@yucayekefarms

Brandon Ruiz (he/him) is a Community Herbalist and Urban Farmer based in Charlotte, NC. He directs Yucayeke Farms, a community project based on providing affordable access to culturally-relevant herbalism and foods through local farming and educational resources. His focus is on Caribbean medicines and herbalism of the American South. He works with his community through providing educational material and food and herbs at affordable prices, collaborating with chefs and other creators to tell the stories of plants and the people who know them best.

@thelobstertrap

For over 15 years Chef McCarty (he/him) has masterfully captained The Lobster Trap. From the start, Chef McCarty, along with founding owner Amy Beard, had a clear vision of what The Lobster Trap should be: a meeting place for the flavors of Maine, combined with Appalachia's abundance of fresh ingredients. Mike has made sustainability the focus of every dish on his menu. In recent years, The Lobster Trap has been named a Leader in sustainability by the James Beard Foundation's Smart Catch program.

@oaksteakhousehighlands

Weinstein (he/him) is the Executive Chef of Oak Steakhouse, a modern take on the classic steakhouse at Skyline Lodge in Highlands, NC. Embracing the beauty of the property and the surrounding nature, Weinstein is driven by the seasons of WNC and the local produce available throughout the year, from ramps and fava beans in the spring to tomatoes and watermelon in the summer. Describing his cuisine as new American with worldly influences, Weinstein loves the challenge of running a smooth service and takes pride in every dish that leaves his kitchen.

@bluedreamcurry

James (he/him) grew up in Atlanta, GA and did music and documentary production while always working in restaurants or service industry jobs. He moved to Asheville at the beginning of 2015 to open Blue Dream Curry House with his business partner Sean Park, who is the chef behind Blue Dream’s core recipes. Blue Dream has made it a point to always pay a living wage, source as much as possible locally, and to give back to the community with charity events.

@wellseasonedtable

Sarah (she/her) has a deep family heritage in WNC, but grew up in South FL, in a native plant nursery. Sarah moved to Asheville in 2007 and returned to college, studying Ecology & Environmental Biology. This is when her love of farming & wildcrafting really began. In 2014 she started Well Seasoned Table, a seasoning company that grows, wildcrafts, and locally sources 85% of their ingredients. This education pulls from Sarah’s experience as a scientist, as well as her experience as a farmer and as an artist.

@pinehurstfarmersmarket

April Jones (she/her) is originally from Akron, OH and  advocates for her community as part of the food justice and food sovereignty movement. She is passionate about community gardens, and farmer markets. She is a writer, public speaker, blogger, recipe developer, book reviewer and more. She contributes content to her blog Frolicking Americana, and to national magazines, Mother Earth, Country Lore, The Natural Farmer, Grit, Ark Republic, and Ecoparent Magazine, Growers and Co., Farmers Market Coalition writer, An Emerging Leader in food and agriculture

@shantielixirs

Shanti (she/her), RN, BSN, IBCLC is a nurse, perinatal educator, lactation consultant, wife + mother. Her interest in holistic health led her on a transformation journey where she became a beekeeper + Jun brewer. Shanti Elixirs is dedicated to nurturing the intimate connection between the health of our bodies and wellbeing of our planet. She enjoys speaking about the gut-brain connection and how our gut affects our behavior and our emotions.
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Mx. Tyson Sampson (he/they) is an Eastern Band Cherokee Indian ( ᎠᏳᏫᏯ ᎨᏯᏔᎯᎤᏁᏉᎳᏗᏍᎩ).Tyson is a two-hearted and -spirited individual descended from the local indigenous matriarchy called the ᎠᏂᎩᎶᎯ (A-ni-gi-lo-hi). Over 20+ years, they have documented endangered language, held mindful presence, and shared Cherokee wild food practices and cultural sensibilities. They are cultivating an apothecary for ethnobotanical accessibility and a collective to support traditional ecological knowledge through the Bigwitch Indian Wisdom Initiative.

@newbelgium_avl

We were born on a bike. The rest is history. For almost 30 years we have crafted beers while proving that business can be a force for good.

@shantielixirs

Working together, the Shanti Elixirs’ team is dedicated to spreading well-being, peace and good vibes through every sip of Jun – created and bottled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina.

@botanistandbarrel

Botanist & Barrel crafts real southern ciders, fruited sours, and wines. Focused on spontaneous, wild cultures and light-handed winemaking we embrace old world methods with modern sensibilities.

@vidlcellars

Through many different treatments, vessels, and fermentations, we’ve created a diverse portfolio of wines that reflect our passion as both drinkers and makers. These truths we hold self-evident: fruit is life, fermentation is alchemy, and wine is vīdl.

@noble_cider

Founded in the new 'Craft Brew Mecca' of Asheville and North Carolina's apple country, Noble brings together a rich local history of agriculture with this region’s exciting craft beverage industry. We make a variety of things...mead, spritzers, wine, and cider of course!

@devilsfootbrew

Farm-To-Can Craft Soda. We pride ourselves on working with Organic Roots & Fruits to create a healthier, more flavorful non-alcoholic experience for everyone in our communities.

@mountainvalleywater

@chemistspirits

Founded by Debbie Word, Chemist Gin was born from a small family still and many hours of moonshining. Their unique appreciation for classic distilling and modern science led to the creation of their first spirit - a beautiful gin made with American botanicals and distilled wheat spirit.

@drinksarilla

When you choose Sarilla, you are also making positive change in the world! A fun, healthy and nonalcoholic beverage that is naturally energizing with a base of camellia sinensis tea leaves. We use a whole leaf brewing technology so not only are you getting a great-tasting beverage, but you are also benefiting from the antioxidants, amino acids, omegas and slow-release polyphenol naturally occurring in tea. 

@cultivatedcocktailsdistillery

Since 2015, our family distillery has been crafting award-winning spirits and taking them one step further. Cultivated Cocktails blends legacy with innovation, art with science. We age our spirits with care, choice oaks and unique flavors. 

@blue_moon_water

Local Bottled Spring Water from the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC