Cowan Community Center

08/31/2026

Join KNLT's conservation team for an invasive species removal day at our Laden Trail Preserve on Pine Mountain, near Bledsoe. We will be cutting and treating autumn olive to prepare this preserve for a future tree planting.

Date: Thursday, Sept. 24

Time: 10 AM - 12 PM

Location: Laden Trail Preserve in Bledsoe, Harlan County

Please dress for the weather, wear long pants, sturdy shoes, and clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Bring a filled water bottle and a sack lunch and/or snacks. KNLT will provide all the tools needed for this event.

Register at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/gkv49vf

08/29/2026

Aloha! Aloha!

Enjoy a staycation!

Visit Community Agricultural Nutritional Enterprises, Inc.- CANE and Farmers Market at Appalshop pavilion.

So much fun!

08/29/2026

Aloha!
City of Whitesburg Farmers Market!
August 29, 2026
9-12

Come by and visit at the City of Whitesburg / Letcher County Farmers' Market today for food, fun, and festivity!

Fresh veggies, free pineapple, art and music making.

Thank you CANE Kitchen for the Grilled spam, pineapple and mustard sandwiches and free pineapple.

Drum circle and ukulele lessons.

Ohhh….beans, beans, and more beans.

08/29/2026

Last week, we began our SOURCE Landowner Gathering by listening.

Landowners talked first. They shared the stories of their land—the challenges they face, what they are already doing, and their hopes and ideas for the future.

Then our partners listened, shared resources, and talked about opportunities that might help turn some of those ideas into action.

We were grateful to be joined by:

Rural Action – Andrea Miller
Appalachian Sustainable Development – Dave Harbin & Kylea Cooper
Liken Knowledge – Steve Krueger & Deborah Thompson
Kentucky State University – Kevin Gurtowski
NRCS – Tony Nott & team
Kentucky Fish & Wildlife – Daniel Skinner & Rob Lewis
Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund – Jesse Moore
Community Farm Alliance – Jennifer Weeber
FLASH – Mary Brydon-Miller
Appalachian Carbon Exchange – Nate & team

There were a lot of opportunities in the room—agriculture, conservation, forestry, wildlife, technical assistance, funding, and new possibilities for caring for and making productive use of our land.

More than anything, there were conversations and connections—and the possibility of what might come next.

Thank you to the landowners who shared so openly and to the partners who came ready to listen, share resources, and help identify opportunities. We also appreciate SOAR providing space for the gathering.

We’re grateful for the connections made last week and excited to see where they lead. 🌱

08/27/2026

🍍 PINEAPPLE, PINEAPPLE & MORE PINEAPPLE THIS SATURDAY! 🍍
August 29, 2026

Thanks to our friends at Community Agricultural Nutritional Enterprises, Inc.- CANE, we’ve got a pallet of pineapples coming to the City of Whitesburg Farmers Market! So this Saturday, August 29, we’re making a morning of it.

Join us at the Appalshop Pavilion from 9 AM–12 PM for:

🍍 Fresh pineapples to share while they last
🍍 Pineapple tastings
🍍 Pineapple recipes and demonstrations
🍍 Pineapple & Spam sandwiches
🍍 Tropical Fender Blender smoothies
🎶 Ukulele lessons
🥁 Community drum circle w
Dr. Michelle Lewis
☀️ Debra Tuggle spreading a little sunshine
🎨 Arts and activities
🥕 And our farmers and vendors with fresh local food, produce, honey and more

Pineapples have long been a symbol of hospitality and welcome, and that gives us one more reason to think about Dolly this Saturday—the hospitality, generosity, and joy she brought to our mountains. You’re welcome to share your colors for Dolly as we gather around good food, music, and community. 💛

As the Farmers Market wraps up at 12 noon, our next steps will take us to the mountains. 🌿 Naturalist Martina Hines will lead the fourth workshop in our Cowan Nature Series. We’ll leave from the Appalshop Pavilion and travel together to Little Shepherd Trail for an easy Native Wildflowers Nature Walk.

You belong among the wildflowers. 🌼

Then, after a little break, come back to the Festival Stage for more music! 🎶 Keepin’ It Kwik’s End of Summer Celebration brings EXIT 23 at 5 PM, followed by Sundy Best at 7 PM, along with the Bronco giveaway and Local Hero winners.

From pineapples at the Market to wildflowers on the mountain and back to the MH Festival Stage for music, Saturday is a good day to be in Whitesburg.

Come spend the day with your community. 🍍🌿🎶☀️

08/26/2026

When Community Agricultural Nutritional Enterprises, Inc.- CANE gives you pineapples, the farmers market has a Luau! Join us this Saturday at the City of Whitesburg / Letcher County Farmers' Market for a market Luau. We will have pineapple and spam sandwiches, fender blender tropical smoothies, community drum circle and fresh local produce. Our market is currently at 91 Madison Street under the solar pavilion from 9am-12pm. We hope to see you there!

08/19/2026

Thank you to Art by Lacy Hale and the community for making this special.

The Cowan Community Action Group commissioned artist Lacy Hale to create the mural after the 2022 flood.

08/18/2026

Cowan Community Action Group is excited to host the fourth workshop in our Cowan Nature Series with naturalist Martina Hines!

Join us for a Native Wildflowers Nature Walk as we slow down, enjoy the beauty around us, and learn more about the native fall wildflowers that call our mountains home.

Saturday, August 29
12:00 PM
Meet at the City of Whitesburg Farmers Market

From there, we'll travel together to Little Shepherd Trail for an easy nature walk where Martina will help us identify native wildflowers and learn about their importance to pollinators and our local ecosystem.

Whether you're a longtime nature lover or just curious about what's blooming along our roadsides and trails, everyone is welcome! Bring comfortable walking shoes, some water, and your curiosity.

Come spend an afternoon with us appreciating the beauty of the place we call home. If you would like to join us, please register at the link below.

https://cowancommunitycenter.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/native-wildflower-workshop-registration

08/17/2026

Happy Birthday Stacy Steve Dollarhide.

Another big birthday for Cowan. Join me in wishing Stacy a happy birthday today and a year of health and happiness. We sure need her at Cowan. Stacy has been a constant at Cowan for decades and serves as much more than our bookkeeper. She is the keeper of our history, traditions, and keeps us on track. Thank you for all you do for your community. Happy Birthday.