SPOTLIGHT: Accelerating Appalachia
Accelerating Appalachia works to grow the regenerative economy for a resilient Appalachia and Rural Southeast by providing training and support for nature-based businesses.
Accelerating Appalachia was founded to help regional agriculture-based businesses and small farms access resources and expand opportunities in the growing market for climate-smart, regenerative commodities. Small-medium scale businesses and farms often lack access to resources available to larger businesses. Accelerating Appalachia was created to close that gap.
In 2013, Accelerating Appalachia developed the world’s first accelerator program focused on regenerative agriculture. It was also the first to prioritize underserved farmers and commodity businesses. The accelerator helped underserved seed-stage businesses and producers of food, fibers and forest products by providing training in regenerative agriculture and connections with investors and peer businesses. 10 years later, accelerator graduates, which include community centers, farm-to-table restaurants, outdoor recreational and event facilities, nature-based skin care brands, farms and farm product lines have collectively leveraged over $20.2 million in investments.
Accelerating Appalachia continues this mission with Building Soil, Building Equity (BSBE) which trains and incentivize farmers and producers to adopt climate-smart regenerative agriculture practices. BSBE provides financial support via cash incentives, technical training in regenerative agriculture, connections to business development support, and resources to increase market growth opportunities.
Key Words: Cross-Sector Partnerships, Partnerships with Financial Assistance Providers, Places, Food Systems, Farms, Grassroots, Philanthropy, Nature-Based Business, Technical Support, Business Accelerator, Farm-to-Table, Agri-Tourism
Click on the button below to learn more about Accelerating Appalachia.