We are excited to announce the formation of our Workforce Working Group (WWG). The WWG takes into account the workforce aspects that present across CAN’s work and puts a specific lens and focus on the development of the people and places that impact the region’s capacity for workforce expansion. As this group evolves announcements will be made for…
“The genesis of our story is like many people’s, which was the start of the pandemic.” Rebecca and Scott Ramsey were located in Colorado where they were experiencing food shortages in the midst of the pandemic. When they started to see the grocery store shelves become empty with two children at home, it made them…
Sandra Ballew Barnes, CAN participant and Fresh Rx Coordinator, shares about one of Community Farm Alliance’s (CFA) successful produce prescription programs – Fresh Rx for Moms. This program provides local grown produce to expectant mothers who are on medicaid. It was piloted in Western Kentucky and through a USDA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP),…
The Central Appalachian Network (CAN) Fall Leadership Retreat took place on Thursday November 7th until Friday November 8th 2024 as an in-person gathering at the Ohio University Innovation Center in Athens Ohio. Facilitated by Emily Carlson of Open Circle Studio with an equity session led by Tanya Torp, the retreat allowed the CAN Leadership Team…
We are pleased to share the Market Analysis from Downstream Strategies. This analysis includes detailed recommendations for each of our Working Groups. CAN Market Analysis There was also an in-depth report done specifically for our Clean Energy Working Group. Check it out! CEWG Market Analysis
Beginning Farmer Working Group (BFWG) participant, Weston Lombard, presented on Solid Ground Farm and its apprenticeship program during BFWG’s June virtual meeting. Solid Ground Farm is a small-scale diversified, sustainable farm and community center in Millfield, Ohio. They host youth outdoor adventure and education programs, sustainable living workshops, school field trips, farm tours, and sustainable…
We’d like to welcome our new Working Coordinators Tessa Wieneke and Kim Ross! Tessa Wieneke will be supporting CAN’s seven Working Groups. She is passionate about capacity building and networks as a source for innovative collaboration. Previously she coordinated the Appalachian Accessible Food Network(AAFN), a partnership between the Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnet), Community…
Solar Finance Fund (SFF) had a brilliant year! SFF catalyzes solar development in local communities by providing competitive grant sub-awards, technical assistance and credit enhancements to help nonprofits, public institutions and small businesses go solar. The resulting projects create jobs, spur business growth, attract investment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, retain local wealth and increase resilience…
The Central Appalachian Network (CAN) invites proposals from qualified teams to perform a regional network market analysis as part of a one-year Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) ARISE planning grant awarded to CAN in 2023. The deliverables from this planning award will inform a CAN request for an ARC ARISE implementation award, to be submitted July…
The Appalachian Regional Commission is providing $498,300 to CAN! This will help to further our implementation plans, working group action plans, rural economic development, and more! Since January 2023, ARC has awarded $46.8 million to 13 projects impacting 12 Appalachian states through its ARISE initiative. These projects will expand broadband, educate workers in emerging sectors,…