Future Generations University Appalachian Program

08/18/2026

Out of the Woods is on summer hiatus this month! In the meantime, we invite you to explore more than 60 episodes on our dedicated YouTube playlist at https://bit.ly/OutOfTheWoodsPlaylist.

The series returns September 17, 2026 - we look forward to seeing you then.

07/29/2026

Funding opportunity for farmers!

The Expanding Agroforestry Project, led by The Nature Conservancy, and partners today announced the launch of the
Expanding Agroforestry Project (EAP), an effort to help U.S. farmers strengthen their operations, diversify revenue, and improve land health.

Farmers interested in applying or learning more, visit: nature.org/ExpandingAgroforestry.

The current application window is June 30 to August 11, 2026.

The Expanding Agroforestry Project brings together leading businesses, academic institutions and non-profit organizations working to expand agroforestry on U.S. agricultural lands. TNC is the project lead and is responsible for grant administration and processing incentive payments to farmers.

07/21/2026

"I just wanted to say that my wife and I really enjoyed the presentation by Dr. Maria DeRosa. She did a great job in explaining some very complicated technology and the results of Carleton U’s work on this research project so far. It definitely sounds hopeful that with enough time and effort, they will come up with a very useful tool for maple producers to use in the field to extend their maple seasons as long as possible with confidence...Thank you for making this presentation possible."

Watch last week's Out of the Woods webinar presentation at https://youtu.be/FAVBF2d14D8 on our -basedenterprises3859 YouTube channel!

There will be a summer hiatus in August - look for the next Out of the Woods program the third week of September!

July 2026: Out of the Woods Webinar: Dr. Maria DeRosa presents "Swe...

07/13/2026

Career Opportunity | Future Generations University

Looking for your next opportunity—or know someone who would be a great fit?

Future Generations University is seeking a Youth Education Coordinator to join the Future Appalachia team!

This position focuses on working with educators, school systems, community members, agricultural partners, tourism professionals, Extension agents, and government agencies to support youth education and strengthen communities across the Appalachian Region.

If you have experience working in Appalachia and a passion for collaborating with educators, youth programs, and local communities, we'd love to hear from you!

📍 Learn more about the position and apply here:
https://www.future.edu/employment-opportunities/

Even if this role isn't the right fit for you, please consider sharing it with your networks. You never know who may be the perfect match!

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07/11/2026

Join us for July's Out of the Woods webinar, Thursday, July 16, 7:00 am ET!

Dr. Maria DeRosa will share "Sweet Signals" in a presentation on using Aptamer Test Strips to predict buddy syrup. Register at bit.ly/FGU-out-of-the-woods-webinar

Maria DeRosa is dean of the Faculty of Science and professor of Chemistry at Carleton. After completing BSc and PhD in chemistry at Carleton in 1999 and 2003, she held an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship at the California Institute of Technology before returning to Carleton in 2005 as a faculty member.

Dr. DeRosa is principal investigator of the Laboratory for Aptamer Discovery and Development of Emerging Research (LADDER), a research facility funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation Leaders Opportunity Fund and the Ontario Research Fund.

She previously served as associate dean (Recruitment and Retention) in the Faculty of Science from 2018 to 2020 and chair of the Department of Chemistry.

Dr. DeRosa has received awards for her outstanding teaching and research contributions, including the John Charles Polanyi Research Award, an Ontario Early Researcher Award and a Capital Educators’ Award.

Carleton University

07/09/2026

Please join us in welcoming Bryan Simmons to the team as the new Agroforestry & Land Use Associate!

In his role, he will develop educational programming, provide technical assistance to producers and landowners, and work with community partners to advance sustainable agroforestry practices throughout Appalachia.

Learn more at https://www.future.edu/bryan-simmons/.

07/07/2026

Don't miss opportunities to join our friends at The Yew Mountain Center this month!

06/26/2026

Future Generations University is hiring!

If you have a passion for youth and teacher education in the Appalachia region (and beyond), we want to hear from you! Visit https://www.future.edu/employment-opportunities/ for full position details and instructions on how to apply.

Join a team making a global impact, starting in our own community.

06/22/2026

SEED-SCALE emphasizes building from what communities have and what they desire, rather than beginning with what is missing.

Every community has assets.

Some are easy to see: schools, farms, businesses, parks, libraries, churches, forests, trails, clinics, and gathering spaces.

Others are quieter: trusted neighbors, family recipes, informal caregivers, storytellers, volunteers, local knowledge, cultural traditions, and people who always show up when something needs done.

Try this today:
Make a quick “community asset map.” Write down:

Three places that bring people together
Three people who connect others
Three skills your community already has
Three local traditions worth protecting

That list is more than a list. It is a starting point.

Community change grows stronger when we stop asking only, “What is wrong here?” and begin asking, “What is already here that we can build on?”

Learn more: https://www.future.edu/academics/ -scale

06/19/2026

Agroforestry is a reminder that solutions do not have to be either economic or ecological. The best ones are often both. When land, livelihoods, and learning work together, communities are better positioned to thrive.

https://blog.future.edu/2026/05/15/what-agroforestry-teaches-us/