Beginner Resources
If you are just beginning your journey in agriculture, these are the programs and resources ASD offers to Assist in setting you on the path to success.
Resources
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.
Agroforestry
Interested in learning more about regenerative agriculture practices, like forest farming, silvopasture and alley cropping? Check out ASD’s Agroforestry resources and training opportunities to get started!
Contact the Program Managers
ROBIN SUGGS
Procurement Manager
STESHA WARREN
Agroforester
EMILIE TWEARDY
Agroforester
Resources
- ASD Agroforestry Page
- Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition
- National Agroforestry Center
- Forest Farming Handbook
- Training Manual for Applied Agroforestry Practices, University of Missouri Center of Agroforestry
- Agroforestry in Action Technical Guides, University of Missouri Center of Agroforestry
- Handbook for Agroforestry Planning & Design, University of Missouri Center of Agroforestry
- The Agroforestry Podcast
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Community Gardens
Community gardens serve as hands-on demonstration and production sites for beginner farmers, intermediate farmers, and those without space to grow their own. ASD manages the Faith in Action Community Garden in Abingdon, VA. and the Four Seasons “Y” Community Garden in Tazewell, VA.
Contact the Program Managers
LISA WORLEY
Abingdon Garden Supervisor
DAVID GABBERT
Tazewell Garden Supervisor
MORGAN BRADLEY
Abingdon Garden Associate
Volunteer Opportunities
There are SO many opportunities to volunteer in the community with ASD! Join us every Friday during the growing season at the Faith in Action Community Garden or the Four Seasons Y community Garden to participate. Click here to sign up and to explore other ways to get involved.
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Grow Your Own
Grow Your Own empowers beginner gardeners to take control of their food sovereignty by cultivating their own home or community gardens and earning income from sales of produce. The program focuses on small-scale, intensive, diversified production.
Contact the Program Manager
MORGAN BRADLEY
Agriculture Education Program Manager
Want to Grow Your Own?
Resources
Learning Landscapes
Learning Landscapes is a Farm to School style program providing foundational agriculture education to school and after-school students, faculty, and staff. ASD works with site coordinators across the region to design and install hands-on demonstration gardens to cultivate the next generation of farmers.
Contact the Program Manager
MORGAN BRADLEY
Agriculture Education Program Manager
Join the Farm to School team!
The primary purpose of the Regional Farm to School Team is to improve access to local foods in eligible schools through comprehensive farm-to-school programming that includes local procurement and agricultural education efforts. With a replicable train-the-trainer model, schools and child care centers will be able to have a sustainable gardening program for their students while also providing access to a network for bulk purchase discounts, consultation and installation assistance, connections to local food procurement, and a supportive community to create a culture change that will have lasting positive impacts on the future generations. If you are interested in volunteering and getting involved, please fill out the interest survey or email Morgan Bradley, Agriculture Education Program Manager.
Volunteer Opportunities
Join us at the Learning Landscape gardens for clean up days, garden maintenance, and more!
Garden Clean Up Days
February & March
Check back for updates!
Soil Delivery
February & March
Check back for updates!
Garden Maintenance Days
Bristol Boys & Girls Club & Haynesfield Elementary – check back for updates!
Washington-Lee Elementary – after school hours, check back for updates!
SWVA Field School: Summer Field School
The Field School is made up of two sessions: the Summer Field School and the Winter Business Intensive. The Summer Field School has 8 on-farm classes to explore production methods and farm enterprises that are thriving in Southwest Virginia. Classes are held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday during the months of May through August at 5:30pm. Students will have the opportunity to visit local farms and hear about different successful production methods implemented there. Topics will include various regenerative agriculture practices, beekeeping, integrating multiple operations, cattle work, and more.
Contact the Program Manager
MICHAEL KLARMAN
Producer Pathway Manager
Registering for the SWVA Field School
Summer Field School is held between May and August on various local farms on the 1st and 3rd Thursday from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Topics include specialty produce, irrigation, beekeeping, season extension, rotational grazing, cattlework, agroforestry, and more! Registration begins in March.
Groundwork: Workforce Development
Agricultural-based, paid, on-the-job training for 3, 5, or 6 months with a focus on transferable skills. Learn the basics of growing, harvesting, and marketing in the Bristol, VA program. Or you can opt for the food aggregation and distribution program in Duffield, VA. Both programs provide training on essential skills like teamwork and problem solving, as well as personal development support in financial literacy, career development, and more.
Contact the Program Manager
Stay in the loop
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Farmer PRIDE Coalition
For farmers, growers, gardeners, and agroforesters of all experience levels who identify as LGBTQ+, the Farmer PRIDE Coalition provides specialized programming, education, and networking opportunities in conjunction with ASD’s other programs.
Coalition Information & Application
For more information about the Coalition or to register to participate, click the buttons below.
Contact the Program Manager
HANNAH GIBBS
Workforce Development Program Manager
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