Donna Neuwirth and Jay Salinas
Ecology and economy share the same root word oikos referring to a household or family. This is because it is at that level that these concepts can best be understood- a discrete unit that can sustain itself, financially, culturally, and environmentally. Large enough to have impact, diversified enough to be resilient, yet small enough to retain knowledge and control of its elements.
Economic development in a small rural community retains some of this compact nature. We operate at a level where our work can have measurable effectiveness. We can communicate directly with elected officials, business leaders and seldom have to introduce ourselves more than twice.
Our original household economic goals were modest- we sought to derive a living by growing and marketing organic vegetables. Though our backgrounds were in the arts fields other than agriculture we were used to performing a range duties that were not directly related to our vocation in order to pay the bills. But we quickly discovered that there were many tangible connections between the fields of culture and agriculture- not the least of which is the work of farming without the necessary balance of art for us was mere drudgery.
Wormfarm Institute Combine
Because of this, the Wormfarm Institute has always found the relation between a vibrant culture and economic activity to be a natural one. Over the past several years, as our projects have grown larger & more complex, involving several communities simultaneously we find ourselves justifying the projects in part by speaking in terms of economic development. This does not seem like a stretch or compromise but instead a natural result of working to increase diversity, vibrancy, and resilience – whether it is in our farm fields or our small downtown. This also coincides with a nascent re-localization movement growing in response to the global economic upheavals of the last 8 years. It is easier to make this oikos (human-scale) argument since most folks are now aware how unwise it is to be dependent upon distant financial markets operated by self-interested entities, personal or corporate, untethered to any community.
In truth, we can’t significantly affect economic development, but we can dramatically increase economic activity. Through Fermentation Fest and the Roadside Culture Stand project we create times and places where people congregate- last year over 12,000 came to our area over 10 days. The atmosphere is active and people engaged since live culture is at the core of these activities. Minds are open, senses heightened and conviviality is the dominant mood. The perfect time to sell you something, right?
Wormfarm land
Well, in fact, it is – but not art. Selling art is not a goal and we have made great efforts to resist the commodification of art objects the goal of the endeavors. Art and culture are the activators, the force fields presented in a natural environment without the perceived and often insurmountable barrier that many (most?) people feel about cultural institutions. Temporary art in farm fields- music, poetry, dance, ephemeral site-specific sculpture, or artist-designed & built Culture Stands at farmers markets & other gatherings- generate the critical mass of humanity and puts them in a receptive mood for those best equipped to exploit the opportunity. Merchants, restaurants, entrepreneurs are those whose primary concern may be economic development.
Economic activity is the natural byproduct created by the temporary condition resulting from our efforts. Economic development is the responsibility of those whose livelihood depends upon capturing and sustaining this activity. In this regard our results are mixed. We have created a fertile environment in which entrepreneurs have successfully launched new businesses, where newer businesses in out-of-the-way locations have raised their profiles enough that customers drive long distances to patronize them because they offer a unique, high quality experience, and long-time merchants have their best sales in 30 years of business.
But many established businesses have failed to capitalize either through inertia, short-sightedness or lack of imagination. After three years, the biggest complaint from attendees at Fermentation Fest remains “…not enough to buy”. Whether it is souvenirs, antiques, or a freaking cup of coffee on a Sunday morning or lunch on Monday afternoon, there remains a stubborn core of potential beneficiaries for whom economic development is a key responsibility, failing in this regard.
The lesson seems to be the tired cliché about “leading a horse to water” although in this case we are bringing water to the horse. Some have a sip and are content, some drink their fill and figure out how to make aquaducts & cisterns and finally some risk dying of thirst as they stare uncomprehending at their reflections in the brimming trough.
