Sustainable Agriculture
For more information about our Sustainable Agriculture Program, contact:
Tom Peterson
Agriculture Education Coordinator
276-623-1121
For information and educational materials on organic farming, please visit our Resources or Media and Publications pages.
Appalachian Sustainable Development supports agriculture along the lines of the “triple bottom line” approach to sustainability. Simply put, this means that any efforts we make to support local agriculture should consider three potential impacts of our actions:
1) environmental
2) economic
3) social (or community)
In line with following this approach, ASD provides several valuable services to
growers throughout southwest Virginia and east Tennessee:
· We provide technical support to farmers and gardeners throughout the region, particularly for growers interested in an organic or natural approach to food production. Organic farming is healthier for the farmer and consumer, less damaging to the natural environment and generally more valuable in the marketplace.
· We provide marketing support through the Appalachian Harvest network and through our many efforts to improve direct marketing opportunities for growers through Farmers Markets, restaurants, CSA’s, and our Local Food Guide. These marketing opportunities also enrich and strengthen the communities in which we work and live.
· We provide a platform for growers to network with each other to help save money on group orders of supplies, to market collectively (like the Appalachian Farm to Family Cooperative) and to share ideas through our conferences, workshops and farm tours.