Participation Type
Panel
Session Title
Session 7.08 (Agriculture) Many farms, Many tables: Connecting the food economy in Appalachia
Session Abstract or Summary
“If music be the food of love, play on,” may be the famous opening line, but the four organizations on this panel would argue that food is the music of love. Representing Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and West Virginia, presenters on the panel will discuss the ways in which their organizations respectively build economic development opportunities from farm to consumer for a more equitable (more loving) food system. The objective is to learn cross-regionally how organizations with similar missions have created unique, place-based programs that are innovative and dynamic. Programs include speed dating events for growers and chefs; a wholesale distribution program that provides almost $2 million in revenue to its farmers; a year-round farm store that is 100% stocked with items sourced from no farther than 100 miles away; and food systems research. Each organization will address the challenges--geographic, historical, culture--of building a sustainable food and farm economy in Appalachia, and share their perspectives on the future outlook of a food system that feeds all, rich and poor.
Presentation #1 Title
The West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition: "we are YOUR coalition"
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Since 2010, West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition has supported a statewide network of West Virginians working to grow food and farm businesses while improving access to healthy local food. This presentation will show the challenges the organization faces in spearheading a large statewide initiative while capacity building in local communities. WVFFC is currently implementing a Road Map for the Food Economy: the Road Map is based on a series of seven public forums and several issue-specific meetings in which over 310 West Virginians expressed how they wanted the local food economy to grow and improve. Elizabeth Spellman, Executive Director of the West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition, has worked on diverse food and agriculture projects in Massachusetts, New York, Philadelphia, the San Joaquin Valley of California, and Vermont.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Elizabeth Spellman, Executive Director of the West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition, has worked on diverse food and agriculture projects in Massachusetts, New York, Philadelphia, the San Joaquin Valley of California, and Vermont.
Presentation #2 Title
Appalachian Sustainable Development: living better, locally
Presentation #2 Abstract or Summary
Over the past 14 years, Appalachian Sustainable Development has identified and addressed numerous obstacles to Appalachian farmers participating in the local food system. This presentation will show how a local movement came to reach beyond state and geographic boundaries to grow its local economy. ASD operates two aggregation and distribution services out of southwest VA. In 2000 ASD created the Appalachian Harvest packing house and distribution network to serve wholesale markets. In 2013 Appalachian Harvest revenue for small and medium scale farmers (located primarily in the southwest VA) was just under $1.5 million. ASD recently started Rooted in Appalachia, to serve the growing number of restaurants and small retailers in the region who want to purchase local foods. Rooted in Appalachia has a small refrigerated truck that it uses to meet farmers at convenient drop off points. Kathlyn Terry, Executive Director, first came to ASD in 2006 after various business leadership roles in the for-profit sector.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Kathlyn Terry, Executive Director, first came to Appalachian Sustainable Development in 2006 after various business leadership roles in the for-profit sector.
Presentation #3 Title
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project: local food, strong farms, healthy communities
Presentation #3 Abstract or Summary
Nearly 15 years since Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project launched a local food campaign for western North Carolina, what began as a strategy to help Appalachian farmers find new markets has now evolved to be part of a national movement to fundamentally change the food system. This presentation will show how the western North Carolina agricultural and local food scene has seen dramatic positive transformation. The most current Census of Agriculture unveiled this year by the US Department of Agriculture reports that in the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina, local food sales are significantly growing and farmland acreage has increased (the reverse is true of the rest of the state, and country). Molly Nicholie is the Program Director for the Locally Grown Campaign.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Molly Nicholie is the Program Director for the Locally Grown Campaign at Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project.
Presentation #4 Title
Emily BidgoodAppalachian Resource Conservation & Development Council: local hands and local lands
Presentation #4 Abstract or Summary
Northeast Tennessee, flanked by active local food movements in southwest Virginia and western North Carolina, has been slower to take up the local movement banner. This presentation will share new developments in the Northeast Tennessee food system that have been made possible by collaboration with partner organizations across state lines. Emily will speak to how the ARC&D has played a supportive role in helping partner organization, Jonesborough Locally Grown open a permanent, indoors, staffed farm store in downtown Jonesborough, Boone Street Market. Boone Street Market, to open November 1, 2015, will serve produce, meat, dairy, and other foods grown within 100 miles, providing regional growers a new and unique market opportunity. Expected sales for the store in the first year are $240,000. Emily Bidgood is the Project & Development Coordinator for the Appalachian RC&D Council. She first came to the ARC&D in 2011 as an AmeriCorps VISTA.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
Emily Bidgood is the Project & Development Coordinator for the Appalachian RC&D Council. She first came to the ARC&D in 2011 as an AmeriCorps VISTA.
The West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition: "we are YOUR coalition"
Since 2010, West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition has supported a statewide network of West Virginians working to grow food and farm businesses while improving access to healthy local food. This presentation will show the challenges the organization faces in spearheading a large statewide initiative while capacity building in local communities. WVFFC is currently implementing a Road Map for the Food Economy: the Road Map is based on a series of seven public forums and several issue-specific meetings in which over 310 West Virginians expressed how they wanted the local food economy to grow and improve. Elizabeth Spellman, Executive Director of the West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition, has worked on diverse food and agriculture projects in Massachusetts, New York, Philadelphia, the San Joaquin Valley of California, and Vermont.
