High Country Seed Swap Planned For March 3 By Scott Nicholson The annual High Country Organic Growers School and Seed Swap is coming up on Sat., March 3, offering classroom lectures and an assortment of heirloom, saved, and leftover seeds, flower bulbs, and root stock. Ron and Susan Joyner of Big Horse Creek Farm will be conducting an apple grafting class. The farm will be offering grafting stock in a pot for $5, a first step into home apple production. Big Horse Creek farm is one of the largest apple tree operations in the region. Other planned topics include Farm Incubator, Season Extension, and Seeding New Farms. The season extension class will offer advice on getting an early start in the spring, whether inside, floating row covers, cold frames and greenhouses, from small-scale commercial use to home gardens. Farmer Incubator programs offer more mentoring on entering the agricultural business, including hands-on experience, business advice, and resource use, covering the business from “seed to sale.” It also includes opportunities for landowners to allow growers to use their land for mutual benefit, including leases, share-cropping, non-profit or conservation easements, or other promotion of agricultural uses that . Tamara McNaughton is heading up the seed swap this year, taking over for veteran local organic grower Rob Danford. Growers are invited to bring their extra seeds, as well as containers or envelopes. All seeds are free, and you don’t have to bring seeds in order to take some. Typically, a number of heirloom, specialized, and acclimated species are available, as well as wood scion. Classes are held over the course of the day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In the past, Watauga and Ashe counties have held separate events but they will be combined this year. Contact Richard Boylan at the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service at (828) 264-3601 or (336) 219-2650. There is no charge for any of the classes or seeds, and everyone is welcome. Directions: From Boone: Hwy. 421 South to stop light intersection in Deep Gap. At intersection turn left onto Hwy. 221 North. Stay on Hwy. 221N for approximately 17 miles. Go straight through 3 more traffic lights. You will see Food Lion/Roses shopping center at the 3rd light. From this light go .9 miles and get into the left turning lane. Turn left onto 16 North. Travel 1.2 miles and you will see a Family Central sign on your right and a Mountainview Elementary School sign on your left. Turn right at the Family Central sign onto Ashe Central School Road. Follow this road about .5 miles and you will see Family Central on your right. From Wilkesboro: Hwy. 421 N past Kohls, Wal-Mart, and Lowes Hardware shopping. Turn right onto Hwy. 16 N at stop light. Follow Hwy. 16 N up the mountain. At stop sign intersection with Hwy. 88 turn left and cross the bridge. Follow 88 W/ 16 N/ 221 past Jefferson Landing Golf Resort. Stay in right lane and turn right at J.R. Vannoy Construction following Hwy. 16 N/221N. Travel 1.2 miles and you will see a Family Central sign on your right and a Mountainview Elementary School sign on your left. Turn right at the Family Central sign onto Ashe Central School Road. Follow this road about .5 miles and you will see Family Central on your right.