The mission of Project Branch Out is to propagate rare and native flora of Western North Carolina and provide educational opportunities for local students, growers, and plant enthusiasts. Helping farmers create a cash crop that serves as an alternative to raising tobacco or Christmas trees was the driving force behind the creation of Project Branch Out.

Through seed and tissue culture propagation, we are reintroducing some varieties of native deciduous azaleas that had become rare in the nursery business. These seed propagated azaleas and other rhododendron are utilized by the local Nurserymen as transplant stock for their fields. The process of producing plants from seed is a sustainable practice that does not harm the parent plant or its environment. These native ornamentals are part of the natural beauty and cultural heritage that draws thousands of visitors to our region annually.

The Appalachian Mountains offer an unequaled array of native ornamentals. By setting an example, our greenhouse operations are attempting to change the propagation method of local nurserymen to protect the natural populations of the diverse native flora. We offer students the opportunity to learn greenhouse management and have become a source of healthy, high quality plants for landscapers and growers in the region.

Located on the campus of EnergyXchange in rural Burnsville, NC, Project Branch Out is a collaborative endeavor, developed through the assistance of such organizations as Blue Ridge Resource Conservation and Development Council, Mayland Community College Horticulture Department, and the NC Cooperative Extension Service.