Sustainable Agriculture

Building upon the existing agricultural traditions in the region, Appalachian sustainable agriculture ventures have the potential to serve as a significant economic driver. Appalachia is home to a variety of traditional crops that could support an increasing number of jobs related to sustainable production of food and value-added products through meeting the increasing demand for locally-grown, sustainably produced foods. Viable small scale farms are returning and are accessing farmers markets and other retail outlets throughout the area. 

Stories

• CAFÉ — The members of the CAFÉ (Clinch Appalachian Farmers Enterprise) growers group have been working together in Rogersville, Tennessee for the past two years.

Websites and Organizations

• Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnet)
• Appalachian Nutrition Network
• Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
• Appalachian Sustainable Development Sustainable Agriculture Program
• Central Appalachian Network
• Community Farm Alliance
• Community Food Initiatives
• Jubilee Project
• Meadowview Farmers’ Guild
• Monroe Farm Market
• Rural Action Sustainable Agriculture Project
• Rural Resources
• Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group
• Sustainable Mountain Agriculture Center, Inc

Reports and Resources

• Central Appalachian Network’s “Growing Healthy Food Systems from the Ground Up” Conference Proceedings (April 2009)
• University of Kentucky Research Foundation, “An Evaluation of Agricultural Development Board Investments in Kentucky Agriculture 2001-2007: Non-Model Projects, Model Programs, and the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation” (October 2008)
• West Virginia University, "Agriculture in the Appalachian Region: 1965-2000" (2001)

To suggest a resource or link: info@appalachiantransition.net