Appalachians working across sectors on local food systems in the region will convene Oct. 29-30 in Abingdon, VA, for “Strengthening Local Food Systems in Appalachia.” The gathering will provide a unique opportunity for people from sustainable farming, local food movements, and others to join non-profits, business, philanthropy, government and education groups throughout the region to share their work, and identify challenges and strategies to move the sector forward in Central Appalachia. Registration is now open at https://appfellows.squarespace.com/strengthening-local-food-systems-in-appalachia/, with an Oct. 8 deadline to apply. The gathering is a project of the Highlander Research and Education Center’s Appalachian Transition Fellowship, a program that provides emerging, young community leaders with a year-long fellowship in host communities throughout Central Appalachia. The fellows help foster cross-sector partnerships, provide needed capacity to regional efforts, and build personal and professional skills. Through institutional placements, independently designed projects, training, and mentoring, the program gives emerging leaders and host organizations the skills and networks needed to advance economic and social change in the region. “Strengthening Local Food Systems in Appalachia” is the first of a series of regional gatherings hosted by the Appalachian Transition Fellowship program and its partners. Regional gatherings on green energy and alternative economies will be held Dec. 4-5 and March 5-6, respectively. For more information about regional gatherings, please visit https://appfellows.squarespace.com/regional-gatherings/. More information on the Highlander Center’s Appalachian Transition Fellowship program, including fellow bios, host communities, projects, media coverage, and fellow blogs, can be found at http://www.appfellows.org/.
