NC Alternative Crops & Organics Program

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NC Alternative Crops & Organics Program This is the research and extension program of Dr. Jeanine Davis in the Department of Horticultural Science at NC State University based in western NC.

Since 1988, my program has been dedicated to helping people make an income with farming. Our focus is on small and medium sized farms in the Southern Appalachian mountains. This is done through research and extension efforts on new crops such as medicinal herbs, native botanicals (e.g., ginseng), hops, truffles, and stevia; vegetables; and organic farming. We hope to initiate a biodynamic program in the near future. Learn more about our program at http://ncherb.org and http://ncorganic.org.

Our October newsletter is out and it is FULL of information on a large number of events, including the 2nd Gather to Gro...
10/12/2026

Our October newsletter is out and it is FULL of information on a large number of events, including the 2nd Gather to Grow Forest Farming Conference which is coming up in just a few weeks! Read about our 2026 intern, volunteer opportunities with forest farming and Chinese herbs, and the 11th Annual North Carolina Medicinal Herb Grower and Buyer event.

Link to our October Newsletter:
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ncextension.acemlna.com/lt.php?x%3D4lZy~GE2JXjK5XCu0_69WOdw~nQoutUjjM42XnQ3Iaae55V~zUy7xONu23Ig-RVfjDZo4XPLJ3Cd95_-ytDNYOF02o2kid~1jMo&source=gmail&ust=1791896023691000&usg=AOvVaw22OflCYIMqWfbBmcku7Kl6

With the tomato field season winding down for the year, we are reflecting on the successful tomato taste tests we organi...
10/12/2026

With the tomato field season winding down for the year, we are reflecting on the successful tomato taste tests we organized as part of the NC Specialty Crop Block Grant Program with Dr. Dilip Panthee's tomato breeding lines. There is no better way to get accurate flavor data than participatory taste tests that the local community can take part in.
Thank you to the Hendersonville Farmers Market, the WNC Farmers Market, the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center, and one of our organic tomato fields for hosting our taste tests!

Join the AFFC and NC Alternative Crops & Organics Program for Q&A, resources, and casual conversation about forest farmi...
10/11/2026

Join the AFFC and NC Alternative Crops & Organics Program for Q&A, resources, and casual conversation about forest farming and more. All regions and experience levels are welcome. These sessions are not recorded, all are welcome to join in the discussion or just listen in! Learn more and register at https://www.appalachianforestfarmers.org/office-hours

Join the AFFC and for Q&A, resources, and casual conversation about forest farming and more. All regions and experience...
10/11/2026

Join the AFFC and for Q&A, resources, and casual conversation about forest farming and more. All regions and experience levels are welcome. These sessions are not recorded, all are welcome to join in the discussion or just listen in! Learn more and register at https://www.appalachianforestfarmers.org/office-hours

10/11/2026
Check out our latest newsletter:
10/11/2026

Check out our latest newsletter:

October brings cooler...

10/10/2026

Mark your calendars for the 41st annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference, taking place Oct. 30th - Nov. 1st in Winston-Salem! đź“…

Come together with farmers across our state, as well as other agriculture industry professionals, to learn all about advancing local, sustainable, and organic agriculture. Learn more, and register today, at the link below!

Register here: https://web.cvent.com/event/def73b28-6d10-40ae-be27-2573f7a6063f/summary

The Woodland Stewards group spent an October morning harvesting woodland botanicals (Goldenseal, Solomon's Seal, Black C...
10/09/2026

The Woodland Stewards group spent an October morning harvesting woodland botanicals (Goldenseal, Solomon's Seal, Black Cohosh) from the NC State Forest Farming Demonstration Site in Mills River, NC. Woodland Stewards then collaboratively cleaned, processed, and turned the root harvest into medicinal extractions.

Address

Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center, 455 Research Drive
Mills River, NC
28759

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5am
Wednesday 8am - 5pm

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