Slower Living for a Rooted Future

[marmar]

from YES! Magazine:



Slower Living for a Rooted Future
Vermont is leading the way towards agricultural and economic change. What we can learn from the "Slow Living Summit" about building sustainable futures everywhere.

by John Cavanagh, Robin Broad
posted Jun 20, 2011


Many of you are aware that every summer, in various cities across Spain, there is the traditional “running of the bulls,” a risky, testosterone-filled spectacle that could be seen as a metaphor for our crumbling growth-at-all-costs economy.

Well, in Vermont, for three days each summer, there is a festival that is equally engaging, but is diametrically opposed. It is called the “Strolling of the Heifers,” where up to 100 heifer calves, led by young future farmers, stroll down the streets of Brattleboro as thousands cheer from the sidelines. To celebrate sustainable family farming, the parade is accompanied by three days of a “live green expo,” a film festival, and a street party with musicians, street vendors, and clowns. This event could be viewed as a metaphor for the rooted and green Main Street economy that hundreds of communities across this country have started to build.

This summer, the Vermonters added an ideas forum to kick off the “Strolling of the Heifers.” It was the first annual “Slow Living Summit,” and John spoke about our work on the opening night. About 300 people from small businesses, non-profits, government, and education shared their experiences in dozens of workshops and plenary sessions that pointed to a more collaborative and sane future.

Part of what was striking throughout the idea-fest was how the initiatives for a new economy in Vermont and the United States mirror what we have encountered in our travels to find “rootedness” in places like the Philippines and Trinidad -- places that might, on the surface, seem worlds apart from Vermont. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/john-cavanagh-and-robin-broad/slower-living-for-a-rooted-future