There are lots of programs supporting the preservation and continuation of Appalachian culture and traditions. Take a look, for example, at the programs of Berea College (http://www.berea.edu/menumainabout.html), Appalshop (http://www.appalshop.org/), and Ferrum College's Blue Ridge Institute (http://www.ferrum.edu/) among many others.

One warning, folks on Mudcat occasionally get a bit snitty when confronted with broad requests for school project information that don't appear to reflect prior research on the part of the requester. They want to know what work you've done on the topic yourself before they are willing to step up to the plate and do the work for you. ;-)