Rural Action is a membership-based nonprofit working in the southeast and central eastern counties of Appalachian Ohio since 1991. Our mission is to build a more just economy by developing the region’s assets in environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable ways.
Our core work centers on:
- Helping small communities do big things
- Growing local businesses and jobs
- Restoring our environment
- Cultivating the next generation of leaders
We do this work by focusing on sectors identified as important by our members: food and agriculture, forestry, zero waste and recycling, environmental education, watershed restoration, and energy. Emerging work in social enterprise development and local tourism are more recent parts of our portfolio.
Rural Action has a network of over 600 members throughout Appalachian Ohio. The organization is governed by a Board from across southeast Ohio, with strong private sector involvement. The Board oversees a CEO who manages a staff of 24 full-time equivalent staff, as well as 31 AmeriCorps state/national and 5 AmeriCorps VISTA members through the Corporation for National and Community Service. Rural Action members are involved as volunteers, participants, decision makers, and project designers. Our vital member base guides our sustainable development work in Appalachian Ohio through personal and civic action.