This fall, Sustainable Hilltowns will host several community discussions. According to April Roggio, independent researcher and co-owner of the Medusa General Store, these community dialogues hope to answer this question: Would the development of a “makerspace” in the Hilltowns help to nurture small farmers?

Funded with a grant from the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, Sustainable Hilltowns is interested, broadly, in pursuing activities that encourage sustainable economic development, food security, and prosperity for the region.

“The Maker Movement, a grassroots initiative that has inspired everyone from community activists to our President (the White House announced its own Maker Faire this year!), proposes that everyone can and should have the opportunity to design and create, to be builders, hackers and innovators, not just consumers,” said Roggio in a release on the workshops.

“From 3D printers and robotics to DIY transportation and sustainable technology, the Make movement is inspiring communities to create and explore together with promising outcomes.

“Surprisingly, while the Makers have left their mark on organizations from big business to education, and inspired designers, young and old, it tends to be an urban movement. We think now’s the time to change that: We want to reach out to our community and design a maker space that promises to support our small farmers, especially in a region that has not yet recovered from a recession economy.

“Farmers are, after all, the very first ‘makers’ and have longed thrived on their ingenuity and entrepreneurship. Our version could include an extensive resource library, a workshop with relevant tools, and a space for sharing ideas and collaborating with other farmers and small businesses. It could precede a complementary effort to build a full-scale rural business incubator in our region.”

Roggio has scheduled workshops during the month of November, and is asking interested residents to join in the conversation. A brief presentation will cover the basics of the Make movement, how it relates to small farming.

While she and Sustainable Hilltowns are particularly interested in hearing from small farmers, everyone is welcome to attend and share their experiences with small farming, homesteading, growing, and producing in the Albany County Hilltowns.

This is the workshop schedule:

— Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 6 p.m., at the Berne Library’s community room;

— Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 6 p.m., at the Rensselaerville Library’s community room; and

— Saturday, Nov. 7, at 4 p.m., at the Knox Octagonal Barn.
 

Additional presentations may be scheduled as requested. Contact april.roggio@gmail.com or leave her a message at 261-0910. Updated information is also available at the Sustainable Hilltowns Facebook page.