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Harvest Barter Fair Proposal
This is a project that is being proposed as an idea for the CCLC to offer
as a program. Rachel and Carly are interested in organizing energy around
this concept and participate in a larger group, Food For Thought, which has
also indicated support for this idea.
Rachel and I would like to apply for a Maine Initiatives Harvest Fund Grant
to fund this proposal. The grant is specific in its guidelines and only applies
to agricultural related activities. We do not feel like this would compete
in any way for any other funds that the CCLC could put towards the current
projects it has already committed to, e.g. A Facility, The GLSFAF, or Lesley
University. We plan to apply for $2000, the maximum amount you can apply.
This idea has much potential for being a large income generating fair (look
at the Common Ground Country Fair), but we will start small and see where
it goes. If we do not get this grant, we will have to sacrifice some costly
luxuries, maybe do a benefit concert, and donate our time to organizing this
event.
We are proposing the event to be held the second weekend of October, 11th
or 12th of 2003. This is a long, “holiday” weekend for some and
could turn into a two-day event in the future. It is a time of great agricultural
abundance and long enough after the frosts (in most years) so that the gardens
can be readied for bed. It is also a time of beautiful scenery, with the
fall colors, and the last bit of tourist population traveling through the
state.
The idea is there to be booths set up by community members for them to be
able to display their wares and services and that other people can buy their
goods or services by bartering with a good or service they can offer. There
would be no money exchanged unless it was the will of the participants. We
feel there is a void in knowing our community and what products are produced
by our local community. Many goods that we need or want do not have to be
purchased outside of our community. We can strength our local economy by
supporting each other in the good or service we offer.
We feel it fits into the CCLC philosophies, values, and vision. It will
be a celebration of community. It will celebrate the ability to feed ourselves
from our harvests rooted in this area. There will also be emphasis on the
hand-crafted goods from the common folk of the community. There will be traditional
folk arts and stories. It could be an annual season celebration.
We have talked about charging an admission fee as a suggested donation format.
We need to acknowledge that it does take money to put an event like this on,
but we do not want to exclude anyone who can not afford it.
We would like to present the idea of an organized barter system or an alternative
currency. We would also like to have an area under the tent, which would
highlight the activities that has happened in our community of the last year.
We would like to have a timeline and have people add their own stories and
pieces integrating the individual with the larger community to emphasize the
link between us.
There will be music from local musicians and dance from local dance troupes.
We will have a potluck food available.
There can be demonstrations and talks in the following areas:
Native & Wild edible plants
Tidal Walks and Identification
Horse drawn wagon rides
Biodynamic Agriculture
Aboriginal Agriculture Methods
Timber Frame Building
Alternative/Aboriginal Building Styles and Materials
Spinning and Weaving
Pottery
Logging-Traditional and Modern Technology
History from Around the Bay
Improv Theater
There are many benefits to a fair like this. Taking money out of the equation
and focusing on our other areas of richness is very empowering.
Collective Empowerment
Celebrating Togetherness
Strengthening Community
Money would go to:
Renting a large tent to put food, community events calendar, CCLC displays,
and central gathering space
Renting tables for food and displays and chairs
Paying artistic performers
Advertising:
Gather interested community vendors
Publicize event
Pay an administrative salary to organize the event
