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Following on from my earlier post, we are embracing the latest Web 2.0 tools to ensure that ‘Future Choices - Live & Local’ will create great discussions, generate nichier content and cover relevant topics.
We are using the social networking tool ‘Crowdvine’ to encourage delegates and those with an interest in all things rural to ‘meet’ and share ideas, practices and solutions before the event in Skipton a concept known as an ‘unconference’; knowing who will be at the event and where their interests lie, saves precious time during the conference itself.
And people who cannot attend the event can also get involved. The simple sign up takes less than a minute and delegates have access to each other - it’s a bit like a delegate list, but much better! Instead of a just a name and email address, ‘Profiles’ consist of a photo, location, personal link, description, blog posts, and a brief outline of why they are attending ‘Future Choices - Live & Local’. Members can also incorporate RSS feeds from another blog, photo stream, or social bookmarking site. Members can invite friends, make friends, message each other, and comment on each others pages.
The online discussions will feed into the the conference itself.
To join in, meet others and take a sneak preview of Future Choices - Live & Local! sign up here.
July 28th, 2008
The Plunkett Foundation (ViRSA) - will be at Future Choices - Live & Local! delivering what will be a highly motivating and interesting workshop. Charlotte Foster, community retail advisor for Plunkett Foundation in the north west will be facilitating the workshop, which will be running on Day 1 of the conference programme.
The Plunkett Foundation is offer funding, support and free advice to rural communities across Britain whose village shop, Post Office or other retail service is threatened. The Plunkett Foundation recognises that community-ownership is often the only viable option for villages wishing to retain or introduce a local shop. Are there additional services that can co-exist in the village shop and post office and help improve their viability? What additional social benefits does community-ownership bring?
Charlotte Foster, Community Retail Adviser:
“I’m looking forward to facilitating this workshop. In particular, I hope the participants will learn more about the social benefits of community ownership and the support that the Plunkett Foundation offers to rural communities.”
We are delighted that the Plunkett Foundation is supporting Future Choices - Live & Local! is this way and they are an exciting addition to an already impressive workshop line up, which includes The Soil Association and Community Land Trusts.
ViRSA is an activity of the The Plunkett Foundation.
June 25th, 2008
We are delighted to announce that The Soil Association will be delivering the ‘Local Food’ workshop at ‘Future Choices -Live & Local!’
At a time of rising food prices, the opportunities and challenges that exist for local food markets is of particular interest and importance. This workshop will examine the emergence of local food co-operatives, the growing demand for allotments and the opportunities to ‘grow your own’ - includes case study examples.
The Soil Association has just begun an exciting new programme to develop CSA (community supported agriculture) and organic buying groups. They are part of a partnership project on local food and social enterprise, ‘Making Local Food Work’, funded by the Big Lottery Fund.
CSA is about reconnecting people with the farm on which their food is grown. There are lots of different ways that CSA can work. Normally, local people will invest in their local farm in some way in return for a share of the harvest. CSA is a partnership between farmers and consumers where the responsibilities and rewards of farming are shared.
For more information about the scheme visit their site.
To book your place at ruralne|2008 Live & Local - go to the booking page.
June 20th, 2008
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May 27th, 2008
Following on from my earlier post, we are embracing the latest Web 2.0 tools to ensure that ‘Future Choices - Live & Local’ will create great discussions, generate nichier content and cover relevant topics.
