Program
Highlights
Sustainable Economies
Appalachian Forest Resource Center
The AFRC identifies Central and Southern Appalachian mountain communities that
develop innovative local solutions leading to healthy forests, communities and
economies, and helps them learn from similar communities and conduct research
activities that further their projects. Activities include support for communities
doing participatory research, research on themes common across the region, answering
questions and serving as a resource center for forested Appalachian communities.
2003
Accomplishments:
• Harvested research trials at the Rural Action Research and Education
Center.
•
Organized or presented at 12 events, including a Leading Creek
Watershed residents’ tour of the Research and Education Center and
facilitation of a World Forestry Congress working group.
•
Supported seven local cooperator groups in WV, TN, GA, NC, VA and OH.
•
Hosted two advisory council meetings in OH and AL.
•
Established a web site with an interactive map, a resources page and
a calendar.
Appalachian Ohio Regional Investment Coalition
Known as AORIC, this project embodies a creative approach to helping entrepreneurs
succeed by linking them to technical assistance, mentors and training, mobilizing
community leaders and business professionals into Entrepreneur Support Networks,
and creating learning networks for successful regional/rural strategic collaborations.
2003
Accomplishments:
• Established a Morgan County Entrepreneur Support Network group to
assist and mentor emerging and developing entrepreneurs.
•
Helped over 30 Morgan County entrepreneurs develop or expand
businesses.
•
Organized sector-focused tourism, lodging and sustainable agriculture
meetings.
The Rural Action Research and Education Center
Formerly known as the National Center for the Preservation of Medicinal Herbs,
this 68-acre property with a six bedroom house serves as a research and education
center for Rural Action and its partners. Located in Meigs County on property
donated by the Frontier Natural Products Cooperative, the Center hosts numerous
research trials evaluating organic cultivation of forest medicinals, including
black cohosh, blue cohosh, goldenseal, wild yam and stone root. The Center
will house the AFRC and include office space for other RA programs as well
as meeting and retreat space accommodating ten persons for lodging and 20 for
meetings.
2003 Accomplishments:
• Hosted an AFRC dedication involving 90 persons, including local
growers, neighbors, partners and elected officials.
•
Conducted harvest, washing, drying and weighing of roughly 1000
roots from research trials on black cohosh, goldenseal, blue cohosh,
stoneroot and wild yam.
Sustainable Agriculture Program
This program seeks to preserve small family farms and promote sustainable
farming practices by introducing farmers to new and alternative
crops, improving their business skills and connecting them to untapped
local markets, particularly institutions like Ohio University,
medical facilities and restaurants.
2003 Accomplishments:
• Developed working “food and agriculture community” partnerships.
•
Secured funding for and hired a full-time Coordinator through
Appalachian Regional Commission and Foundation for Appalachian
Ohio grants.
•
Designed a survey to identify the region’s food business sector interests,
for implementation in early 2004.
Sustainable
Forestry Program
Since 1997, this program has worked with private landowners, government
agencies and other non-profit organizations to implement sustainable
forestry projects. Staff members build on the region’s significant
assets through innovative strategies that provide a transition toward
sustainable utilization and marketing of forest resources.
2003 Accomplishments:
• Convened our 5th Annual Landowners Conference, featuring over
35 workshops, over 200 attendees and educational workshops focusing
on income opportunities at various fairs and festivals.
• Organized a constituency to confront ginseng poaching and supported
landowners who have had ginseng poached from their land.
• Surveyed owners of ten or more acres in northern Athens and southern Morgan
Counties. Also assessed community interests through
outreach at major events and festivals in Athens, Morgan, Meigs,
Carroll, Knox and Jackson Counties.
• Sold 190 lbs. of low-cost ginseng seed--yielding about 950 lbs. of
roots, with expected $330,000-$475,000 harvest value--and smaller
amounts of goldenseal and black cohosh to 82 landowners, up from
50 in 2002.
• Conducted site assessments for 12 landowners to identify suitable
Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) growing sites, preparing potential
growers for cultivation, land stewardship, income development and
forest restoration opportunities.
• Conducted Professional Development Training focused on NTFP
markets and marketing for foresters, extension agents and natural
resources professionals.
• Supported ongoing development of the Ohio Premium Pine
Cooperative.
•
Supported The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to make regional projects
more community-based.
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