Building Community & {Simple Living Challenge} Wrap-Up

I can’t believe this is the end of the Simple Living Challenge series! We’ve covered a lot of ground. And, as with the Food & Faith Challenge, I have learned so much from you!

In Living More with Less, the final chapter talks about climate change and how it will take ALL of us to make a difference. I’d like to take a slightly different focus. You see, even though I know climate change is real, I’m not entirely sure we are the ones doing it, and it can be a politically loaded discussion. However, regardless of politics, I believe that

• people in developing countries are suffering because of shifting dry and rainy seasons
• we are called to be good stewards of what God has given us (which includes our environment and our money and other resources)
• living simply can help us focus on what’s really important (not materialism)
• Americans are lonely and do not work well with others

So what I’d like to focus on for this last topic is the idea of community. You see, a lot of bloggers in the homesteading/real food genre like to talk about self-sustainability. Which is good to an extent, but not realistic for the majority of us. I mean, who has time or resources–especially if you are working or have children or don’t have acreage–to live off the land? Grow all your own food? Keep kombucha, sourdough, and various ferments alive and growing? Sew all your own clothes?

There is a way to still get back to simple living even when one is short on resources: working in community. Helping each other. Everyone has different skills, that need to be valued. So, to close this series, I’d like to suggest some ways in which working with others/in community can help simplify your life.

CSAs

This is the most obvious way to get organic, locally grown food without having to grow it yourself! Other variations include rent-a-farmer (which I wish would take off in my area, the farmer comes to your backyard and grows your garden for you), community gardens, and produce exchanges. Oh, and CSAs aren’t just for gardeners. The concept is also branching out to fisheries, beehives, olive oil, and more.

Barter/Trade

I have a friend who makes a killer kombucha. She also makes great sourdough. I often kill both of them. So I trade my extra raw milk for kombucha or bread. It’s a win-win! Seek out those who have an underground bakery or are really good at something and if you have more money than time see if you can purchase their goodies directly (if it’s illegal, as in the case of kombucha or homebrewed beer, figure out something you can trade–maybe professional services or something from your garden).

Herdshares

I have a raw milk herdshare, which means in theory I pay my farmer to keep the cows for  me. I have also seen goat herdshares and meat CSAs. Because realistically, not all of us have room or the legal means to raise livestock in our backyards.

Canning Bees

If you don’t know how to can, it’s the best way to learn. If you do know how to can, you also know it can be a long day. It’s so much more enjoyable when you can work with others. Many hands make light work!

Meal Clubs

Similar to a canning bee, except you make freezer meals.

What are some ways in which you’ve simplified your life by working with others?

Related posts:

1. Learn from the World Community {Simple Living Challenge}
2. Gardens, Farms, and Markets {Simple Living Challenge}
3. Recreation, Schedules, and Lent {Simple Living Challenge}

Read more at The Local Cook