As an organization, we're always talking about economic development, and there are plenty of good economic reasons for why we should want to preserve and nurture small communities in America. But as people, the reasons that lead us to live and work in a rural place like Wilmington-our hometown-are deeply personal, and often contradict economic reason and wisdom. It's often a struggle to explain these forces, but one book-Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry-really does a magnificent job. Anyone interested in communities and rural places needs to become familiar with Berry, who is probably America's best living essayist, poet, AND novelist on rural life. The story is told through the life of the town barber of Port William, Kentucky, and digs into the richness of community life, and the unspeakable power of community to shape us and bind us with our place in the world. The book also provides deep insights into the causes that have contributed to the decline and loss of communities like Port William, many of which we fight today in Clinton County. The reason we love to share Jayber Crow, and often recommend it to people interested in community development, is that it so beautifully captures the spirit of community in a way that development discourse cannot.
Bolivia RPCV Taylor Stuckert is helping to create jobs and bring hope to his hometown of Wilmington, Ohio
Media That Inspires Mark Rembert and Taylor Stucker to Energize Clinton
"Media That Inspires" is an ongoing conversation at TakePart that recognizes the power that films, books, and other media have to compel change and prompt action. TakePart is asking people who make a difference every day about the works that have inspired them.
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Caption: Mark and Taylor are helping to create jobs and bring hope to their hometown. (Photo: Contributed by Energize Clinton County)
Mark Rembert and Taylor Stuckert grew up in the rural town of Wilmington, Ohio. With just 12,000 residents, the town's commerce centered around DHL, a shipping company with a hub there.
In 2008, everything changed.
The hub unexpectedly closed. More than 8,000 jobs were lost, and 2,000 more were affected.
At this time, Mark and Taylor had graduated from college, and had held jobs in Philadelphia and New York City. Taylor had spent time in the Peace Corps in Bolivia. Both intended to leave with the Peace Corps to Ecuador, but after returning to Wilmington, they knew they were needed in their hometown as much as anywhere.
Today, Mark and Taylor are in the midst of an endeavor called Energize Clinton County. The co-founders have created a regional center for economic sustainability and development and are bringing innovative and green businesses to the area. Since launching, the community has received approximately $1.4 million dollars of direct green investments.
Here are the books and films that inspired Mark and Taylor to energize Clinton County.
Q: Which film or book was a wake-up call and made you truly aware of an issue?
A: There is one book that we always find ourselves returning to called Rooted in the Land: Essays on Community and Place. This collection features a truly remarkable cross-section of voices asking the questions we find ourselves asking on a daily basis: "Why should we value communities and places?" "Why has America lost so many of its rural places and communities?" And "what can we do to revive the importance of community in American life?"
The book features essays from the known-such as Wendell Berry, Wes Jackson and David Orr-and the less known- such as Bill Vitek, David Kilne, and Helena Norberg-Hodge. Each author brings a unique perspective to dealing with questions of community in the 21st century.
Q: Which film or book inspired you to take action and get involved in an issue?
A: Two movies that really caught our attention this past year were Fresh and Food, Inc. In Clinton County, most of our farms are farmed using industrial techniques, which wasn't something we really thought about much growing up. Since we've come home and started working in the community, we've come to see the impact industrial farming has had on our community, our local economy, and our local environment.
With a deeper understanding of what agriculture is now, and what it has the potential to be, we've been led to advocate more and more for local growers that are using innovative techniques and our fertile farmland to feed our community and those around us.
Q: Is there a book or film out right now that particularly inspires you?
A: As an organization, we're always talking about economic development, and there are plenty of good economic reasons for why we should want to preserve and nurture small communities in America. But as people, the reasons that lead us to live and work in a rural place like Wilmington-our hometown-are deeply personal, and often contradict economic reason and wisdom.
It's often a struggle to explain these forces, but one book-Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry-really does a magnificent job. Anyone interested in communities and rural places needs to become familiar with Berry, who is probably America's best living essayist, poet, AND novelist on rural life.
The story is told through the life of the town barber of Port William, Kentucky, and digs into the richness of community life, and the unspeakable power of community to shape us and bind us with our place in the world. The book also provides deep insights into the causes that have contributed to the decline and loss of communities like Port William, many of which we fight today in Clinton County.
The reason we love to share Jayber Crow, and often recommend it to people interested in community development, is that it so beautifully captures the spirit of community in a way that development discourse cannot.
Q: What is your favorite escape and guilty pleasure?
A: We are HUGE Cincinnati sports fans. We're looking forward to great season of fall featuring a playoff run by the Cincinnati Reds and a dominating season from the Cincinnati Bengals.
