Rural Action

???? What an incredible day at Ohio’s first-ever Soil Health Rally in Athens! Yesterday, we gathered at the Athens County Municipal Courthouse to celebrate the vital role soil plays in food production, climate mitigation and watershed health. Farmers, eaters and advocates came together for inspiring talks and meaningful conversations about soil conservation and its future in Ohio.? ? Thank you to our amazing speakers, including Rep. Juanita Brent, County Commissioner Chris Chmiel, OEFFA Grassroots Policy Organizer Lauren Hirtle, Rural Action CEO Debbie Phillips, and many more, for sharing their knowledge and passion for healthy soils. We’re energized and motivated to keep pushing for healthier soils across Ohio!? ? Want to get involved to promote good soil health? Check out OEFFA's day of action today here: https://lnkd.in/ei8QWmd3 Photos by: Lilah Gagne ? #SoilHealth #OhioSoilHealthWeek

This week, we’re celebrating our achievements with support from the National Forest Foundation, which funded our project through a grant and the EPA's Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Program grant. Together, we're making a positive impact on our environment! Rural Action's Watershed Program completed a 12-acre riparian planting in the Wingett Run - Little Muskingum watershed, planting 5,250 native trees and shrubs while treating non-native, invasive species. Wingett Run feeds into the Little Muskingum River, which hosts 73 fish species and 22 species of mussels, many of which are sensitive to pollution. Stabilizing the stream bank will help improve water quality in the area and restore riparian zones, creating habitat for terrestrial wildlife such as deer, turkey, otters, mink and birds. Located within the Wayne National Forest in Washington County, this project not only restores the ecosystem but also enriches public lands for outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, and birdwatching. Read more here:?https://lnkd.in/eanWqqbX #NFFGranteesAreGreat

?? Join us for Ohio’s inaugural Soil Health Week celebration in Athens! On Thursday, Nov. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Rural Action and partners will host a Soil Health Rally at the Athens County Municipal Courthouse. Don’t miss inspiring talks from local leaders and experts from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Learn about the vital role of soil health in food production, climate mitigation and more! Plus, join us for a free sign-making party at the Community Makerspace on Nov. 7 from 5-7 p.m. No registration needed—just bring your passion for soil health! Check out the full schedule of events for Ohio Soil Health Week here: https://lnkd.in/erThsE_c. ????

?? Join us on Tuesday, Nov. 12, for our final Green Lunch of the season! Crissa Cummings, Executive Director of Athens-Hocking Recycling Centers, will share the transition to the Southeast Ohio Recycling Terminal Council of Governments and its impact on our community. With the CPA season wrapping up, we’re excited to celebrate the closing of our series before we take a break until spring! Don't miss this chance to learn and connect over a delicious lunch sourced from local ingredients. See you there! ??? Register here: https://lnkd.in/ehiANdBa #GreenLunch #Recycling

?? Join us for a fun-filled evening at our Rural Action Family Fun Night on Wednesday, Oct. 30, from 6-8 p.m. at Eclipse! ? ? Grab a drink, enjoy dinner and catch up with Rural Action staff, members, AmeriCorps and alumni. Everyone is welcome! Plus, for every pint purchased, $1 will be donated to support Rural Action. ??

ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT Join Rural Action and United Plant Savers on Friday, Nov. 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a FREE workshop on ginseng cultivation! ?? Learn how to grow and manage this high-value forest botanical, native to Appalachia, known for its medicinal roots and rich history. With a focus on basic forest farming practices, this workshop will include a planting demonstration. Don’t miss this chance to deepen your understanding of American ginseng and its conservation! Read more about Ginseng cultivation here: https://lnkd.in/dnUd93nw Register here: https://lnkd.in/d9ZmvAUu #ForestFarming #GinsengCultivation #Agroforestry #AmericanGinseng

Last week, our CEO, Debbie Phillips and Chief Program Officer, Joe Brehm attended Just Transition Fund's National Convening. ?????? ? Photo 1: Debbie, speaking on behalf of Central Appalachian Network, joined fellow experts on stage to discuss the impact of place-based investments in distressed communities and best practices for developing local economies in rural America.? ? Photo 2: Joe with Mike Knisely, Secretary Treasurer of the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council. ? ? #JustTransition #NationalConvening #EconomicDevelopment #RuralAmerica

??Ready for the Appalachian Green Teachers Conference? We’ve got an incredible lineup of sessions that you won’t want to miss! From implementing reduce, reuse and recycle practices to enhancing our understanding of weather and climate, there’s something for everyone. ??? Be sure to check out the full schedule for more sessions: https://lnkd.in/eN8-a7mx

We’re thrilled to announce our keynote speakers for the Appalachian Green Teachers Conference! ??? ?? Christin Butler - Executive Director and Co-Founder, Solid Ground Schools: Cultivating Changemakers.? ?? Talcon Quinn - Regional folk artist, Arrowmount School of Arts and Crafts 2023 Traditional Craft and Culture Fellow: How Connection to Place Can Shape Traditional Art.? ?? Ebony Hood, Erika Hood, Greg Hood, Syatt: Cultivating Youth Leadership Through the Syatt Experience. ? Join us to learn from these incredible voices as they share their insights and inspire the next generation of environmental leaders! ???? Register here: https://lnkd.in/e9Fqmmmx ? #GreenTeachers #EnvironmentalEducation? #EnvironmentalEd #Sustainability

Green Lunch Series presents: Your Backyard Saves the World: Permaculture with Erik Peterson! This session will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 12-1 p.m. at the Athens Public Library in the big meeting room.? ? The event is free to attend, and lunch will be provided courtesy of the Chesterhill Produce Auction. ? Register here: https://lnkd.in/eb2vT6tg