Stories
The stories presented below offer just a few examples of how community involvement combined with leadership and entrepreneurial spirit is sparking a transition throughout the region. Serving the needs of the local communities in which they live, the farmers, teachers, business owners and others in these stories illustrate a commitment to a sustainable, healthy future in Appalachia.
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Arts and CultureArtists Collaborative TheaterThe Appalachian region of Kentucky is well known for its strong cultural heritage in areas such as music and crafts. However, very few opportunities exist for eastern Kentuckians to be exposed to theater. More… |
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Arts and CulturePine Mountain Co-op: A Handcrafted Success StoryBrowse through the aisles of the Pine Mountain-Letcher County Craft Co-op and you’ll see items such as intricately carved wooden figurines, cornhusk dolls of all sizes and handcrafted cabinets and bookshelves. “We’re really proud of our crafts,” says Ruth Shackleford. More… |
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Education and Workforce DevelopmentMillard Area Technology CenterMillard Area Technology Center in Pikeville, Kentucky has begun training energy auditors who will work to increase area homes’ energy efficiency. More… |
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Entrepreneurship and Small Business DevelopmentCustard Stand Food ProductsThe Custard Stand, owned and operated by Arvard “Dee” and Angie Cowger, is a carry-out dairy bar and a producer of hot dog chili located in Webster Springs, WV. Started in 1992, the dairy bar serves over 50,000 hot dogs each year topped with chili from a family recipe… More… |
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Entrepreneurship and Small Business DevelopmentKD’s Homemade BBQ SauceKevin McKee was born into the restaurant business in Whitley County, Kentucky. “I learned the business from the ground up in my parents’ 24-hour restaurant in Williamsburg,” Kevin explains. He went on to become a professional chef… More… |
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Entrepreneurship and Small Business DevelopmentRenick MillworksRenick Millworks, LLC is a family-owned antique flooring millwork enterprise established in January 2005. The company produces wide-plank solid wood flooring in antique chestnut, oak, and heart pine, as well as engineered chestnut flooring… More… |
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Health and Community Based ServicesTender Heart Child CareThere is a myth Janet Butcher would like to debunk. “Child care is not babysitting!” she says emphatically. Janet and her husband, Darrell Butcher, are the owners and directors of Tender Heart Child Care in Johnson County, Kentucky. More… |
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Renewable Energy and Energy EfficiencySustainable Biomass: A New Vision for Appalachian Land UseA native of eastern Kentucky and a former underground coal miner, Nathan Hall sees a need for developing alternative energy resources in the mountains. For several years now, he has been working steadily to… More… |
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Renewable Energy and Energy EfficiencyEnergy Efficiency Measures Strengthen Local Child CareJuetta and Gene Potter are co-owners of Country Care Daycare in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. The Potters started their child care business in 1996, primarily because they were unable to find child care for their own daughter. More… |
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Renewable Energy and Energy EfficiencyClean Energy Jobs9,000 clean energy jobs could be created in Eastern Kentucky and save Eastern Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) customers money. Folks from throughout EKPC’s service area and beyond have joined in efforts to persuade the power company to make planning decisions that would create these green jobs. More… |
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Renewable Energy and Energy EfficiencyOrganizing for Clean Energy in the Appalachia CoalfieldsIn the history of coal in America, Harlan County, Kentucky is legendary for its coal heritage, especially for the efforts of its people to organize for better living and working conditions. Labor unrest in the 1930s led to the county being referred to as “Bloody Harlan.” More… |
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Renewable Energy and Energy EfficiencyRandy Wilson's StoryClay County, Kentucky, resident Randy Wilson ran for the board of his electric cooperative on a platform of affordable energy, better energy choices, and good local jobs in 2009. Randy was the first person to oppose a sitting Jackson Energy board member since the co-op was founded in 1938. More… |
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Sustainable AgricultureCAFÉThe members of the CAFÉ (Clinch Appalachian Farmers Enterprise) growers group have been working together in Rogersville, Tennessee for the past two years. They have been cooperating to educate one another, aggregate their produce, buy some of their supplies cooperatively, deliver products and bill their customers. More… |
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Sustainable ForestryForesters Help Build New Forest Economy in KentuckyCentral Appalachia is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, including its lush and diverse forests. Healthy forests can meet local needs for food and fiber, create jobs, provide recreation, and protect… More… |
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Sustainable ForestryTurns Out, Money DOES Grow on TreesSeven forest landowners in Kentucky recently received a total of $65,000 for the carbon dioxide their trees absorbed from the air. These people were the first to enroll in MACED’s Forest Opportunities Initiative (FOI), which helps private forest landowners… More… |
