Posted by: Kentuckians For The Commonwealth on October 2, 2013
What a day. 
Scanning KFTC’s social media feeds confirms, of course, frustration over tactics by House Republicans, and fear about the impact of the government shutdown. Attempts to confirm weekend hikes, fall camping trips, and sources for research projects kept bumping up against websites that are now closed because of the federal government shutdown. The impact of the shutdown will continue until well after it has passed. What we know now is that it will be significant, with thousands of federal workers furloughed, Head Start programs shutting down, federal school lunch programs and WIC uncertain, and the EPA basically shuttered.
Posted by: Denney Breeding on October 1, 2013
On September 24, Southern Kentucky KFTC members came together for their regular monthly chapter meeting with many big updates and even bigger plans for the next few months.
Steering Committee representatives updated members on the recent steering committee retreat held in Whitesburg, which provided both an orientation to newly elected representatives and an exciting start to our Fall Fundraising campaign. Several local members have agreed to participate in our Power Builders program, joining members all across Kentucky to celebrate KFTC’s focus on growing a healthy democracy as we raise funds, awareness, and members. To see how to join in this HUGE event, visit our KFTC POWER BUILDER page.
Posted by: Lisa Abbott on September 27, 2013
Noted Kentucky farmer and author Wendell Berry spoke during the opening session of KFTC's annual membership meeting in August. We are pleased to share the full text of his speech below. You may also download his essay.
Also, be sure to mark your calendars for a very special interview with Wendell Berry by Bill Moyers. Their conversation will be shown nationwide on public television stations in early October. In Kentucky the program will be aired twice on Sunday, October 6, 2013. It will be shown on KET 1 at 11 a.m. and on KET 2 at 6 p.m.
LOCAL ECONOMIES TO SAVE THE LAND AND THE PEOPLE
Written and delivered by Wendell Berry at the KFTC annual membership meeting, August 16, 2013
As often before, my thoughts begin with the modern history of rural Kentucky, which in all of its regions has been deplorable. In my county, for example, as recently as the middle of the last century, every town was a thriving economic and social center. Now all of them are either dying or dead. If there is any concern about this in any of the state’s institutions, I have yet to hear about it. The people in these towns and their tributary landscapes once were supported by their usefulness to one another. Now that mutual usefulness has been removed and the people relate to one another increasingly as random particles.
Posted by: Cara Stewart on September 27, 2013
It's always a great time to be a Kentuckian, but thanks to Governor Beshear making the choice to accept federal money to expand Medicaid and create our own healthcare marketplace,
Posted by: Jessie Skaggs on September 26, 2013
Thirty people from nine counties in three different states came to Appalshop in Letcher County to learn how to do basic tests of local streams, to talk about water quality issues we face in the mountains, and to learn how to get involved with work organizations from around the region are doing related to clean water.
Posted by: Jessie Skaggs on September 26, 2013
As a follow-up to the 2013 Growing Appalachia conference, members of the Big Sandy chapter and the Rowan County chapter organized a Collecting Wild Edibles and Medicinals workshop on September 8th in Floyd County.
Led by Rowan County chapter member Cody Montgomery, attendees hiked the hills around Wilson Creek and learned about the species located in our area, how to locate their habitats, specific uses for herbs, and how to prepare certain plans for personal use.
Posted by: KFTC on September 24, 2013
Residents of the Stacy Branch and Lotts Creek communities in Knott and Perry counties were relieved last week when a federal judge placed a temporary halt on mining activities that involve a massi
Posted by: KFTC Staff on September 20, 2013
On October 15, the University of Louisville Kentucky Author Forum will present a public event featuring Congressman John Lewis and MSNBC News anchor Rachel Maddow in Louisville.
Rep. John Lewis is Georgia’s 5th Congressional District Representative, the son of sharecroppers in Alabama, and a pillar of the civil rights movement across many decades. His story has recently been told in a new book, the graphic novel called March.
KFTC is thrilled to have secured 15 seats to this event to share with our members.
Please use the form below if you are interested in attending. All KFTC members are welcome to apply for one of 15 available spots. Our Leadership Development Committee will have the hard and important task of selecting a diverse set of members to participate.
To apply to attend the public event with Congressman Lewis, please fill out this form.
If you want to make your own plans to attend the event, go here.
Posted by: Cory Lowery on September 19, 2013
The Madison County Chapter held its annual Friend-Raiser this past weekend, drawing 75 guests to Berea’s picturesque and secluded HomeGrown Hideaways. Veteran members and prospective members alike were treated to an evening of fun and food, along with some friendly competition in the form of a silent auction.
Posted by: KFTC Staff on September 19, 2013
More than 10,000 young people from across the country are making plans to converge in Pittsburgh October 18-21 for a conference known as Power Shift 2013. The event is being planned by and for young activists who are working to solve the climate crisis and build a clean, just and thriving economy that work for workers and young people.
KFTC is collaborating with the Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition (KSEC) to help send a large, diverse set of Kentuckians to this event.
Please use the form below if you are interested in representing KFTC at Power Shift 2013. All KFTC members are welcome to apply for one of 10 available spots. We’ll give special consideration to young people and people who live in communities directly affected by extraction and burning of fossil fuels.
Whether or not KFTC is able to directly support your participation in Power Shift, we’ll do our best to connect everyone with information about registration, transportation and lodging being organized by KSEC. To learn more about and support KSEC’s efforts to send a total of 500 Kentuckians to Power Shift 2013, you can visit www.kystudentenvironmentalcoalition.org
To apply to be part of KFTC’s delegation to Power Shift 2013, please fill out this form.
