Northfield, MN…Community builders tackle solid waste, affordable housing, and elders connection to nature.

People in communities across America want to live in a place where they have the chance to thrive. This is true in all kinds of places: small towns, rural areas, urban neighborhoods, American Indian reservations, and others.  We need to take action to change things so that we all can thrive. (Source: Brad Rourke, Thriving Communities Guide) 

In Northfield, Minnesota, the community foundation funded 17 projects.

Three of those efforts stood out. They seemed to be historical markers that we can point back to 2010 in the United States . They relate to solid waste, affordable housing, and elders connections to nature.

• In 2010, we throw away a lot of stuff.  All around the country, landfills are filling up, garbage incineration is becoming increasingly unpopular, and other waste disposal options are becoming ever harder to find.

We are highly aware of reducing, reusing, and recycling our solid wastes. Composting takes it a step beyond. (Source: Cornell) Compost is decayed plant matter used by gardeners for enriching the soil.

The Kids Who Care Compost program at Bridgewater Elementary School was initiated in 2009. When the green teams assessed the school trash, there were six bags of food waste to each bag of other waste. The average elementary school child produces about 67 lbs. of waste per year from lunch at school.

“We now have six hundred ambassadors for earth awareness at our school,” said the Green Team coach (and elementary teacher).

There are several guides available for schools who may want to begin a composting program including ones from Cornell and State of Connecticut.

• In 2010, affordable housing is a concern. In the wake of a historical number of foreclosures, more attention is on keeping people in their homes. And right-sizing mortgages.

Lower income, working families really struggle. “There are 3,000 families of four who make $35,000 or less and pay 30% or more for their mortgage,” according to Gina Franklin, Habitat for Humanity, Rice County.

 Raising the Roofs project of Habitat for Humanity provides resources to build homes. Homes are for  low-income working families. Recently homes have gone to families with a member with a disability or long-term illness, first generation Americans, and single heads of households. Selected families contribute work hours pounding, nailing, and cleaning as their home is built. Volunteers will help to build three more homes this year.

“Come build a house and build  your heart,” Franklin says.

 Affordable Housing Challenge

• In 2010, we may spend too much time indoors and not enough outdoors.

“Connecting People with Outdoor Recreation Opportunities” was a focus group study of youth and elders in Maine. They found that accessibility and free or inexpensive places were factors likely to encourage outdoor recreation. 

The Northfield Retirement Community will build a Meditation Park. The elders can enjoy peace and quiet, green spaces, and sounds of nature. Right in their own back yard.

 “It will be open to the entire community for all generations to relax, reconnect and renew,” said a staff member of the retirement center.

 The Northfield Area Community Foundation is fifteen years old. It has funded a variety of community building efforts.

Are composting, affordable housing, and connecting kids and elders to nature on your community building agenda? What progress have you made?

Photo Source: White house by Paul-andr-Belle-isle

 Leadership development expert & educator, Donna Rae Scheffert brings more than twenty-eight years of experience as an extension professor to her work. Sign up for a RSS feed at Online-Leadership-Tools and follow Donna Rae on Twitter or LinkedIn.

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