We envision an Appalachian Virginia and Tennessee where:

 

Farmers, land owners, communities, et al., preserve our land, forests and waters for

      future generations, while meeting their economic needs now

 

Residents understand and value high quality, nutritious and locally grown food and

      support the development of the local food system

 

People of all economic means can access high quality, nutritious, locally grown food

 

Outdoor experiential learning programs are an integral part of the education system

      producing well-educated, healthy, socially equipped and environmentally conscious

      citizens

 

People and communities of Appalachia have reached a state of wholeness and well-being

      that is self-sustaining

Our Core Work

Our Vision

To advance our mission and achieve our goals and objectives, we:

 

Educate, advocate and share lessons learned on sustainable development locally,

      regionally and nationally to advance local and regional food systems development; land,

      water and forest conservation; green building; reduce, reuse and recycle practices; and

      more.

Foster local grower access to wholesale and direct markets and processing, aggregation

      and distribution services

 

Provide training and technical assistance to growers, farmers market managers and others working in the local and regional food systems

 

Ensure all people, including low-income families, have access to fresh, local food, as well as nutrition and cooking education that support lifelong healthy eating

 

Educate children and youth to become environmental stewards and to grow and eat

      healthy food

 

Educate land owners about sustainable land management and economic options for their

      forest resources

 

Strengthen green and regionally oriented wood products businesses by providing technical support, and link Appalachian wood products supply to demand in the Southeastern U.S. by strengthening linkages in value chains

Our Core Values

 

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is an ideal state where people’s present needs are met without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their needs.  ASD’s sustainable development work is based on the triple bottom line philosophy: society, economy and environment in balance. At the heart of our work is developing economic opportunities for local people that help them prosper while preserving our natural resources and enriching communities and society as a whole.  We believe in starting where people and communities are and working as partners towards those ideal states.

 

LOCAL

We believe that the development of a local food and forest-based sustainable economy is crucial to building resilience and prosperity for the future of the region.

 

EDUCATION

We believe in the creation of an informed society that is empowered with knowledge to make healthier personal choices, and for some, to support change in the wider society.

 

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

We believe in using creative solutions to help solve social, economic and environmental problems.

 

ACCOUNTABILITY & TRANSPARENCY

We believe it is our duty to be open about how we conduct business and effective stewards of the funds entrusted to us.

 

NETWORKING & PARTNERSHIP

We believe that more can be accomplished and understood through partnerships and networks.

 

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION & INCLUSION

We believe that all people should have the opportunity to participate in the decisions that affect their lives, families, and communities.