MUM courses:
- Energy Use by Man and Nature
- Hands On Course In Sustainable Technologies
- Permaculture Design Certification
- Sustainability Forest Academy
- Artisan Foods and the Slow Food Movement
- Local Economy
Grinnell College courses:
Resource Center
Local Economy
Course Dates: Jan 7-3, 2008
Wendell Berry and Lonnie, Land Institute, Fall 2006
Course Description
In this course, we will explore producing much of what people need close to where they live. The wealthy nations have spent the last 100 years creating very long supply lines for food, energy , building materials and the rest of their provisions. Our food is supplied by ADM and Cargill, our media comes from Clear Channel and Fox, our energy from Exxon-Mobile, and our building materials from Boise Cascade.
This course looks at creating wealth in communities and a durable future by reeling those supply lines back in. The success of modern economies depends on continued growth in the production of material goods. Is it possible to create an economy that works to continually develop human welfare without continually growing the amount of stuff produced? Do steady state economies differ for industrially developed nations vs developing nations? We will explore these questions and many more. We will look at public policy, what localization means for currency and banking systems, and alternative forms of business/nonprofit organization. The course will consist of lectures, readings, classroom discussion, films, case studies, guest speakers, field trips, conferences, and a variety of hands on projects that we will identify and select through in an open space process.
Lonnie's Contact Info:
- email: lonniegamble@yahoo.com
- phone: 641-469-5240
- address: 1860 Woodland Dr, Fairfield, Iowa 52556
"A local culture is simply a way to live reliably, enjoyably, and well on the resources of an area" - Irish economist Richard Douthewaite, author of Short Circuit
"It is hardly an exaggeration to say that, with increasing affluence, economics has moved into the very centre of public concern, and economic performance, economic growth, economic expansion, and so forth have become the abiding interest, if not the obsession, of all modern societies. In the current vocabulary of condemnation there are few words as final and conclusive as the word “uneconomic.” If an activity has been branded as uneconomic, its right to existence is not merely questioned but energetically denied. Anything that is found to be an impediment to economic growth is a shameful thing, and if people cling to it, they are thought of as either saboteurs or fools. Call a thing immoral or ugly, soul-destroying or a degradation of man, a peril to the peace of the world or to the well-being of future generations; as long as you have not shown it to be “uneconomic” you have not really questioned its right to exist, grow, and prosper."
—E. F. Schumacher, Small is Beautiful
"Production for the masses in addition to mass production" - paraphrase of EF Schmacher quote
"Americans import Danish sugar cookies and Danes import American sugar cookies. Exchanging recipies woudl surely be more efficient" - Herman Daly, economist
"I sympathize, therefore, with those who would maximize, rather than minimize, economic entanglement between nations. Ideas, knowledge, art, hospitality, travel - these are the things which should of their nature be international. But let goods be homespun whenever it is reasonably and conveniently possible; and, above all, let finance be primarily national.' - J.M. Keynes
Text
Many of the course readings are on-line in the Course Reader section below, includung the main text, Short Circuit by Richard Douthwaite
Other Main Readings:
Economy - Henry David Thoreau
Small is Beautiful - E.F. Schumacher
Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and a Durable Future - Bill Mckibben
Course Reader - Local Economy (supplemental readings, audio, and video on the major topics covered in the course)