What's it take for a community to meet its own energy needs? What does a town or city need to do to create and keep living-wage jobs? Can a county or state grow the food it needs and wants?  And how would a thriving township interact with others in its state, region and the world?

These aren't questions for intellectual debate over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.  These are real-life issues being tackled, in really practical ways, at the St. Croix Institute for Sustainable Community Development , bit.ly/byG6ZH 

The Institute not only examines these challenges, it demonstrates possible solutions at the River Falls campus.  As importantly, the Institute asks us —  individuals and organizations throughout the 7,800-square-mile St. Croix River Valley water shed — to identify the assets and opportunities in our communities, and work together to develop and share approaches for energy independence, sustainable food systems, and more. 

I interviewed Dr. Kelly Cain, the Institute's director, in late July on my Deep Roots Radio program on WPCA Radio, Amery, Wisconsin. He's unequivocal about the need for local sustainability, and eager for the collaborations required to revitalize our communities.