McIntosh SEED
McIntosh County, Georgia is a rural, coastal community rich in history and culture. However, with the decline of shrimping and a lack of industry, the county has struggled to find economic viability. In addition, the county has traditionally faced an oppressive power structure, rooted in racism, which silences the voices of marginalized community members and limits their access to opportunities. In 1997, an unprecedented gathering of blacks and whites was convened to discuss their common concerns and how they could work together to address these challenges. SEED (Sustainable Environment and Economic Development) emerged from this meeting, a grassroots organization dedicated to addressing the root causes of poverty in McIntosh County. After ten years in the community, the guiding principles of inclusion and equality remain at the center of SEED’s work. Its mission is to create and sustain a healthy and diverse community through community development, community organizing, advocacy, and direct service. SEED’s accomplishments include developing a Harris Neck heritage and cultural tour which highlights the rich African American history of the region, forming a shrimping cooperative, providing a computer lab for local residents, initiating tutoring programs for students, and generating environmentally compatible economic development criteria to guide the County’s growth. SEED has become an important resource in the community and continues to strive towards its vision of a vibrant and just McIntosh County. www.mcintoshseed.org

1. SEED Organizational Paper
2. SEED Model of Change

CEDNet
East Tennessee is an area of natural beauty and rich historical traditions. Composed of 35 counties, the region is home to the Great Smoky Mountains and historical landmarks, such as Civil War sites and Andrew Johnson’s home, in addition to being the birthplace of country music. These bountiful assets are tempered by challenges such as a decline in farming as a traditional economic base, isolation of residents, and a history of placing decision making power in the hands of outsiders.

In 1997, five grassroots organizations gathered to discuss their common goals and ways they could support each other. The group functioned as an informal peer support network until it became incorporated as CEDNet (Community Economic Development Network of East Tennessee) in 2004. CEDNet has a task force structure consisting of Latino, African American, and Sustainable Agricultural task forces. The task forces’ accomplishments include the creation of a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a state proclamation establishing the 8th of August as Emancipation Day, and a “Farm to School” project linking local growers to the school system. In addition, CEDNet holds quarterly meetings which allow grassroots workers to network, share resources, and support each other. 130 representatives from over 30 organizations currently participate in CEDNet. Through CEDNet, grassroots organizations from low-wealth rural and urban communities increase their individual power through collective dialogue, planning, and action. www.cednet.us

1. CEDnet Organizational Paper
2. CEDnet Model of Change