We’re launching a nonprofit newsroom to preserve Appalachian Highlands heritage and support its future.
The Appalachian Highlands, spanning Asheville to Wytheville and beyond, are linked by resilient communities. But if you look at the landscape of local media, you see a growing silence. Across our region, the “Media Gap” is widening. Traditional newspapers are shrinking, leaving vital stories untold. The struggles of the family farm, the fading techniques of traditional storytellers, and the complexities of local government are often reduced to soundbites or ignored entirely.
We believe the Appalachian Highlands deserve better.
That is why we are proud to announce the formation of Gavel Media, a new organization dedicated to publishing the Appalachian Highlands Farmers Magazine. We are applying for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status because we believe journalism is a public trust. As a nonprofit, our “shareholders” are you—the residents of this region.
Our Mission: More Than Just Crops. While “Farmers” is in our name, our mission embraces the full life of the Highlands. We are bridging the gap between the past and the future. Our coverage centers on five pillars:
- Celebrating Agriculture: Amplifying the voices of farmers, from family operations to innovative startups.
- Preserving History & Culture: Documenting the arts, music, and traditions unique to Appalachia.
- Appalachian Foodways: Exploring food heritage, from recipes to local food sources and food access.
- Government & Policy: Covering decisions that shape our land, taxes, and rights.
- Technology & Innovation: Highlighting tools shaping the region’s future, from broadband to ag-tech.
Our Territory
We are committed to serving the heart of the Highlands. Our coverage area extends from Asheville to Wytheville, and encompasses the vibrant communities of Eastern Tennessee and Eastern West Virginia. If you call these mountains home, this is your magazine.
We are building our foundation and invite you to join us. As a nonprofit, we rely on people like you for support. If you are interested in shaping our organization’s future, this is your opportunity.
If you have experience in law, finance, agriculture, history, or fundraising and share our mission, consider joining our founding Board of Directors. We need your expertise to help build our platform.
Call for Storytellers
We invite contributors of all backgrounds. If you have an authentic voice and a story to share, we welcome your involvement—whether or not you are a professional journalist.
- Maybe you are a historian with deep knowledge of the region’s history.
- You are a chef reviving old Appalachian ingredients.
- Perhaps you are an expert on rural internet infrastructure.
If your story fits our mission, contact us to share it with the region. We want to help you be heard.
Join us today. Become part of the movement to bridge the Media Gap, preserve our history, and empower our future.
Join us to bridge the Media Gap, preserve our history, and empower the future.
To inquire about Board service, please contact us at: publisher@gavelmedia.com
To submit a story, please review our Author & Contributor Guidelines and use our submission form here: