Hi all, I'm not sure if it's OK to list groups that we've started here, but here goes:
I started a relocalization group a few months back to promote local trade within Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan (
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/northi...elocalization).
Here's the site description:
The goal of this group to provide a resource for Northern Indiana residents who are interested in developing a sustainable future. One of our main objectives is to facilitate local trade networks for produce, seeds, plants, handicrafts, dairy products, baked goods and so forth. In addition to this we would like to facilitate the sharing of successes, failures, news and experience between members so that we may all benefit from our shared knowledge. Ultimately we wish to reconnect local people and reestablish the sense of community that was lost after the globalization revolution so that we may create a sustainable future together.
I'll have eggs, produce, baked goods, chickens, and other things to trade. I'd like to find a neutral place central to all involved where we can gather every few weeks to trade and talk homesteading/sustainability etc... I think reestablishing local trade networks is a great way to prep and I'm hoping that members within the area will establish their own walk-able local trade centers. I know, lofty goal but it doesn't hurt to try right? And wouldn't it be great if that old time community spirit could be resurrected?
After reading the thread about neighboors and trust, I decided that I might throw the idea out there to see if any Michianans here on HT would like to participate. Or even if you're not local and would like to join to get ideas for developing your own relocalization group, please do
If you don't know what relocalization is and want to learn more, here's an excerpt from "What is Relocalization?" on Relocalization.net
(
http://www.relocalize.net/about/relocalization)
"Relocalization is the re-claiming of our socio-cultural and economic
systems so that each locality operates well within its regional
ecological boundaries. Relocalization is a strategy that moves one
step further than the strategy of Localization, which primarily aims
to increase the local production of goods and services in order to
fight the detrimental effects of globalization. Relocalization
supports the production of local goods and services while also making
a firm commitment to reducing consumption and improving environmental
and social conditions. In this way, communities begin to develop a
greater degree of economic self-reliance and stronger sense of community."
