Janaia Donaldson

“I ask the groups that hire me to pay me what feels good and right and fair to them, an amount they can afford, and that they can give joyfully… I basically trust them. And it works out really well.” Freelance group facilitator Tree Bressen has made her livelihood in the sharing economy for over a decade. She has also participated in a neighborhood Gift Circle and an online version called Kindista.

It all started with neighbors meeting to save money and share information around energy, water, food and more. It has grown into shared projects, shared tools and deepened friendships.

ReCyclery founder Chauncey Tudhope-Locklear and Board President Kees Kolff explain how opportunities exploded when the Recylery became a non-profit organization.

Justin Power (JP), a Transition Specialist for the federal government, notes the healing in being outdoors with hands dirty, watching creation from planting seed to harvesting healthy food.

The biggest challenge is changing our mindset from the scarcity built into the existing monetary system to one based on relationships, cooperation and plenty.

Nook and cranny gardens optimize micro-climates — water catchment for perennial plants, rocks that retain warmth to extend the growing period, and trees providing fuel, food and shade.