NC Cooperative Extension - Buncombe County

06/08/2026

Only one week remains for eligible landowners to apply for the Timber Loss Relief Program. The application period closes June 12.

If you plan to apply, do not wait until the last minute. Applications must be completed clearly and fully. Missing, incomplete or illegible information may delay processing or affect eligibility.

Applicants should also remember that completed hardcopy applications with original signatures must be submitted to a local N.C. Forest Service county or district office. Applications cannot be submitted electronically or by email. Landowners are encouraged to contact their local N.C. Forest Service county ranger’s office ahead of time to confirm staff availability.

The program is designed to partially compensate private landowners with at least 10 contiguous acres of moderate to catastrophic timber loss from Hurricane Helene. Learn More about Eligibility and How to Apply

05/29/2026

The More In My Basket website has many SNAP-friendly recipes available for you to try at home. Whether it is spring, summer, winter or fall, you are sure to find something delicious to help stretch your benefits. Visit https://morefood.org/ today!

05/29/2026

ASAP is reopening the Appalachian Grown Farmer Immediate Needs Grant (AGFING) for farmers affected by recent flooding caused by severe rainfall in Buncombe, Henderson, and Rutherford counties.

Applications from farms impacted by other weather-related events in 2026 will also be considered. The grant provides $500 to help cover expenses related to recent severe weather damage.
AGFING is available exclusively to certified Appalachian Grown farms.

Appalachian Grown Farm Immediate Needs Grant application:

This grant is intended to support farms with significant losses due to disasters. Farmers may apply for up to $500 to cover immediate needs and expenses towards cleaning, replanting, repairing, or other costs not covered through insurance or other available programs that will allow the farm to quick...

05/22/2026

Did you know....ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) supports Double SNAP for Fruit and Vegetable programs at over 30 farmers markets in Western North Carolina. This means those on SNAP can get more access to fresh food! At these markets, SNAP shoppers can double their SNAP up to $20 to spend on fruits and vegetables, all while supporting farmers local to them.

05/20/2026

Swiss Chard is a leafy green closely related to the beet plant. It is easy to recognize by its broad leaves and colorful stems of white, yellow, red, orange or purple. Its young leaves are tender and can be eaten raw in salads or used similarly to spinach in a variety of recipes. Older leaves are better cooked and can be added to soups, stir fry, sauces, or even stuffed. Check out a great recipe along with nutritional information about Swiss Chard at the link below.

Swiss Chard is a leafy green closely related to the beet plant. It is easy to recognize by its broad leaves and colorful stems of white, yellow, red, orange or purple. Its young leaves are tender and…

05/19/2026

Dairy and eggs are good sources of protein and can be great additions to a healthful balanced diet. Following food safety practices for these foods can help to prevent infection by food-borne illness that can be present in dairy, eggs, and egg products.

Dairy and eggs are good sources of protein and can be great additions to a healthful balanced diet. Following food safety practices for these foods can help to prevent infection by foodborne illness…

05/18/2026

The North Carolina Forest Service is offering a new program, the Timber Loss Relief Program (TLRP), for forest landowners who were negatively impacted by Hurricane Helene. This program compensates forest landowners who lost timber as a result of the storm.

Application for this program begins April 20, 2026 and concludes June 12, 2026. To apply for TLRP funds, landowners should contact their local county office of the North Carolina Forest Service. More details can be found at the link below.

The North Carolina Forest Service is offering a new program, the Timber Loss Relief Program (TLRP), for forest landowners who were negatively impacted by Hurricane Helene. This program compensates…

05/16/2026

Join us at Avery’s Creek Community Center, where we will make a jam from seasonal fruit and learn ways to can jams, jellies and other fruit spreads using a water bath canner.

Whether new to canning and jam making or just want to learn the latest recommendation, this hands-on class is for you!

Join us at Avery’s Creek Community Center, where we will make a jam from seasonal fruit and learn ways to can jams, jellies and other fruit spreads using a water bath canner.Whether new to canning…

05/16/2026

A great story highlighting how NC FarmLink connects aspiring farmers with land owners.

05/15/2026

Now is a great time to get your home garden set up with a rain barrel ... Stop by the Buncombe County Extension office to purchase your own!

A rainwater harvesting or rain barrel system captures stormwater runoff, usually from a rooftop, and stores that water for later use. Using harvested rainwater for purposes that don’t require treated drinking water has many advantages:
- It reduces the demand on municipal water supplies and thus increases the sustainability of drinking water supplies;
- It capture and provide water for non-drinking purposes during times of drought;
- Its use may be exempt from restrictions during a drought;
- It can reduce water bills, meaning the system can partially pay for itself.

The N.C. Cooperative Extension, Buncombe County Center is thrilled to announce we now have Ivy brand 50-Gallon rain barrels for sale. These barrels are made in North Carolina from recyclable…