First Step Farm of WNC, Inc. is a private, non-profit corporation chartered in 1976. We are a North Carolina licensed residential supervised living center for substance dependent adults, serving all 100 counties of North Carolina. We are located in the beautiful Pisgah Mountains of Western North Carolina in Candler, NC, a short distance from Asheville. We are licensed by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, governed by a Board of Directors comprised of community members, and operated by qualified, licensed staff (many recovering) with years of experience in chemical and alcohol recovery.
The First Step Farm is a unique alternative treatment program utilizing a Work Therapy Program where residents train, learn new skills, and earn wages. In addition to learning about discipline, responsibility, and structure, most residents leave the Farm with enough money to re-establish themselves.
First Step Farm operates a fully functional productive farm for Men and Women on two separate sites in Buncombe County. Farming operations began in 1978 and greenhouse operations began in 1980. The Farm is a well known supplier of vegetable plants and bedding flowers for the Southeast. Farm staff has Pesticide Certifications and is a North Carolina Department of Agriculture Certified Nursery. The Farms two facilities employ a total of 45 workers for production in its 29 greenhouses.