Dear neighbors,


Like many in our region, we’re overwhelmed at this one-year anniversary of Helene, and calls to assess recovery status. We’d like to be able to clearly lay out how farms in our region are doing and where we’re going from here. But there aren’t clear or broad answers.


The truth is, recovery is complicated. Farms in our region have moved forward—thanks to incredible, heroic community support, often neighbor to neighbor—but there is still so much uncertainty. Many farmers don’t know when or if the money they’ve spent to make repairs and get through this season will be reimbursed. There is ongoing uncertainty around market outlets—restaurants and other small businesses are also struggling to survive. Challenges to disaster relief and recovery are compounded by ongoing changes in state and federal programs. 


This year’s forward momentum has been made possible by our community coming together. To sustain our farming community long term, we need broad support in building a healthier local food system.


We can choose how we rebuild. We can be intentional about strengthening our local food system. We can support local farms and nutrition security and the environment and show up for our neighbors. We all have a role to play in this, whether it is buying more local food, advocating for food system change, or supporting the capacity : [link removed] of organizations like ASAP.


ASAP’s work lies in strengthening community assets and connections that help local farms thrive—long game objectives that go beyond a single challenge. Our core programs are designed to assist farmers at all stages of operating a business, including moments of crisis. Here are some of the ways ASAP is : [link removed] farms navigate Helene recovery : [link removed] right now:
Free, one-on-one consultations to help farmers with evolving needs, including navigating recovery programs and changing markets.Workshops, conferences, and farmer working groups that center around disaster recovery and resilience planning and give farmers the opportunity to connect with peers and learn from subject experts. Tools, resources, and connections for farmers about grants and recovery resources as they become available, including regional, state, and federal programs.Dual-benefit programs that work to give community members access to fresh, local food, which at the same time increases market opportunities for farms. This includes farmers market programs like Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables and Farm Fresh Produce Prescription, as well as Appalachian Farms Feeding Families, which connects farms with schools, early care and education centers, and restaurants.ASAP will continue to support recovery efforts for our communities. We’re committed to doing what it takes to make it possible for farmers in our region to move from surviving to thriving. It’s a long road to recovery—but we are hopeful about creating a better local food system together.


With gratitude,
All of us at ASAP : [link removed]



ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) - 306 W. Haywood Street - Asheville - NC - 28801

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