Long Branch Environmental Education Center

The Long Branch Environmental Education Center(LBEEC) is an small education institute in Buncombe County's Sandy Mush Community. This property was conserved in 1974 as an ecological sanctuary and was then developed into an educational center for "sharing positive strategies of sustainability and local self-reliance in areas of environmental design, organic food production, renewable energy, shelter design and construction, appropriate technology, resource conservation, recycling, wildlife protection, ecological restoration and improved environmental quality"(LBEEC Website).

 Long Branch Environmental Education Center has a wide variety of offerings. When in season, they offer you-pick red raspberries, wineberries, honeyberries, thornless blackberries, blue berries, heirloom apples, back-crossed hybrids of American Chestnuts. LBEEC also offers edible landscapes, edible forest gardens, and hiking trails to Big Sandy Mush Bald at 5,152 feet. Products available on the farm include jams, honey, plants, trees,trout and apple cider in season.

"You-Pick" Fruit and Nut Picking Schedule

Raspberries: June-November

Wine Berries & Blackberries: June- July

Blueberries: June- November

Apples & Chestnuts: June - November

Open Hours: Everyday 8 am to 5 pm

Location: 278 Boyd Cove Rd Leicester, NC 28748

Phone Number: 828-683-3662

Website: www.longbrancheec.org