Programs
We address workforce and economic development, food insecurity, and community building and health through six strategies: education, increasing local food production, developing markets, increasing distribution of local agriculture products, engaging strategic partners, and researching/consulting and advising. We are passionate about ensuring that rural communities can become viable once again and we feel that agriculture strategies can play a key role.
The Producer Pathway
The Producer Pathway was created in 2021 to help local farmers and gardeners of all skill levels understand the programs we offer and how we can help based on the knowledge they currently have and their educational goals. Explore the Producer Pathway and find out more about what programming is right for you.
Ready to learn?
Explore Our Programs
Agroforestry
Merging conservation and production, by helping local farmers adopt agroforestry practices and market specialty crops.
Appalachian Harvest Food Hub
Providing training, technical support, aggregation and distribution services to local farmers since 2000.
Appalachian Harvest Herb Hub™
Providing training, technical support, aggregation and distribution services to local farmers since 2000.
Farmer + Rancher Mentoring
On-farm internship opportunity designed to develop beginning farmers and put them on the path to a successful career in farming.
The Field School
Beginning farmer training program that includes 2 sessions on business planning, finances, and marketing all geared toward helping beginning farmers create sustainable and profitable small farms.
Garden Box Project
Garden Box Project allows small families, seniors, people with limited green space or redistricted mobility a way to grow fresh, healthy food in raised boxes.
Groundwork
ASD’s innovative workforce development program delivers paid, on-the-job training to people with barriers to employment. Groundwork operates in our Bristol and Duffield locations.
Grow Your Own
Grow Your Own families grow their own fresh, healthy food in a home-based backyard and market gardens. We provide training, technical support, seeds, plants, tools and tilling services.
Healthy Families – Family Farms
HFFF raises money to buy 2nds produce from local farmers, leaving them with additional income and then donates the produce to local food banks and pantries.
Learning Landscapes
Teaches children how to create, plant, tend, nurture, cultivate and harvest fresh fruits and vegetables in gardens at schools, community centers or clubs.
Explore our Initiatives
Veteran Outreach & Support
We are actively searching for Military Veterans and Military Spouses to engage in all ASD programming and volunteer opportunities! Email Michael Klarman or visit the web page for more information.
Farmer PRIDE Coalition
ASD’s Farmer PRIDE Coalition is a grassroots-based networking and education coalition designed to provide business and educational opportunities for farmers, ranchers, growers, gardeners, agroforesters, livestock producers, and others in the food system who identify as LGBTQ+. Click here to learn more.
Explore Our Resources →
Explore The Local Food Guide →
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