Allegheny Mountain School Seeking Applicants For 2012 Program

Monterey, VA – The Allegheny Mountain School in Highland County is now accepting applications for its fellows program for 2012. The school is looking to assemble a group of hardworking young adults to create a cohesive and cooperative team for living, working and studying sustainable food systems and community development. Highland Center staff member Kacey Thompson talks about this year’s program.

“Last summer there were nine Fellows up on Allegheny Mountain; it’s all about sustainable food production,” says Thompson. “One thing we’ll definitely be focusing on this coming summer is making more ties with the local community, so having people from Highland lead the local workshops and just get them a little more integrated into the local community.”

Ms. Thompson says they’re hoping to get another 7 to 9 adults to work up on the mountain this summer. The application period is open now and applications are due by January 31st.

During Phase 1 of the Allegheny Mountain School Program fellows will spend 6 months in residence on Allegheny Mountain in western Highland County. This is followed by Phase 2, which includes one year of work with one of the school’s partner organizations located along the Route 250 corridor in Virginia and West Virginia.

One goal for this year’s group of fellows is that each one will touch the lives of at least 10 families through teaching gardening and building sustainable local food programs. Fellows will be expected to help build capacity for their host organization’s mission as they share and teach the skills they have learned during Phase 1 of the program.

For more information visit the school’s website at www.alleghenymountainschool.org or email them at info@alleghenymountainschool.org. Applications can be downloaded from their website. You can also call the Highland Center in Monterey at 540-468-1922.