The Wealth & Poverty theme offers a field trip on “Alternative Economies in Appalachia” on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The field trip is open to Ohio University students.
- Spots are limited and first-come, first-served. To sign up, email Musaraj at musaraj@ohio.edu or Terman at terman@ohio.edu.
As Southeastern Ohio’s society and economy change, communities are seeking alternative and sustainable economic strategies. The coal industry has been a distinctive feature of Central Appalachia since the late 1800s, but with the decline of coal across the region, other industries such as tourism and agriculture offer possible paths forward for rural people and places.
Students and faculty on this field trip will visit the Ohio towns of Shawnee in Perry County and Chesterhill in Morgan County in order to obtain firsthand exposure to three efforts aimed at sustainable development. This field trip is sponsored by The College of Arts & Sciences Wealth and Poverty theme.
The field trip is led by Dr. Smoki Musaraj, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, and Dr. Rachel Terman, Assistant Professor of Sociology.
Meeting Place: Those interested should meet at the GoBus stop outside the first floor entrance of Baker Center. (Arrive by 8:50 a.m.)
BYOL Bring Your Own Lunch: There will be a cash-only snack stand at the Chesterhill Produce Auction, but it has limited options (hot dogs, sausage, noodles).
Field Trip Stops
Shawnee, OH (Perry County): The field trip will first stop at an intersection of the Buckeye Trail at Tecumseh Lake in Shawnee, where a representative from the Buckeye Trail Association talk about the organization’s efforts to develop outdoor recreation and tourism in the area. Participants can choose to take a brief walk along the trail or enjoy the scenery at the lake before stopping in town to learn about the Winding Road regional tourism initiative.
Chesterhill, OH (Morgan County): The next stop is the Chesterhill Produce Auction for their its Pie Day Fundraiser and Auction. The auction is a social enterprise launched and supported by Rural Action, a non-profit organization that promotes socially responsible economic development in the region of Southeastern Ohio. Participants will learn about Rural Action’s efforts to support the local food system. Participants can observe or take part in the action. There will be a pie tasting competition at noon followed by a pie and produce auction.
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