Hickory Nut Gap Farm Education Project

Project HNG is a nonprofit organization in Fairview, North Carolina that seeks to educate the community about horses and agriculture through hands-on experiences. With programs like summer camp, horseback riding lessons, community workdays, and veterans’ rides, Project HNG provides opportunities to get dirty, work hard, and have fun while learning about the importance of healthy equine and farming practices.

Our herd of 50 horses allows us to offer riding lessons to over 70 students per week, in addition to a youth equestrian team with 23 members, a Buncombe County 4-H program, trail rides for veterans groups and summer camp for as many as 450 children, many of which receive scholarships to attend.

Like so many others in Western North Carolina, Project HNG was significantly impacted by Hurricane Helene. Our barn and horses are safe, but we have only just regained power and water. Downed trees have destroyed fences and heavy rains have damaged pastures, trails and hay supplies. We foresee the effects of the storm continuing well into the future, seriously affecting our ability to generate sufficient income to cover operational costs.

Because our programs are so important to many members in our community, we are reaching out to you, our friends and neighbors, for help. Your support will ensure that our horses stay healthy by funding fence repair, trail recovery, feed and hay. It will also sustain income for our small team of three employees so they can restore a sense of normalcy to students by continuing to offer riding lessons and equine education. Although we are lucky to have a committed team of volunteers to help with feeding, grooming and other tasks, we rely on our employees for site maintenance and horse care in addition to managing the lesson program.

We are incredibly grateful for any support you can provide, whether in the form of a donation or by simply sharing this information. Your donation will help Project HNG return to serving the community in Buncombe County and beyond.