I live in a little mill town in New England where we are blessed with lots of open space, and very little employment. Since the open space is owned by people who don't pay taxes, the rest of us have to - a lot of them. And like lots of little towns around the country, we're suffering from a exodus of tax payers, though lots of houses are just being left unsold. But a bunch of have an idea that might turn that around, the North Country Sustainability Center.
We have started a non-profit organization that will make it possible for people to have community gardens, or a chance to learn about sustainable ag, using the center's gardens. But for people who want to sell their goods,we'll have a Farmer's Market year round, and a commercial kitchen, where they can produce goods for sale, without the expense of all the tests and steps that the Board of Health requires for those with private wells and septic. Our preferred site is on town water and sewer, so that avoids that problem But we'll also have a micro-creamery, where people like myself, who have a small herd of goats, sheep or cows, can bring their milk to be pasteurized and made into yogurt, cheese, etc. for sale.
But we're more than that. We are place to learn to sew, preserve food, learn carpentry skills, or learn to cook. We're an arts center for acoustic music, traditional arts like quilting, knitting or stonemasonry or blacksmithing. We're also a location that will act as a fairground for livestock exhibitions, dog shows, contra dances and more. Eventually powered by solar power and micro-hydro power. We'll have an outdoor oven and smokehouse, and cider press, eventually. Much of our "teacher power" will come from senior citizens and unemployed mill workers, who have a lot of knowledge to offer. We will give people a chance to build their business at our site, and spread the success all around.
How will we achieve all this? Well, ideally we'll buy a six acre parcel of land in the middle of town which has great southern exposure, and an old mill pond with millstream still existing on the property. It has an indoor riding arena, a beautiful old mill building for the arts center, all are bank owned, so it's bargain priced.
If we get this going, we're located close to two different rail lines, and pretty dead center in New England, so we could become the "Go to" place to learn sustainability. That would build our local economy, and if we're lucky, someone will start a green limo service, or Zip or Smart Car concession so the students in Boston could take the train out here, rent a car, stay at a B&B and learn from us at NCSC.
But we need to raise the money to buy it. We are waiting on the IRS to give us our charity status (501C3) but that could take until summer. We've tried to speed it up, but they won't be swayed. So I've entered a contest with GreenGiant.com.
Like Pepsi did last year, they have a contest that people can vote on the most worthy entrant. If you want to help, please vote for "Growing Green," at The Green Awards. You'll find my entry essay and video in the "Local Organizers" category. Please vote for it, and spread the word. You can vote every day until March 28, 2010. Winners are notified in early April, and I'll surely let you know if we win!
This is a long shot, but this project is too good to let it fall apart. You can see more at the NCSC link above. Thank you so much!