1. Introduction: Setting Out on the Journey
Welcome, travelers, learners, and fellow community developers! This summer, I embarked on the Appalachian Field Course—a two-week immersive exploration of community development, agritourism, and applied learning.
Our journey began with a shared dinner on a Sunday evening at The McCoy’s Mill in Franklin, West Virginia—a warm welcome that set the tone for our exploration of place-based learning across the rolling ridges and river valleys of West Virginia and Virginia. As a Master’s student in Applied Community Development at Future Generations University, I approached the Appalachian Field Course not simply as “fieldwork,” but as an invitation to immerse myself in place, people, and process. I carried with me carefully annotated notes on participatory mapping and community resilience, ready to blend theory with lived experience.
From that first evening’s conversations over local cuisine and throughout my travels, I discovered that the real curriculum lay in the melodies drifting through town squares, the way farmers spoke of their harvests over long midday meals, and the aspirations expressed by community leaders planning for their communities’ future.
2. Essential Gear & Preparations
No expedition succeeds without careful preparation. In this section, I share not only a checklist of physical items, but also mental and research “gear” that helped me arrive ready to listen, learn, and collaborate.
Physical Essentials
- Field Notebook & Pens
- Why: Beyond jotting impressions, a durable notebook becomes a repository for raw quotes, sketch maps of walking routes, and evolving ideas for capstone projects.
- Tip: Use waterproof or water-resistant pages; in mountain mist, ink can blur.
- Sturdy Footwear
- Why: Trails ranged from wet, grassy paths near the McCoy’s Mill to steep, rocky paths around Spruce Knob and hot paved sidewalks in Charleston. Blisters or slips can derail both comfort and confidence.
- Tip: Break in your boots with day hikes; consider bringing more than one pair of shoes.
- Layered Clothing
- Why: Mountain weather shifts quickly—mornings hover in the 60s°F; afternoons can spike into the 80s°F. Rainstorms pass quickly but pack a lightweight waterproof shell.
- Tip: The weather in Appalachia varies greatly. Utilizing clothing that can be moisture-wicking and layered is helpful.
- Hydration System
- Why: Hydration is key not only for physical stamina but cognitive clarity when learning in community.
- Tip: Carry a refillable water bottle with you.
- Portable Charger & Cables
- Why: Recording interviews and photographing community events all drain batteries.
- Tip: Solar chargers are an option if heavy use of devices is expected.
- Local Field Guides
- Why: A regional wildflower guide sparked conversations with hosts at Yew Mountain Center; identifying a rare trillium became an icebreaker that led to stories of traditional herbal uses.
Tip: Borrow or purchase field guides at local bookstores like Taylor Books to support community businesses.
Mental & Research Preparations
- Pre-Course Reading
- Examples:
- Power and the Future of Appalachia by Gabe Schwartzman—examines power dynamics in economic transitions.
- Meanings of Maple by Michael Lange—ethnographic insights on sugaring traditions.
- Tip: Annotate sections that relate to local case studies you’ll encounter.
- Examples:
- Cultural Humility Mindset
- Why: Arriving with curiosity rather than judgment fosters trust. Assume every person you meet is an expert in their own context.
- Strategy: Practice reflective journaling each evening, noting assumptions challenged and lessons learned.
- Technology Preparedness
- Tools: Offline-capable apps, audio recorders with backup storage, mobile apps for thematic coding (e.g., Dedoose, NVivo Mobile).
Tip: Test all equipment prior to departure and label cables/devices to share among team members seamlessly.
3. Mapping Our Route: Key Locations & Learning Hubs
Our itinerary wove together natural settings, civic spaces, and local businesses, each chosen for its unique contribution to the course’s thematic pillars: ecology, economy, and community. Below is a deeper look into the sites I was able to visit during my travels and why they mattered.
Site
Yew Mountain Center (Pocahontas County)
Focus Area
Community-based Conservation
Highlights & Learnings
Talked with Executive Director Erica Marks about how the community came together to preserve the land for future generations; learned how the Yew uses community land for education, conservation, and community gatherings; went for a nature walk to observe local flora and ecosystem management practices.
Hillsboro Public House
Local Economy & Agritourism
Tasted pepperoni rolls and locally made cheese; discussed with producers how agritourism revenue subsidizes small farms and which marketing channels yield the best Return On Investment.
Pastoral Center, Charleston
Group Colloquium & Reflections
Engaged in collaborative thematic coding sessions led by Dr. Gabe Schwartzman, where we synthesized field notes into core themes such as “emergence” and “dissonance.”
Taylor Books & Miss Ruby’s Market
Cultural Storytelling & Food Access
Guided tour of bookstore café; visited community garden plots—illustrating how “third spaces” function as rural civic hubs.
Smithers & Montgomery
Rural Resilience
Interviews with council members and entrepreneurs revealed adaptive reuse of mining infrastructure and broadband expansion challenges.
Gauley Falls
Ecotourism & Environmental Impact
Assessed trail capacity and riparian vegetation impacts; brainstormed interpretive signage highlighting geological history and best practices for low-impact tourism.
4. Modules & Methods: Learning in Action
Theory crystallizes when we apply methods in real contexts. For my Master’s in Applied Community Development, identifying these four modules served a dual purpose: they organized our field activities and mirrored the analytical lenses I use in my graduate work and professional role. My concentration intersects agritourism, place-based storytelling, and small-business development—areas central to West Virginia’s rural economy and to my ongoing collaborations with the West Virginia Maple Syrup Producers Association (WVMSPA) and Future Generations University. By focusing on storytelling, participatory asset identification, thematic analysis, and value-added product design (with maple as a signature sector), I am building a toolkit that directly supports regional initiatives like Mountain State Maple Days, the WVMSPA website/communications overhaul, and the Appalachian Thrive Collective. These modules also align with my coursework (e.g., Social Research Methods; Strategic Communications for Change; Bottom‑Up Economics), translating theory into practice that benefits producers, visitors, and communities.
1. Place-Based Storytelling
- Method: Semi-structured interviews with community elders and leaders.
- Framework: Participatory action research—co-authoring story arcs of resilience through economic and cultural change.
Outcome: Compiled narratives and written case studies highlighting personal experiences of resilience and adaptation, such as heritage maple production, market pivots during COVID, and cultural music practices for community growth.
2. Participatory Mapping
- Method: Conversation at Yew Mountain Center identifying the community assets—trails, native plant sites, gathering spaces, and educational areas—that define the Yew.
- Toolset: Notepads and pens.
- Outcome: Personal notes providing examples of how a community determined assets and developed usable space for future generations.
3. Thematic Coding & Reflection
- Method: Literature reviews manually color-coding printed notes into themes:
- Emergence: New economic ventures
- Dissonance: Tensions over land use
- Agency: Grassroots leadership examples
- Outcome: A thematic codebook with definitions and notes—serving as a template for future FGU shared research.
4. Designing Value-Added Products
- Method: Visits to maple syrup producers; taste-testing and ideation sessions to explore product diversification.
- Case Study: Experiences of local syrup producers inspired a mock “Maple Moments” pop-up plan—featuring sampler flights, branded tote bags, and “syrup 101” demos.
Outcome: Pitched the concept to producers, one of whom plans to pilot it at their next festival—demonstrating student-led innovation’s local impact.
Warner's Drive In, Franklin, WV
Stage Addition for Live Music Performance
5. Student Checkpoints: Mid-Course Reflections
“True learning unfolds when we step out of the classroom and into lived experience.”
– Reflection after our tour of Miss Ruby’s Market, recognizing the intersection of commerce, ecology. and education.
- Insight: Community development thrives at the nexus of culture, environment, and enterprise.
- Challenge: Balancing external expertise with local knowledge—our role is facilitator, not dictator.
- Lesson: Active listening is the most powerful tool; the community drives decision-making.
6. Field Guide Takeaways: Wisdom for Future Explorers
- Embrace Slow Learning: Meaningful change unfolds over seasons; respect the pace of place. As FGU students, we often hold a productive tension between course timelines (assignments, deliverables, term ends) and the organic, relationship-driven rhythm of community change. Rather than forcing outcomes to fit a syllabus, name the tension, design smaller “right-sized” milestones, and keep longer arcs in view. This is where Future Generations’ applied, flexible model helps—students can progress at a cadence that aligns with their community commitments, allowing field relationships and projects to mature without being rushed.
- Center Local Knowledge: Residents hold the map—let their experiences guide your path.
- Bridge Ecology & Economy: Sustainable livelihoods must honor both people and the land.
- Cultivate Compassionate Collaboration: Co-create solutions rather than prescribing them.
7. Continuing the Journey: Resources & Next Steps
- Future Generations University Appalachia: Explore applied programs and partnerships at future.edu/appalachia.
- Reading List:
- Power and the Future of Appalachia by Gabe Schwartzman
- Friends of Coleslaw by Emily Hillard
- Meanings of Maple by Michael Lange
- Connect Locally:
- Yew Mountain Center (WV)
- Miss Ruby’s Market (WV)
- Mountain-Cajun Getaway (WV)
Final Note
The Appalachian Field Course isn’t just travel—it’s a classroom without walls, where every trail, market stall, and river bend teaches us about resilience, community, and possibility. As you step beyond these pages and into the hills and hollers, carry with you the stories, connections, and insights forged along Appalachia’s winding trails. Let each conversation, each map drawn, and each moment of shared learning remind you of the collective power we hold when we center community wisdom, ecological stewardship, and heartfelt collaboration. Reflect, too, on the laughter during a road trip, the animated discussions bouncing between classmates, and the trust built on long hikes and shared meals—unique gifts of traveling and learning alongside one another. May your work continue to spark innovation, nurture resilience, and uplift the vibrant tapestry of Central Appalachian life. Onward with purpose, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the places and people we serve!
