Sowing a Regenerative System, Growing a Resilient Appalachia and Rural Southeast

We are passionate about regenerating and conserving Central/Southern Appalachia and the rural Southeast through our commitment to supporting resilient regional production and manufacturing in food, fiber and forest products.

Jane Harrod, Early-Snyder Farm, Photo by Erica Chambers

Our History: We Are Closing Agriculture’s Equity Gap

Accelerating Appalachia was founded to help regional agriculture-based businesses and small farms access resources and expand opportunities in the growing market for climate-smart, regenerative commodities. Small-medium scale businesses and farms often lack access to resources available to larger businesses. Accelerating Appalachia was created to close that gap.

In 2013, Accelerating Appalachia developed the world’s first accelerator program focused on regenerative agriculture. It was also the first to prioritize underserved farmers and commodity businesses. The accelerator helped underserved seed-stage businesses and producers of food, fibers and forest products by providing training in regenerative agriculture and connections with investors and peer businesses.

The accelerator’s launch was met with an overwhelming response. The first session received over 100 applications from around the world, with an inaugural session of eleven businesses. 10 years later, accelerator graduates have collectively leveraged over $20.2 million in investments.

We continue this mission with Building Soil, Building Equity (BSBE) that has an $18 million Farmer Fund with $12 million in cash incentives and $6 million in training and marketing assistance. BSBE will train and incentivize farmers and producers to adopt CSAF practices.

2012

With funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission, Founding Director SaraDay Evans formed Accelerating Appalachia to develop a business accelerator focused on regenerative agriculture.

2013

Accelerating Appalachia launched the world’s first regenerative agriculture-based business accelerator and Central/Southern Appalachia’s first social impact accelerator supported by a regenerative agriculture-focused investor network.

2014

Expanded network of farmers and agriculture businesses across Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. Seed funding from impact investor, activist, philanthropist, Sallie Calhoun allowed Accelerating Appalachia to significantly increase impact across the region.

2014

Partnered with Walnut Grove Farms, Woodford Reserve, and RiverBend Malthouse to facilitate the development of the first all-Kentucky-sourced distiller’s malt. Accepted a fellowship to Common Future, a California-based organization supporting community-driven solutions to advance racial and economic equity.

2015

Partnered with Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC to train and connect sustainable agriculture business students and entrepreneurs.

2016

Partnered with Brown-Forman, one of the world’s largest spirits and wine companies in the spirits and wine business, to host accelerator participants at their headquarters in Louisville, KY.

2017

Partnered with Lush Cosmetics, a global personal care brand, to connect the company with the Appalachian regional network of botanical growers.

2018

Received first Patagonia Award, beginning an ongoing funding partnership with awards totaling over $100,000. Accepted a fellowship with Echoing Green, a global organization supporting innovative social impact leadership.

2020

In response to COVID-19 pandemic, restructured programming to provide consultations with individuals and farmers.

2023

Launched Building Soil, Building Equity, a innovative program to incentivize farmers to adopt climate-smart, regenerative agriculture practices across eight states in Central/Southern Appalachia and the rural Southeast.