Peer Learning Visit 2009: Asset Based Development

20 partners visited three peer host sites to learn about developing successful programs and projects built on local resources.  Practitioners and participants discussed start-up, challenges, resources, and take-home strategies.  PLV participants toured partner facilities and experienced meals, entertainment, music and more from the local culture.  One partner said that the experience taught her how to “use what you have to the fullest.” 

The visit highlighted Jackson County Green Energy Park (JCGEP) in Dillsboro, NC; Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center, and Smoky Mountain Native Plants (SMNPA), the last two in Robbinsville, NC.

JCGEP captures methane gas from the old town landfill and uses the gas as fuel for a series of artisan studios, greenhouses, and other ventures.  In addition to economic benefits, capturing and recycling methane eliminates odors associated with landfills and prevents the harmful gas from entering the atmosphere.  Participants toured the facility and left feeling energized from seeing a community “turn a lemon (waste) into lemonade.” 

Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center serves the people of Graham County where it strives to preserve and promote the Southern Appalachian mountain culture.  Housed in a community-restored schoolhouse, SVCAC serves the community through their many programs, including educational classes for young and old, an arts and crafts gallery, heritage entertainment and rental and use of a commercial kitchen.  One participant said that at Stecoah “the Appalachian way is brought to life for the needs of the community and heritage of the area.”

SMNPA strives to conserve native plants, maintain the local way of life and build locally owned enterprises to provide folks with sustainable incomes.  Using native plants and herbs, SMNPA produces value-added products that have resulted in 64 seasonal jobs and launched training programs for local wildcrafters.  Participants were inspired to “look around at all the native plants we have and find out what’s being used.”

The PLV culminated with a luncheon hosted at the Stecoah Valley commercial kitchen dining room.  Keynote speaker, Becky Anderson is the founder of Handmade in America, an organization dedicated to celebrating traditional and contemporary crafts and protecting the communities in a 23-county region.  Becky shared honest stories about the challenges and triumphs of catalyzing an extensive network of stakeholders and resource people to create a model regional economic development strategy for the area that draws on the strength of local artisans and craftsmen.  Becky commented that the PLV provided a very rare opportunity for “folks from the east and the west to learn from and about each other.”