Polk County Office of Agricultural Economic Development, in collaboration with the Mill Spring Agricultural Center, is offering two free events to learn about a movement sweeping through the nation. Slow Money is a national/international organization assisting communities to seek a new approach to investment. ‘Investment’ sounds intimidating like Wall Street, but when it comes to Slow Money’s definition it means a community viewing their local economy as important for future generations.

This might include a young farmer being able to purchase a precision seeder to greatly increase his production, a restaurant specializing in serving locally produced food, expanding their seating area, and/or a hobby beekeeper expanding into commercial production of honey.

Sound interesting? Here is more information on opportunities for engagement:

On Thursday, March 19 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Slow Money N.C. Lunch and Learn will feature Slow Money N.C. founders Carol Peppe Hewitt and Lyle Estill. They will provide a one hour information session called Local Financing 101. A pre ordered box lunch with a local flare is offered for this event. Contact information is below for details on box lunch. Order by Tuesday, March 17 or bring your own.

On Friday, April 10 at 5:30 p.m. Slow Money N.C. Investing for the Future will be presented.    Opportunities to support farms, food and agriculture in our region will be explored. Hear about new projects in Polk County and innovative businesses around the region. Local entrepreneurs  will also discuss how community involvement can make a significant impact on our regional economy. Food tastings will be offered by Slow Food Foothills and Manna Cabana Organic CSA.

Both events will be held at the Mill Spring Agricultural Center located at 156 School Rd. in Mill Spring, N.C. More information can be found online at www.polkcountyfarms.org, or email djordan@polknc.org or info@polkcountyfarms.org, or call Dawn Jordan at 828-894-2281 or Patrick McLendon at 828-436-0029.

– Submitted by Dawn Jordan