The 2025 CALT Appalachian Foodways Practitioner Fellowships are being offered by Grow Appalachia, the Appalachian Studies Association, and Mid Atlantic Arts’ Central Appalachia Living Traditions program. This fellowship aims to honor, celebrate, and support individuals who are tradition bearers and practitioners of foodways in the Appalachian region. The program recognizes the significant contributions of those who have dedicated their efforts to sustaining and promoting the foodways heritage of their communities.
The primary purpose of the fellowship is to provide recognition and support to individuals such as home cooks, bakers, seed savers, farmers, community elders, and others who possess traditional knowledge related to foodways. Each selected Fellow will receive a grant of $5,000 in unrestricted funding, along with a unique physical award crafted by an Appalachian traditional artist. The Fellows will be celebrated at the Appalachian Studies Association Annual Conference, providing them with a platform to share their knowledge and experiences.
Funding for the fellowship ranges from $1,000 to $10,000, with each Fellow receiving a fixed amount of $5,000. The program does not specify a duration for the grant, allowing recipients the flexibility to utilize the funds as needed. The fellowship is specifically focused on applicants from Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia, reflecting the geographic priorities of the program.
Eligible applicants include individuals who have made long-term contributions to their communities' foodways heritage. This includes a diverse range of practitioners, from farmers to foragers, who are engaged in preserving and promoting traditional food practices. There are no matching requirements for the funding, making it accessible for those who meet the eligibility criteria.
Submission requirements and application questions have not been detailed in the provided information. However, interested individuals are encouraged to reach out to the grantor for further clarification. The evaluation criteria for selecting Fellows have not been specified, but it is likely that the selection will focus on the impact and significance of the applicants' contributions to their communities.
The application deadline for the fellowship is set for October 17, 2024. As this opportunity is forecasted and in the early engagement stage, potential applicants should prepare their materials in advance to ensure timely submission. For additional information, individuals can contact Ellie Dassler at Mid Atlantic Arts via email or phone.
