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2013 SESSION
13104971DWHEREAS, Appalachian Sustainable Development is an Abingdon-based nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for central Appalachians; and
WHEREAS, Appalachian Sustainable Development provides opportunities for farmers and forest landowners to improve their land while also making money from it in the short and long term; and
WHEREAS, Appalachian Sustainable Development owns and operates a social enterprise, Appalachian Harvest, for the purpose of providing access to large markets for local farmers; and
WHEREAS, Appalachian Harvest provides farmers with the training and support needed for them to access large grocery store markets and, in partnership with these farmers and supportive buyers, has generated $5.3 million in revenue for the region since 2001; and
WHEREAS, Appalachian Sustainable Development provides farmers across the Commonwealth with training and support that allows them to meet new food safety requirements so that they can continue to sell their products; and
WHEREAS, Appalachian Sustainable Development has, since 2004, raised money to purchase seconds produce from low-income farmers, which has then been donated to area food banks and pantries, amounting to over 682,000 pounds of food being donated to those in need; and
WHEREAS, Appalachian Sustainable Development provides opportunities for farmers and food producers in the region to gain access to local restaurants and establishments through its Rooted in Appalachia promotion campaign; and
WHEREAS, Appalachian Sustainable Development’s Learning Landscapes program has, in its 11 years, created and used outdoor classrooms to teach 10,125 children how to garden, while teaching core subjects in accordance with the Virginia Department of Education Standards of Learning; and
WHEREAS, Appalachian Sustainable Development teaches food pantry participants how to grow their own food in large gardens at their homes or in container gardens; and
WHEREAS, Appalachian Sustainable Development teaches local forest landowners how to raise non-timber forest products such as shiitake mushrooms, ginseng, goldenseal, and ramps to support their efforts to stay on their land while improving their forests; and
WHEREAS, Appalachian Sustainable Development supports 33 farmers’ markets in the region by operating the Appalachian Farmers Market Association to provide training and support for farmers’ market managers; and
WHEREAS, Appalachian Sustainable Development, in conjunction with two other nonprofits, has started the WoodRight Forest Products business to support Appalachian wood products manufacturers in accessing the growing, green building market; and
WHEREAS, Appalachian Sustainable Development has received the First Lady of Virginia’s Opportunity Seal of Approval award in the Health and Wellness category; and
WHEREAS, Appalachian Sustainable Development was recognized by the United Nations Association Film Festival in October 2012 for works demonstrated in the short film “In Short Supply,” a documentary created by Bread for the World to draw attention to the struggles of family farms trying to deliver a healthy food supply; and
WHEREAS, Appalachian Sustainable Development was recognized by the United States Department of the Interior with a Partners in Conservation Award for outstanding achievements attained through collaboration and partnership with other organizations; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Appalachian Sustainable Development for its extraordinary efforts to provide opportunities to Appalachian Virginians; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Appalachian Sustainable Development as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect and admiration for this outstanding Virginia organization.