1)What are your overall thoughts about the Festival of Grassroots Economics?

I thought it was an excellently organized event--there were diverse speakers on each panel, representatives from local farms, non-profit art and media centers, as well as plenty of free information to align your radical politics with your daily life experience. — Sarah Brown, attendee

Overall, I thought the conference was very successful for its first year. I think it’s fantastic that co-ops like Rainbow are successful enough that they can start to offer themselves as models to learn from. It was very empowering to be able to look at the governing structures of co-ops so clearly in the Co-op 101 workshop, from what structure is right for how many people, to how co-ops could even be franchised. – Michael Tank, attendee, 'designer for the movement'

I think it is fantastic and necessary that this kind of information be readily available to the public. It was nice to see it in a conference setting, but It would also be exciting to see it somewhere else accessible. My partner mentioned to me that she thinks there should be booths at farmers' markets which would house a clearinghouse of this kind of information. -- Dan Thomases, Box Dog Bikes

Excellent. One of those rare gatherings where speakers and attendees were focused on creating solutions, doing positive and innovative things (as opposed to repeating what we already know is wrong with the world.  – Janelle Orsi, panel moderator

Tons of practical ideas were offered. It was very inspirational to hear from all the people who are building the alternative and taking action. – Claudia Flores, attendee

Lovely day, lots of good people, refreshingly noncommercial in contrast to GreenFest... still rather marginal-feeling, but you start to see the possibility of a growing movement towards decommodifying life... – Chris Carllson, author of Nowtopia

I thought it was a great success.  Impressive turnout and a great collection of local leaders. -- Attendee: Billy Linstead Goldsmith, attendee, National Coordinator, Fair Trade Towns USA

I enjoyed the festival very much.  I like that it was very community-driven and community-based.  It provided a lot of information and networking opportunities, while at the same time it was a pleasant, comfortable atmosphere. I sat in on 3 or the 4 panels and learned a lot about local initiatives. -- Bree O’Keane, attendee, Berkeley Student Food Collective

I thought is was a success. All the chairs were filled and there was a very diverse audience. It sparked a lot of new ideas in people's minds, including the panelists. – Heather Young, panelist and organizer, BACE

My overall thought about the Festival is that it is important to hold such a festival. -- Mary Ann Tenuto, attendee, Chiapas Support Committee

There was a great turn out especially considering it was the first time it was organized. -- Jeannine Esposito, People’s Federal Credit Union


2)What idea, person, or project inspired you the most?

Gopal Dayenini from Movement Generation spoke about how we will eventually be faced with a local-based economy and society whether we like it or not, but that the nature of that economy could be patriarchical, even feudalistic, and that it is up to us to construct the kind of truly egalitarian society in which we would like to live. – Sarah Brown

Ideas shared in the Resources Panel, Jenny Kassan, Ian Winters, Erin Kilmer-Neel, Jeannine Esposito - such as concept of a local stock exchange, and other techniques for "recycling cash," or keeping our resources in our local communities. – Janelle Orsi, panel moderator

Cooperatives as an example of a more democratic workplace and as way to keep resources and control at the local level. -- Claudia Flores

I loved the Little City Gardens, but found resonance with many of the attending groups, esp. small publishers! -- Chris Carlsson, author of Nowtopia

Several, however the BACE (Bay Area Community Exchange) was particularly impressive. -- Attendee: Billy Linstead Goldsmith, attendee, National Coordinator, Fair Trade Towns USA

I was inspired by 'Mo Better Foods.  I thought the discussion that happened was an important and valuable perspective of our community works (the conflict between the ownership of local people over their communities vs. the step-in approach of non profits, and the gentrification that may arise from it).
-- Bree O’Keane, Attendee

The urban gardeners - sharing land and labor - was inspiring. -- Mary Ann Tenuto, Chiapas Support Committee

I was most inspired by the energy at the event and the creative thinking that so many people brought with them. Through their non-profits, small businesses and volunteerism the people at the festival were actually working toward a just, local, sustainable economy and not just giving it lip service. -- Jeannine Esposito, PFCU

It is also very inspiring that the pieces of the JASecon closed-loop economy (Allocation, Production, etc) all exist in pretty mature states, and can be used as prototypes for new start-ups. From credit unions to land trusts to co-ops, the main work now is mainstreaming these structures, and financing and empowering the un- and under-employed to start creating the new economy. – Michael Tank, attendee

3)What new thing did you learn or connection did you come away with?

I look forward to pursuing more about the alternative financial resources and institutional projects that were mentioned during the 2nd panel. -- Bree O’Keane

I was able to network with almost everyone there.  -- Billy Linstead Goldsmith, National Coordinator, Fair Trade Towns USA

I connected with amazing architects/designers, people working on creating local currencies, people building cohousing communities, people creating an urban food system. I've never come away from an event with such an exciting list of new connections.—Janelle Orsi, Moderator

I have a pile of business cards and contacts from the day. Can't say there's a special thing I learned, but glad to have made good contacts with a bunch of folks. -- Chris Carlsson, author of Nowtopia

Probably the fact that your "work" is different from  your "job" and that we must value our labor differently if we are to usher in a grassroots economy. — Sarah Brown

The idea of a local stock market exchange as a way to make the economy work for local communities and keep resources rooted in place. — Claudia Flores

I had not heard of the concept of a time bank and was intrigued by the Bay Area Community Exchange’s programs. It was great to meet my fellow panelists as well – Erin Kilmer-Neel, Jenny Kassan, Ian Winters, and Janelle Orsi. -- Jeannine Esposito, PFCU

Hosting a free repair stand, most of my interactions were with the people who approached me. It was great to see so many people who used bikes and wanted to know a little bit about how to maintain their bikes better.  The whole idea gets me excited.  How can we make a system of trade which is more equitable?-- Dan Thomases, Box Dog Bikes


4)What are you most hopeful about with regard to building a just, local, and sustainable economy? What will be the most challenging?
    
It is also very inspiring that the pieces of the JASecon closed-loop economy (Allocation, Production, etc) all exist in pretty mature states, and can be used as prototypes for new start-ups. From credit unions to land trusts to co-ops, the main work now is mainstreaming these structures, and financing and empowering the un- and under-employed to start creating the new economy. – Michael Tank

Most challenging: changing my own consciousness on how exchange/service/meeting needs is done. –Dan Thomases, Box Dog Bikes

I am hopeful that communities can use these tools and work together to build resilience in order to determine their own sustainable futures.  The most challenging thing will be getting that critical mass necessary in order to scale it up. — Claudia Flores

I am hopeful that as more and more citizens of Oakland become aware of the impact of their spending choices that we can move toward supporting sustainability. – Billy Linstead Goldsmith

I'm hopeful that all of the creative activists at the festival will keep their projects going and start creating real alternatives to the system we've been dealing with.  Most challenging will be the times when we all need to collaborate, get organized on a large scale, and agree on major policy changes, creation of new major institutions, etc. It's one thing to create thriving local projects, but another to come together to affect policy change. – Janelle Orsi

Working with others is hopeful, as is finding a way to cherish individuals' different capabilities and talents. I think any efforts redistribute resources in our Capitalistic society will be met with strong resistance, as even the word "redistribute" puts most people off.  – Sarah Brown

I am hopeful about the community that is based around it, and the support that all of the individual initiatives can offer one another.  However, I think it's very important to continually pursue these opportunities and build these relationships because when so many people are working on a similar cause, yet with their own individual interests, we need to be careful not to become too attached to our own projects. -- Bree O’Keane, Berkeley Student Food Collective

I was encouraged by the number of people who were interested and attended the Festival and also by the variety of efforts underway to create alternatives. The hold that the dominant economy has on folks is always going to be a challenge. -- Mary Ann Tenuto, Chiapas Support Committee

I was most inspired by the energy at the event and the creative thinking that so many people brought with them. Through their non-profits, small businesses and volunteerism the people at the festival were actually working toward a just, local, sustainable economy and not just giving it lip service. One of the greatest challenges will be achieving sustainability of the organizations and businesses. -- Jeannine Esposito, PFCU


5)What topics or sectors do you think weren’t addressed or represented as much as they should be?

Heavy industry is completely absent. Power production mostly, other than vague calls for solar and wind. Transit cannot be reduced entirely to bicycling, though I'd love it if it could, so a more robust treatment of public transit ought to be part of it... libraries and public health should be part of the process too... – Chris Carlsson

I would've liked a more in-depth discussion on cooperatives that dug more into the logistics and resources, providing answers to specific questions about legality, taxation, incorporation, structure, start-up capital, challenges and solutions, etc. -- Bree O’Keane, Berkeley Student Food Collective

Consumption. Are we going to have this new, local economy, but still be consumption-driven and unsustainable? Is it going to be about wants or needs?  Where is the balance between those two? – Claudia Flores

Maybe more on how we can weave in Feminism, Critical Race Theory and Marxist theories into our vision for a new grassroots economic model. – Sarah Brown

I think there should have been more room for public discussion, including with panelists and a structured discussion of next steps. – Heather Young

Not sure. It seemed good to me. Perhaps the question is how to reach more people.  -- Mary Ann Tenuto, Chiapas Support Committee

Much of the time it felt as if we were preaching to the choir, which can be good in terms of increasing morale, forming additional partnerships, and synergy. It would have been good to reach out to more people who have not already bought into the idea. Perhaps holding the festival in a more visible location to attract people walking by could be helpful. -- Jeannine Esposito, PFCU

I think the conference would do well to outreach to students. We could redirect our college grads from finding their place in the traditional economy to entrepreneurship of the new economy. This could put young folk plus new ideas, as well as the skill of the working class, to work again while transforming society as well. – Michael Tank

It was a local conference.  But it would have been nice to have also had somebody representing global issues as well, to remind us that they are connected. --  Dan Thomases, Box Dog Bikes

6)What do you think could have been better?

I'd love to attend another one, more organizations present. Maybe add in a section for recent college grads or the unemployed or underemployed on how they can dig right in to these issues. –Sarah Brown, attendee

Similar to what I just stated - if there was a specific panel of advisors/experienced folks who had answers and resources on hand.  Also, it would've been great to have a clear follow-up, like a party afterwards for all the attendees, or one in the coming weeks/months, so we can continue these activities and community-building outside of structured conferences.  It was unfortunate that the panel area was in such direct sunlight - it kept people further away and impacted the intimacy of the dialogue. Attendee: Bree O’Keane

Maybe more outreach to Latinos and immigrant communities and things that facilitate their participation such as translation and childcare.—Claudia Flores

I think there should have been more room for public discussion, including with panelists and a structured discussion of next steps.  – Heather Young, Panelist and Organizer

Not sure. It seemed good to me. Perhaps the question is how to reach more people. Mary Ann Tenuto, Chiapas Support Committee

Much of the time it felt as if we were preaching to the choir, which can be good in terms of increasing morale, forming additional partnerships, and synergy. It would have been good to reach out to more people who have not already bought into the idea. Perhaps holding the festival in a more visible location to attract people walking by could be helpful. -- Jeannine Esposito, PFCU

I think the conference would do well to outreach to students. We could redirect our college grads from finding their place in the traditional economy to entrepreneurship of the new economy. This could put young folk + new ideas, as well as the skill of the working class, to work again while transforming society as well. -- Michael Tank

7)Do you think this festival should be a regular event?

It would be great to see something like this happen regularly and more widespread across the country.  I would like to see it become so regular/accessible to produce its own irrelevance.  In other words, I would like to see the new economy happen.  I would like to live in a world where the grassroots economic system tied in with food security, housing, recreation, lifestyle desires, what have you so that people could live the lives they dream to have and not be for want. -- Dan Thomases, Box Dog Bikes

It should be a regular event, but just as important is to keep the momentum by having smaller working groups that perhaps meet quarterly to exchange ideas and report on progress.  Maybe tie it to the Social Equity Caucus run by Urban Habitat or something like that.-- Claudia Flores

Quite a few responded with a ‘yes’, ‘definitely’, and ‘absolutely!’

About Ryan Van Lenning

Ryan Van Lenning is a writer and community organizer focusing on issues of social justice, food justice/urban agriculture, and sustainable transit. He is also passionate about anti-militarism, media reform, and building alternative economies in sustainable cities. Among other places, his work appears in Terrain Magazine: Northern California’s Environmental Magazine, Truthout, and Matador Change. Prior to becoming caught in the web of Bay Area ink-slinging and activism, he taught in the Humanities Department at a community college in Ohio, where he created courses in Environmental Ethics and World Religions: Peace and Violence. He is both a hyper-localist and a globalist, a home-body and travel-addict, and a city explorer and nature aficionado, just a few of the many paradoxes with which he is afflicted. Contact him at ryan@oaklandlocal.com, follow him on twitter @vanlenning, and find more at his blogs Pull the Root, Travelin' Bones, and Rumi and the Cholo.