Vision 2020  is a citizen initiative created to positively influence the sustainable future of the North Fork Valley.  In an ongoing collective dialogue, community members have outlined common values, targeted community sectors, and listed action steps with the pretense that we can make a difference now in the well being of this community in the year 2020.

This is where the SOIL Academy fits in.  Vision 2020's vision is collated within 2 overarching themes:

• The importance of supporting local businesses, including local farms;
• The propensity of the North Fork Valley to be a center of learning. 

 

In addition, five interconnected fields have been identified as distinct “industries” that currently exist in the North Fork Valley community and that are desirable to develop as economic and social drivers.

•      Food and Sustainable Agriculture
•      Energy Resources
•      Creative Arts
•      Recreation and Tourism
•      Health and Wellness

Projects supporting Vision 2020 enhance the lives of North Fork community members as well as those from sister communities and create sustaining flourishing communityies that many desire.  It is not about changing what is here, rather it is about using the assets that we have to develop a vibrant thriving community that is prosperous without excessive growth. 

The SOIL Academy, naturally supports the Food and Agricultural Sector, but also all of the other categories.  The agricultural history of the valley and current trends in culinary  and homestead arts set the platform for food production and all parts of the whole system that revolve around it, especially and including humans, to be primary assets.

The North Fork Valley is the organic hub of Colorado, known for it's fruits, vegetables, cheeses, wines, grass-fed beef, buffalo and game.  Projects that encourage and instruct young farmers to be the next generation of producers are amoungst the highest priorities for the SOIL Academy, here or elsewhere.  

SOIL Academy support for Vision 2020  Projects
* a community micro-loan program 
         board of directors (put link here)
* a fully equipped collaborative community kitchen and storage facility 
          Virtual Community:  Fresh & Wylde, The Trading Post, Redlands 
          Mesa Grange, Delicious Orchards
*  an agricultural and culinary learning center 
          Virtual Community:  Fresh & Wylde, The Trading Post, Delicious 
          Orchards, The Blue Sage, The Creamery Arts Center
*  projects that emphasize organically grown foods in institutional settings 
          Kids on Farms, Kid's Pasta Project, Vision School, Culinary School of 
          the Rockies

...additional  SOIL Academy contributions:
*  community Scholorship Program
*  community Barter System
*  community Communication System
*  "Meet Your Farmer" Public Access Program
*  community food bank