From helping forest farmers to providing support to entrepreneurs, Rural Action strives to help Appalachians create a just, sustainable economy.
Social Enterprise
Rural Action encourages and creates businesses that feature a “triple bottom line” that focuses not only on prosperity but also on protecting the planet and benefitting people.
Chesterhill Produce Auction
The auction is a social enterprise and local food hub owned and operated by Rural Action. We sell and distribute fresh, local produce throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley.
Zero Waste Event Productions
This Rural Action social enterprise helps outdoor festivals divert waste from landfills to composting and recycling. They work with event organizers from the planning phase through cleanup! They also provide pre-event consultations, on-site waste management, materials sorting, and grounds cleanup.
True Pigments
Using innovative technology, this Rural Action social enterprise converts the pollution in streams tainted by acid mine drainage into marketable pigments.
Appalachian Staple Foods Collaborative
Through ASFC we are working to develop a robust food system among organic grain, bean, nut, and oil seed growers, processors, and researchers. Through collaborations with leaders in our region and across North America, the ASFC team is developing climate-smart and inclusive strategies for regional staple food systems.
Season Creation
With a focus on peer-to-peer education, we bring together key partners in the food value chain to share knowledge on sustainable food system practices.
Women Grow Ohio
We work with Ohio women in agriculture to develop opportunities for connection, support, and promotion of their work.
Appalachian Accessible Food Network
This collaborative project is designed to strengthen access, production, and hub consumption components of the local food value chain in Appalachian Ohio.
Clean Energy Pledge
We work with nonprofits and small businesses to find effective ways to save energy and incorporate renewable energy technologies, such as solar and EV charging stations.
Zero Waste Pledge
We help businesses and organizations set and achieve zero waste goals by identifying waste that is being produced and ways to reduce it.
Planting Stock Sale
Landowners interested in forest farming can purchase high-quality stratified American ginseng seed, goldenseal rootlets, and ramp bulbs from us.
Entrepreneur Outreach and Support Networking
Small businesses turn to us for help identifying resources that will assist with employee training, marketing, raising capital, and improving management skills.
Trails, Towns, and Ecotourism
Our focus on asset-based development shows communities how their rivers, lakes, forests, and farms can become key drivers of tourism and other opportunities.
Healthy Food Access + Farm to Institution
Institutions including colleges, universities, hospitals and schools represent a major economic force as well as a substantial consumer of food and provider of meals. To increase local food production we work with institutional partners and their stakeholders to facilitate and stimulate local food purchases. We also provide training and assistance to producers looking to access institutional markets.
