Grow Well Appalachia: Vision, Mission, and Community Impact
Our Vision
Grow Well Appalachia (GWA) envisions a thriving Appalachian region where communities, lands, and wildlife flourish through collaboration, innovation, and sustainable practices.
Our Mission
Founded in 2002 in North Carolina and now based in Johnson County, Tennessee, GWA is dedicated to preserving the unique heritage, environment, and communities of Appalachia. We address complex regional challenges by fostering community engagement, promoting sustainable solutions, and building partnerships to ensure long-term growth and resilience.
Present Challenges in Johnson County, Tennessee
The Appalachian region, particularly Johnson County’s Mountain City, faces significant threats to its vitality:
Economic Decline: Dilapidated hotels and businesses signal a struggling local economy, with young residents leaving for opportunities elsewhere.
Industrial Encroachment: Agricultural lands are being rezoned for industrial use, such as a proposed 50-acre Bitcoin mining operation, straining outdated infrastructure and bypassing local hiring and education.
Representation: The public may feel overlooked by the local government, as if political gains override community-driven progress.
Cultural Erosion: The Appalachian way of life—rooted in resilience, nature, and self-sufficiency—is at risk as the region becomes a pass-through rather than a destination.
These challenges threaten the lush mountains, vibrant communities, and natural resources that define Johnson County. GWA is committed to reversing this trajectory through strategic, community-focused initiatives.
Our Work and Impact
GWA thrives on community engagement, uniting resilient, nature-loving Appalachians to protect their land, air, water, and way of life. Our initiatives focus on recession-proofing the region and fostering sustainable growth:
Phase I: JC/MC Seed Library (Launched April 2024)
In partnership with Johnson County Mountain City Library, GWA established a Seed Library to enhance food security, encouraging local agriculture and self-sufficiency.
Phase II: Strengthening GWA’s Foundation (Ongoing)
We are reinforcing our organizational structure by building a new board of directors aligned with our vision and mission. GWA is setting ambitious goals for Mountain City’s revitalization, including infrastructure redevelopment, economic regeneration, and sustainable growth.
Phase III: Community Education and Regenerative Villages (Future)
GWA will expand outreach through educational partnerships, promoting organic farming, healthy living, and sustainable practices. We aim to create regenerative villages—vibrant, self-sustaining communities—across the region, giving residents reasons to live, work, and stay in Appalachia. We are presently partnering with The Venus Project Global Initiative. The Venus Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to designing human habitats that simultaneously enhance human well-being while remaining fit to the carrying capacity of Earth and local ecosystems, accommodating multiple resource scenarios and being resilient to any catastrophic event. In service of this purpose, Global partners explore new materials, new sources of energy, new construction methods, and a new resource management paradigm for a humane and sustainable culture. The pioneering origins of The Venus Project extend far into history. As one of the earliest responses to the metacrisis, the history of work spans decades and hitherto represents a 90-year continuity.
Our outreach team facilitates communication between residents and officials, advocating for policies that support healthy eating, sustainable living, and community-driven development.
Our Values
GWA’s work is guided by core principles:
Empowerment: Fostering long-term growth through community cooperation.
Good Stewardship: Prioritizing responsible care for land, wildlife, and people.
Imagination: Encouraging innovative solutions to complex challenges.
Big Thinking: Embracing bold ideas unhindered by outdated models.
Our Commitment to Collaboration
GWA believes unity is key to sustainable change. We partner with universities, libraries, and like-minded organizations to provide:
Skilled workforce development
Strong, visible leadership
Diversified funding strategies
Clear policy agendas
Effective communication and governance structures
Robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems
By fostering collaboration, GWA amplifies its impact, ensuring a brighter future for Appalachia.
Join Us
Grow Well Appalachia is committed to making Johnson County a destination where people live, work, and thrive. Together, we can protect the Appalachian way of life, regenerate communities, and build a sustainable future. Join us in fostering unity, innovation, and growth for the region we love.