Rural Action Inc

RURAL ACTION'S MISSION IS TO BUILD A MORE JUST ECONOMY BY DEVELOPING THE REGION'S ASSETS IN ENVIRONMENTALLY, SOCIALLY, AND ECONOMICALLY SUSTAINABLE WAYS. WE ENVISION A REGION WITH CLEAN STREAMS AND HEALTHY FORESTS, THRIVING FAMILY FARMS, MEANINGFUL LIVELIHOODS AND VIBRANT COMMUNITIES, WITH PEOPLE ENGAGED AS GOOD STEWARDS OF THE WORLD THEY LIVE IN AND WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS VISION A REALITY. WE DO THIS WORK IN PROMISING ECONOMIC SECTORS FOR OUR REGION.

LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE: RURAL ACTION RECEIVED A PLANNING GRANT TO DEVELOP A SIGNIFICANT EXPANSION OF OUR AMERICORPS PROGRAM IN FUTURE YEARS. THE CURRENT PLAN INCLUDES A BLENDED EXPANSION OF ADDITIONAL FULL-YEAR SERVICE MEMBERS AND SEVERAL SEASONAL COHORTS THAT WOULD TAKE ON LARGER CONSERVATION PROJECTS IN THE SUMMER AND FALL. THESE COHORTS WOULD COMPLETE THINGS LIKE LARGE TREE PLANTINGS, RIVER SWEEPS, WASTE REDUCTION EVENTS, INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL AND MORE. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: IN 2021, WE DEEPENED OUR BEGINNING FARMER INITIATIVES THROUGH A PEER MENTORING PROGRAM WHICH INCLUDES WORKSHOPS, ON-FARM MENTORSHIP, AND LEGAL/MARKETING/ACCOUNTING ASSISTANCE FOR FARMERS. FOOD ACCESS REMAINED A CRITICAL NEED IN 2021, IN RESPONSE TO THE CONTINUED PUBLIC HEALTH AND ECONOMIC FALLOUT FROM COVID-19, AND RURAL ACTION HELPED MORE PEOPLE GET FRESH, LOCAL PRODUCE. ZERO WASTE: THE TEAM RECEIVED A USDA SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANT, TO COMPLETE MOBILE CHARMS (HARD TO RECYCLE MATERIAL) DAYS THROUGHOUT SOUTHEASTERN OHIO, MANY OF THEM IN LOCATIONS WITHOUT MUCH RECYCLING CAPACITY. MATERIALS ARE BEING MOVED THROUGH THE "REUSE CORRIDOR" THROUGHOUT CENTRAL APPALACHIA TO GET THEM TO PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO CAN USE THEM, RATHER THAN ENDING UP IN THE LANDFILL. THE TEAM ALSO EXPANDED A MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT REUSE SYSTEM, TO GET DURABLE EQUIPMENT TO LOCAL PARTNERS, VETERANS AND MEDWISH. SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY: THE TEAM COMPLETED 11 SITE VISITS, REVIEWING AND PRODUCING MANAGEMENT PLANS THAT COVER A TOTAL OF 730 ACRES AND ASSISTED LANDOWNERS WITH EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS AND ACCESS TO PLANTING STOCK. THE TEAM ENGAGED MORE THAN 35 COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS ASSISTING TO PLANT 1,000 TREES IN RIPARIAN ZONES ALONG STREAMS IN THE CHAUNCEY VILLAGE PARK. THE TEAM ACQUIRED SOME SMALL-SCALE LOGGING EQUIPMENT TO ASSIST LANDOWNERS AND FOREST-SECTOR ENTREPRENEURS TO DO SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: 182 TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND OTHER EDUCATORS ATTENDED THE APPALACHIAN GREEN TEACHERS CONFERENCE IN 2021. IN PERSON OUTDOOR EDUCATION RETURNED TO OUR EE PROGRAM, ENGAGING 1300 CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN ONE MONTH ALONE. THE TEAM ALSO STARTED UP AN ECOTOURISM SOCIAL ENTERPRISE. RESILIENT COMMUNITIES: THE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES TEAM DEVELOPED A MARKETING PLAN IN CONJUNCTION WITH ALL PROJECT PARTNERS FOR MARKETING THE BAILEY'S MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL SYSTEM. PROJECT PARTNERS ORGANIZED A "TRAIL TOWN BUSINESS CHALLENGE" TO TRAIN MICRO-ENTREPRENEURS IN ATHENS, PERRY, HOCKING, AND VINTON COUNTIES, WITH 16 PARTICIPANTS FOR FIVE BUSINESS TRAINING SESSIONS TO CATALYZE FURTHER LOCAL BUSINESS GROWTH AROUND THESE OUTDOOR RECREATION ASSETS, CREATING GOOD JOBS FOR PEOPLE IN THESE COMMUNITIES. THE TEAM MANAGED A SECOND ROUND OF THE "RESILIENCE FUND," DISTRIBUTING MORE THAN $75,000 IN GRANTS TO SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT APPALACHIAN OHIO AND SEVERAL COUNTIES IN WEST VIRGINIA. WATERSHED RESTORATION: THE TEAM LAUNCHED A NEW PROJECT THROUGH OHIO'S H2OHIO PROGRAM FOR TARGETED NUTRIENT LOAD REDUCTION PROJECTS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN THE WESTERN BASIN OF LAKE ERIE. THE TEAM ALSO RECEIVED THREE-YEAR EPA BROWNFIELDS GRANT TO ASSESS MINE-SCARRED LAND (ALSO KNOWN AS ABANDONED MINE LANDS) IN THE RUSH CREEK WATERSHED IN PERRY COUNTY. THE TEAM UNDERTOOK SIGNIFICANT WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING IN WINGETT RUN THE WALHONDING RIVER AND RUSH CREEK. AS PART OF RURAL ACTION'S CONTRACT WITH THE WAYNE NATIONAL FOREST, WE ARE ASSISTING THEM TO EVALUATE AND UPDATE THE WATERSHED CONDITION FRAMEWORK.