Sustainable Economy...

It would be really inspiring to see, in addition to the new business(es) being created, other elements that support sustainability as well. Permaculture, community gardens, alternative energy sources, alternative building practices to name a few - so that these proud and capable people can stand on their own without necessarily relying on external sources of income to comfortably meet all of their daily needs.

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Permalink Reply by Betsy Borgacz on October 5, 2009 at 8:39am

I found this great resource online of two instances where Community Gardens help create not just food but a sense of pride in local communities.

Bad River and Red Cliff Tribes Start Community Gardens
A new Community Gardening effort launched this spring focused on healthy foods and improved nutrition for the Bad River and Red Cliff Bands of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. The tribes received funding through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to set up gardens, provide training and education to tribal members. Funding also provided food distribution systems and food banks for elder centers. The Pri-Ru-Ta Resource Conservation and Development Council planned to hire a Garden Coordinator to organize and direct the effort. The Community Gardens serve as demonstration sites on successful gardening techniques for northern climates, as well as produce healthy foods for tribal members. Education on food safety and diet is also part of the gardening initiative. Tom Cogger , Ashland.

The other example is in the document GlacierGardens.pdf below.

Locally in Olympia, we have an organization called GRUBBS that goes around the entire area and works with low income housing units, families and communities to create raised planter beds for community gardens. It's been very successful.

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