Central Appalachian Network

CAN is a network of six economic development organizations working to build a more just and sustainable Appalachia.

CAN works to advance the economic transition of the region by fostering the development of enterprises, organizations, and policies that promote and protect the health of our local economies, communities, and environment.

CAN Member Organizations

CAN is led by a Steering Committee comprised of the six member organizations:

• Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnet) Athens, OH

• Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) Abingdon, VA• Center for Economic Options (CEO) Charleston, WV• Mountain Association for Community Economic

Development (MACED) Berea, KY• Natural Capital Investment Fund (NCIF) Shepherdstown, WV• Rural Action, Trimble, OH

CAN’s Current Sub-Regions of Focus

CAN’s Local Food System Work

• CAN member organizations approach sustainable economic development from a variety of sectors.

• Our current focus as a network is on the development of local food value chains.

• We use the wealth creation framework as an assessment, planning, and measurement tool for this work.

What is a Local Food Value Chain?

• A supply chain is a system of organizations, people, information, and resources involved in getting a product or service from the producer to the end consumer.

• A value chain is a demand-driven supply chain infused with the triple bottom line values of social, environmental and economic benefit.

• Members of a value chain work together for mutual benefit, and are often more closely connected than conventional supply chains.

What is the Wealth Creation Framework?• A systems approach to creating

wealth that sticks in rural areas. • Emphasizes local ownership and

control of resources. • Facilitates the development of

multiple forms of wealth simultaneously.

The Seven Forms of Wealth• Individual• Social• Intellectual• Natural• Built• Political• Financial

Emerging Local Food Systems• Local food is important to the region

– It makes sense to develop this capacity as a means to improve our quality of life, help heal the land and create wealth for people.

Emerging Local Food Systems

• CAN committed to a regional collaborative project to strengthen local food systems.– Aligns with the missions of CAN organizations– Gives each organization flexibility

Core Elements of our Work• Provide outreach, education, training and

technical assistance.• Develop infrastructure to move farm products to

market.• Connect local and regional food producers,

processors and distributors to create functional local system.

• Link to large market partners including grocers, retailers, and institutional buyers.

Emerging Local Food Systems

• Starting to connect the pieces– Pockets of activity– Early stages of work– Few connections– Growing interest

Emerging Local Food Systems• Starting to connect the pieces

– Inventoried the existing infrastructure– Hosted regional local food gathering– Began organizing work

Observations…One size does NOT fit all

Working with emerging local food systems requires a diversity of approaches and initial focus on issues• Season extension• Food safety• Policy • Investment• Market development

Emerging Local Food Systems

Emerging Local Food Systems

Observations…Our work with developing local food systems required partnerships with other organizations for the “on the ground” piece.

CEO and WesMonTyNCIF -- Monroe Farm Market/Greenbrier Valley

EDA

Emerging Local Food Systems

Observations…Social Capital is extremely important

Emerging Local Food SystemsKey Learnings: Creating Social Capital is imperative. The system takes time to develop. Managing risk for producers, markets and the

intermediaries is crucial. Embedding the value chains in the communities

with the outcomes tied to no single stakeholder.

Policy Priorities: Farm Bill Reauthorization

Working with National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) Huge budget cuts to critical programs

Beginning Farmer & Rancher Program Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Value-Added Producer Grants Rural Micro-Entrepreneur Assistance Program Rural Conservation & Development

Policy Priorities: Outreach and Education

Webinars Farm Bill Food safety Other topics of interest at the state/sub-regional level

Producer outreach and education at the sub-regional level

Policy Actions: What You Can Do

Ensure Appalachian voices are heard Advocate for programs to help small farmers, not agribusiness Support local work

Resources• Central Appalachian Network:

www.cannetwork.org

• Center for Economic Options: www.centerforeconomicoptions.org

• Natural Capital Investment Fund: www.ncifund.org

• Mountain Association for Community Economic Development: www.maced.org