Appalachian Sustainable Development

BUSINESS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

BUSINESS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

EXPANDING FOOD AND AGRICULTURE VALUE CHAINS IN CENTRAL APPALCHIA BY CREATING A MULTI-STAKEHOLDER COOPERATIVE

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE PRODUCER PATHWAY IS DESIGNED WITH THE LONG-TERM GOAL TO CULTIVATE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUTREACH, TRAINING, AND SUPPORT FOR ASPIRING FOOD PRODUCERS. THIS PROGRAM MEETS PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE TO ADDRESS AND REMOVE ANY BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION IN THE FOOD PRODUCTION ECONOMY. THE PRODUCER PATHWAY WAS CONCEPTUALIZED IN 2021 BY ASD PROGRAM MANAGERS AS A FRAMEWORK TO HELP LOCAL FARMERS AND GARDENERS OF ALL SKILL LEVELS ACCESS ASD PROGRAMMING OFFERED. THE OVERALL PROJECT GOAL OF THE PRODUCER PATHWAY IS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF WORKING FARMERS IN THE REGION AND PROVIDE SUPPORT TO BEGINNING FARMERS TO ENSURE THEIR SUCCESS, BASED ON THE KNOWLEDGE STAKEHOLDERS CURRENTLY HAVE AND THEIR EDUCATIONAL OR CAREER GOALS. THIS PROJECT IS RELEVANT TO OUR MISSION BECAUSE THE EXISTING CRITICAL FARMER SHORTAGE HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY RECENT SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES, INDICATING THE NEED FOR QUALITY TRAINING AND SUPPORT TO ENSURE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF NEW FARMERS AND A SECURE FOOD SUPPLY. OVERLAPPING VULNERABILITIES CREATE A COMPLEX SET OF NEEDS FOR EACH PARTICIPANT AND ASD'S PRODUCER PATHWAY IS DESIGNED TO MEET THESE NEEDS WITH CONNECTIONS TO MULTIPLE SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING WRAPAROUND SERVICES REMOVING BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION. WE CONDUCT NEEDS ASSESSMENTS FOR VETERAN RECRUITS TO IDENTIFY THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, ASSETS, AND GOALS. WITH THIS DATA, WE ARE ABLE TO CURATE PROGRAMMING TO FIT THEIR TRAINING NEEDS BASED ON THEIR CAREER GOALS. THE DATA COLLECTED INFORMS PLANS FOR EACH STUDENT, CONNECTING THEM TO PRODUCER PATHWAY TRAINING AND START-UP SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES, IDENTIFYING ANY BARRIERS TO SUCCESS WITH STRATEGIES TO REMOVE THEM, AND REFERRING PARTICIPANTS TO EXTERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AS NEEDED FOR ADDITIONAL OR SPECIALIZED SUPPORT. ADDITIONAL DATA ON PARTICIPANT NEEDS WILL BE COLLECTED FROM THE NIFA FARM & RANCH BUSINESS HEALTH ASSESSMENT TOOL PROVIDED AND WILL BE INCLUDED IN PARTICIPANT MATERIALS.?TO SUMMARIZE THE SCOPE OF WORK, PROJECT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: RECRUIT FARMER VETERANS/ ASPIRING FARMER VETERANS, ASSESS THEIR GOALS, INTERESTS AND RESOURCES, IDENTIFY BARRIERS TO SUCCESS, PROVIDE CONNECTIONS TO WRAPAROUND SERVICE PROVIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY, CURATE AND DELIVER SEVERAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, PROVIDE ACCESS TO FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE, ASSIST WITH JOB PLACEMENT OR STARTUP SUPPORT FOR AGRICULTURAL ENTREPRENEURS, CONNECT THEM INTO THE SUPPORTIVE NETWORK OF LOCAL FOOD PRODUCERS, AND PROVIDE MARKET ACCESS THEY MAY NOT HAVE HAD ACCESS TO OTHERWISE. THE TIMELINE FOR MOST GROWING AND FIELD PRODUCTION WORK FOLLOWS THE SEASONS FOR GARDENING ZONE 6 WITH OTHER ACTIVITIES ONGOING THROUGH THE YEAR.THE PRODUCER PATHWAY IS A COMPREHENSIVE, IMMERSIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCE WITH A REPLICABLE MODEL FOR OTHER COMMUNITIES SEEKING TO INCREASE FOOD SOVEREIGNTY AND SUSTAINABILITY. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO CREATE PROGRAMMING WITH THE GOAL OF INCREASING THE NUMBER OF WORKING FARMERS AND FOOD PRODUCERS, WHILE INCREASING T,HEIR INCOMES, PROMOTING LOCAL FOOD, IMPROVING HEALTH AND NUTRITION, AND REDUCING HUNGER AND POVERTY. SUPPORTING OBJECTIVES TO MEET THIS GOAL INCLUDE PROVIDING QUALITY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, ACCESS TO WRAPAROUND SERVICES PROVIDED BY COMMUNITY SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS, AND BY PROVIDING LOGISTICS AND BUILDING MARKETS TO ENSURE THESE NEWLY GAINED SKILLS CAN GENERATE AN INCOME. THIS PROJECT WILL MEET ALL THE CRITERIA FOR A MODEL TRAINING PROGRAM LISTED IN THE PROGRAM DESCRIPTION.

THIS PROJECT WILL INITIATE THE AGGREGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF MEAT PRODUCTS VIA APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT S (ASD) APPALACHIAN HARVEST FOOD HUB, EXPANDING EXISTING MARKETS IN COLLABORATION WITH CURRENT PRODUCERS, EXISTING FACILITIES, AND ESTABLISHED COLLABORATORS. THE MARKET DEMAND ALREADY EXISTS THROUGH SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND LOCAL RETAILERS AND IS EXPECTED TO GROW AS REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE, ANIMAL WELFARE, HEALTHIER MEATS, AND LOCAL REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM RESILIENCE BECOME INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT TO CONSUMERS. PROJECT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE EXPANDING ASD TRAINING TO INCLUDE SUPPORT FOR MEAT PRODUCERS, INCLUDING PRODUCTION PRACTICES, FOOD SAFETY, AND MEETING BRAND, PRODUCT, PACKAGING, AND CERTIFICATION STANDARDS BUILDING AND MANAGING MARKETS FOR MEAT AND COORDINATING DELIVERY LOGISTICS. THIS PROJECT WILL INCREASE MARKETS FOR REGIONAL BEEF PRODUCERS, INCLUDING THOSE UTILIZING ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION PRACTICES SUCH AS GRASS FINISHING AND SILVOPASTURE. EXPECTED PROJECTOUTCOMES INCLUDE INCREASED REGIONAL FOOD SECURITY AND INCREASED FOOD HUB SALES VOLUME, PROFIT, AND THE NUMBER OF YEAR ROUND OFFERINGS, BENEFITING CONSUMERS, FARMERS, AND THE LOCAL ECONOMY. THIS PROJECT WILL ALSO PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN MAKING DELIVERIES TO SMALL RURAL PURCHASERS (E.G., SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND SMALL RETAILERS) FINANCIALLY VIABLE, AS IT WILL INCREASE THE VALUE AND VOLUME OF EACH DELIVERY, ENSURING THESE MID TIER MARKETS ARE SERVICEABLE OVER THE LONG TERM. ANOTHER OUTCOME OF THIS PROJECT WILL BE TO LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR SUBSTANTIAL EXPANSION OF REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE PRACTICES AND THE PREMIUM PRICING CONNECTED TO THEM BY END USE CUSTOMERS AND MAJOR RETAILERS. DOCUMENTATION OF THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE A TEMPLATE FOR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO REPLICATE AND WILL INCLUDE OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES AND A HAZARD ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL CONTROL POINTS (HACCP) PLAN.

INDEPENDENT INITIATIVE

APPALACHIAN HARVEST: SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA AGRIBUSINESS SUCCESS CENTER

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ARP ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT FOR RURAL HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

INCREASING LANDSCAPE-SCALE ADOPTION OF AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS IN CENTRALAPPALACHIA THROUGH MARKET-BASED INCENTIVES

BUILDING A REGIONAL COALITION IN THE HEART OF APPALACHIA TO ENHANCE BEGINNING FARMER EDUCATION WITH EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** WITH THE HIGH RATE OF POVERTY AND COMPOUNDING FACTORS, INCLUDING LIMITED TRANSPORTATION AND LIMITED LAND ACCESS, FOOD INSECURITY IS AN INCREASING CONCERN ACROSS SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA. THE CORE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO ADDRESS THE WIDESPREAD LACK OF ACCESS TO HEALTHY, NUTRITIOUS FOOD FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING POVERTY, SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN, AND OTHERS WHO ARE FOOD INSECURE. TO ACCOMPLISH THIS GOAL, ASD WILL USE ITS MOBILE FOOD TRAILER, MENU WITH A MISSION, TO PROVIDE DIRECT ACCESS TO FOOD FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN WORKING IN THE FOOD SYSTEM, AND BY ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY PRESENCE TO PROMOTE LOCAL FOOD AND LOCAL FARMERS.TO MEASURE OUR IMPACT, ASD WILL TRACK REINVESTMENT INTO THE LOCAL ECONOMY, OUR LOCAL FARMERS, AND THE FUTURE OF FARMING. BY MEASURING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT ON LOCAL FOOD, THE OUTCOMES FOR OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, AND THE PRESENCE OF THE TRAILER AT EVENTS IN THE REGION, ASD WILL SHOW THE IMPACT OF THE PROJECT ON OUR COMMUNITY FOOD SYSTEM. THROUGH COMPLETING THESE GOALS ASD WILL ADDRESS THE CORE MISSION OF THIS PROJECT: IMPROVING ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY, FRESH, HEALTHY, LOCAL FOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITY IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA.

BOOTS ON THE GROUND: SUPPORTING VETERANS IN AGRICULTURE

SECTOR-BASED STRATEGIES

APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT- INCREASING THE VIABILITY OF FARMERS MARKETS AND FARMERS IN APPALACHIAN VA AND TN THROUGH COORDINATED MARKETING,

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM

RME OUTREACH

LINKING PRODUCERS WITH MARKETS

RME OUTREACH

2018RRMEPP

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM

A FOOD DESERT PROJECT TO INCREASE THE ACCESS TO AND THE PRODUCTION OF HEALTHY, AFFORDABLE FOOD IN SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN

BUSINESS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

SECTOR-BASED STRATEGIES

GROWING FARMERS AND FARMERS MARKETS IN RURAL APPALACHIA

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

THIS PROJECT UTILIZES TRAINING, EDUCATION AND FARM BASED DEMONSTRATIONS TO FARMERS TO MAINTAIN OR EXPAND ACREAGE UTILIZING BIOLOGICAL, CULTURAL AND

TO REDUCE RISK AND IMPROVE ECONOMIC VIABILITY FOR SMALL LIMITED RESOURCE FARMERS THROUGHOUT A TEN COUNTY AREA OF SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA AND NORTHEAS

COMMUNITY FACILITY GRANTS

2015 EDUCATION AWARD

RURAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GRANTS

COMMUNITY FACILITIES - ECONOMIC IMPACT INITIATIVE GRANTS

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVE PROGRAMS

RBDG RURAL BUSINESS COOP RURAL ENTERPRISE GRANT

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM

SECOND TO NONE MARKETING LOCAL COSMETIC