100-Mile Diet: http://100milediet.org/

Try local eating for global change.

American Independent Business Alliance:  http://amiba.net/

Helps sustain independent businesses across the nation by raising awareness of their struggles and networking to strengthen communities.

Big Box Tool Kit:  http://www.bigboxtoolkit.com/

Big Box Tool Kit has the resources you’ll need to both beat the big box and to chart a new course for economic development in your community.

Business Alliance for Local Living Economies: http://www.livingeconomies.org/

Helps connect local economies. 

Craig’s List:  www.craigslist.org 

Offers free listings of jobs, housing, used goods and other community resources.

Farm to School: http://www.farmtoschool.org/

Helps establish local food programs in school cafeterias, and educates students about the benefits of eating local foods.

Freecycle:  www.freecycle.org  (hint – enter Ann Arbor, MI in ‘Find a group near you’)

This site connects you with people who might want whatever you are attempting to get rid of or who might have just what you are looking for!  Everything, including the membership, is free.

Host a clothing or household items swap!

Get together with friends and exchange your unused items.  Add a pot-luck meal and special theme and have a great time!

Institute for Local Self Reliance:  http://www.ilsr.org/

Works to enable communities with tools to increase economic effectiveness, reduce wastes, decrease environmental impacts and provide for local ownership of the infrastructure and resources essential for community well-being.  

Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/

A research and education center with statewide programs to develop sustainable agricultural practices that are both profitable and conserve natural resources.

Local Harvest:  www.localharvest.org

Find, by zip code, CSAs, farmers’ markets, food co-ops, and restaurants featuring local foods.

Local Legacies: http://www.loc.gov/folklife/roots/

Celebrates community roots with information about festivals and fairs, etc.

National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service: http://www.attra.org/

Provides information and other technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, Extension agents, educators, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the United States.

Pick Your Own:  www.pickyourown.org

Features county-by-county info about pick-your-own farms throughout the US.

Relocalization Network:  http://www.relocalize.net/

The main goals of Relocalization are to increase community energy security, to strengthen local economies, and to dramatically improve environmental conditions and social equity.  This site is no longer active but contains much good info!

Slow Food:  http://www.slowfood.com/

Slow Food is about good, clean and fair food: the food we eat should taste good; should be produced in a clean way that does not harm the environment, animal welfare or our health; and food producers should receive fair compensation for their work.

Think Local First of Washtenaw County:  http://www.thinklocalfirst.net/

Supports and cultivates locally-owned, independent businesses in Washtenaw County that are committed to making our communities a healthier and more vibrant place to live.