Local Community, Global World
As the grip of globalism tightens in fear, the equal and opposite reaction is inevitable.
Globalization expresses itself as centralization, monopolization, and homogenization. It is a slow siphoning of resources and wealth by a small number of hands. The uniformity and singularity it seeks are evident and unnatural.
Nature, culture, and human society strive toward localization, organic competition, and diversification. Without manipulation, Nature provides variety, abundance, and balance in concentric local geographic footprints. Nature achieves efficiency and stability through complexity and the seemingly effortless harmonization of many independent organisms thriving together in community, as a local ecosystem.
Localization, as a lifestyle of nourishment and commerce, may serve as an effective strategy to balance the increasing pressure of globalization.
Local, natural foods are generally the most nutrient dense and wholesome, as the gap in time between harvest and consumption is concise.
And local natural growers use little to no toxic chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
Local tradesmen and craftsmen are capable of producing many of our basic needs: furniture, linens, boots, hats, clothing, tools, instruments, saddlery, artwork, cutlery, kitchen supplies, and all manner of household accouterments.
As demand increases for local merchandise, the possible variety of necessities for simple, natural living are virtually anything we can imagine; and certainly, anything we need.
Local culture makes our lives rich and meaningful.
So why not cultivate a resilient, local economy, which in turn will result in a more meaningful lifestyle and stronger local communities?
But how?
We spend our dollars locally.
We buy a portion of our food at Farmer's markets or through local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) or farm delivery services.
We get to know the farmers and ranchers growing and raising our food.
We pressure our state legislators to create laws allowing small growers and local businesses to compete in a marketplace increasingly advantaging global producers.
We support local businesses that respect constitutional and individual liberties.
We give up quantity for quality and seek out local craftsmen and tradesmen who make higher-priced, higher-quality goods.
We do our part to keep our resources circulating locally.
Local Foods, Local Goods, & Local Services
We have to sacrifice convenience if we are serious about local community.
Drop ship to our doors saves time, although the satisfaction of driving to a local merchant and spending our money locally is worth the effort.
By doing this, we participate in localization and build community by growing relationships with local people.
Spending locally will naturally increase local production as demand increases.
This will create jobs and independence for more local families, manufacturers, artisans, and entrepreneurs.
In many ways, globalization is disconnecting local communities. Think of all the local businesses displaced by global discount retailers and home supply companies. Localization begins with relationships: with farmers and ranchers, shop owners and merchants, pastors and church members, artists and artisans, and entrepreneurs and builders. And our neighbors.
Localism is a simple solution to create a meaningful impact in our community and a more fair and decentralized economic and social architecture.
Local trade is a spoke and wheel for human interaction that builds local community.
Buy Local.
Support and become part of the local agriculture system.
Grow a garden.
Become a farmer.
Quit your job and make something tangible.
Forge the community of your dreams.
To support local culture and the families in our local community, all we need to do is Buy Locally!
Make a commitment to spend at least 50% of your food and consumer goods budget with local businesses.
God, Family, Friends, and Local Food, Local Goods + Local Services is the recipe for local community in a global world.