A Place Worth Fighting For

A Place Worth Fighting ...

Given all the negative reporting about Appalachia’s problems and the subsequent “brain drain,” it may seem surprising that there are young people who are committed to their homes and communities, who feel an unbreakable tie to the mountains and who want to make their homeplaces better....
Photo Post: Floyd, VA

Photo Post: Floyd, VA

Greetings from Floyd, Virginia, a little town with a big personality! I’ve spent the last two days here with the Central Appalachian Network and CAN grantee SustainFloyd. Though the town itself has under 500 residents, Floyd has a great downtown with locally-owned businesses and is...
Music Festival Helps Small Virginia Town Grow

Music Festival Helps Sm...

You might not expect to find some of the biggest names in indie and folk rock playing at a dot on the map in Southwest Virginia, but the town of Floyd is bringing them in. Bands like the Lumineers and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros typically play to sold-out crowds...

Buying Local Helps Inst...

It might still be pretty cold across much of Central Appalachia, but planting season has started for many area farmers. In the warmer months ahead, we can look forward to fresh, local produce at the Farmer’s Market, in many of our schools and restaurants, and even at some...

Southwest Virginia Grou...

An increasing number of communities are seeing their lush, beautiful surroundings as an opportunity for sustainable growth. The Clinch River Valley Initiative, based in Southwest Virginia, is one of them. The Initiative has been working with a diverse coalition of area residents,...

Crooked Road Builds Mus...

From the always-excellent reporters at Making Connections News comes this story about how Southwest Virginia is building up its economy around its musical mountain heritage: All Appalachians know our region is rich in music – but this doesn't always translate in to money for...

Food Fellowship at Alle...

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...

Appalachian Community E...

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...