For decades — from the 1930s until the 1980s — the U.S. grocery industry was remarkably competitive, with independent grocers thriving alongside large chains like Kroger and Safeway. Independent ...

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What is Local Self-Reliance? Local self-reliance means that we, the people, are free to exercise power over our lives — how we provide for our families, how resources are shared and allocated in our ...

David Morris reflects on 50 years of fostering local self-reliance and ILSR. Those of us who were lucky to have worked with ILSR’s co-founder David Morris over many decades invite you to join us in ...

A network of community composters building the movement by connecting early adopters, spreading lessons learned, and inspiring new operations. The Community Composter Coalition is a network of ...

Our team fights the unchecked power of corporate monopolies and champions policies that level the playing field for small independent businesses. In The Atlantic, Stacy Mitchell explains the true ...

Building Local Power welcomes a new host: renowned bookseller, writer, and anti-Amazon activist Danny Caine. With Danny at the helm, BLP will continue its legacy of fascinating guests, inspiring ...

Christopher Mitchell is the Director of the Community Broadband Networks Initiative with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) in Minneapolis. Mitchell is a leading national expert on community ...

Community-based composting can happen at schools, churches, community gardens, farms and other community venues. It is an effective way to engage youth, gardeners, and other members of the public in ...

For decades, rooftop solar has allowed homeowners to generate their own renewable electricity — reducing their dependence on monopoly utilities and lowering their energy bills. Investing in solar, ...

Compost is the dark, crumbly, earthy smelling material produced by the decomposition of organic materials such as food scraps and yard trimmings. When added to soil, compost sequesters carbon, ...

Only by relying on one another, cultivating a spirit of togetherness, and taking big, collective action in our communities can we win the future we all deserve. A future where we all have the freedom ...