Independence or Interdependence? Fast Company’s Steve McCallion suggests the pursuit of independence has actually eroded our economy and only a shift toward more interdependence will suture the gap between the have’s and have-nots in a globalized market. I got to thinking about this on the drive to the coast for the holiday weekend and couldn’t help but wonder, how is Oregon thinking about urban and rural interdependency?

I’ll admit, as I drive out of the city I feel a sigh of relief wash over me. Maybe it’s the feeling I get as traffic dies down, or the change of tempo as suburbs turn to green fields; whatever it is there is a distinct sense of release. That said, I love Portland for its rural-ish urban farms, die-hard bike culture and commitment to sustainability (however we’re defining that now). In fact there is a long list of why the urban/rural connection is so vital to the overall economic health in Oregon right? I’ll be collecting your suggestions and here’s just a few ideas of mine:

1. Oregon Country Natural Beef
2. The Food Alliance
3. Land Use - can we plan for interdependence?
4. Rural/Urban Boundaries - do classifications help?
5. Business Clusters

You can read and comment on all of Cassie Wieden's blog posts on the Rural Economy Project on Oregon Public Broadcasting's web site.

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