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PROJECT
INTRODUCTION
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Project
Summary:
Ways of Wisdom is doing case studies of five
families who practice sustainable living in
Northeast Minnesota. The case studies focus on how
these families cope with such issues as food,
energy, shelter, finances, community,
transportation, and waste disposal. This study
includes people living in rural or wilderness
areas of Northeast Minnesota. The participants are
comprised of both farmers and homesteaders. The
case studies not only examine how and why these
individual families are living sustainably but
also compare similarities and differences between
them. |
Project
Goals:
The goal of this project is to identify families
living sustainably in Northeast Minnesota and to
study their lifestyles to gain an understanding of
how and why they live this way. Families included
in the study earn at least a portion of their
income from resources on their own property, have
an ethic of stewardship, employ appropriate
technologies, practice self-reliance, and
cooperate with others in their community. The
results of the study will be shared with people
living in this region through a written report and
local workshops. The objective of this study is to
inform residents of Northeast Minnesota on the
benefits and challenges of the sustainable
lifestyle and show them how they can take
practical steps to live this way if they choose. |
Criteria
for Case Study Candidates:
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Must
live year around in a rural area of
Northeast Minnesota. |
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Should
have a portion of their income earned from
resources on their property (examples:
farming, market gardening and maple syruping). |
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Should
have a sustainable economic philosophy, such
as living frugally and working to be debt
free. |
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Be
willing to participate in the study and
supply information about their lifestyle. |
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Desire
to share their story and philosophy with
others. This could be done through a
workshop, open house or farm tour, hosting
an intern, or acting as a mentor to others. |
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Be
aware of how their lifestyle affects the
environment and act accordingly. |
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Project
Need and Relevance to NE Minnesota
As
the population of Minnesota grows there will be
increased pressure on the rural/wilderness
environment. This is especially true in northeast
Minnesota where people choose to live year-round
or have a second home. In order to perpetuate both
a healthy environment and maintain a balanced use
of renewable resources it is vital that people
have information on and examples of how to live
sustainably in this part of the state. Many people
visit northeast Minnesota as tourists and then
make a choice to live here. Some want to homestead
and others desire to enjoy an outdoor life.
Individuals who have lived in urban environments
may not be aware of the economic challenges that a
life in remote areas can present. For example, the
Cook County, Minnesota median income is $10,000
lower than in the Twin Cities. A sustainable
lifestyle allows people to live comfortably on
less money while maintaining a productive and
creative life. This study of sustainable living in
the rural/wilderness areas of northeast Minnesota
is intended to provide people with information on
how and why others have adapted their lifestyles
to the unique nature of the north woods. The
opportunity will then be to share this information
with people who want to live more sustainably or
gain a better understanding of why people choose
this lifestyle.
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