ACR Fall 2022 Class Project

Appalachian Community Research Fall 2022

Course Theme:

Sustaining Wild Harvesting Economies in Appalachian Virginia

Course Number: APS/PHS/SOC 4094  
Class time: Monday 1:25-4:15 PM  
Location: Major Williams Hall Room 100

Course Description:

Through a partnership with Appalachian Sustainable Development, students will conduct interviews and focus group research with wild harvesters in southwest Virginia to better understand the challenges Appalachian wild harvesters face and identify ideas for future programs and policy initiatives that could help sustain wild harvesting economies in Appalachian Virginia.  Students will present their recommendations for the economic and environmental sustainability of the Appalachian forest medicinal root & herb economy at the Appalachian Regional Commission conference on December 2-3, 2022.

Instructors:

Shannon E. Bell, PhD, Associate Professor of Sociology and Appalachian Studies Faculty Affiliate, Virginia Tech (sbell33@vt.edu)

John Munsell, PhD, Professor and Forest Management Extension Specialist, Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Virginia Tech (jfmunsel@vt.edu)

Dr. Julia Gohlke, PhD, Associate Professor Department of Population Health Sciences (jgohlke@vt.edu)