Appalachian Understories partners with forest farmers to connect them with tourism markets, helping to diversify and strengthen their income streams.

At Appalachian Understories, we work with a variety of land assets and challenges typical of the Appalachian Ohio region. Many of our partners are forest farmers managing wooded acreage with potential for non-timber forest products like mushrooms, ginseng, and other medicinal or edible plants. One key asset is the rich biodiversity and deep cultural heritage of the region, which supports both agroforestry practices and ecotourism opportunities.

However, we’ve also faced challenges such as limited infrastructure for hosting visitors, lack of access to markets for forest-grown products, and the need for landowners to balance conservation with economic sustainability.

Grants and technical assistance have played an essential role in helping us address these challenges. Support from public and private sources has allowed us to train forest farmers in agroforestry techniques, improve trail systems for educational tourism, and compensate local knowledge holders who share their expertise with visitors. Financial assistance has also enabled us to host events like the Fall Fungi Festival, which help bridge the gap between land stewardship and economic development through tourism.

By combining agroforestry with storytelling and ecotourism, we’ve created a model that both honors the land and creates diversified income streams for rural communities.