Urgent Evoke

A crash course in changing the world.

Engaging stakeholders differently.

So much of social change must come from within. The key to sustainability is change that builds from and reinforces the existing culture. Solutions must be familiar and evolutionary with buy in from those who have influence in the community.

In Ethan Zuckerman’s post on ‘Innovating from constraint‘ and his point of "Don't fight the culture" comes into play here, along with Amy Smith on rules for design in the developing world and her point about "Listen to the right people".

We can no longer put money in resources towards importing leadership and ideas into struggling communities. It is imperative that we bring innovation and creativity but build the solutions from within.

Here in Dallas, Texas we have we have impending food security issues of our own. We have plenty of ranchers in this region but not enough produce farmers. And, it seems that we keep paving over the most fertile, loamy soil with parking lots and shopping centers without any regard from our elected officials and leaders.

I began addressing this issue of trying to increase farmer sustainability and increased production by hosting the first Farmers Round table Discussion in 2005. The event brokered conversations between farmers and chefs. Many of the farmers to this day claim that the connections they made to the commercial food industry provided growth opportunities that they are still reaping today.

Today, when planning an event (like www.bigBANGtx.org ) I weave in an element of food security with the use of my food budget dollars. In this case I am partnering with Youth Village Foundation to engage the young men of the county detention center to help grow the food for the event.

The lessons I have learned thus far:
1. The bigger community is rarely aware of the lack of food infrastructure.
2. The key to growth is access to new markets. Examples 1: The Farmers Roundtable Discussion helped increase regional food production because of access to a new market. 2: Youth Village Foundation increases their food production by having a large event to grow food for.


Views: 21

Comment by Raymond M. Kristiansen on March 8, 2010 at 9:20am
These two lines hold great insight: "The key to sustainability is change that builds from and reinforces the existing culture. Solutions must be familiar and evolutionary with buy in from those who have influence in the community."

I would like to have a discussion about more examples of this. For instance case studies where we see that solutions that are familiar reaps bigger reward/results than unfamiliar solutions. Also, a question then arises: What about the unfamiliar ones? How can we make the unfamiliar become familiar - if the currently unfamiliar practice is more efficient?

Looking forward to hear more from you and others on this. Perhaps starting a discussion thread is a good idea?
Comment by Andrew Perry on March 9, 2010 at 9:29am
Stacy,

Great story and experience and it hits close to home for me being from Iowa.

I'm curious what type of processes you used in the Farmer Round tables. I've been thinking of trying to start an Evoke group dedicated to propagating different large group change processes (Appreciative Inquiry, Open Space Technology, World Cafe, Future Search, etc.)

From my experiences process creates the biggest change.

Let me know what you think.

Cheers,
Perry
perry's projects

p.s.
FYI
At one time we had the most fertile soil in the country with thousands of small farms dedicated to produce for humane consumption. Iowa was also the leading apple producer in the country. Now over 90% of crops are feed corn and soybeans.
Comment by Andrew Perry on March 9, 2010 at 10:36am
Hey Stacy,

I just made a project homepage dedicated to group processes.

I'd like to give you credit for completing this special agent mission but you'll have to squeeze a little more juice out of your story.

I'd love to hear it and promote if you're interested.

Cheers,
Perry
perry's projects
Comment by John D. Boyden on June 18, 2010 at 7:35pm
*applause* That is an awesme essay and your first two lines are spot on! Ive copied ut...along with your resources.

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