Pine Mountain Settlement School enriches lives and fosters community by offering experiential education focused on environmental literacy, sustainable agriculture, and Appalachia’s diverse people, art, and culture.
Board of Trustees
Colleen Ambrose White House Clinics Berea KY
Aaron Beale Berea College, Director, Student Craft Berea, KY
Donna Daniels Brushy Fork Leadership Institute, Executive Director Berea, KY
James S. Greene III Harlan Independent Schools (Retired) Harlan KY
N.S. Guy III Dentist Harlan KY
Kristen Harris Spalding University, College of Education, Associate Professor Louisville, KY
Preston Lacy Kentucky Natural Lands Trust, Conservation Director Georgetown, KY
Jane Mathews Mathews Architecture Asheville NC
Sandy Miller Leo Miller Engineering (Retired) Harlan KY
Dan Mosley Harlan County Judge Executive Baxter, Ky
Jennifer Parsons Harlan Independent Schools, Director of Instruction and Assessment Harlan, KY
Lyle D. Roelofs Berea College, President Berea KY
Deborah J. Thompson Kentucky Historical Society Berea KY
James A. Turner Turner Restoration LLC Detroit, MI
Pete Westover Conservation Works, LLC, Managing Partner North Hatfield, MA
Melinda Wilder Eastern Kentucky University (Retired) Berea KY
Judge Wilson Berea College, General Counsel Berea KY
From our Executive Director
It is hard to believe that a little over a year ago, I was settling in as the Interim Director, pulling together my first attempt at an annual report. I remember that time so vividly, full of excitement and wonder. As I dive into drafting this year’s report, the reality that I have been afforded this opportunity to lead and steward such a tremendous organization is still dreamlike. I look back at what we have accomplished, look ahead at the possibilities, and am awestruck.
So much happened in the last year. The school has welcomed groups and families from near and far. We have focused on building our traditional arts program, brought back revered weekends like Fall Arts, partnered with amazing organizations, and strengthened our policies to keep campus safe and inclusive. Over 3,600 people participated in programs steeped in place-based, experiential education, and an additional 2,300 guests came to campus for weddings, reunions, retreats, and casual lodging.
Undoubtedly, 2023/2024 was chalked full. In the following few pages, I hope you get a glimpse of the magic we see every day at Pine Mountain Settlement School: the connection to place and people, the wonder of our natural world, the glimmer in a young one’s eye, and the excitement of a job well done.
Executive Director
57 COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
3,686 PARTICIPANTS
937 INSTRUCTIONAL HOURS
348 ACRES IN THE JAMES E. BICKFORD STATE NATURE PRESERVE $236,855 DOLLARS RAISED 21 HISTORIC STRUCTURES
In The Spirit of Pine Mountain,
APPALACHIAN ART, CULTURE, & CRAFT
Building on the previous year’s efforts to update our creative spaces, we concentrated on developing afterschool and adult-oriented arts programs, while also enhancing art and cultural experiences for our residential school groups. We hosted 61 arts and culture events showcasing a variety of folk and traditional arts. Students engaged in activities in the woodshop, pottery studio, and kitchen. Most importantly, they harnessed their creativity and connected with age-old traditional art forms.
Expanding cultural and arts programs to residential schools provides a unique opportunity to enrich students’ educational experiences. Introducing sewing and cooking classes as part of these programs fosters creativity and self-expression and imparts valuable life skills. Sewing classes enable students to explore textile arts, from creating intricate quilts to designing their own pillows, connecting them with historical and cultural traditions. Cooking classes offer a hands-on approach to learning about nutrition and our regional culinary heritage. These classes promote a sense of accomplishment and independence while preserving cultural heritage.
You know, now that I know how to make biscuits I know I can take care of myself.
-Challenge Academy cadet
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Since revitalizing our Agricultural program with the addition of Grow Appalachia in the early 2010s, we have committed ourselves to addressing food insecurity and demonstrating the power of local food systems and sustainable agriculture. Last year, we not only modeled enterprises on the farm and collaborated with Grow Appalachia families on production practices, but also launched a CSA program with Harlan ARH Hospital, incorporating produce grown on campus and supplied by our Grow Appalachia families. This initiative not only generated income for our families but also provided fresh, local food to 24 households.
In 2023, we expanded our farm operations to include pastured poultry, beef cattle, finished hogs, and initiated a flock of registered Dorper hair sheep to exemplify a diversified mountain farm. Our Grow Appalachia families excelled, producing over 20 tons of food while participating in 12 workshops. Students enjoyed farm tours, learning about bees, observing young livestock, and planting and growing their vegetables. We are excited to see how this program continues to evolve and benefit our community.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
This year, Pine Mountain Settlement School has continued to serve as a vibrant hub for community engagement, hosting a variety of events that foster unity and celebrate our cultural heritage. Our campus has been a popular venue for family reunions and weddings, offering a picturesque setting for these memorable gatherings. The natural beauty and serene environment have made these events truly special for all attendees. Additionally, our community dinners have brought residents together to share meals and engage in meaningful conversations, strengthening local bonds and creating a sense of belonging.
Annual events like Fair Day and the Nativity Play have once again highlighted the rich cultural traditions of the Settlement School. Fair Day, with its craft booths, agricultural exhibits, live music, and games for children, drew large crowds and provided a platform for local artisans and farmers to showcase their products. The Nativity Play, a cherished holiday tradition, brought together community members of all ages in a heartwarming display of talent and holiday spirit. These events and programs not only celebrate our heritage and traditions but also create lasting memories and strengthen the fabric of our community.
CORE VALUES
As a settlement institution, Pine Mountain’s work is shaped by:
AUTHENTICITY We draw upon our deep Appalachian roots to engage with the present and shape the future of the region.
SIMPLICITY We model a simplicity in living that emphasizes relationships with people and nature over material things.
LEARNING BY DOING We promote learning through inquiry and experiential education using our unique natural and built environment as a classroom.
WONDER We foster a sense of wonder and personal growth by being a place where bodies, hearts, and imaginations thrive.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
We promote social responsibility through our day-to-day activities and programming.
INCLUSIVITITY
We build bridges among people of diverse backgrounds by encouraging an exchange of ideas, perspectives, and visions for the world that generates mutual respect and understanding.
COLLABORATION We foster connections, collaboration, and shared expertise, recognizing that all parties have something to contribute.
STEWARDSHIP
We care for and protect our built and natural environment.
MEET CURTIS
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Curtis from Boyle County, nestled in the knobs region of Kentucky, has dedicated his career to stewardship and education in nature, leading him to some of the most ecologically diverse parts of his state. With a bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation Administration focusing on Natural Resource Management, Curtis brings a wealth of expertise to his role. His journey includes 13 years at EKU’s Division of Natural Areas, with the last 7 spent managing the old-growth forest and facilities at Lilley Cornett Woods in Letcher County.
As the Director of Operations for Pine Mountain Settlement School, Curtis is committed to ensuring the school is inclusive and equipped to serve as a beacon of environmental literacy, sustainable agriculture, and Appalachian heritage not only locally but also on a broader scale – across the region, nation, and globally. His background in facilities and land management, coupled with his passion for environmental education, makes him a jack of all trades in his field, capable of integrating diverse disciplines to fulfill the mission of Pine Mountain Settlement School.
We are entrusted with not just preserving the land and built capital of Pine Mountain Settlement School but nurturing it, honoring the traditions of the past while securing it’s use for generations to come.
