ACEnet News Story Archive

Farmers markets provide an opportunity for local farmers to earn income while giving others access to fresh and healthy food. This exchange strengthens the culture of community, building a sense of trust, support, and friendship.

Do you have an idea for amazing products to sell at the farmers market, but find yourself wondering, “How do I start?” ACEnet is offering a free Farmers Market Toolkit online to walk you through the process from startup & production ... Read More

ACenet is excited to welcome Molly Sowash to our staff! Molly began her position as the Food Partners Access Coordinator for the Appalachia Accessible Food Network in March 2021.

The Appalachia Accessible Food Network is a collaborative project between ACEnet, Community Food Initiatives and Rural Action’s Sustainable Agriculture program to accelerate the distribution of local foods into Appalachian Ohio communities by strengthening access, production, and consumption components of a local food value chain.

Through funding from the ... Read More

If you live in or commute to the city of Athens, it has been impossible to not notice the amount of road construction occurring on Stimson Ave. The corridor is under major renovation, an upgrade that is long overdue. The project will reconstruct the corridor from East State Street and Grant Street. Stimson Avenue, which is a main entrance into the heart of Athens, was last updated in the 1970s. The one downside is getting ... Read More

April 2021 marks the 25th anniversary of the opening of ACEnet’s Food Venture Center in Athens, Ohio. The facility was one of the first rural, kitchen incubators to open in the U.S. Staff and tenants celebrated the grand opening by breaking a loaf of Crumbs Bakery’s Challah Bread. The planning, site selection and building renovation had been a long time in the making. That lead time allowed us to hit the ground running and the ... Read More

Apply for an Appalachian Wood Craft Scholarship!

Are you a woodworking enthusiast looking to turn your passion into a profession?

Perhaps you’re ready for a career change or a fresh start and would like to develop the skills required to utilize a natural asset of Appalachian Ohio – our native oak, hickory, black walnut, and other trees – to make and sell wood products in a profitable, sustainable way.

Thanks to Rural Action, the Appalachian Center for Economic ... Read More

On March 16th, ACEnet hosted The Road to Reentry: Community Forum – Reentry information for those released between March 17 – Dec 31, 2021: What to expect when your family member gets home.

The Zoom event recording is accessible below, along with additional reentry resources. You’ll learn about the Athens County Reentry Program, ODRC reentry process, reentry processes inside prison, OMHAS (Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services) services and their connections with reentry, hear ... Read More

 

This 2-day virtual* training will take place 8am – 4pm on June 23rd & 24th.

*Exam must be completed in person individually or in small groups.

Registration is $100 for ACEnet members, $125 for non-members and will include:

o   2-day virtual training

o   Slideshow presentation style including video presentations

o   Testing materials will be provided

Attendees will receive their ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification.

Register today! Please see event page or contact me if you have any questions about registration or the event. Sincerely, Adam Kody Food Enterprise ... Read More

Ohio All-Counties Relief

Governor DeWine recently announced $429.5M of CARES Act Funding to benefit Ohio Small Businesses, Bars, and Restaurants. Of funding announced, $125M will be allocated toward small business assistance and $37.5M will be allocated for bars and restaurant assistance.

The Ohio Development Services Agency will administer these grant funds.

Each county in Ohio has been allocated funds to award fifty $10,000 grants in the first 3 weeks, and grants will be awarded on a first-come/first-served basis, ... Read More

ACEnet facilities, including the Food Ventures Center in Athens & the Food & Farm Enterprise Center in Nelsonville are and will remain open until further notice. ACEnet staff is available (remotely) for our various business counseling services. Please email your needs to LeslieS@acenetworks.org and you will be connected with a staff member who can assist you. We will continue to update this page with Covid-19 Relief Resources for Small Businesses, Individuals & Nonprofits as they become ... Read More

GROWING GREEN 2020: Investing in Conservation and Local Food Conference

Friday-Sunday, March 13th-15th, Yellow Springs, Ohio

Come to Growing Green 2020 to hear from climate experts and farmers about the impacts of climate change and what can be done to overcome these challenges, regional successes in food systems and Farm-to-School activities, funding and support for farmers to implement conservation practices, and discussions on strengthening our local food system and healing the climate using healthy soil. Hosted by ... Read More