HAZARD, Ky. – The ARH Foundation for Healthier Communities has awarded a community grant to Jones Fork Elementary, supporting the development of a hands-on school garden designed to promote student wellness, nutrition education, and lifelong healthy habits.

Through this investment, the ARH Foundation continues its commitment to fostering healthier communities across Eastern Kentucky and Southern West Virginia by supporting programs that further healthcare, education, and community involvement.

The garden will serve as an interactive educational space where students can dig into the soil, grow their own food, and better understand the connection between nutrition and their overall wellbeing.

“At ARH Foundation, we believe improving health starts with education and access,” said Leslie Hammer, Executive Director of ARH Foundation. “This grant is about more than a garden. It is about giving students the tools and experiences they need to build healthier futures for themselves and their communities.”

This grant supported project aligns with Appalachian Regional Healthcare’s Food is Medicine approach, which emphasizes the role of nutritious food in health, healing, and disease prevention. Throughout ARH’s service region, Food is Medicine programs connect food access, education, and community partnerships to improve long‑term health and well‑being for individuals and families.

“Introducing students to hands-on experiences like this helps shape how they think about food and how it ties to health,” said Jonathan Koonce, CEO of Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center. “When we invest in children at this level, we are making a lasting investment in the health of our region.”

That impact is especially meaningful at the local level, where schools serve as a central hub for both education and community connection.

“At Jones Fork Elementary, we believe education grows far beyond the pages of a book,” said Stacy Conley, Partners for Rural Impact FSCS Coordinator. “Because of the ARH Foundation’s grant, our students now can dig their hands into the soil, grow their own food, and learn lifelong lessons about health, responsibility, and perseverance. Deep in the mountains of Kentucky, ARH is not only caring for our community but investing in our future. Thank you, ARH, for planting seeds of knowledge that will continue to grow in the hearts of our students for years to come.”

For leaders across ARH, initiatives like this reflect a broader commitment to meeting communities where they are and building toward long-term wellbeing.

“This is what it looks like to truly support our communities,” said Danita Hampton, CEO of McDowell ARH. “By investing in our schools and our children, we are helping create healthier families and stronger communities for generations to come.”

The ARH Foundation for Healthier Communities Community Grant Program provides up to $5,000 to nonprofit organizations and public agencies working to improve health, education, and community well-being across Appalachian Regional Healthcare’s service region. To learn more or to support initiatives like this, visit www.ARH.org/donate.

Attached photo L to R: Pictured left to right: Cylah Slone, Remi Johnson, Sam Miller, Jonah Ritchie, and Kin Olinger.