Milo's Whole World Gourmet - Big News! |
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“We have been experiencing exponential growth,” said Jonathan Milo Leal, founder and owner of Milo’s WWG, which produces the Brownwood Farms line of specialty foods. “This new facility will allow us to turbo-charge our growth, and take on larger customers that we haven’t had the capacity to handle to date.”
The new facility will have upgraded machinery, multiple large kettles, and a whole host of other equipment and technology to enable fast, safe, and consistent production.
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Milo's new 300 gallon kettles |
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Milo's new (huge) air compressor |
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Milo's WWG offers co-packing services. From creating and bottling your sauces to helping you navigate the specialty food industry, Milo's WWG is a one-stop shop focused on you. |
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As part of this expansion, which will include job growth, Milo’s WWG received a $50,000 equipment grant from JobsOhio.
The new facility was designed by Jim Thomas of BDT Architects, with general contracting provided by Mike Myers Construction. Plumbing is being done by Thompson Plumbing, electrical by Sun Electric, and HVAC by Airclaws, all located in the Athens, Ohio area. |
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Learn About Branding with ACEnet & Rural Action |
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Join ACEnet and Rural Action August 16th at 5:30pm for a webinar on branding! This presentation by Delia Palmisano, ACEnet's Multimedia Designer, will cover affordable tips for launching brand identity for beginning or established farmers, artisans and producers. This virtual workshop will provide an understanding of logo, label and packaging design, how to plan and curate visual content, marketing and social media tips, and photography and design best practices for product promotion.
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ACEnet Supports National Farmers Market Week |
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Do you grow, produce, or have an idea for amazing products to sell at the farmers market, but find yourself wondering, “How do I start?” This ACEnet toolkit is designed to help you from start to expansion. (This publication was supported by the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program [BFRDP] & the Ohio CDC Association AmeriCorps VISTA Grant program.)
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ACEnet staff painting faces and talking to customers on a recent Saturday at the Athens Farmers Market |
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ACEnet Can Assist with USDA Assistance Applications |
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Applications are being accepted for financial assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crop Program 6/27/2022 - 1/31/2023.
Through generous support from Farm Aid, and the USDA Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program that ACEnet is a sub-awardee for under Rural Action, we are excited to assist small farmers with their applications! Contact info@acenetworks.org for more info.
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Community Food Initiatives Veggie Van Summer Tour |
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ACEnet tenant Community Food Initiatives' Veggie Van is a donation-based farm stand that carries locally-grown fruits and veggies to rural communities in Southeastern Ohio 10 months out of the year.
In order to provide equitable access to the fresh, local, food Veggie Van carries, CFI invites customers to pay whatever they're able. Firmly based in their vision for a thriving and just local food system, the Veggie Van offers locally-grown produce in exchange for any level of donation. All unsold produce is distributed through CFI's Donation Station to food pantry partners, and all donations support food purchase and distribution.
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Veggie Van is in the midst of an exciting summer season thanks to widespread interest, community partners like Hocking Valley Bank and Rural Action, and the amazing efforts of Food Access Coordinator Ravi Harley and Veggie Van Manager Ivan Orquera.
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August 18, 2PM-4PM, Nelsonville: We'll attend the OhioHealth Heritage Health Fair at Parade of the Hills in the Nelsonville Library parking lot.
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August 28,1PM-4PM, Marietta: We'll attend a Washington County Community Resource Fair on Sunday at the Lafayette Hotel in Marietta hosted by GoPacks, in conjunction with the Family & Children First Council of Washington County.
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August 27, time TBD, Athens: We'll attend Athens’ annual Skate Jam event. The folks organizing this awesome event are looking for volunteers, so reach out if you’re available!
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7th Annual Athens Area Stand Down |
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What is the Athens Area Stand Down? This 7th annual event provides food, clothing and personal care items to homeless or at-risk Veterans and individuals. In addition, participants also receive information on available health care, housing solutions, employment services, substance use treatment, mental health counseling and other essential services.
Service Providers are invited to participate by providing promotional information (pamphlets, flyers, business cards, etc.) for all participants to be included in the pre-packed boxes.
For More Info Contact: Chairman Kathy Hecht, 740-517-0619
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What?
A Fair Food System: A Summit on Scalable Solutions to Creating Community Food Systems, a series of half-day events presented by the Central Appalachian Network (CAN) in partnership the USDA, will be a learning environment regarding the problems related to nutrition security such as healthy food access and affordability. It will engage a coalition of organizations who are working to build and support resilient and accessible community food systems, and will work to attract federal, public, and private funding for scalable programs addressing nutrition security in Central Appalachia.
Topics for Summit #2 on August 25th include Agricultural Innovations & Innovators, Programs for Beginning Farmers & Ranchers, and more to be announced soon!
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Summits will include educational presentations, panel discussions, opportunities for partnership building & collaboration, networking events, and state-focused breakout sessions to address community food system issues within Central Appalachia. |
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Who?
Summit #2 speakers will include:
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Jason Tartt, Sr.
Co-founder, CEO of Vallscreek Demo Farm, Master Trainer
Originally from the Pocahontas Coalfield, US Army veteran Jason Tartt. Sr. operates T&T Organics, LLC in McDowell County, WV. Recently featured on CNN, Jason has been farming for 13 years.
Jason brings business and operations management and development to the table, gained from his career with a government subcontractor where he was also heavily involved in contract bids, negotiations, and execution for the Department of Defense. He possesses extensive management experience, is highly skilled in employee development, and is known as an excellent team builder.
Jason mentors EDGE THRIVE program participants extensively, advocates for reskilling in food production, pilots mountain farming products, and contributes his expertise in high tunnel production to EDGE programs and the region. He also works to find secure markets for mountain farm products. |
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Ben Kerrick
Senior Consultant, Karen Karp & Partners
Ben’s work at Karen Karp & Partners includes food system mapping, data visualization, program and event design, and research and analysis. In addition to extensive work in NYC, he has managed or supported KK&P projects in Maine, Louisiana, and New York’s Hudson Valley.
Prior to joining KK&P, Ben was project coordinator for Ohio State University’s Mapping the Food Environment research project, evaluating the food environment of central Columbus. Ben also coordinated OSU’s Agroecosystems Management Program, an interdisciplinary program focused on healthy agroecosystems and sustainable communities. He received master’s degrees in environmental science (with an Agroecosystems Science specialization) and city & regional planning from OSU in 2013.
Having personally experienced many sectors of the food system, Ben brings a passionate and engaged perspective to his projects.
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Summit #2 speakers will also include representatives from:
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For more information about CAN & its network of nonprofit members:
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Saturdays, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
The Athens Farmers Market takes place year round on Saturday at the Market on State Shopping Mall, both inside and outside, and Wednesdays April 20th - November 23.
- August 13 - National Farmers Market Week
- August 27 - Community Cookoff
- September 3 - Vendor Appreciation Day
- Sept 17 - OHIO University Day: Students get a complimentary raffle ticket for a chance to win an AFM gift basket.
Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
The Meigs County Farmers Market takes place May - October on Saturday at 100 Main St. Pomeroy, OH
- September 3, 11:00 AM - Gourmet at the Market: Classic Pasta Sauces from the Garden
- October 1, 11:00 AM - Gourmet at the Market: Tapas (Small Plates) from Spain
1st Fridays, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
The Shawnee First Friday Farmers Market takes place May - October on the first Friday of the month at the intersection of State Route 93 & 155 in Shawnee, Ohio.
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UpBeat: Activities for Older Adults |
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Have you heard of UpBEAT? A program sponsored by OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital in Athens, Ohio, UpBEAT offers free programs for those in our community 55 years and older.
For UpBEAT in August, we will learn more about The Baileys Trail System Project, watch a documentary on the history of The Cambridge Glass Company and will listen to a program on Old Time Radio. In addition to these topics, we will have additional opportunities to learn, socialize and remain physically active, through our book club, “listen and converse” group and exercise class. Please feel welcome to share our UpBEAT newsletter with those you feel may enjoy joining us: www.ohiohealth.com/UpBEAT
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Your tax-deductible contribution helps ACEnet expand economic opportunities in the Appalachian Ohio Region! Thank you for your continued interest in and support of what we do here at ACEnet! |
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Sincerely,
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Meggan Loveland
Appalachian Center for Economic Networks
94 Columbus Rd, Athens, OH 45701
(740) 592-3854
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