The Southern Appalachians have long experienced outside intervention in local economies.  Currently, the Southern Appalachian region is one of the poorest regions in the country due to a history of the exploitation of natural and human resources by large industries such as mining and logging.  Like almost all rural areas in the United States the exploitation of local resources has led to the disintegration of local communities.  As community strength deteriorates the ability to ensure appropriate land use practices is lost.  Local food systems provide one of the strongest paths to regaining local control of economy, community, and land.