In the days after Helene wreaked havoc in Asheville on its destructive path through Western North Carolina, our community began to emerge and assess the damage wrought by the storm to their homes and property.
After the storm cleared, environmental student Emma Carr remembered the garden plots being cultivated by her and her agriculture classmates would likely be ready for harvest if undamaged.
She was thankful to find them unscathed. A few of the hoops had blown over in one of the green house plots and a pine tree had fallen, missing the garden by only a few feet.
From there, she sent an email checking in on her fellow classmates and asking their permission to harvest and donate the food they had grown. They all gladly agreed.
“I thought it could be cool to donate the food rather than letting any of it perish in the field,” Carr said.
“I harvested an incredible amount of bok choy and radishes, which were the two crops ready to be picked. We all grew some stunning produce.”
Carr carefully cleaned the produce, using a two-wash system to conserve what limited water she had. With what she described as the last bag of ice available at Harris Teeter, and an extension cord from a neighbor to power a small fridge, she kept it fresh overnight.
After collecting additional donations of dry goods and toiletries from her neighborhood, Carr set up shop in the back of her truck on Haywood Road in West Asheville where a couple other trucks were handing out food and water. Soon a “spontaneous market” was formed, with Deep Time Coffee giving out free coffee and Asheville’s Poverty Initiative’s donation adding corn, kale, cucumber and romaine to the fresh produce offerings.
“It was a really special and magical experience of community and impromptu collectivity. Our class’ garden plots probably helped out 50 or more people,” Carr said.
“Everyone was really excited at the opportunity to eat some fresh produce, which of course has not been easy to find since the storm. There were lots of honks, waves, hugs, and sweet conversation.”
Carrots, turnips, kohlrabi, spinach, fennel, arugula, and peas will be ready to be picked in the weeks to come. Carr will continue to visit the garden to harvest more. Concerned for how to water the plants with no rain in the forecast and water still a scarce and precious resource, Carr is considering running creek water through a water purifier or utilizing some of the rain barrels on campus.
The garden has been a group project for the 21 students enrolled in the ENVS 358 Agriculture course taught by Jake Hagedorn, assistant professor of environmental science, which covers topics like agriculture production systems and their environmental consequences.
“This is a wonderful example of our agriculture course students using their class community, learned ag skills and heart to contribute to our larger community need,” Hagedorn said.
© 2026 UNC Asheville
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