This $6,000,000 Cooperative Agreement was awarded on Sep 19, 2024 by the USDA Forest Service under the Inflation Reduction Act Landscape Scale Restoration program (CFDA 10.731). The purpose is to improve access to emerging environmental markets for small acreage landowners in Appalachian Ohio while enhancing ecosystem services.
The lead awardee, Rural Action Inc., is partnering with several sub-grantees including Appalachian Sustainable Development, United Plant Savers, and Appalachian Voices. Key project activities include providing technical assistance to 125 landowners on forest farming, connecting landowners to botanicals markets, training and certifying 136 producers through a "Point of Harvest" program, establishing herb processing and distribution hubs, supporting a carbon credit demonstration project for abandoned mine reclamation, and offering workforce development opportunities. This collaborative regional effort aims to support underserved landowners' participation in carbon offset and ecosystem services markets while promoting sustainable agriculture and economic development in Appalachian communities.
Generated 3/4/25, 2:17 AM