After-school programs may be one of the most underused pieces of civic infrastructure we have.
They sit in the space between school, home, workforce, community organizations, employers, colleges, mentors and public agencies. That makes them uniquely positioned to do more than keep young people occupied after 3 p.m.
Read MoreIf Augusta still values a central organization that supports artists, administers public funding, coordinates public art, produces a major cultural festival and helps connect organizations across the sector, then that role needs to be clearly defined, appropriately funded and accountable.
Read More[shared from October 25, 2025 Mighty Community post ] Augusta’s teaching farm still holds incredible promise. The land is good, the farmers are dedicated, and the vision is worth fighting for. But a system that relies on unpaid labor while withholding resources cannot call itself “community-based.”
Read MoreOver the past few weeks, this event has been shaped by real conversations. People have shared what they love about live music, what they miss, what they need, what makes them feel safe, what makes them feel overlooked, and what makes them want to show up.
Read MoreToo often, organizations collect names without building relationships. We create mailing lists, volunteer rosters, event registrations, and survey responses, but rarely ask how someone’s connection to the work might deepen.
Read MoreIf you have ever said, “Schools need to…” or “Why doesn’t somebody…?” this may be a good place to begin.
Read MoreGood community structures do not require everyone to produce the same answer. They create enough framework for people to participate while leaving enough room for individuality, experimentation and surprise.
Read MoreZoning determines much more than where houses, businesses and industries can be built. It can also determine whether a family can sell what it grows, whether a neighborhood can establish a community garden, whether a small agricultural enterprise can operate, where farm stands are permitted, and what kinds of agricultural activity remain possible as Augusta continues to develop.
Read MoreLand suitable for agriculture competes with housing and commercial development. Small and specialty producers need markets. Agritourism businesses need visibility. Beginning farmers need affordable access to land. Residents want opportunities to grow food closer to home. And economic-development decisions can permanently change what land will be available to the next generation.
Read MoreThrough Grow with Joy Inc., Joy is helping develop an agricultural education experience that introduces teens not simply to gardening, but to the much larger world surrounding agriculture.
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