At Appalachian Sustainable Development, we are so excited to being our 13th year of Grow Your Own! Traditionally, this program has been a beginning backyard gardener program. While we will always have a focus on helping folks grow their own food (for a number of reasons), we are also expanding our program to include those interested in starting a business!

The past few months have been difficult, I think, for everyone in the non-profit world. They have been full of uncertainty and anxiety. Beyond the non-profit world, things are changing. The future of agriculture in the United States looks tumultuous. In this context, we are even more grateful than every for Grow Appalachia. While ASD has numerous programs and embodies all aspects of the food system through our work, we have had to halt some of these efforts to build a stronger Appalachia through agriculture.

Grow Appalachia, though, has remained steadfast in the face of uncertainty. Even if ASD has to pause some of its work, we know this: we can still help people grow their own food.

Every year I hear from our participants how important it is to know what is in the food they are consuming. Growing food yourself is the best (and probably only) way to ensure the food is safe, chemical free, and nutrient-dense. Did you know vegetables start losing nutrients the second they are removed from the plant? Growing food in your own backyard and taking it from the garden to your plate results in the best food – not only by taste, but by nutrient standards!

Before this mess in the agricultural and non-profit worlds started in earnest, ASD was lucky enough to hire a new person for the Grow Your Own team. We are so excited to welcome Joe Kohn to ASD and Grow Your Own! Joe is a veteran who is truly a jack of all trades. I think he is almost as excited to be with us as we are to have him aboard!

Joe was kind enough to provide his perspective on working with Grow Your Own.

A new year is upon us, which means a new growing season as well! And this year I’m truly excited to be a part of ASD’s Grow Your Own Program.

Every day, we all have the opportunity to be students, as well as teachers. To me, that is the greatest aspect of being a part of a community program.  We’re also excited to have three different levels this year! Between Roots, Shoots, and Leaves, we can find the appropriate level of experience to suit your needs. This also gives us a chance for the different groups to work together and provide mentorship roles.

We look forward to starting this new year with you all!

-Joe Kohn

From Seed to Salad (or whatever awesome recipe folks use), Grow Your Own is here to support those who are looking to better themselves and their communities through agriculture. We believe everyone has not on a right to food, but a right to safe, nutrient-dense, food they can be proud of.

This is going to be a great year.