Effective communication is essential, and can be transformative for your farm operation. In this two day long interactive workshop, Improving Farm Communication, participants will address real life situations to learn about communication styles, ways to have better conversations, and have a chance to practice new skills. In this workshop we will cover the basics of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), aka, Compassionate Communication, and how it can be applied to your personal as well as your farm life and business. On-farm communication is critical for farm viability, and is one of the most common sources of conflict and frustration for farmers, family members, business partners, employees, and customers.

NVC has been used around the world for decades in all areas of people’s lives and has one of the most proven track records for reducing conflict and creating teamwork, increasing efficiency, and boosting morale.

By using examples from participants’ lives we will create a highly interactive learning environment and learn skills that can be immediately applied to your home and work life.

Come if you:

1. Are part of a farm family or farm team
2. See the benefit of improved communication skills
3. Would like to have conversations that aren’t so awkward
4. Are ready to tackle difficult conversations
5. Find the stress of farm life difficult to express to others

Courses to prepare you to successfully care for your bees as a first year beekeeper. Each Monday night for 7 weeks plus 2 apiary sessions. Over a dozen instructors from the southeast. $75 fee includes textbook, course material and a 1 year family membership to HCBA (up to 4 family members can attend).

FREE informational seminar about what you need to know about Social Security

Join us a sit down discussion with famed astrophysicist, author, and pop culture sensation Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson for “An Astrophysicist Reads the Newspaper” at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. Neil deGrasse Tyson brings his trademark academic and illuminating prowess to exploring the world’s and Asheville’s current events. Known by the masses from his social media posts about pop culture subjects and movie premises, his effortless blend of topical modern culture and scientific logic have made him a favorite among people of all ages. In recent years, Tyson has brought his captivating personality to shows such as Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, The Big Bang Theory, and cult-favorite Futurama.

Tyson is the fifth head of the world-renowned Hayden Planetarium in New York City and the first occupant of its Frederick P. Rose Directorship. He is also a research associate of the Department of Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History. On the lighter side, Tyson was voted “Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive” by People Magazine in 2000.

VIP tickets are available for this event. The tickets include:

• (1) Premium Seat at the event
• (1) Signed Commemorative Poster
• Photo Opportunity with Neil deGrasse Tyson after the event
• Access to Pre-Show Event Reception with open and hors d’oeuvres. Tyson will not be present for this event.

Financial Advisor Emily McCurry will be discussing current events, the economy and investing, in a relaxed, informal setting, is a great way to get to know one another. Coffee will be on us!

Nutritious Thoughts is offering two new educational support groups.  The Diabetes Education and Support Group is open to members of the community who have diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, or Gestational) and would benefit from extra education and support around this disease. The group will meet for an hour on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 6 to 7 pm at the Nutritious Thoughts office and will include a short education provided by Registered Dietitian, Margaret Ruch, MS, RD, LDN. The gatherings will also include plenty of time for peer support for members to help each other deal with the daily demands of life with diabetes.

 “I’m excited to be able to offer this group as there’s a real need for education and support around this issue that is so common in our community,” stated Margaret Ruch, MS, RD, LDN.

The second group is open to all those dealing with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and looking for more comradery and assistance in navigating their relationship with food and PCOS.  This group will be led by Registered Dietitian, Katie Rhodes, RD, LDN, and will be held the 4^th Wednesday of every month from 6 to 7 pm at Nutritious Thoughts.

Caroline Christopoulos and Lauren Harr of Gold Leaf Literary Services, LLC will hold an informational session for authors on best practices for working with bookstores to create a mutually beneficial relationship. They will discuss publishing options and how they affect bookstore relationships, ways to help boost sales, making the most of author events, and more. Christopoulos and Harr have decades of experience in the book industry and have taught courses for authors through the Great Smokies Writing Program, Flatiron Writers Room, and NC Writer’s Network. More on Gold Leaf Literary at www.goldleafliterary.com. This event is free, but does require registration. The deadline to register is January 15th. To register, email [email protected] with the subject: Malaprop’s session.

Ready to go WILD? Join us for a trip “off the eaten path.” You’ll learn how to safely gather edible wild plants, mushrooms, and other “extreme cuisine.” Stay for a stunning view of the sunset and enjoy dinner at Vue 1913 featuring a free appetizer with the edibles you met on your tour. Suitable for all ages and abilities. To register or for more info, see here. Three-hour foraging tours also available, year-round, by arrangement.

Wild food is the ultimate natural food: ultra-local, fresher, more flavorful, 10 to 100 times more nutritious than its garden-variety descendants, AND it’s free! With over 300 wild edibles, Western North Carolina is the richest temperate ecosystem on Earth. For a taste of the wild life, forage ahead and experience the life of a modern hunter-gather firsthand. It’s a unique experience in self-catering, a memorable lesson in high-class survival.