For a new way of connecting investors to local food systems, catalyzing new forms of social  investing and philanthropy for the 21st century  join  the emerging network of investors, donors, entrepreneurs, farmers, and activists who are giving birth to the  nurture capital industry.  Join Slow Money for its 2^nd National Gathering  at Shelburne Farms, a working farm and forest and National Historic Landmark at 1611  Harbor Road Shelburne, VT 05482 .  June 9-11, 2010. It is a setting uniquely imbued with the history of capitalism and a nonprofit organization dedicated to forging a new future through sustainability education, creating social enterprises and strengthening local food systems. Enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Champlain. Meet thought leaders and change agents from around the country who are joining in this exciting project: designing capital markets that go beyond extraction and consumption all the way to preservation and restoration… starting with food and soil fertility.

Program details will be announced shortly but you can be sure that they will include healthy doses of discussions, collaboration, spirit of inquiry, shared learning, music, and food.

For more information and to register use this link.  http://www.slowmoneyalliance.org/national-gathering.html

Meridian is a highly dynamic specialized insurance consulting group and broker with offices in Boston, MA, Newport, RI and Brookfield, CT. We specialize in risk management and risk transfer for companies interested in sustainable practice. We also promote sustainable practices and are members of the Sustainable Business Network and Slow Money Alliance. Our Mission is simple.  We seek to help our clients make the best risk and risk transfer decisions possible.

We bring market-leading service to the most creative solutions in the risk management field to ensure that each Meridian client achieves their risk objectives.

View more photos here

Wondering about the sustainable movement  in general and local food specifically?  Whether  you are in New England or beyond if you’d like to learn a little and ask some questions of some pioneers see the event info below.

And if you have questions about risk management for your sustainable business  contact us.

Meridian is a highly dynamic specialized insurance consulting group and broker with offices in Boston, MA, Newport, RI and Brookfield, CT. We specialize in risk management and risk transfer for companies interested in sustainable practice. We also promote sustainable practices and are members of the Sustainable Business Network and Slow Money Alliance. Our Mission is simple.  We seek to help our clients make the best risk and risk transfer decisions possible.

We bring market-leading service to the most creative solutions in the risk management field to ensure that each Meridian client achieves their risk objectives.

February 16, 2010, 7:00-9:00 pm
Film Screening & Panel: Food Fight and discussion about Slow Money Alliance
Where: Science Center Lecture Hall A, Cambridge campus 1 Oxford Street Cambridge, MA

Does the term “foodie” inspire, irritate, or intrigue you? Do you wonder what the big deal is about food that is locally grown, organic, or “sustainable”? Do you wonder whether your food choices really matter? Join the Harvard University Dining Services Food Literacy Project for a screening of the award-winning documentary Food Fight and a discussion with filmmaker Chris Taylor and Woody Tasch, the founder of Slow Money Alliance.  Food Fight explores the political and social changes that shaped 20th century American agricultural policy and food culture and the changing relationship between consumers and big agribusiness.  Slow Money Alliance is a new nonprofit that combines principles of philanthropy and investing to “bring money back down to earth” by encouraging investment in small food enterprises, local food systems, and local economies.  Questions?  Contact theresa_mcculla@harvard.edu for information. The event is free and open to the public.

From the Political Packrat blogpost Monday Nov 2nd comes more press for Slow Money.

Meridian sees a rising tide of voices which say in unison that it is an idea whose time has come. And like  any such animal it’s causing a touchstone for people from all walks of life.  Geography does not seem to be limiting the imagination of those who are germinating this idea. Decide for yourself but think back on this in 3 years, 5 years, and 10 years from now and see how time has colored your own view of the  importance and opportunity that stood before us at this time in history.

“Slow Money is the name of a book, a movement, and an idea whose time has come. The subtitle of the book ” investing as if food, farms and fertility mattered” explains the heart of the movement which is only about a year old, but which is going viral all over the world.

The principles of slow money are not about capitalism or communism but about common sense and basic morality. The idea of slowing money down means to not invest for a quick killing and maximum return for investors, but to invest for long tern goals and the good of both investment and investor. The movement asks three interesting questions in the principles section of its website:

• What would the world be like if we invested 50% of our assets within 50 miles of where we live?
• What if there were a new generation of companies that gave away 50% of their profits?
• What if there were 50% more organic matter in our soil 50 years from now?

These questions were provocative enough to make me want to download the PDF outlining all the principles of the movement which you can do by clicking here.

How it Started

The Slow Money movement grew out of the slow food, buy local idea. From eating local and eschewing factory farms and agribusiness it is only one small step to changing the entire system by changing the way we view business, profit and investment. The Slow Money movement is putting its money where its mouth is by starting a seed money fund that will emphasize ” nurture capitalism” funding local and small food enterprises, not as philanthropy, but as sensible investment in product, people, and the future.

Like most great concepts it is simple. Like most game-changing ideas it leaves you thinking ” why didn’t I think of that” and like many new ways of thinking, it will no doubt be met with ridicule and pessimism. The important thing is, given human nature, will it work? Only time will tell.

The world as we know it is on the verge of economic collapse. International financial institutions, governments and corporations are paddling like mad to keep us from going over the falls into oblivion. I say, keep an open mind and incorporate the idea of “nurture capitalism” into the economy. Maybe it is time to think outside the box? It’s what we’re best at here in America and Lord knows we need to re-invent ourselves.  ”

http://politicalpackrat.blogspot.com/2009/11/slow-money-fast-growing-idea.html

Meridian is a highly dynamic specialized insurance consulting group and broker  with offices in Boston, MA, Newport, RI and Brookfield, CT.  We are a hard-driving group with an entrepreneurial spirit who will work tirelessly for clients. Our Mission is simple.  We seek to help our clients make the best risk and risk transfer decisions possible.

We bring market-leading service to the most creative solutions in the risk management field to ensure that each Meridian client achieves their risk objectives.