The Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project will expand and develop viable markets for mountain crops and demonstrate sustainable production and farming systems linked to emerging markets. Several organizations are in partnership to do the training, marketing, and planning activities to expand opportunities for farmers in the region. The project plans to directly serve 20 family farming operations, the 35 owner members of Carolina Organic Growers, and the 100 farms involved with regional tailgate marketing. It has implications for the 1,000 burley tobacco farming operations in Western North Carolina. The Foundation grant will be used for personnel (including consultants to assist with the goat management and marketing activities, incubator feasibility study, website development, evaluation, farm demonstration projects, and consumer preference surveys), travel, and organizational management expenses.
