A Few Lessons for Appalachia’s Future

The folks over at Yes! Magazine featured MACED – and several other great Appalachian organizations – in their recent article “Don’t Be Like the Past: 3 Lessons for Appalachia’s Post-Coal Economy.” Like the author of yesterday’s post, Yes! is optimistic about Appalachia’s ability to make it through coal’s downturn. So what happens when Appalachia is coal country no more? What will it take to build a new economy in a region that has been defined by the unsustainable extraction of natural resources (including natural gas and poorly managed timber in addition to coal)? Throughout Appalachia, local, grassroots groups are hard at work on those questions. Outsiders might be surprised to learn that the region is full of organizations working to reform old industries and promote more sustainable ones, to build local entrepreneurial capacity, and to make sure the region’s resources benefit residents over the long haul. These organizations are often heavily interconnected, creating a growing, region-wide support network for residents who are looking to create something new. And new is the name of the game—a recurring theme is the need to build economies designed to avoid the problems of Appalachia’s past. These groups see the necessity of an economic transition as a chance to create economies more diverse, more resilient, and far less polluting than what came before. Read the whole article by clicking here....

Must-read essay on entrepreneurs in Appalachia’s post-coal economy...

Yesterday, the Daily Yonder featured a thoughtful, thought-provoking essay about the uncertaintly of the economic future of the coalfields. Written by a young entrepreneur from Whitesburg, KY, the piece juxtaposes the author’s father’s view that it’s coal or nothing with the rebirth of Whitesburg’s Main Street in the face of coal’s decline. This rebirth has been fueled by brave entrepreneurs: Since opening The Parlor Room, John has been joined on a reviving Main Street by new start-ups: a restaurant, a consignment shop, an art gallery and, much anticipated, a new bakery.  In Whitesburg and the surrounding towns in Letcher County, we see the trend in entrepreneurship very clearly. Joining the well established small business community are several men and women who have begun photography businesses. There are new embroidery shops, up-scale consignments, an outdoor sports and apparel shop, and a noticeable abundance of peddler’s malls. We certainly believe entrepreneurship is a cornerstone to Appalachia’s economic future. It is true that cal’s decline will create hard times for Appalachian communities who haven’t been preparing for it, and the author shares her worries for her family’s – and her community’s – future. But she also shares her optimism that Appalachian ingenuity and drive will get them through. In some small compartment the larger local consciousness, there’s the “make do” attitude that has sustained the Appalachian people for hundreds of years. Whether a person stands on the side of the coal industry or feels the industry is the detriment to our well-being...

Food Fellowship at Alleghany Mountain School

What's better to post on the day before Thanksgiving than a food-related fellowship announcement? From the good folks at Alleghany Mountain School in Highland County, VA:  Do you know someone interested in food sustainability? Allegheny Mountain School is looking for seven to nine inspiring individuals to participate in our 18 month fully-funded fellowship program.  Allegheny Mountain School (AMS), located in Highland County, VA, is a not-for-profit experiential fellowship program designed to serve our region’s communities in developing a more secure food system. In the spring of 2013, Allegheny Mountain School will assemble its third cohort and we are currently accepting applications for these roles. Applicants should be highly curious, responsible, hardworking young adults with a strong interest in learning the “how” and “why” of growing and preparing one’s own food and teaching those skills to members of our local communities.    AMS is a two phased program. In Phase I (April 28 – November 1, 2013), AMS Fellows will study sustainable food production, land stewardship and community development in an intensive, hands-on, cooperative learning residency. Work and study both take place on the farm and at community projects in surrounding areas. Workshops and seminars will occur both on and off campus. In the year following (January 1 — December 31, 2014), AMS Fellows enter Phase II and will work in the service of Partner Organizations in our region and focus on activities such as building community gardens, advocating sustainable land use and teaching nutrition and cooking for a healthy...

Appalachian Community Economics Series Focuses on Forestry this Saturday...

The Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards of southwest Virginia is offering a series of workshops on a variety of topics this fall and winter. This coming Saturday, the topic is sustainable forestry – a vital sector for central Appalachia. We are one of the most richly forested regions in the US, and also one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, so it is critical that we manage our forests for both the economy and the environment. The three workshops will focus on root digging, sustainable forestry opportunities in the region (led by yours truly), and asset based community development. Don't miss it! See the full schedule and descriptions of the workshops...

WMMT Report on Broadband Access (or Lack Thereof) in Appalachia...

We are excited to share another great report from the always-illuminating folks at WMMT's Making Connections News on the ongoing challenge of  access to high-speed internet in the mountains and its implications for education and the economy.  A recent study from the Federal Communications Commission finds that Central Appalachia is far behind in terms of broadband access. West Virginia has the largest unserved population proportional to its size today – with 416,359 West Virginians unable to get a highspeed connection – and Kentucky comes in 40th in the nation.  And in rural counties such as McDowell and Mingo, upwards of three-quarters of the population do not have access.  So why is it so hard to get a good connection in the mountains?  Without a new approach, what will this mean for the future of mountain communities? You can listen to the report here....

Lack of Farm Bill Hurts Rural Development

In case you hadn't heard, we are currently operating without a Farm Bill. It expired at the end of October, and Congress didn't get their act together to pass a new one before the recess. While provisions were made to keep many commodity programs up and running, many programs supporting small farmers, conservation, local foods and rural development have been left without funding, or without the authority to use the funding they do have.  The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) has been running a series of blog posts that show the impact that the shuttering of these programs has. Their latest post features an Appalachian business that was helped by the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP), a program that helps small, rural businesses improve and expand – and which is currently on hold until we get a new Farm Bill. From the blog post:  Eight years ago Wayne Patrick was operating Science Hill Tool Works out of a 1,000 square foot, three-car garage.  Science Hill Tool Works provides tools to and manufactures replacement parts for businesses in the area.  As the company grew, Wayne relied on Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation (KHIC) not only as a lender, but also for business support and guidance.  KHIC helped him consolidate his business and provided valuable business advice. With the support of funding from the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP), KHIC’s microloan program allowed Wayne’s business to expand from that 1,000 square foot garage to a 30,000 square foot facility.  Science Hill Tool...

Local Foods Grant Opportunity

The Central Appalachian Network is now taking applications for its 2013 Small Grants Program: CAN’s small grants program is designed to increase the capacity of our partner organizations across Central Appalachia to strengthen and connect food-based value chains in their sub-regions, as well as to connect these partners across the region for mutual learning and support. Over the past three years, we’ve supported 15 non-profit organizations, social enterprises, and groups of entrepreneurs with 19 one-year grants of $5,000 to $15,000. Among other projects, these grants have funded the purchase of processing, aggregation, and distribution equipment for meat, grain, and produce value chains, supported trainings and workshops for vegetable producers, and allowed CAN partners to serve as anchors for sub-regional local food networks. Learn more about last year’s grantees here. We are now accepting applications for the 2013 Small Grants Program. We expect to award 7-10 grants ranging from $5000 to $15,000 each. Due to the generous support of the One Foundation, West Virginia applicants only may request up to $20,000 each. Organizations located in the Appalachian countiesof Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and throughout West Virginia are welcome to apply. Organizations without non-profit 501(c)3 status will need to apply in conjunction with a fiscal sponsor. In order to apply, please download the complete request for proposals here: CAN Small Grants RFP All applications should be submitted by email to  no later than 5:00 pm Eastern on Friday, December 21st, 2012. The 2013 Small Grants Program is supported by the Ford Foundation, the Mary Reynolds Babcock...

Mark Your Calendars: Community Forum on Value of Local Food System...

We are excited to share with you this press release from Big Sandy Community and Technical College about a great upcoming event. PRESTONSBURG – Big Sandy Community and Technical College’s (BSCTC) Human Services program will host forum, entitled “The Value of a Local Food System in Eastern Kentucky,” on Thursday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m., in the Gearheart Auditorium on the Prestonsburg campus. The forum comes as Americans are increasingly moving towards “local food” movements, including the support of food co-ops, farmers’ markets, and locally-grown, chemical-free foods. “The support of local farmers and our local food system as a whole is not only healthier to our bodies, but also provides sustainable jobs and the potential for larger economic development opportunities,” said BSCTC Professor Tammy Ball, LCSW, coordinator of the Human Services program and event organizer. “Placing much-needed attention on local foods and the potential movement in our area is also vital to elevating our quality of life.” This summer, Ball’s students, along with other groups on the BSCTC campus, planted raised-bed gardens and used the harvest to distribute to a local food pantry. “Our students experienced the value of planting and harvesting firsthand, and we believe that our youth fully embraces the farm to table movement,” she added. Panelists for the event include Joyce Pinson, who has gained statewide attention for her acclaimed Web site www.friendsdriftinn.com. A Farm-to table syndicated columnist and master gardener, Pinson hosts her own television show “Friends Drift Inn with Joyce Pinson” on Pike-TV in Pike...