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Did you know we recently launched WStoday, our sister newsletter in Winston-Salem, NC? From the latest news about developments and restaurants to fun events around town, we’re covering everything you need to know about the Twin City. Subscribe today to stay in the loop.
 

Breaking ground with the Utopian Seed Project

Breaking new ground with the Utopian Seed Project
workers on the utopian seed project farm
Sowing a more resilient future for crops. | Photo via The Utopian Seed Project
The Utopian Seed Project grew from okra. Okay, it’s not that simple, but okra is definitely a part of the nonprofit’s origin story.

Before founder Chris Smith launched the Project, he had taken on an in-depth personal study of okra (which eventually spawned a James Beard Award-winning book) that involved growing hundreds of the plant’s varieties and experimenting with “stem to seed” use. His experience reflected a creative, food-first approach that he wanted to bring to the region.

The Utopian Seed Project was also born from a need for crop trialing and seed selection in the area and concern about climate change’s large impact on food — with a desire to show the role of seed in combating it. Chris says the “power of seed is often misunderstood or ignored in creating sustainable and resilient food and farming systems.”

okra in a row

The variety trials showcase the crops’ diversity and potential and search for standout varieties.

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Photo via The Utopian Seed Project

Trial and error

Among many programs, the Project designs trials around different crop varieties, sometimes for open-minded exploration or for the needs of the region — for example, growing and testing four varieties of cucumbers to find the one that’s most mildew-resistant. The team is also working on their ultracross seed project, creating plants with genetic recombinations that are highly adaptive to environmental pressure — which means they’re more climate resilient.

These trials can also give answers to simple questions like “can a certain crop grow here?” The team will plant the crop and learn about its potential for WNC, either in pursuit of agrobiodiversty or in response to community need. The work involves risk, but they often get unbelievable results — out in their open fields, you’ll find tropicals like taro, chayote, and ube.

chefs cook at the trial to table series for the utopian seed project

The Trial to Table events are a chance to test the taste and practicality of the trial crops.

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Photo via The Utopian Seed Project

Savoring flavor

The resiliency is crucial, but the Project also works with area chefs to make sure the crops it develops are flavorful and practical. You can get a taste for yourself during the Trial to Table series, where local chefs create dishes using the trial crops. The summer celebration, which is on Saturday, Aug. 19, 1:30 to 4 p.m. at The Mule, will feature experimental summer greens and mountain-adapted tomatoes.
The Biltmore
 
Events
Monday, Aug. 14
  • Freshen Up Comedy Open Mic | Monday, Aug. 14 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Noble Cider Downtown, 49 Rankin Ave., Asheville | Free | Share your best jokes at this new-material stand-up event, or sit back and enjoy the improv, sketch, and musical comedy.
Tuesday, Aug. 15
  • Asheville Symphony Chorus Auditions | Tuesday, Aug. 15 | 5:30-8 p.m. | First Congregational United Church of Asheville, 20 Oak St., Asheville | Free | The Symphony Chorus is looking to add new members this year, so if you’re a songbird, register to audition.
  • Dungeons & Dragons | Tuesday, Aug. 15 | 6-9 p.m. | Well Played Board Game Café, 58 Wall St., Asheville | $12 | Calling all brave adventurers — stop by for a spellbinding night of gameplay.
  • Punch Bucket Lit: A West Asheville Reading Series | Tuesday, Aug. 15 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Revolve Mercantile, 697 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Poet Evan Gray and novelist J.P. Gritton will share their work in two 25-minute sessions.
Wednesday, Aug. 16
  • Sourdough Class | Wednesday, Aug. 16 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Dogwood Cottage Baking, 175 Weaverville Rd. Ste. V, Asheville | $120 | Learn the principles of bread baking and how to make an authentic sourdough from a starter.
  • Adult River Snorkeling | Wednesday, Aug. 16 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Asheville Parks & Recreation Building, 72 Gashes Creek Rd., Asheville | $20 | Dive beneath our mountain streams to get a new perspective of the water — arrive at 8:45 for transportation to the snorkeling site.
Thursday, Aug. 17
  • Wine Tasting & Live Music with Authentique Vin | Thursday, Aug. 17 | 5-8 p.m. | Botainst & Barrel Tasting Bar + Bottle Shop, 32 Broadway St. Ste. 110, Asheville | $15 | Sip on wine and perry, a drink made from fermented pears, with guidance from local importer Thomas Meunier and a little music.
  • Thursday Night Live: Jessie Meltz Harp | Thursday, Aug. 17 | 6-8 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville | Free with admission | Listen to the soothing sounds of the harp in the Museum’s atrium.
  • Improv Jams | Thursday, Aug. 17 | 7-9 p.m. | Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Hosted by Speakeasy Improv, this monthly jam session lets you test out your improv skills.
Events calendar here
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News Notes
Civic
  • The City of Asheville transferred city-owned property at 3 Hunt Hill Pl. to KL Training Solutions for its programs My Daddy Taught Me That, My Sistah Taught Me That, and My Daddy Taught Me That Jr. These programs offer college and career readiness and enrichment opportunities for 6 to 19-year-olds.
Featured
  • AVLFest had quite an impact for its first-ever event, and the shows + celebration made it all the way to “Rolling Stone.” The festival was featured in and reviewed for the publication in a write-up by local journalist Garret K. Woodward.
Watch
  • The show must go on. The TODAY Show’s feature on Appalachian Wildlife Refuge aired on Wednesday, Aug. 9 after having been delayed from its original air date. Check out the team talking about their mission and how the organization is helping wildlife in crisis.
Plan Ahead
  • Food Connection, a local nonprofit dedicated to reducing food waste and easing hunger, is hosting their largest fundraiser of the year on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at Wicked Weed’s Funkatorium. Get your tickets now for drinks, guest speakers, raffle prizes, a silent auction, music, and food from the nonprofit’s chef partners.
Shop
  • Last chance: MANSCAPED’s annual Summer Sale ends in just two days. Now’s your chance to take advantage of 20% off + free shipping site-wide to save big on their best-selling electric trimmers, premium grooming kits, and UltraPremium formulations. Activate your discount.*
Home
Wellness
  • Ever tried Salt Therapy? Be transformed by the healing wonders of the Asheville Salt Cave — a full-circle wellness spa offering therapeutic massages, a hammam bathhouse and steam room, and a one-of-a-kind, micro-climate salt cave loaded with 30 tons of element-releasing pure pink salt. Book a relaxing experience (you deserve it).*
 
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Molly
From the editor
Back-to-school season is nearly upon us, and as much as I love stocking up on school supplies I don’t need, it’s giving me flashbacks of my time as a high school teacher. Maybe I’ll work out those feelings at The Moth’s Back to School Story Slam at the Grey Eagle on Thursday, Aug. 17.
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