10 Years of Growing What We Have

Executive Director
Jun 19
2 min read

Updated: Jun 30

As we approach the 10th anniversary of the Drop Collaborative this fall, I’ve been reflecting on how it all began and why we’re still here.

We didn’t start by focusing on what was missing. We began with what we had — a piece of land, a few tools, and a shared belief that something meaningful could grow.

That mindset still guides us today.

A few years ago, while updating our website, I hired someone to help tell our story. Their draft was thoughtful but focused on hardship — what was broken or lacking. That wasn’t our foundation. The Drop Collaborative wasn’t born from scarcity. It was built from abundance. Not measured in dollars, but in people, place, and purpose.

We’ve never depended on government funding. When John Drop inspired this vision, those kinds of resources weren’t even a consideration. He came from a time when people relied on each other. Neighbors came together, shared what they had, and found a way forward. That spirit lives on in everything we do.

Over the years, our community has continued to give what they could. A vet trimming our pig’s tusks. A landscaper maintaining the grounds. Lowe’s donating wood. Local pizza shops feeding our events. Teachers, Students, Business owners, neighbors, a lawyer, Board Members, Carter County Board of Education, Unaka High School, ETSU, sponsors, donors, and so many more to list here — everyone playing a part!

That’s the heart of the Drop Collaborative.