What if we applied the DIY concept to community building? Going out and creating change by being ourselves, trusting ourselves, and doing it ourselves. Not alone of course, but not waiting for a perfect set of circumstances to begin. Doing the things that scare us a little can help us grow as individuals and have a positive ripple effect in our communities.

Heidi Demars is a multipassionate community builder that thrives on creating connections and working with others to improve the quality of life in her local community of BismarckMandan, North Dakota. A founder of the BisMan Community Food Coop, Heidi has been instrumental in growing the consumerowned cooperative to over 1,500 memberowners and preparing for the its opening in April 2016.

Following her passion to advance sustainable agriculture across the state, Heidi serves on the Organic Advisory Board for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and has raised over $1.5 million for sustainable ag projects over the past four years.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx