Great minds think alike, or so it’s been said.
In the Spring issue of eSEMA we’re here to prove just that.
We have some remarkable people living in eSEMA-land who make the community and the world at large a better place to live. While their stand-alone work is impressive in itself, when partnering or collaborating with other entities they knock it right out of the park (Fenway, of course). As we travel through the area, we uncover stories of community partnerships formed between farmers, restaurants, small and large businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits. They share their respective best skills and practices with each other, forming a body larger than the sum of the individual parts, that ultimately serves the greater community by weaving desired products and services into the tapestry that is southeastern Mass.
Feeding the food-insecure and first responders. Getting fresh, local foods into more mouths while expanding farmers’ product reach. Bringing dormant farms back to life. Hiring individuals of all abilities. Strengthening the community through craft beer collaborations—all these actions rely on teamwork to succeed. Community partnerships create a stronger and larger network, with the benefits growing exponentially.
Each member is an integral spoke in the wheel, starting in our towns and cities and expanding into the greater region at large. By partnering together, we double and even triple our efforts, making heady goals easier to attain. John Donne hits the nail on the head, “No man is an island.” Or Dumas, “All for one and one for all.” Let’s face it, this has been a recurring theme in all times. Seeing these concepts in action—and the remarkable effects they have for all involved—is inspirational and serves as notice that we can do remarkable things if we just get involved in even the tiniest way.
The community partnerships that operate in southeastern Mass leverage the region’s unique landscape and its residents’ can-do resilience to create something larger than ourselves; something that strengthens the community and serves as a template for others to follow. This issue highlights these special collaborations and inspires us to do better by taking a page out of their successful playbook and making it come to life for our neighbors, our community.
Eat thoughtfully,
