APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT has moved - our new address is
366 West Main St. Suite 400
Abingdon, VA. 24210
Ph: (276) 623-1121
Email: asd@eva.org

Home Page

What is Organic Farming?

Frequently Asked Questions About Organic Farming

Healthy Families ~ Family Farms Program

Buying Organic: Appalachian Harvest

Learning Landscapes Program

Directory of Agricultural Resources

Click below to view ASD's 2007 - 2008 Local Directory

2007 - 2008 Local Directory.pdf

Sustainable Agriculture

Through market development, on-farm assistance and training, and public education, our Sustainable Agriculture Program seeks to assist family farmers in making a comfortable living from their land. To this end, ASD encourages organic farming - a method of raising crops and animals that is both gentler on the natural environment and more profitable for the farmer.

Appalachian Sustainable Development organizes workshops for farmers and gardeners, offers free technical advice for local growers, seeks to educate the general public about the benefits of organic farming and helps to make locally grown, organic foods available to area consumers.

5 Ways You Can Support Sustainable Agriculture

1. Regularly visit a local Farmers Market.
Farmers Markets are scattered throughout southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee. These markets are a wonderful way to find produce that has been freshly picked at the peak of ripeness and flavor and to keep your food dollars circulating within your local economy.

2. Seek out your local farmers.
Many growers are happy to have customers come right to their farms. Ask around (ASD can help) to discover who might be farming nearby. Encourage your local farmers to use sustainable or organic practices and let them know that it is important to you.

3. Grow some of your own food.
Catch the bug! Gardening can be a fun family activity, a way to work off stress or just a great way to keep your kitchen stocked with delicious, nutritious food.

4. Buy "Certified Organic" when you can.
Organic produce is grown in healthy living soils by farmers who care about the ecological well being of the land upon which they live and grow. Organic farming respects nature and produces a healthier, tastier crop. Try it and see!