Rural communities have often been impacted adversely in historic economic systems based on centralized power and food production. The loss of environmental and human wealth has been costly, particularly in Native American communities, but other rural communities are similarly impacted.

This historic pattern has buttressed an unsustainable way of life. The future must be sustainable in terms of environment, economics and social relations. Relocalizing food and energy systems as core elements of a rural economy indeed national and international economies has the potential to transform world social, economic and political relations.

Our work at a local, national and international level describes how communities make change and the implications for larger society.