Participation Type
Panel
Session Title
Session 4.13 Economic Conditions: What does Sustainable, Equitable Agricultural Development look like? And why should we care?
Session Abstract or Summary
SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/ray/Documents/Appalachian%20Studies%20Conference%20%202015.doc
Sustainable and Equitable Agricultural Development (SEAD) is a Taskforce of the Community Economic Development Network. The SEAD Taskforce is comprised of participant organizations that vary widely in size, scope and focus. They share a sense of place, a commitment to racial, social and economic justice, and maintain a connection due to shared values.
The mission of SEAD is to “increase sustainable and equitable agricultural development and promote healthy connections of environment and community-based enterprises.”
The proposed discussion will bring leaders from the Taskforce together to shape a conversation about the opportunities and challenges being faced in the work to revive and diversify our rural economies. Long Histories of cash poor communities being stripped of natural resources to fuel more affluent communities elsewhere due to boom and bust extractive economies, painful memories of being pushed out of communities to find “opportunity” in urban centers, such experiences have left many rural communities on their own to figure out how to survive.
The SEAD Taskforce will share the stories of their own challenges, some strategies that have failed and some that have succeeded along with hopes and plans for the future.
Presentation #1 Title
Carol Judy: Lessons from Coal Country ,the Clear Fork Institute and Fair Trade Appalachia
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/ray/Documents/Appalachian%20Studies%20Conference%20%202015.doc Carol Judy lives in a small-unincorporated town in Clearfork County, Tn near Jellico. Carol is a wild woman who has over 50 years experience in the woods. She understands forest management and the uses of roots and plants as value added products. She is the founder of Mountain Made Mountain Ways and is networking regionally as well as internationally to create a success story and create jobs in a niche market of highly valued products. Carol has also worked with youth in her underserved community for over 25 years, building bridges with visiting college students by “flipping the script” and framing the local youth as “experts” to learn from.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/ray/Documents/Appalachian%20Studies%20Conference%20%202015.doc
Carol Judy is a Rural Leadership Development Network Fellow recipient, is Founder of Mountain Made Mountain Ways, participant in United Nations Grass Roots Women World Conference and a proud Appalachian Root Digger. She has been associated with the Clear Fork Institute and the Woodland Land Trust for over 15 years and is a hero and lifeline for youth.
Presentation #2 Title
Bonnie Swinford: Lessons and Shared Experience from TNACE project- Tennessee Appalachian Community Economics.
Presentation #2 Abstract or Summary
SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/ray/Documents/Appalachian%20Studies%20Conference%20%202015.doc
Bonnie Swinford works with a variety of community organizations to preserve Appalachian culture through hands on education. She will share experiences around her work with community based economies in East Tennessee. Bonnie will discuss the value of shared knowledge and skills exchange. She will share stories of building community using ideas, passion and resources identified by the community seeking change, from water monitoring to building hoop houses, gardening, craft marketing and economic summits. Bonnie has spent years advocating and working for solutions to issues faced by communities in distress.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/ray/Documents/Appalachian%20Studies%20Conference%20%202015.doc
Bonnie Swinford is a nonprofit consultant who works with grassroots social and environmental justice organizations on leadership development, strategic planning, grant management, and capacity building. She is a contract organizer for the Tennessee Sierra Club and she works on initiatives with regional, state wide and local organizations.
Presentation #3 Title
William Isom: Communication, Media and Access in Appalachia, Issues and Resolutions
Presentation #3 Abstract or Summary
SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/ray/Documents/Appalachian%20Studies%20Conference%20%202015.doc
Appalachia has long been marginalized and misrepresented by mainstream media outlets. Appalachian voices are rarely heard and the region's issues are not highlighted even in the face of systematic problems. Therefore it has been essential for people from the region to create their own media infrastructure. William uses participatory methods to engage young people, train community members in production, and build community spaces for open dialogue. William Isom will share his success with various media tools to help communities frame language and message to facilitate change.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/ray/Documents/Appalachian%20Studies%20Conference%20%202015.doc
An native of Eastern Tennessee and the current coordinator of CMOP, William is a long-time worker for media, land, racial and economic justice in the region. As a former farm intern at the Highlander Research and Education Center, co-founder of UBS: Hands Off Appalachia! Campaign, a founding member of Melange and volunteer coordinator for the birdhouse in Knoxville, Tennessee, William works around the strategic intersections of independent media production, land justice, direct action and historic preservation.
Presentation #4 Title
Deborah Bahr: Art & Music, Entrepreneurship and Community Building
Presentation #4 Abstract or Summary
SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/ray/Documents/Appalachian%20Studies%20Conference%20%202015.doc
Deborah is an artist and director of a new non-profit, Clean Water Expected in East Tennessee. She has worked in East Tennessee for over 25 years with a variety of cottage industries and community groups to develop resilience and hope in distressed economies. Often this includes fine Appalachian traditions of “doing without” and “making due”. Deborah believes by reframing these attitudes Appalachians can thrive- not just survive. She will share stories from some of these communities.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/ray/Documents/Appalachian%20Studies%20Conference%20%202015.doc
Deborah Bahr started working in rural communities after experience with the Funding Collaborative on Violence Prevention in Washington DC. As director of CWEET she works for the “betterment of all living things…ultimately through love.” Deborah uses the skills of community organizing, life-coaching and creative problem solving to assist communities in addressing and developing the change they wish to see.
Carol Judy: Lessons from Coal Country ,the Clear Fork Institute and Fair Trade Appalachia
SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/ray/Documents/Appalachian%20Studies%20Conference%20%202015.doc Carol Judy lives in a small-unincorporated town in Clearfork County, Tn near Jellico. Carol is a wild woman who has over 50 years experience in the woods. She understands forest management and the uses of roots and plants as value added products. She is the founder of Mountain Made Mountain Ways and is networking regionally as well as internationally to create a success story and create jobs in a niche market of highly valued products. Carol has also worked with youth in her underserved community for over 25 years, building bridges with visiting college students by “flipping the script” and framing the local youth as “experts” to learn from.
