By Peter Hille, President of MACED and Chair of the East Kentucky Leadership Foundation
The town of Hindman is one of the most iconic touchpoints for eastern Kentucky’s rich history of art, craft, story and song. That makes it the perfect site for this year’s East
Kentucky Leadership Conference with the theme of The New Economy: Building on our Cultural Heritage on April 26-27.
The conference will celebrate the best of past, present and future, bringing together grassroots leaders, elected officials and people from all walks of life who care about their communities. The conference includes early bird sessions on Thursday morning; an intensive session Thursday afternoon on Downtown Revitalization; an Awards Banquet Thursday evening; concurrent sessions on Friday morning; and concludes with lunch and a presentation on Federal Resources for Appalachia. This year’s concurrent sessions include:
• No More Starving Artists—How Creators are Monetizing their Craft
• Creating a Culture of Recovery in the Mountains
• Tourism: The Eastern Kentucky Experience
• USA Droneport—A World Innovation in Eastern Kentucky
• Growing in Appalachia: From Farm to Table
• Appalachian Workers—Prospering in the 21st Century Economy
• What’s Next EKY!? Lifting Up Ideas That Work
Thursday night’s keynote will be Ronni Lundy, chef and author of the award-winning “Victuals: An Appalachian Journey.” Epicurious writes of Lundy’s book:
Victuals guides us through the surprisingly diverse history–and vibrant present–of food in the Mountain South. Victuals explores the diverse and complex food scene of the Mountain South through recipes, stories, traditions, and innovations. Each chapter explores a specific defining food or tradition of the region–such as salt, beans, corn (and corn liquor). The essays introduce readers to their rich histories and the farmers, curers, hunters, and chefs who define the region’s contemporary landscape. Sitting at a diverse intersection of cuisines, Appalachia offers a wide range of ingredients and products that can be transformed using traditional methods and contemporary applications.
https://www.amazon.com/Victuals-Appalachian-Journey-Ronni-Lundy/dp/080418674X
Now in its 31st year, the East Kentucky Leadership Conference is a forum for everyone to gather and discuss issues, opportunities and solutions for the future of our region. The conference is planned and organized each year by the East Kentucky Leadership Foundation, an all-volunteer group, in collaboration with a local host committee. The conference is supported by generous donations and a modest registration fee, with reduced registration fees for students. For more information visit www.eklf.org.
