Events
Rural Revival Project Street Festival Series
Truth Talks
Discussion Panel
A Time to Heal
A day filled with panel discussions on the topics of faith, healing, and recovery in Spruce Pine. Moderated by documentary journalist Graham Meriwether, Director of Agriculture, Rural Revival Project.
KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING!
Mingle and keep the conversation going with panelists while enjoying a fire-roasted, pastured pork and baked beans dinner prepared by legendary farmer and pitmaster Greg Gunthorp of Gunthorp Farms.
Healing on a Homestead
Restoring Farms, Soil & Spirits
12:00pm – 12:45pm
Speakers:
Chris Lunsford, Musician, Homesteader – Farmville, VA
Marianne Cicala, Homesteader – Spruce Pine, NC
Gabby Kova, Herbalist, Healer – Alberta, Canada
After Hurricane Helene, many farms are in recovery. This panel explores restoring homesteads and minds. Marianne’s biodynamic farm fell into disrepair, but Oliver Anthony is renovating it to help military veterans heal. Gabby will share her passion for healing herbs and how to grow a garden pharmacy.
Faith Through Hard Times
Strength, Survival, and Service
1:00pm – 1:45pm
Speakers:
Johnny Glosson, Farmer- Siler City, NC
Pastor Mike Moore, Pastor- Hopewell, VA
During hard times, Johnny, a lifelong farmer, thrives through enduring faith. After last year’s hurricane, Pastor Mike helped others by distributing supplies, providing vehicles, and rebuilding homes. His unwavering faith drives him to serve others for a higher purpose.
Short Film Screening: Johnny Glosson
Cotton of the Carolinas: How our T-shirts are Made
Dirt to Shirt – Reviving American Mde Apparel
2:00pm – 2:45pm
Speakers:
Eric Henry, CEO of TS Designs- Burlington, NC
97% of America’s clothing is made overseas. Eric Henry, CEO of TS Designs, a North Carolina company, creates shirts from American-grown cotton. We’ll explore how Rural Revival Project t-shirts are made and discuss what it takes to bring more apparel manufacturing back to the U.S. to create jobs.
An Unconventional Response
Strength, Survival, and Service
3:00pm – 3:45pm
Speakers:
Natalie Bogwalker, Director of Wild Abundance, Asheville, NC
Justin Neal, Entrepreneur, Charlotte, NC
Adam Smith, CEO of Savage Freedoms, Asheville, NC
After Hurricane Helene, military veterans Adam and Justin of Savage Freedoms coordinated relief, recovered bodies, and transported people to safety. Master builder Natalie and her Wild Abundance team used natural building skills to rebuild homes before conventional systems could respond, helping citizens when government agencies couldn’t.
Short Film Screening: Savage Response
Strengthening North Carolina Agriculture
Turning Crisis Into Opportunity – Strengthening
Local Agriculture & Food Systems
4:00pm – 4:45pm
Speakers:
Greg Gunthorp, Gunthorp Farms, LaGrange, IN
Suzanne Karreman, Reverence Farms, Saxapahaw, NC
Sara Runkel, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, Bakersville, NC
Dru Zucchino, TRACTOR Food & Farms, Spruce Pine, NC
Crisis creates opportunity. This panel explores strengthening North Carolina’s agriculture for self-sufficiency. Sara connects farmers with communities, Suzanne teaches dairy farming, and Greg, a national agriculture leader, advocates for regional food systems. Together, they’re working to build resilient local food networks and empower more people to feed themselves.
Short Film Screening: Suzanne Karreman
Dinner with Panelists
KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING!
Whole Hog Roast
5:00pm – 6:00pm
Mingle and keep the conversation going with panelists while enjoying a fire-roasted, pastured pork and baked beans dinner prepared by legendary farmer and pitmaster Greg Gunthorp of Gunthorp Farms.
Additional Information
- Raise Funds for Recovery: Support families, displaced individuals, and local businesses as they work to rebuild their lives and communities.
- Strengthen Partnerships: Engage with local, regional, and national organizations to enhance community resilience and collaboration.
- Increase National Exposure: Share Spruce Pine’s recovery story with a wider audience, showcasing the community’s strength and determination.
- Boost Local Economy: Provide a positive economic impact through participation from local vendors and sponsorships, supporting the area’s businesses as they recover.
Together, we can help Spruce Pine, NC rise stronger than ever!
- Documentary Screenings
- Speaker Workshops
- Skills Workshops
- Access to counseling
Saturday, April 5, 2025
| 10:00 am | Gates Open |
| 1:00 pm | Main stage performances begin |
Sunday, April 6, 2025
| 11:00 am | Sunday worship service – Main Stage |
- Switzerland Inn – Little Switzerland area
- Springmaid Mountain – Spruce Pine area
- Skyline Village Inn – Spruce Pine area
- Big Lynn Lodge – Little Switzerland area
- Blue Ridge Boutique Hotel
- Richmond Inn Bed & Breakfast
- Continental Divde Retreat Airbnb – Spruce Pine Area
- Area Cottages/Cabins
- Area Campgrounds
- Mitchell County Tourism Website – info on stay, play, dine, recreation
Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
