Wow – what a year! We started off 2024 knowing we had much to do – and with your partnership, program participation, financial support and good will – we have delivered, making Northeast Tennessee’s local farm to food scene more prosperous, resilient and accessible for all.
– We raised $1 ½ million more dollars in support of the Appalachian Producers Cooperative’s (APC) new meat processing facility in Telford, bringing a total investment of approximately $8.2 million secured by ARCD to enhance our region’s agricultural economy.
– We had 81 beginning farmers participate in our Field School Training Program learning about proper soil health, rotational grazing and other sustainable farming practices as well as the practical financial and marketing aspects of farming as a business, equipping themselves with what it really takes to succeed on the land.
– Through our Build It Up Backyard Gardening Program, we taught foundational gardening and cooking classes to 47 novice gardening families who ended up growing 45,011 pounds of fresh produce this year – becoming more food empowered and food secure along the way.
– Using pop-up markets, exercise and financial incentives that double the purchasing power of SNAP benefits, our Equitable Nutrition and Food Access Program connected even more families with farmers and their fresh, locally grown foods. We expanded our reach in Greene and Washington Counties, Johnson City, Mountain City, Erwin and Kingsport.
We were feeling quite good about our successes when our region was suddenly hit by Hurricane Helene, devastating the agricultural community in our region. We have responded by establishing a Resilient Farmer Fund exclusively for impacted farmers recovering from this awful tragedy. We invite you to join us in this effort. You can learn more and donate here: www.arcd.com/farmerfund.
While the storm set us all back to varying degrees, the Appalachian RC&D is growing. We have ambitious plans in 2025 to train the next generation of farmers and gardeners; connect ALL people – regardless of income – with nutritious local foods; grow more profitable agricultural markets and rural economies; and preserve our cherished farmland. A few key initiatives we are working on include:
Tennessee Farmland Preservation Fund – Northeast Tennessee is sprawling. Nobody likes the traffic jams that come with it, but everybody loves the country and its outstanding views and slower pace of life. We want to encourage that love, but make sure we do not love it to death. The public sentiment for wise and effective farmland preservation policy, including a Tennessee Farmland Preservation Fund, is strong. ARCD is advocating on its behalf.
Entrepreneurial Support – Our region contains more than a few budding entrepreneurs with great ideas that could help the farm and food economy in our rural and urban areas prosper. The ARCD will replicate the success we have had with the APC with even more entrepreneurial individuals and groups throughout Northeast Tennessee who could use a grant writer, non-profit fiscal sponsor, business coach, and advocate like us to walk beside and empower them on their journey.
Healthy Watersheds – Many of our streams are degraded, and we can do something about it. What’s most alarming is that some of these streams feed directly into the lakes and rivers where people love to boat, swim and fish. These activities are great for our physical, mental and spiritual health and quality of life. Plus there is a strong economic benefit to the region from these pursuits. The Appalachian RC&D was originally founded to be an environmental leader and conservation voice for Northeast Tennessee. We will be playing a more active role ensuring that our region’s ecological and economic health serve and reinforce each other.
If you would like to see more of what we have done and appreciate where we are going, I invite you to join us by contributing financially to our work. While contributions of any amount are always welcome, in honor of our 30th year we request that you consider giving at levels of $30, $300 and $3,000.
Thank you so much for your support.
