Participation Type
Committee Sponsored Session
Session Title
The DROP Collaborative: A Model Agricultural Entrepreneurship Program for Rural High Schools and Communities
Session Abstract or Summary
Many Appalachian communities face the issue of what to do with small family farms as they pass from generation to generation. Rather than subdivide them, as is so often done, many landowners would like to find a sustainable way to maintain the farm so that it continues to give back to its community. The DROP Collaborative in Carter County, Tennessee is one example of an innovative agricultural entrepreneurship program that accomplishes this goal, preserving the farm, using it as a teaching tool, and donating the harvest to the community. Established in June 2015, this groundbreaking model was successfully implemented as a collaboration between Unaka High School and the landowner. In 2016, it was named one of the top five CTE (Career and Technical Education) Models by the Tennessee Department of Education and, in 2017, won a statewide award for Conservation Promotion from the Tennessee Association of Conservation Districts. This roundtable, which includes teachers, administrators, and the landowner/executive director, will describe the DROP Collaborative story and its model, which we believe can be successfully adapted by other high schools and communities across Appalachia. This session directly connects to the conference theme, demonstrating an innovative way to achieve engagement and sustainability. This session is sponsored by the ASA Education Committee.
Presentation #1 Title
The DROP Collaborative Model
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
This is a roundtable sponsored by the ASA Education Committee. Each participant in the session will present their perspective on the planning, development, and ongoing operation of the DROP Collaborative project in Elizabethton, TN. The session will emphasize practical lessons learned that will be helpful to those who are seeking to adapt this agricultural entrepreneurship model to their own communities.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Ron Roach is Chair of the Department of Appalachian Studies and Director of the Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Services at East Tennessee State University.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Ms. Pattie Meyer is the founder and Executive Director of the DROP Collaborative, Elizabethton, TN.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Dr. Melissa Loveless is CTE Principal and Business Technology teacher at Unaka High School, Elizabethton, TN, and a member of the board of the DROP Collaborative.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
Mr. John Hardin is the Agricultural Science teacher at Unaka High School, Elizabethton, TN, and a member of the board of the DROP Collaborative.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #5
Mr. David Robbins is an attorney in Johnson City, TN and a founding board member of the DROP Collaborative, Elizabethton, TN
The DROP Collaborative Model
This is a roundtable sponsored by the ASA Education Committee. Each participant in the session will present their perspective on the planning, development, and ongoing operation of the DROP Collaborative project in Elizabethton, TN. The session will emphasize practical lessons learned that will be helpful to those who are seeking to adapt this agricultural entrepreneurship model to their own communities.
