Promoting Self Reliance

Living Local Harvest Fest Promotes Island Self-Reliance
At any given time, it’s said, there’s only three days’ food supply on Martha’s Vineyard. And when we buy groceries, fossil fuels, and electricity from “away,” the money we spend goes off-Island instead of circulating within our local economy. What’s more, supplies of these and other basic commodities are all at risk from the combined threats of resource depletion, environmental stress, and global warming.
How can we foster greater self-reliance, especially in food and energy production? How can we nurture our economy, environment, and community? Let’s find out, together, at the Living Local Harvest Fest, a free, collaboratively organized event focused on “Claiming our Island Future.”
The event begins at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26, with a community forum at the Chilmark Community Center. On video, acclaimed author and visionary David Korten will talk about how the interlinked challenges of dwindling fossil fuel supplies, environmental degradation, and climate change cry out for a shift to local food production, local renewable energy, and conservation of endangered resources.
A panel of Islanders Jim Athearn, Trip Barnes, Emily Lindsey, Tom Osmers, and Kate Warner, moderated by John Abrams, will then discuss applying these ideas to our distinctive Vineyard environment. Community dialogue will be encouraged both during the presentation, and over dessert afterwards.
On Saturday, Sept. 27, the event is at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., participants will be able to choose from a wide variety of activities, including creative hands-on workshops, discussions to promote community action, and exhibits by local organizations and vendors. Numerous kids’ activities and local food will be available. The West Tisbury Farmers’ Market will also be at the fairground for the day, along with the annual Antique Power Show.
The Harvest Fest celebration is on Saturday, Sept. 27,from 6 to 10 p.m. For the potluck dinner, community members are asked to bring a dish made with local ingredients to feed six, as well as their own non-disposable place settings to minimize waste. A number of exciting local performers will be on hand to offer home-grown music.