When we think of Medium of Exchange we think money. That is because the financial model has been allowed to increasingly benefit a decreasing number of people. We the many stakeholders, namely humanity and our planet of finite resources, are waking up to the fact that we are facing the laws of diminishing returns while the 1% are not. This is insane given improvements in technology, healthcare and communication, but, they are being hijacked by the cloud capitalist gatekeepers.
Back to medium of exchange. Today, in the former capital of England, Gainsborough, in Lincolnshire the bread basket of Britain they had a dog day. No one was spending very much money at the stalls on marketed event side, so alas it may not be repeated, but none the less so many people were spending their time together. The medium of exchange was non financial, we were meeting and greeting those familiar faces, but who were in reality passing ships, thus largely strangers and, sharing joy, relearning the social verbal communication skills that lead to kinship and optimistic thoughts. All through the medium of dogs. There were a few photos taken, but phones remained in pockets most of the time.
Hats off to West Lindsey District Council and Gainsborough Town Council who have discovered a new form of community currency that even the #Prestonmodel would doff their hats to.
Essentially, when times are hard in a community, like Greece as a nation post 2008, the medium of exchange that leads to people coming together need not be financial. Take for instance the sharing of produce within a community growing system, because we want to help each other. In Greece people shared surplus meals with strangers. You see everything flowers when the community smiles back. With time of the essence, we must urgently rediscover fundamental social and trade based skills. Forget the digital world, we need to get real again, we need to Sow Study Sustain.
It has to start with food, and we need to, sharing the feast we earned the right to enjoy. Because then we all believe in the need and the authenticity of the people involved, who happily share their knowledge and skills for the greater good. Exponential growth starting simply with a smile a medium of exchange that means we will survive and thrive along with our pets.
So let’s build on this and see where we go………………….
Sow Study Sustain ultimately means a localised Circular economy food system with renewable energy that could bypass those horrible utility middlemen and create community wealth that goes back into local resources.
- Micro-farms in Every Neighborhood: Establish micro-farms in urban and suburban areas, including streets, villages, towns, and even 15-minute cities. These micro-farms can utilise vacant lots, rooftops, or community gardens.
- Harnessing Renewable Power: Implement community solar and wind energy systems to power these micro-farms. This reduces reliance on fossil fuels and fosters a more healthy, cheap and sustainable food production system. Can it, bottle it, store it share it – and save those seeds to start the circle of life again.
- Cooperative Ownership for Shared Prosperity: Employ a cooperative ownership structure for the micro-farms. This empowers the community and ensures profits are reinvested back into the community’s development and the micro-farms themselves.
- Growing Nutritious Food Locally: Focus on cultivating a variety of nutritious fruits, vegetables, and herbs for local consumption. This reduces dependence on external food sources, promotes healthy eating habits, and strengthens food security. And save those seeds to start the circle of life again.
- Education for Sustainability: Create educational programs to equip community members with the knowledge and skills for sustainable urban agriculture and MRO (maintenance repair and operation) practices. This fosters a sense of ownership and empowers residents to contribute to the project’s success.
The real Benefits of the Sow Study Sustain Strategy
- Localised Economy: By producing food locally, you create a more self-sufficient and resilient community, less vulnerable to disruptions in the greedy global food chains.
- Reduced Reliance on Fossil Fuels: Renewable energy sources power the micro-farms, lowering the project’s environmental footprint. CE is like going into orbit once you start it’s the gift that keeps on giving
- Increased Food Security: Local food production strengthens food security, especially for those who may face challenges accessing fresh and nutritious food because they simply can’t afford it. Google the rubbish going into our diets thanks to the greedy food manufacturing cartel
- Community Building and Social Cohesion: Working together on these micro-farms fosters a sense of local pride and identity, social interaction, and shared purpose that extends into the wider community culture.
- Educational Opportunities: Informal hands-on educational programs empower residents and create a culture of sustainability within the community.
Conclusion
Sow Study Sustain community wealth building through micro-farms and renewable energy offers a promising path towards a more sustainable, secure, and equitable food system. If scaled up we could power a town for a £20m outlay, which once paid back, would give that amount of money back into the system every year. Alas our current Government and their energy buddies won’t allow that. But, by combining renewable energy with a focus on local food production, communities can cultivate a future rich in both social and ecological well-being, aligning with the principles of Sow Study Sustain within a degrowth non-GDP economic model.
You can do this yourselves although we are happy to help https://www.ecolearn.co.uk/
