, develop an on-farm conservation plan\, navigate the NRCS application process\, and understand how to implement approved practices. \nConservation practices supported through the project may include cover crops\, riparian forest buffers\, pollinator habitat\, and other measures designed to improve soil and natural resources. \nThe project emphasizes soil health and resilient agricultural practices. NRCS also says the SHURE initiative prioritizes small farms of 50 acres or less in Kentucky. \nFarmers Can Get Help With the Application\nFarmers do not have to develop a conservation plan or navigate the NRCS process alone. Technical assistance is available to help identify farm problems and opportunities\, evaluate resources\, and determine which conservation practices may be appropriate. \nProducers and landowners interested in the current funding cycle must submit their applications through their local USDA NRCS office by September 25\, 2026. \nNRCS accepts conservation program applications year-round\, but the September 25 cutoff determines which applications will be considered for the current Kentucky funding cycle. Applications submitted after that date will move to a future funding period. \nFarmers who applied for SHURE funding during the spring 2026 application period but were not funded may apply again during the fall funding cycle. \nHow to Apply for Kentucky conservation funding\nKentucky farmers and landowners interested in the program should contact their local USDA Service Center or NRCS field office before the deadline. Grow Appalachia and the Organic Association of Kentucky also offer conservation assistance to farmers who need help understanding available practices\, conservation planning\, or the application process. \nApplication deadline: September 25\, 2026\nWho may apply: Eligible Kentucky farmers and landowners\nProgram: RCPP Soil Health for Urban and Rural Environments (SHURE)\nApplication: Submit through a local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office \n  \nRead our full-length articles about grants and educational opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/kentucky-on-farm-conservation-funding-application-deadline/
CATEGORIES:Grants & Deadlines
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/jeff-arnold-Kentucky-farm-Conservation-.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR