Thanks to the generosity of John Paul DeJoria, CEO of John Paul Mitchell Systems, four community-based non-profits in southeastern Kentucky will be assisting the residents of the region to start new gardens and/or expand existing ones staring in the spring of 2010. The project will also teach participants healthy cooking and food preservation techniques. The mission of this program is to allow these families more independence and control over their own food security. The four partnering organizations and their service areas are:
 Red Bird Mission, Beverly, Kentucky - Bell, Clay and Leslie counties.  http://www.rbmission.org/
Henderson Settlement, Frakes, Kentucky- Bell County, Ky. and Claiborne County, Tenn. http://www.hendersonsettlement.com/
Pine Mountain Settlement School, Bledsoe, Kentucky - Harlan, Letcher and Perry counties. www.pinemountainsettlementschool.com
Laurel County African American Heritage Center, London, Kentucky - Laurel and Knox counties www.africanamericanheritagecenter.com
The grant funds will pay for seeds, plants, fertilizers, tools and supplies as well as the labor costs to till, plant, and maintain gardens. Special consideration is given to the elderly, the disabled and other folks who are unable to garden by themselves. A Berea College student will be serving as an intern at each site. Grow Appalachia is a program of the Loyal Jones Appalachian Center at Berea College.

.